4

The Exchange

Chapter Four

4

Plot

Betsy Bryant made her way toward Principal Dowling’s office at the end of the school day. Her home room teacher, Mrs. Williams, had informed her that she was to meet with the principal, but she had not told Betsy the reason. Betsy’s steps were somewhat slowed by the concern that she was in trouble for some unremembered transgression.

Betsy’s fears were elevated somewhat when she saw one of the two fellow students already outside the principal’s office.

Coleman stood to the left of the door with his ear pressed against it. On the other side of the frame stood a girl who Betsy thought she recognized, but could not put a name to. The girl also stood with her ear to the door, neither she, nor Coleman, noticed Betsy.

“Hey, Coleman. What are you doing” Betsy said in a quiet voice when she was a couple of feet from her friend.

If Betsy had reached out and slapped Coleman soundly on the ass, he would have probably not been any more startled. Both he and the girl gasped and turned to look at Betsy.

As soon as she saw the girl, Betsy recognized her. The new uniform policy had ensured that she no longer wore the super dark eye shadow or lipstick, but there was no mistaking the died, raven black hair with crimson tips.

“Hello, Megan” Betsy said without any great enthusiasm.

“Hello, Betsy, and I’ve told you it’s Isis” Megan Redding said, then smiled, “Megan is just the name they gave me. Isis is who I am” Betsy noticed that Isis had continued to wear her ankh jewelry despite it now being against the rules.

“K, hello, Isis,” Betsy continued “What were you and Coleman doing?”

“We heard voices in there” Coleman replied, indicating the office with his thumb “I think The Principal was on the phone, but neither of us could hear what she was saying”

“So I suggested we have a closer listen,” Isis continued.

“And? Did you hear anything?”

“No” Both Isis and Colman replied in resigned unison.

Betsy carefully sat down on the bench opposite the door, holding onto the hem of her skirt so as to not flash her tight burgundy panties at either Isis or Coleman.  “Is the principal still talking?” She asked them.

“She seems to be sort of talking,” said Colman frowning, “but I can’t hear the other voice now.”

“Then come and sit down, both of you. If she finds you there, you’ll be in a lot of trouble”

Coleman and Isis skulked over to the bench and sat down. Coleman sat between Betsy and Isis, who sat without any of the caution Betsy showed. Betsy noticed Coleman slyly turning his head to steal a glance at the small amount of deep red fabric peeking out from between Isis’ slightly splayed legs. Betsy felt oddly bothered by this and compelled to speak. “So, why are we here do you think?”

Coleman looked at his friend “Did we do something wrong? I know I didn’t, and you’re never in trouble” as one Betsy and Coleman turned to look at Isis.

Isis smirked “Nah. No trouble today. Now if this were last week  ”

“You’d be in trouble for cursing the school with your creepy Goth powers?” Said a smarmy voice a little way down the corridor.

Mike Forrester strode toward the bench with the confidence that only a high school football star can muster.

He came to a stop and surveyed the group before him. “Hmm, freaky, nerdy and quiet,” he murmured while shifting his gaze from Isis, to Coleman, to Betsy “Now why would the three of you be seeing the principal at the same time as me?”

With perfect timing the door to Principal Dowling’s door began to open. Mike turned to face the office, giving Isis the chance to flip the QB off while Coleman and Betsy exchanged a look, summing up their mutual dislike of the oaf.

“Ah,” Said Principal Amanda Dowling “I see you’re all here. Please come in”

Mike Forrester led the way passed the Principal and took a seat; the other three students got up and followed him in. Once all four teens were sitting, Principal Dowling pulled her office door shut.

“Now, I imagine you are all wondering why you were asked to come here” Amanda began as she returned to her chair.

Mike Forrester spoke first “I don’t know about these other three, but I assumed you wanted to talk to me about how I planned to win our next few games. Coach said…”

“Mr. Forrester,” Principal Dowling interrupted “I think you shall have to win those games for us next season” She felt a small twinge of glee as she saw the arrogant boy’s expression fall “I have spoken to Coach and he has agreed to allow you to join your colleagues here” she briefly indicated Betsy, Isis and Coleman “as part of the exchange group”

“But, but” Mike looked banjaxed “but I’m the star player, coach would never allow . . . want me to abandon the team at this point in the year!” he protested. He didn’t notice the looks on the faces of his fellow students. All three exhibited expressions of mingled excitement at their selection for the trip and barely concealed glee at Mike’s predicament.

