Chapter Two

Soon there was school staff running everywhere busying themselves with sucking up to Rori and Kristi, it was the only perk to being Henrie’s step daughter, every school Rori had ever attended Henry made sure to make  a huge financial contribution, so it was safe to say that Rori went to all the best school’s for everything and was never waitlisted. Henry had been obsessed with keeping Rori away from her mother, so even when she wasn't attending private boarding school’s her free time was spent learning to play an absurd awry of instruments and silly sports. RorI took swimming lessons and learned horseback riding, she could also speak roughly eight languages, not including English. Rori even learned how to play chess from a retired world champion, to say she was a well rounded woman was an understatement. 

Rori believed in her heart that no matter how smart you were or how well you played a game it wouldn’t make up for real contact with another living thing, a soul connection, someone to share things with when you were sad or happy and for whatever reason it was the one thing Henry would never let her have and her mother seemed to not have enough love to truly share between them. But Rori loved Kristi, her best friend was fiercely loyal and had an absolutely bewitching charm, Kristi could talk her way in and out of absolutely anything and Rori smiled when she thought about all the trouble they could have gotten into if it weren't for her silver tongue. “Nice Kristi,” Rori shook her head as two young men crashed into each other dropping two of her bags then began apologizing profusely, as if Rori or Kristi were going to whip them for their mistake.  “Are you guys alright?” Rori asked laughing, “Yes Miss Auga-” Rori held her hand out in front of her. “Let me stop you right there boys, Henry and I might share a family member but we are not family...my last name is Lovell, if you must address me formally” and she smiled sweetly at them as they both stood, completely star struck by her. 

“However,” she cooed sweetly “if you don’t mind I would prefer if you boys called me Rori;” she walked past them toward Kristi with a devilish grin and an extra sway in her hips.  The two boys blushed a deep red and continued to fumble with the bags as they tripped their way toward the dorm rooms. Rori was considered a knockout by any standard, from her gypsy wild chocolate hair and matching doe eyes to her sun kissed lucious olive skin, and if that didn't hypnotise you then her almost exaggerated hourglass figure would have you pushing daisies. 

Rori took pride in the way her body looked, from her perky luscious breasts to her round and thick thighs, Rori looked more like human dessert than an actual woman and she seemed to know exactly how to use it.               

 Kristi shook her head and crossed her arms as Rori approached, swinging her hips hypnotically causing other staff members to crash into each other or trip over bags in a domino effect. “Will you stop that, your ass is gonna cause a car accident,” Kristi laughed and Rori snorted, crossing her arms, “whatever bitch, lets go to admin I have to get my itinerary.”  

Rori looked up at the driver who was still standing way too close to Kristi, “Umm your excused caption creeper,”she spat and Kristi laughed as the driver didn't move but instead groaned and ticked the muscles in his jaw. “Look princess, like it or not I was assigned to you by Mr. Augustine for your safety for the remainder of your semester.” Rori couldn't believe her ears, “Henry was actually gonna force her to deal with this goon until graduation” she fumed internally. Rori threw her arms up into the air, “well that’s just fucking great isnt it,” and she eyed him up and down suspiciously. “Umm can you back up off my friend, before you rub a hole in her back with your creepy stalker vibe,” Rori popped her hip out to the side to make a show of her displeasure, but to her surprise Kristi just laughed and patted the driver’s chest affectionately, “I don't know Ro he's kinda cute, and he was keeping my backside warm.” Rori’s mouth fell open, “Kris, can I talk to you... in private?” Kristi rolled her eyes and stomped her feet as she walked with Rori to the other end of the SUV, while she eyed the driver like a disapproving parent Kristi giggled “what is your problem Roro?'' 

Rori slapped Kristi’s arm, “Kris that guy is like twice your age... and, AND!” Rori started to yell before she caught herself “and Henry sent him here to spy on me,” she whispered and Kristi laughed as she waved seductively at the driver; who smiled through the gum he was now vigorously chewing, then slid his sunglasses down his nose to reveal striking baby blues before giving a small wink. “No way Ro, Max is not here to spy on you... he just has to play bodyguard while you're on campus.” 

Rori looked at Kristi completely confused, “How the fuck do you know his name, or why he’s here?” She shook Kristi’s shoulders, trying to break whatever spell this driver, who’s name was apparently Max and who was not actually a driver but her man sized babysitter until graduation, seemed to have on her best friend. Kristi laughed and made a groaning sound as she let Rori shake her upper body back and forth before pushing her gently away. “Ok, ok stop, remember when he pulled me out of the car?, well I started to give him hell and he told me he was here to watch you...he wasn't really supposed to tell anyone but he couldn't say no to me...I mean who can?” and Kristi flipped her hair dramatically winking at Rori, who could do nothing but shake her head in disbelief and smile. 

