Kat spent the day showing Jolee the ropes of the school. However, the largest concept that stuck was the cliques, which Kat spent time trying to help Jolee avoid. It was amazing that despite the stress on academics and socialization, the students still form exclusive groups.

The Pageant Society was an influential group of girls who actively compete on the circuit for fame, glory, and elegance. Most of them start at a young age with the justification of establishing a scholarship. However, the groups in this school demonstrate an archaic view that anyone below a particular appearance was unworthy.

Queen Bee of the group was a girl named Melodie, who had unkind words for Kat. Although Jolee couldn’t make her opinion due to the girl’s absence, it was evident from Kat’s description that Melodie doesn’t favor second-hand fashion, which is a necessity for some people. Jolee decides that avoiding Melodie might be advisable before critical reviews occur.

The jocks of the school were not like the stereotype from the movies but were Olympic potentials. Administrators in the front office work to balance their academics and practices to a fine-tune balance. Jolee got the impression that they were sweet girls but appear edgy at any given moment. The likely cause is their parents pressuring them for performance.

The science and math teams are the best and brightest the school has to offer. However, the group tends to work towards more of a hive mind to accomplish the tasks. Despite the mentality, this group could graduate high school and make a major breakthrough before finishing college. Kat was not part of the group, which Jolee found odd considering the potential. The explanation was that Kat had too much of an opinion that contradicts groupthink, which is not desirable to them.

Last but not least, there were the untouchables. It was hardly the group of rebels who smoke pot and deck out in punk outfits. Instead, it was the people who didn’t belong in the top three. Kat didn’t play sports due to being dangerously athletically inept. She didn’t buy the entire beauty queen philosophy, so the untouchables were where she landed. It hurt for a semester or two, but Kat decided she likes her individuality too much.

The classes were straightforward, but there was one name that stuck out. Jolee recalls her father talking about someone named Dr. Finton, but she never met the man. From the way Kat glows about him, he seems to be a scientist that could end world hunger with a snap of his finger. However, he also respects his students as fellow scholars, which helps boosts Kat’s self-esteem by belonging somewhere.

As the two pass a window overlooking the soccer field, Jolee saw Mr. You-Saw-Nothing. However, she was able to admire his physique a little more in his shorts and t-shirt. He resembles a sculpture of an ideal Greek Olympian with his slender muscles. As the scrimmage continues, the boy actively pushes the ball forward and passes to another player despite the muggy air surrounding them. Jolee admires athletes who push their limits, but it was Kat’s reaction that piques her interest. Jolee admire his physicality, but the look in Kat’s eyes went beyond ideal fantasy of watching him in the shower. Kat’s staring did have a hint of happiness and sadness at the same time, which confuses Jolee about what it infers. However, Kat’s stance on the subject ensure that Jolee wouldn’t discuss it.

At the end of the day, they said their farewells and Nigel drove Jolee home.

***

The doors open and closed, but it was lost on her mother as she tends to the Violets. She was a moving statue as she drifts from one pot to another. Jolee had sadly come to expect the lack of response, which started when Amy died. Despite wanting her mother’s love, it seems like an empty void passes through the foyer rather than an human being. It made Jolee grateful to see her dad every night, which he gave her as much love as he could give. However, she would lack a woman’s touch if not for Amelia.

As if right on cue, Amelia came and retrieve Jolee’s backpack. There was more different between the two women than hair color. Amelia had overflowing affection for Jolee when the two met in the room. Jolee isn’t sure if the same look was their during the first meeting, but they grown on each other. Amelia treats Jolee like a daughter more than a paycheck, which the girl attempts to repay by not acting like an entitled brat.

"Miss Jolee, I have made you some Salami Snails in the kitchen. Also, your physical therapist called in sick today, and he encourages you to do the exercise sheet if you are comfortable." the lovely woman spoke with a sweet voice. "I have also prepared a bath. It is terribly muggy outside, and you must feel like you are wearing a sweater of sweat by now."

