Everything We Keep by Di Walker (inspirational books .TXT) 📕

Agatha shrugged.

‘Nervous, I think would best sum it up both of us,’ Katherine said, placing her hand on Agatha’s shoulder.

‘Nerves are fine. We all get nervous with new things,’ Mrs Sloane said, not to Katherine but to Agatha. ‘Now what are your plans for the end of the day?’

‘I’ll be here to collect her; I was thinking I might just wait out there in the car park. How does that sound to you Agatha?’

Having not said a word, Agatha shrugged her agreement.

‘Okay then. I’ll go and let Mrs Sloane take you to Home Group. Have a wonderful day.’ Katherine gave Agatha a hug and whispered into her ear, ‘Head up high.’ Katherine stepped back and left, the automatic doors closing behind her. Agatha watched her walk to the car, putting on her sunglasses before she opened the driver’s door.

‘Right. Now I told Mr Brown I would be bringing you over just before Home Group, so let’s head over there. I have allocated you a locker just outside his room, so it will be nice and handy.’ Mrs Sloane began to walk around the reception desk towards another door, and Agatha followed. Once outside, Mrs Sloane stopped and waited for Agatha to catch up. ‘Walk next to me Agatha,’ she said.

As they walked from the one building to the next Agatha noticed the other students arriving, lots of them, some giving her a quick glance, others seemingly not even noticing.

‘Morning Mrs Sloane,’ said one student.

‘Morn – ning,’ she replied, breaking the word into two distinct parts. Every student that past them said good morning to Mrs Sloane, and she responded to each one with her two-part morn -ning, occasionally adding, a ‘How are you?’ or ‘Tuck that shirt in.’

‘All of the Year 8s and their lockers are in this building,’ she said to Agatha. ‘I think you will find some lovely new friends amongst them.’

Agatha wasn’t so sure. She remembered her best friend in junior primary school had become her worst enemy by the time they reached Grade 4. She’d spread the word about the slow deterioration of Agatha’s life throughout the whole school.

The sound in the corridor was becoming more excited the closer it got to 8.45am, the beginning of Home Group. There was a sea of navy and white uniforms ahead of them, but Mrs Sloane’s presence cut a path through them as the students stepped back to let her pass.

Finally, they reached a classroom, the door fully open. Mrs Sloane stepped to the side of the doorway, put her arm on Agatha shoulder and guided her in. ‘Morn-ning Mr Brown. This is Agatha Grace, your new Home Group member I spoke with you about yesterday.’

Mr Brown moved swiftly from his desk to the door and held out his hand to Agatha. ‘Welcome Agatha,’ he said, with his head slightly to the side and his eyes looking directly into hers. His voice was deep yet warm and welcoming. Agatha shook his hand.

‘I shall leave her with you Mr Brown,’ Mrs Sloane said and quickly disappeared back into the crowded corridor.

‘Come on in,’ Mr Brown said, his arm making a sweeping motion. ‘Because it’s your first day we will assign a couple of students to you to make sure you get to where you need to be.’

Agatha stepped into the classroom and let her school bag slide to the floor beside her. Along one wall was a series of posters titled Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and the back wall was covered by a huge map of the world. As if he could read her mind, Mr Brown said, ‘This is a humanities room most of the time.’ Agatha gave him a quick glance and kept looking around.

Other students began to enter the room. ‘Morning Mr Brown,’ they said, looking first at Agatha then making their way to their seats. It took all her effort to keep her head up high. She was regretting the ponytail. She wished she had her hair down to help shield her face. She pulled at the hair on each side of her forehead, loosening wisps that she knew would not be enough to do the job.

‘Okay folks, good morning and take your seats,’ Mr Brown said as he moved back to the teacher’s desk at the front and half sat on the front of it. When he did Agatha could see he was wearing mismatched socks under his dark suit pants.

‘Why don’t you sit over there, Agatha,’ he said, pointing to a table near the front but slightly to the side. There were two chairs there, the other stayed vacant, even as more students came in.

Mr Brown was counting students, his finger pointing from one to the other as he softly said the numbers and still managed to nod and smile to each one. ‘Still a couple of people running late,’ he said, to no one in particular. ‘Okay folks settle down,’ he said, this time in a louder voice. ‘Before we get into the housekeeping business of the day, we have a new student joining us today. I know she will quickly make new friends here, because you are a friendly bunch. Just remember, not everyone has to ask her a thousand questions, slow and steady, people. So welcome . . . ’

‘Agatha!’

Agatha’s head, like everyone else’s swung towards the door. And for the first time since her arrival Agatha spoke.

‘Tully!’

21

‘So, you two know each other?’ Mr Brown had remained in his half-seated position on the desk, his head on the side gently nodding, a wide smile on his face. ‘Great! I was just about to ask for a volunteer to buddy up with Agatha today. Can I give that responsibility to you, Tully?’

Tully walked across the room, as she got closer to Agatha, a large smile appeared. ‘Sure can Mr Brown. I’ll look after her.’

‘Great, well you can start by taking her out to her locker; here’s the combination.’ Mr Brown handed Tully a piece