The next morning May woke up and yawned, she had stayed up late talking to Jasmine about The Snatchers, and even after talking to Jasmine for so long about it, she wasn’t able to stop thinking about her new school.
May looked ahead to see Jasmine still sleeping soundly in the seat in front of her.
“We are nearing our next stop, the city of Alexa. If that is your stop, get ready to hop off the train. ”A voice said.
“Jasmine, it’s almost time to go.” May whispered to her friend.
Jasmine stirred, then said in a quiet voice, “Okay, thanks.” The got up, grabbed her suitcase and sat sleepily in her seat.

The train stopped. May and Jasmine looked at each other nervously.
“Passengers for Alexa, exit here.” A voice said through the speakers.
The girls got off the train and walked around
the tall buildings in downtown, looking for the
Alexa boarding school. It was a brick building with
ten stories.
“There it is…” May said to Jasmine, “do you think the rumors are true?”
“I’m not sure, so lets just hope their not.” The girls stopped walking to look at the building that would be their new home for the next nine months.
“I really hope the rumors are wrong,” May whimpered.
“Me too,” Jasmine agreed, the girls walked inside the huge double doors, and into the building.
“Welcome girls,” A woman sitting at the front
desk said in a slow, smooth voice, “I am Mrs. Collines, the head of this fine institution. What are your names?”
“I’m Jasmine Carr, it’s nice to meet you.”
“And I’m May Henderson, I’m also glad to meet you.”
“Oh how nice. I thought one of you might be Marice. But never mind that, Jasmine May, nice to meet you time for you to meat your room mates.” Mrs. Collines greeted, handing them each a paper, “Follow me.”
The girls followed Mrs. Collines to a group of two girls laughing together in a small corner of the room, “Rebeca, Maraline, meat your new roommates, May, and Jasmine.”
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Rebeca, and this is Maraline.” A girl said nicely to the new-comers,
“Yes, it is nice to meet you.” Maraline said with an accent, “Are you from England?”
“Yes, I just ca-“
“Now that you are all here and acquainted, I will lead you to your dorm.” Mrs. Collines interrupted. She led them through a sitting room and up a long, wooden spiral staircase. Then into an old, long hallway, to a door marked with a crooked 9.
She opened the door, the room had two sets
of old rickety bunk beds, one broken desk and an
old dresser with four large drawers. The walls had
old flower wallpaper that was pealing in several places. But at least there was a clock, it read eleven thirty-two. In parts, the wall was completely missing any paper and there the wall’s boards were gone, showing the insulation. May set her paper on the desk.
“Bye girls, have fun.” Mrs. Collines said, as if she knew they were all thinking the same thing. Then May spoke it out loud,
“I thought the Alexa Boarding school was rich. So why are we all in one room and why is this room so old and broken?”