Jolee couldn’t help but smile as Amelia spoke to her. Amelia always found a way to make a long day come to a pleasant end. The only qualm was Amelia level of devotion may have deprived the maid from seeking other companionship. Jolee thought that a guy would be an idiot not to appreciate the loving woman. The girl even went as far as saying the two could go guy-watching, which made the maid blush fiercely. The only time harsh words are spoken if it is about Jolee’s health, but it is warmth and roses the rest of the time.

“I’ve been walking all day practically, so I might take it a little easy. However, a bath sounds nice right about now.” Jolee spoke as she thought about the prospect.

As she walks into her private bathroom, it felt different than what she remembers from the apartment. That place had a 4x6 rectangle that you took a shower and brushed your teeth. This one felt spacious with a marble tub in the middle that could fit two people. It reminds her of that Xena episode she caught on Netflix. The bath there allowed two women to bath Cleopatra. It wasn’t done here, but it was spacious enough for it.

The tub was full of warm water that had lilac petals floating around. In critical locations, scented candles with honeysuckle and violets provides soft luminance for the room. The side of the tub sat a glass of milk and snails for her snack. The atmosphere felt comfortable, private, and soothing. Amelia always prepares the best baths for her. Jolee undresses and slips herself into the tub. She gives a soft moan as the water touches her skin. Amelia never reveals what she puts in the water besides what is obvious, but it felt like silk rubbing against her body. As hard as the day was, this bath made those worries go away.

Amelia enters as the soft classical music begins playing through the surround sound system. She gathers the clothes from the floor and places a lovely sundress on the counter. She leaves only momentarily before she starts the bath Jolee. The soft touches of the loofah and tender strokes of her hair felt more therapeutic than hygienic. Amelia was always careful never to press too far to make the girl uncomfortable. She had more faith in Amelia than she did her mother, but she understood the line. However, Amelia provides a safe place for Jolee to just relax.

It was peaceful and quiet as far as conversations go. The soft music and scents were enough for them to reflect on the day without distractions. Jolee nibbles on her snack and lays back against the tub. She knew homework would restrict it in the future, but it was something to savor. She wishes she could share the moment with others, but her friend’s list was small. Nevertheless, she was in blissful peace.

Amelia had introduced Jolee to the beautiful elegance known as a sundress. Jolee was used to shorts, t-shirts, and other summer attire. However, the sundress felt light and pretty all at the same time. This one only went halfway down her shins, but she felt the ability to move around the room as if she was light as a feather. She was skeptical about sundresses at first, but Amelia has good tastes. The white reflected heat off her, which made it cooler to wear. She could also feel the central air breezing through the cloth, which seemed refreshing and strange at the same time. Accompanied by innocent looking ponytail, Amelia had made her the belle of the dinner table.

The foyer doors open and close, which causes her to look at Amelia. She knew her father had come home, so she fidgets to make herself look perfect. Amelia crosses her arms and laughs.

“Go on, Miss Jolee. Greet your father, already. You look perfect.” Amelia spoke affectionately to the girl.

Jolee reaches up and kisses Amelia on the cheek before rushing down the stairs. She went down the stairs more elegantly than anyone thought possible. On the wooden floors, there was little audible noise as she prances like a deer. However, that elegance turned into a bull in a china shop as she collides with her father. She nearly knocked a full grown man off his feet.

"School couldn’t have been that bad." Leo chuckles as they walk towards his study. It wasn’t dinner time and he wanted to spend some time with his daughter. Despite the fact he has a rewarding job, Jolee was his treasure. He cherishes her each day and never want to miss a good memory. The phone call in Boston was a wake-up call for him, which caused him to decide to move the entire family to Savannah. He didn’t want to miss another moment.

"So how was your first day?" Leo spoke as he got comfortable in the recliner. Jolee merely took the lounge chair as she laid her elegant body across. He looks at the classic beauty she was as he once saw his wife laid the same way.

