Chapter 1 London

“ ‘London’s Reformed School of Drama and Art is a school of art and drama.’” Jordan read off a pamphlet.

“Hmm. Would’ve of never guessed,” said Sam pointing to the name of the school in big black print.

“Why’d they have to be so secretive about it?” Derek asked.

“Hey guys, what’s a two-lettered word for sloth?” Katie asked across the aisle.

“Sloth! Why in the world would anyone need a two lettered word when they can’t spell a four lettered one?” Trinity exclaimed.

“Five,” Lauren corrected.

“Four.”

“Five.”

“Four.”

“Count on your fingers.”

“S-L-O-T-oh, never mind,” Trinity said turning around.

“Ai,” said Colin who was sitting next to Derek.

“Can you spell that?” Katie asked.

“It’s two letters long!” Trinity said.

“She wasn’t serious was she?” Jordan asked.

“A-I?” Katie asked. Colin nodded.

“What’s the name of the Polish-American Scientist who wrote: Science and Sanity: An Introduction to Non-Aristolian systems and General Semantics?”

“Katie, give up,” Sam said. Katie closed the crossword puzzle book.

“How much longer?” Erika asked. Katie, Lauren, Erika, Trinity, Colin, Derek, Sam, and Jordan were on their way to London for a summer enrichment program for two months.

“About an hour-and-a-half,” Lauren said looking at her watch.

“Just think, two whole months; eight weeks-with you guys!” Erika said. They were the only people in their car, and everyone took up their own seat.

“Hey look! My fortune is on the floor!” Trinity looked at the floor.

“What’re you talking about?” Katie asked.

“Look,” Trinity read off a scrap of paper like the one you get in cookies, “ ‘Stop searching. Happiness will come to you.’”

“I hope they mean within the next two months,” Erika said.

“We’ll need it,” Colin replied. About two hours later the train pulled into the station. They grabbed their carry on bags and headed off the train. It seemed like millions of kids were emerging from the train. The conductors were pointing in one direction and the announcements were leading them in another. Amid all the confusion they got their luggage and boarded the school transit bus. There was a short ride to the school. The school campus consisted of five buildings. There was a Commons’ building that consisted of administrative offices. The next building was for the classes. It had six different levels. The third building was odd. Like a drive through, Jordan said. Like Rally’s, Colin agreed. The fourth building was two stories. It was labeled Jr. Gymnasium, and Sr. Gymnasium. The last building was small. It was a snack bar…sort of. It had a bar. They sold drinks snacks and school supplies. Everyone’s bags and luggage were sent to their dorms, while everyone else was sent to the Commons building for dinner. After dinner the 2nd-7th year students were dismissed. A tall man in a long blue robe got up to the podium and addressed the students.

“Good Evening everyone, I’m professor Hawkins. Not only am I the professor of the Math courses and Biology, I am the headmaster here at London’s Reformed School of Drama and Arts, also known as LRSDA. This evening you will be sorted. There are six houses, 1,2,3,4,5, and 6. The gentlemen will be sorted first.” Everybody was patient. Then the girls were sorted. Lauren was in house 2; Katie, 3; Trinity, 3; Erika, 4; Jordan, 2; Derek, 5; Sam 6; and Colin, 3. The ‘drive-thru’ building was actually a doorway to the dorms. The archways were labeled ‘Girls’ and ‘Boys’. They split up into house groups. The dorms were like houses, only bigger and labeled, 1, 2, 3, and so on. Everybody was sleep by 11: 30. I was going to be a long day tomorrow. The beginning of what Lauren called, ‘eight-week torture’.