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Chuck hadn't considered that possibility. In his joy at finding a
good Christian school at all, he had forgotten the transportation issue. Indeed,
Jerome himself, had not given it any thought.
"I want Charlie to attend this school. I'll work something out," replied
Chuck.
"My husband is the principal," smiled Mrs. Strickland. "Why don't
we go to his office and get your daughter enrolled, Mr. Overholt?"
Principal Strickland's face looked as grim and strict as his name suggested. Charlie
was silently feeling sorry for herself when she heard Principal Strickland mention
the grade into which she was to be placed.
"But, in North Carolina, I was in the eleventh, not the tenth grade," protested
Charlie.
"That may be," replied Principal Strickland, "but until your school
records arrive, and you have been adequately tested by our staff, you will be placed
among students of your own age."
There was a sound of finality in his voice that made Charlie fear she was doomed
to the tenth, no matter how high her grade average was. Chuck signed some papers
and handed over a check that Jerome had already approved.
"Charlie can begin class today," informed Mrs. Strickland, handing the
fifteen year old a schedule of the classes she would be attending. "Your locker
number is printed at the top of the page," pointed out Mrs. Strickland. "I'll
go get the textbooks you'll need."
"Welcome to Galilee Christian School, Charlie," said Principal Strickland.
"We hope you'll be happy here." Charlie smiled weakly. "School begins
at seven and lets out at two thirty. Tardiness will be disciplined," warned
Principal Strickland. "Disobedience in class is not acceptable. Here is handbook
of rules that Galilee Christian School adheres to. I suggest you read it thoroughly."
Charlie took the pamphlet from his hand and flipped through its contents.
Mrs. Strickland returned with an armful of textbooks.
"Why don't we put these in your locker?" she suggested, leading Charlie
and her father into the hall. Charlie found her locker and stowed the books away.
Mrs. Strickland checked the large white clock in the hall. "You've already missed
English 2. World History began at eight o' clock. It's right over there," pointed
Mrs. Strickland. "You had better say good-bye to your father now, and join the
class."
Chuck reached out to hug his daughter, but she pulled away.
"Daddy!" she complained, "not in public!"
"I'll see you after school, Pumpkin," called out Chuck, watching his daughter
disappear behind the door.
Mr. Jenkins, the World History teacher, looked up from his desk as Charlie entered
the room. Most of the students, eager for any distraction that interrupted their
work, turned in their chairs to gawk at the new kid.
"You have precisely nine minutes to finish your test," reminded Mr. Jenkins.
The teenagers reluctantly returned to work. Mr. Jenkins motioned Charlie to his desk.
"I'm Charlie Overholt," she whispered.
"You may take a seat," instructed Mr. Jenkins. Charlie quickly found an
empty seat near the back and sat down. Charlie sat there, stupidly doing nothing.
The entire class was taking a test, so there was nothing to do but to wait.
When the nine minutes were up, and the test papers were gathered, Mr. Jenkins announced
that they had a new pupil.
"I expect you all to make Charlie feel welcome. And remember, you were once
new here, yourself," he reminded. After class was over, everyone got up and
filed out of the room. Charlie noticed that the boys were hanging back, and letting
the girls go first. She picked up her textbook and followed the other girls outside.
"Hi," said one of the girls, shyly introducing herself. "My name is
Kendra Hanna. That pretty girl over there is my twin sister, Jenna. I know we don't
look like each other. We're fraternal twins," she explained. The other girls
introduced themselves, but Kendra was the only one who didn't leave. "Where
are you from?" asked Kendra, walking beside Charlie to their next class.
"Twin Yucca," replied Charlie. "But before that, I lived in Montana."
"Really?" exclaimed Kendra, "me too! I mean, not the Montana part.
But, I live in Twin Yucca, too! My parents own a restaurant there. Maybe you've been
there? It's called 'Hanna's Family Restaurant.' I'm been lobbying to get the name
changed, but I've been vetoed every time!" Charlie couldn't help smiling. Kendra
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