Chapter 7
As I left the reception desk, the lady kindly offered to hold onto my bags. "You can just drop your bags here with us, and they'll be safe," she said with a reassuring smile. I trusted her and left my luggage with her, feeling a bit lighter as I set off to find the principal's office.
Fortunately, the office wasn't far – just downstairs and around the corner. Despite the lady's detailed directions, I still got a bit turned around and had to ask some students for guidance. They kindly pointed me in the right direction, and I finally found the principal's office, identified by the sign above the door.
I knocked on the door, and a warm voice called out, "Come in." As I entered, the principal looked up from the files and books she was working on. She smiled and greeted me warmly. "Good morning, you're Sarah james, right?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with kindness.
I nodded, and she welcomed me to Soeul Elite International School. "Your father told me a lot about you," she said, "and I must say, you're really beautiful." I smiled, feeling a bit shy but also pleased.
The principal invited me to sit down, and I took a seat. "Did you bring your luggage with you?" she asked, and I explained that I'd left it at the reception desk. She nodded understandingly and began to explain the next steps.
"We'll be giving you some exams to test your level of intelligence," she said. "Don't worry, it's just our standard procedure." She also mentioned that my father had requested a Korean tutor for me, which she was still arranging. When she asked if I knew any Korean, I shook my head. "No, I don't," I admitted.
The principal smiled and said, "That's okay. We'll arrange for a tutor to help you learn Korean. Would you like that?" I nodded enthusiastically, and she smiled.
The principal's words flowed like a gentle stream, explaining the benefits of having a dedicated Korean tutor. "A Korean teacher would merely scratch the surface," she said, her eyes sparkling with insight. "But a total tutor would immerse you in the language and culture, allowing you to grasp its nuances and complexities."
As she spoke, her voice took on a soothing quality, and I found myself becoming more and more engaged. She mentioned that my father had paid extra fees for me to have a room to myself, and a warm smile spread across her face. "You'll have your own space," she said, her words filled with promise. "No sharing with anyone. You'll be able to study, relax, and focus on your goals without distraction."
With a gentle rustle, she stood up, gathering papers and files. "Come with me," she said, her voice inviting me to follow. We walked out of her office and into a library, the soft hum of quiet conversation and rustling pages enveloping us.
"Sit down in one of the chairs," she instructed, her eyes scanning the room. I took a seat, noticing a few students already engrossed in exams or tests. The principal handed me some papers and introduced me to a teacher, who nodded in greeting.
"She's a new student," the principal explained. "Please watch her and collect her papers when she's done." The teacher nodded, and the principal turned to me, her smile encouraging. "Let's see what you can do," she said, her words filled with anticipation.
I nodded, feeling a flutter of nerves in my chest. Despite the exam looking challenging, I took a deep breath and began to work on it, my pen gliding across the page as I focused on the questions. The world around me melted away, leaving only the scratch of pens on paper and the quiet hum of concentration.
After hours of taking the exam, I finally finished and handed in my paper to the teacher. She asked me to wait at the reception, so I headed there to await further instructions. Before long, someone came to meet me and told me that the principal wanted to see me.
I went back to the principal's office, and she informed me that she hadn't had a chance to review my exam yet, but it would need to go through a process before she could discuss the results with me. "For now, please go back to the reception," she said. "They'll guide you on what to do next."
She smiled warmly and welcomed again. I smiled back, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. I headed back to the reception and shared the principal's message with the receptionist. She nodded and handed me a paper, then led me to a section of the school where I could collect my uniforms and other essential items.
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As I stood at the door of my new room, I gazed around in awe. The space was magnificent, every detail meticulously designed to create a sense of comfort and tranquility. I had been handed the key to room 205, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and ownership. The room was spacious, with a large bed that seemed to invite me to sink into its plushness.
I walked over to the bed and dropped the two uniforms I had collected earlier. They were neatly folded, and I couldn't help but notice the simplicity and elegance of the design. The school's uniform policy was strict, No bright colors or bold patterns here. Just a simple, elegant look that seemed to exude a sense of sophistication.
As I looked around the room, I dropped my gaze to the bed, where my uniforms lay neatly folded, and then I pulled out my phone. It was still 79% charged, I decided to take a stroll while dialing my mom's number.
The time was 1:23 pm, and I felt a pang of hunger. I strolled out of the room, taking in the sights and sounds of the school. The corridors were bustling with students, and I felt a sense of excitement and nervousness. I was new here, and I didn't know anyone. But as I walked, I felt a sense of freedom, a sense of possibility.
I dialed my mom's number, standing at a spot that offered a good view of the surroundings. The school was beautiful, with lush greenery and modern buildings. I felt a sense of pride and gratitude, knowing that my parents had worked hard to send me to this school.
And then, in a split second, disaster struck. Someone ran past me with lightning speed, and my phone was gone.