Before either young woman could say another word they were both hauled off the ground and spun in a circle before being set back on their feet, dizzy and laughing. “Mason you fucker,” Rori giggled as she regained her balance; but the laughter caught in her throat and turned to a horrified gasp as she watched her new manny Max, grab Kristi’s twin brother Mason by the shirt collar and haul him off his feet. “Hands off little boy,” Max almost roared and slammed Mason into the side door of the SUV, rocking it back and forth. “Fuck off dog breath, stay away from my sister before I seriously fuck you up,” Mason shouted and shoved the large man back but he only moved a single step. Max made a sick growling sound low in his gut, “Watch your tone finding nemo or I might just decide on sushi for-,” Kristi ran over and shoved herself between them cutting off the older man’s rant as Rori stood there staring between the two males like a deer in the headlights.

 “Ok boys that's enough we are scaring Rori,” Kristi warnned and pushed her arms out straight until both men were standing apart; and she shot the older of the two a pointed look. Max groaned and Rori could have sworn it sounded like a dog whimpering before he turned his attention to her. “Miss Rori I have to park the truck, I will run by administration to find out your schedule and room number so don't worry about finding me I will find you.”  Max turned his attention to Kristi, who still had each of her hands on the men's chests and grabbed Kristi’s hand pulling her close to him and gently kissing the hand he was holding,“I hope to see you soon as well.” 

Mason made a gagging sound and walked toward Rori, pulling Kristi by the wrist.      Rori rolled her eyes and said in a deep mocking voice,“don't worry about finding me I will find you...god what a weirdo.” Mason nodded in agreement eyeing his sister as she played with the hand Max had kissed like it was made of gold. Rori laughed and the three of them walked toward the administration building.  As Rori suspected the fact that Henry was her step father had spread like wildfire and when she reached her destination the office personnel were gingerly guiding her right into the headmasters office.

The headmaster was a small man, very plump and rosie in the cheeks. Rori thought he was adorable as he waddled over to open his private office door for her to enter and then ran past her to seat himself behind his desk, he looked like a pink penguin that had eaten way too much and she wanted to pinch his cheeks. “Ah, welcome back miss Lovell'' he chirped, out of breath as he squeezed into his leather chair. “Thanks Headie'' Rori sang back using the nickname she had given her headmaster, Rori wasn't sure if he liked it or not but Henry and his money made him put up with it either way, although Rori was confident the man would be kind with or without her piggy bank of a step dad, just from the way his face would beam when he would speak to her or how he would scold her when she would act out. 

Headie seemed to genuinely care for all of his staff and students, Rori really admired him for that, especially since privileged kids with money like her and Kristi caused a fair amount of grief for him. 

Rori sat in a chair across from the headmaster's desk and waited for him to fumble with the pile of papers littered across his desk. “Yes, here we are” he announced and handed Rori a file containing what she already knew would be her new schedule and itinerary, but there was something else too, it looked like a hotel room key card and she pulled it out of the folder holding it up to show the headmaster. “What the hell is this?” Rori asked, the headmaster cleared his throat before peering at her sternly over the top of his bottle glasses, “language Miss Lovell, language,” and he wagged his finger at her shaking his head. “That is your room key this year,” he said with so much excitement Rori thought he might actually pop like a balloon. “Well, it's the elevator access key anyway,” he waved his hands in the air correcting himself. “Since it is your last year with us I thought it only appropriate to give you the best room in the house,” the headmaster laughed at himself and waited for Rori to go through her file a little more. “What about Kri-” Rori began and the headmaster shook his hands back and forth in the air dismissing her before she could finish. “Yes, yes, Miss Lovell just like every year Mister and Miss Scopuli will share common classes and schedules,” he paused for a moment and put his finger to his chin before speaking again. “However your room is in the staff quarter so they will not be allowed to run about, you will need to accompany them anytime they are to be with you in your domicile,” and with that last statement he clapped his hands together causing Rori to jump “Now! I bet you're asking why the staff quarter?” Headie looked so excited Rori felt like his excitement was infecting her and she giggled a little. “Ok Headie why am I in the staff quarter?” she whispered and leaned forward to which the headmaster followed her example leaning over his desk and whispering, “because I was hoping to convince you to take up residence here as an instructor,” the Headmaster gave her a pointed look and Rori sat back in her chair with a blank look on her face, Headie  cocked his head to the side. “I'm sorry miss Lovell I thought you might like the idea I apologize... please forget I said anything, but please enjoy the dorm this year anyway and know you have always been one of my favorite students.” 

