Mesmerized

Chapter One
     
     
     
    How could my parents send me away to a boarding school?
    Lily stared up through the car window at the massive brick building with its perfectly manicured lawns and wanted to scream. She was sick of switching schools. Emerson Academy would be the second one this school year and it was only November.
    “We’re here, Miss Lily.” The driver turned and smiled.
    “Stop calling me that.” She glared at him.
    Panic crossed his face. “I’m sorry. I forgot. Let me grab your bags for you.” He fumbled with the driver’s side door handle.
    Lily rolled her eyes. She hated the way guys acted like complete fools around her. She could thank her mother for that. Leaning her head back against the leather seat, she sighed. It wasn’t fair. All she wanted was to make friends and have a normal teenage life. Unfortunately, that wasn’t what she was born into. Why couldn't life be simple?
    Harold, the driver, opened the car door for her. The bitter cold air rushed in and she shivered. She swung her long legs to the side and stepped out of the car. Zipping up her black puffy jacket, she couldn’t help but think how she’d be in shorts and a t-shirt back home. Damn them for making me come here. 
    “Allow me to bring your bags up to your room?” Harold sounded like he was begging. 
    “No! I’m perfectly capable of bringing my bags in.” She scowled, but then saw the hurt in Harold’s light brown eyes. It wasn’t fair for her to take out her anger on the driver; he was only doing his job. “But, thank you. I don't want the other kids to think I'm a spoiled rich kid.”
    Lily grabbed her two black leather roller bags from the trunk, and set them on the ground, pulling up the handles so she could drag them behind her. The school loomed ahead, tall and forbidding. It was much larger than any other school she had attended. It looked more like a college campus than a high school. Lily sighed, braced herself, and walked towards the large wooden door. 
    It wasn't even her fault that she got kicked out of the last school. Well, she didn't exactly get kicked out—her parents decided it was best if she left. 
    One of the boys had become obsessive and was stalking her. Lily shuddered as she recalled the wild look in his eyes the night he came through her bedroom window. She was sent away the very next day. Even though she realized her parents were only trying to protect her, it still sucked. 
    Lily grasped the large, cold brass door handle and took a deep breath. It’s just another school, she told herself. Holding her head high, she walked through the door. Bright fluorescent lights greeted her. The warm air felt nice compared to the frozen tundra outside. The minute she crossed the threshold, people turned to look. She could feel the eyes of the students on her as she headed down the long hallway, but tried her best to ignore their stares. It had been loud when she walked in and now a pin could be heard if it dropped.
    She had to go to the housing office to get the key for her room. She glanced around at the bright yellow walls and felt small next to the soaring high ceilings. Unfortunately, she had no idea where she was going, so she was forced to stop and ask someone for directions. Sighing, she turned to a tall boy with curly, blond hair and blue-green eyes. “Could you tell me where the housing office is?”
    The boy looked around. “Are you talking to me?”
    “Yes. Where is the housing office?” It took a lot of self-control not to let her annoyance show.
    “Um, it’s right down the hall; the last door on the left. Do you want me to take you there?” he asked a little too eagerly. 
    “No, thank you.” She turned and walked off as he gaped after her. She would never get used to the way boys reacted to her. 
    Lily reached her destination and pushed the door open. 
    An older lady with grey hair and kind blue eyes looked up from the papers on her desk. “Can I help you?” she asked.
    Lily nodded. “My name is Lily Anderson. I’m here for my room keys.”
    She looked right into Lily’s eyes. “Oh, yes. Lily, you have a lovely voice. It sounds musical. Do you sing?” She rummaged around the top of her desk. 
    "Um, thank you. I only sing in the shower." Lily glanced around the large office. She could tell they had tried to make it feel welcoming. The walls were painted a warm, light mocha and had tastefully-placed beautiful artwork. A couple of large plants rested in the corners