“Yes Coach wasn’t overly keen to see you go. However I” Or I should say Erin, Amanda thought “Was able to convince him that this would be beneficial for you”

Mike slumped back in his chair, allowing Betsy and Isis to speak

“So, we’re the ones chosen? When will we be going?” asked Betsy

“Where will we stay?” asked Isis almost simultaneously.

Amanda Dowling smiled and help up her hand for silence. “I think all of your questions can be answered by this information book” She said and pulled four small, blue books from her desk drawer. “However, you will be leaving in about four weeks from now and you will be experiencing something very special”

Betsy and Isis eagerly took the books, Betsy took two and handed one to Coleman. Mike reluctantly took his.

“The students from England will be staying with your families, but your accommodations will be extra special. The Village is on land owned by a local Lord and he has graciously offered to grant you and your chaperone accommodations in his manor house for the duration of your stay!”  For a moment Principal Dowling smiled a little too broadly at the thought of Lord Summerisle.

“Chaperone?” Coleman asked “Who’s that going to be? ‘Cause my mom hasn’t ever traveled abroad and she’ll need a passport”

“None of your parents will be required to go with you, Mr. Prescott” Principal Dowling said with a mollifying tone “In fact, I’m expecting your chaperone any moment” there was a knock at the office door “Ah, there she is now. Come in, Mrs. Williams!”

Betsy turned to see her homeroom teacher enter the office. Mrs. Williams was barely out of college and popular amongst the students in the school. She smiled at Betsy.

Principal Dowling continued, “Mrs. Williams will travel with you and make sure your visit runs smoothly. She will also be staying at the manor house, so you will always know where a responsible adult can be found.”

Amanda Dowling stood up and indicated that the students should do likewise. “Now I expect that you will have made all the arrangements for the trip in time and I shall not keep you longer” as she ushered the four teens from the office. “I have to discuss details of the visit with Mrs. Williams. Have a pleasant evening” and with that, Principal Amanda Dowling closed her office door.

Betsy was tempted to listen at the door, but as the other three had begun to drift away, she quickened her pace to catch up with Coleman. Mike had already headed to the locker rooms to complain to Coach, a complaint that would fall on deaf ears.

“What do you think they’ll be talking about” Betsy asked as she rejoined Isis and Coleman.

“Oh you know boring grown up things, legal matters and the like I imagine” Colman said as he walked out of the school, a girl on either side of him.

***

“Have a seat, Sophie,” Amanda Dowling instructed Mrs. Williams

Sophie Williams carefully sat in front of her principal. Amanda looked down at her and smiled benevolently. “I’m so very glad that you’ve agreed to do this, Sophie. Have you found somebody to watch Freya?”

Sophie Williams looked up at Principle Dowling and nodded

She’s so beautiful Amanda thought and so sad, Sophie was barely 25 and already a widowed mother. This trip will be a wonderful thing for her. Amanda let her gaze take in Sophie’s pretty face and young body. I can’t wait to “catch up” when she returns, and Amanda smiled to herself. She then realized that Sophie had spoken.

“I’m sorry, dear. I must have become distracted” Amanda covered her embarrassment with a warm smile.

“Oh” Sophie swallowed and repeated herself “I said that my sister will take Freya in for the time I’m in England . She’s expecting right now and I think she’d like the chance to spend some time with her niece. After all, her baby will be three one day. Also, she spent a lot of time with Freya at,” Sophie paused and swallowed again “at” there was a catch in her voice now.

Amanda moved closer to Sophie and placed her hand on the younger woman’s shoulder “It’s ok, Sophie” she said quietly “We all know how hard it was”

Sophie sniffed a little and, in a shaky voice, continued “at Josh’s funeral.” The tears in Sophie’s eyes magnified the beauty of them. “So it seemed a good arrangement. I’m sorry . . .” and Sophie Williams began to cry a little.

Amanda Dowling cradled Sophie’s head on her shoulder and barely resisted the temptation to comfort her with a kiss. A few minutes passed and Sophie regained her composure “Thank you, Principal Dowling” She said, smiling through teary eyes “I think you’re right. I do need to have a change of scenery. It’ll make me a changed woman, no doubt.

Amanda again contemplated the beautiful, tragic young woman in front of her and mused, I do hope so, Sophie, my dear.

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