Rori let out an involuntary sound and she wasn't sure if it was meant to be a laugh or a sob as she shot out of her chair, “Headie!” she almost shouted and dove around the desk, assaulting the very small man by throwing her arms around his neck and squeezing him tight. “How can I ever repay you,” she was crying a little but the very uncomfortable man wiggling and making all sorts of popping and grunting sounds made Rori laugh instead. She let go of her headmaster and he looked like he had run a mile. His skin was tomato red from head to toe, even his chubby little fingers had gone pink. The Headmaster adjusted his glasses, “Ms. Lovell although I understand and appreciate your sentiment that is definitely not appropriate campus behaviour.” Rori crossed her arms looking at her headmaster as he popped a chubby hand out in her direction in an offer to shake and she obliged. “However I reciprocate the appreciation and would like to say that it has always been my honor to watch you grow into the amazing person that stands before me today, graduation is upon Ms. Lovell and I know I speak for the entire administration when I say we are more than proud and so confident you will go forth into the future making everything you touch for the better.” Rori still had her headmaster's hand and her mouth was hanging open as huge tears silently steamed down her face. Headie encased her hand in both of his and squeezed it with a hefty laugh, “Now, now, none of that, get going i’m sure your friends are waiting to help you with your room,” and he let go of her hand bringing Rori back to life outside what her headmaster just said to her. 

Rori wiped her eyes and cleared the lump in her throat while her headmaster stood from his chair and waddled toward the window behind him; it faced the front of the school and the parking lot, it wasn't the largest office but Headie had insisted on having it. When Rori asked him why he told her it was because he wanted to see everyone come and go, the school was like his wife while all the students and staff were their children, so it was his responsibility to look after them. Rori was so moved he had asked her to stay, she felt like he was asking her to be one of his kids permanently, and she was almost overwhelmed with gratitude.  “Thank you so much, Headie I won't let you down I promise,” Headie shook his head and clasped his hands behind his back. “Ms. Lovell I must tell you I have met the….man Henry sent here with you.” Rori walked closer to her headmaster so she could hear him more clearly as he continued, “he is part of a private security team and as you know we deal extensively with similar teams.” Headie paused a few times but Rori knew better then to cut him off, when Headie stood with his hands behind him looking out the window he was either in deep thought or seriously angry. “I am telling you this as someone who would gladly call themself your friend and not your headmaster Rori...do you understand me?” Rori was almost taken back by her headmaster, he never called anyone by their first name. “Yea...yes Headie,” she squeaked out and he spun around peering into her eyes from above his glasses. “He is sneaky Ms. Lovell he already has access to the elevator that leads to your room and it was not given to him by myself or any of my staff that means he got if from Mr.-” Rori crossed her arms and her stomach twisted as she spat his name out cutting off her headmaster. ''Henry,” his name was like vomit coming out of her mouth and she desperately felt the need to evacuate her breakfast. Headie hummed in agreeance and continued. “Why would he feel the need for extra security without informing me,” it was not meant to be an accusation but Rori could tell he was irate. 

Rori sighed with a heavy sadness knowing she was about to tell her headmaster a half truth, which meant she was also going to half lie to him and with everything he had just said about her she really felt like crawling under a rock and dying there. “Yea I guess some dig team took some shi-...uuh dug up some artifacts that someone else wanted and Henry is afraid they might come after us.” Rori exhaled in relief, “it wasn't exactly a lie” she thought, because that's what her mother told her but Rori knew the real reason Henry had hired them and it ate at her even more. Rori’s headmaster seemed to instantly relax and walked back to his desk plopping down in his leather chair, causing it to groan in protest. “Well please inform Mr.-'' he stopped and looked at Rori, she grinned knowing he was not going to like the informality of her answer. “Max,” she said and he peered at her suspiciously but Rori only shrugged.

“Indeed, well tell him that he needs to report to my office personally so that I may brief him on the proper tackt for this campus, he may be assigned to you by your benefactor Ms. Lovell, but I am the headmaster of this school,” and with his last words Headie gave her a telling wink. Rori smiled at him and collected her folder, “thanks Headie I will make sure I tell men in black to report straight to you,” and she skipped out of her headmasters office. 

Casually greeting the staff she recognized along with others that had only heard who she was related to and wanted to rub elbows, hoping to get a taste of Henry in the process she guessed. Rori walked out of the admin building and as soon as she was outside she could see Kristi and Mason looking over their schedules together, no doubt fussing over what they had or didn't have. Kristi looked up and smiled, “Hay Ro you got everything?”  Rori held up the key card waving it at Kristi who looked a bit confused but Mason reached out and snatched it from her, staring at it, turning it over in his hands like it was made of jewels. “Uhh Rori is this what I think it is,” Mason asked and Rori reached out and grabbed it, putting it in the pocket on the front of her vest. “That depends on what you think it is,”she chirped sweetly and Kristi yelled between them, “Don't leave me out! I want to know what the fuck it is!” Mason clapped his hand over his sisters mouth and she mumbled curses at him through his hand “Ok, ok, Kris come on lets go I will tell you on the way,” Rori almost whispered and the girls skipped ahead arm in arm as Mason followed behind them.//