. He had a feeling he would be investing in a shotgun soon for the boys pounding on their door. It was a comfort and distress to know that Jolee exposure to boys at school would be minimal. A convenience because he was aware that he could get to know the man when she goes to social functions, but a distress he was mindful of the fact that it was a good part of the high school experience. Socialization would help Jolee, but he feared that some of the socialization would also harm her. His conflicted mind had run over scenarios that were trying to find what the best interest of his daughter was.

"It was orientation mainly. Thankfully, I got shown around the school with an awesome girl named Kat. She has the same AP classes I do and we should be able become lab partners in Dr. Finton’s class." she said with glee before looking at her father. "You know a Dr. Finton, don’t you?"

Leo smiles but pauses before he speaks. He did indeed know someone by the name of Dr. Rex Finton, but he wasn’t sure he wants to talk about the association. At one time, Rex had worked at Almost Human, Inc. on a controversial project that eventually got him dismissed. It was not that Almost Human was embarrassed, but rather it was a self-imposed exile. The project had introduced Almost Human to a military project that went beyond limb replacement for returning veterans, which could have included them into ventures that betrayed their humanitarian efforts. Leo tried to tell Rex that he could not have seen where the military want­ed the project to go, but Rex decided to remove himself from that field. Almost Human paid him a sizable severance package as well as dividends on patents he helped produce, but he was not actually seen in the scientific community after that point. To hear that he was teaching advanced science in schools was a relief. His brilliant mind should never go to waste. However, there was a small prayer that the controversial project would stay under wraps. Given Rex’s state of mind, he knew would take a time to heal from the damage that project cause.

"Dr. Rex Finton was the top cybernetic specialist at our company. He used to teach me new things every time I walk into his office. It’s good that his passion for teaching found a good outlet." Leo spoke as he hid things from his daughter. He respected his friend enough to not to riddle his legacy with the unnecessary black matter. "You will learn lot from him, I guarantee it."

"I am hoping so, Dad. I need a challenge beyond general science. From the way Kat put it, he simply great at broadening the minds of his pupils." Jolee spoke affectionately. However, she spoke Kat more affectionately than others, which was not lost on Leo’s ears.

“So, this Kat. Sounds like you met a friend today.” Leo said with a beaming smile. “Someone like you would make friends easily.”

"Oh I don’t know about that," she said as she cozies up on the lounge. "But ya, I think I did. We share a lot of interests and she was really kind to me. She didn’t have to be, but I think I did meet a friend today. So, is that permission to bring her over some time?"

"Hey, let not get carried away. I want to meet her to make sure she is not going to rob the place blind," he spoke in jest in his voice. "Of course, you can bring her over. Let us know if she is staying for dinner, but human companionship remains the best part of life. Although, no chemistry sets for you two. I don’t need the roof blowing up."

"Oh come on, Dad. That was one time and I didn’t blow the roof off," she said giggling. "I do have an appointment in the morning with a Dean of Academics, Dr. LaCrue."

Leo went deadly silent when he heard the name. He knew the Dean of Academics, which gave him an eerie chill to hear his daughter is going to his office. Dr. LaCrue was the other half of that controversial experiment. Unlike Finton, Dr. LaCrue was summarily dismissed over the results. Also unlike Finton, Dr. LaCrue had negotiated additional usage for the research to the military than what the core mission dictated. In Leo’s not so humble opinion, LaCrue was nothing more than an inhuman bully that tries to get results despite the costs, but also ruined Finton’s career.

“If he gives you any unnecessary trouble, you can tell me. I will take it up with Strauss if I must!” he spoke with words matching his demeanor change. It was not lost on Jolee as she laid their stunned. Her father rarely spoke coldly as he did about the Dean. She knew better than to ask about why, but she suspects that her father knew about LaCrue on a deeper level. It was an eerily chilled silence before Nigel came to alert them that dinner was being served. It was simple salads tonight, but it took a few moments before they moved. She wondered what she was in for first thing in the morning.

After dinner, Jolee took an early night to get some rest. She was still getting used to the climate and she did not want to strain herself. However, she waited until the next morning with a mixture of dread and pleasure in the same emotions