25It was the first day back to St. Vlad's Academy for senior year. I had taken a year off from my junior year, deciding to go online for my junior year. After what happened last year, I wasn't too keen on going back and seeing everyone. It was just too painful; I was not in the right place to go back. I had to recover before I come back to the academy. Luckily Kirova allowed me to take off for the year, but she made me promise to come back for my senior year. I was not too sure if I would keep that promise but I was back. Ready to take on my senior year.
I parked in the student parking lot, which was larger than the teacher car park. I locked up my SUV, smiling towards it. It was paid off just this past summer. I was proud of myself for that. I worked extra hard this summer to get extra money and to pay this big boy off. It was a 2008 Buick Enclave. At first, I was against it. But after the first test drive, I fell in love with it. Janine, my mother had helped me get this as a birthday present. She thought it would show me responsibility to continue paying it, but she did put the first ten thousand down on the vehicle. We got quite a deal with the SUV since we knew the owner of the dealership. Victor, he was like a grandfather to me and my friends. Normally it would be 35,000 but he brought the price down to 20,500 since it was benefiting both me and him. He knew that I was safe and since there was some distance between my house and school then I would have to walk, ride my bike, or take public transport. Which they were not too fond of.
My mother also did not want to have to worry if I made it home on a daily basis since she was mostly away with work. I still was not sure what she done but it paid good so I got a lot of things whenever she felt bad that she would not be at home. I smiled again thinking back when I wanted to start a business with my friends – Mason and Lissa. My mother was hesitant at first, she thought it was only a phase. Granted I had a lot of phases, but this was something that I was passionate about and wanted to proceed. It taken a lot of research, dedication and behaving to do. With my temper, wasn't too easy. I was known for fights. Once when I was five, I was paired up with Lissa and the teacher tried to make us write our names out fully. I know, that might not seem so bad but trying to spell Rosemarie Hathaway and Vasilisa Dragomir was torture on two five-year olds. I threw a book at her and called her a fashious bitch. I did not know what it meant at the time but the was the start of my track record with fights and misbehaving.
I continue my walk into the building, through the main entrance. I was headed towards the administrative office to get my class schedule and finish the enrolment back at St. Vlad's.
"Rose." I could hear the high pitch voice, that I knew from anywhere. Turning around, feeling a bit nervous to be back. "I thought you would be back." Looking up I could see a tall old lady. Kirova.
"I promised I would be back, didn't I?" I tried but failed to keep the sarcasm out of my voice.
"Yes, yes. I see. But I did know you will return. As you know the academy is your home after all. Even with your huge track record with the pranks and the fights." She did have to bring that up now.
"Aye," bringing both my hands up in surrender "I'm on the straight and arrow now. Besides, they had it coming. I just finished it, is all."
"Right." I could tell she was regretting allowing me back in after I taken leave last year. I was shocked when she asked to speak to me when I requested to withdraw. She spoke to me and set up the plans of me doing online school, so I didn't just drop out and return the following year. I was still doing class work and all. Besides, I think I preferred the online courses so I could continue working at the café. "How's the café?" She asked trying to change the subject. I was grateful that she wasn't bring up Mason.
I've seen her several times in the café buying coffee and a cheesy pastry. It was nice seeing her out of the school, she actually let loose and for once we weren't fighting as much. We were actual civil adults. "Its, uh," I paused "Its doing well. Not the same since Mason, but you know. I get a lot more work and had to hire another girl for when I'm at school." I shrugged my shoulders, kind of in a defeat manner.
"We'll it'll be worth it in the end. You'll have your degree, walk with your class and enjoy your senior year in high school." She rubbed her chin. "You know, if its not too much trouble with the café. The school body normally has meetings at the end of the week. Maybe I could treat them to some pastries and coffee for the meeting. It'll bring more business to you and it'll win over some of the teachers as well." She leaned towards me, cupping her hand over her mouth like she was telling me a secret. "Some of the teachers think I'm a bitch." She stood back up. I had a laugh. That was the first time that I heard Kirova actually curse. She was smiling too.
"Of course." I nodded. "I can come after school to your office and we can plan it out?" I asked.
"Oh, what about Vasilisa?" she questioned. I quirked and eyebrow, unsure of what she meant.
She acknowledges a moment later. "Ah, well is she still in the business, helping out or?" it seemed like she didn't know how to finish that question.
I nodded, understandingly. "She's still involved. Not nearly as much as me but she helps whenever is needed. She asked to take a step back about a year ago, so she went down to part time. She's slowly doing more now that it getting busier." I had a smile on my face. I waved to go into the office, so I wasn't late for my first block. On the first day back. I could see a sparkle in Kirova's eyes, like she was proud. Maybe knowing that I had grown. I have, the year off from school was needed.