13A: Class of Mahyem

“Elaine! What are you doing standing there? Come in and help me arrange these!” her mother called from inside the house.

“Coming!” Elaine replied.

Elaine and her mom had just moved after her father’s death. It had been months since the incident, but her mom still couldn’t get over it. She decided they should move somewhere quiet and secluded.

The house wasn’t very big, nor was it too small just enough for the both of them. It had three bedrooms and a cozy sitting room. The walls were painted cream, and large windows let in soft light. A mahogany table stood at the center of the room, surrounded by plush white couches and a soft brown rug beneath. A neat fireplace completed the comforting look.

There wasn’t much to arrange since most of the furniture was already there just a few of their personal belongings, like her mom’s collection of neatly potted plants, and family portraits. Her mom had removed every picture that had her father in it, leaving only photos of the two of them.

“Don’t put those there,” her mom said, taking one of her plants from Elaine, who had been about to place it by the window.

“Why not?” Elaine asked.

“They’ll get too much sunlight.”

“I don’t think the weather is that hot.”

“Just take your clothes and things to your room,” her mom said, shooing her away. “Go on now.”

“Fine, fine. I’ll let you arrange your beloved plants yourself,” Elaine muttered, carrying her boxes down the corridor.

Her mom took the master bedroom, leaving Elaine to choose between the other two. She picked the one whose window didn’t face the trees Elaine had always hated the sound of rustling leaves; they felt ominous to her.

The room was nice and bright, with lilac floral-patterned wallpaper, a study desk and chair, a soft purple rug, and a white wardrobe.

“How girlish,” she muttered to herself, unpacking her clothes into the wardrobe. She arranged her few shoes and her many scarves neatly, then sighed. “I deserve a nice, warm bath,” she said to no one in particular.

“Mom!” she yelled from the corridor. “I’ll be in the bathroom!” She didn’t wait for her mother’s response before heading back.

Warm water streamed down her body as she thought about the past her friends, their old neighbors, her dad, and everything they had left behind.

“It’s going to be hard starting all over,” she whispered.

After her bath, Elaine dressed warmly and lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. The noon sun streamed through her window, making her lift a hand to shield her eyes.

“Elaine,” her mom called softly from the doorway. “It’s time for lunch. Come eat I made your favorite.”

“Why didn’t you call me to help?” Elaine asked, getting up.

“I thought you were sleeping,” her mom said with a small smile.

Elaine could tell her mom was still scanning the room, probably checking how she’d arranged everything. “Mom, let’s go,” Elaine said, walking ahead.

They sat at the round dining table, which was connected to the kitchen.

“Do you like the house?” her mom asked.

“It’s nice and comfortable.”

“That’s great to hear. You know, I just want to give you a good life,” she said with a sad smile. “I don’t want you to feel the emptiness of not having your dad around. I wa—”

“That’s enough,” Elaine interrupted gently. “You don’t have to say all that. I’m already comfortable. You’re doing great, Mom. And besides, I’m a big girl now one more year, and I’ll be done with high school.”

Her words made her mom chuckle lightly.

“Of course,” her mother said, wiping away a stray tear.

“Let’s eat,” Elaine said, trying to lift the mood.

“Are you excited to start school here?” her mom asked, changing the subject.

“Hm.”

“I know you miss your old friends, but you’ll make new ones, okay?”

“Okay,” Elaine replied softly. “Mom, I didn’t see any schools nearby. There weren’t many houses either the drive here was long and quiet.”

“I know,” her mom said. “You’ll be schooling a little farther from here.”

“I don’t understand.”

“It’s a boarding school. It’s about two towns away.”

Elaine nearly choked. “Two towns away? Isn’t that too far?”

“It is,” her mom admitted, “but I thought you’d like it that way. I heard boarding schools can be fun.”

“When do I start?” Elaine asked, already feeling a headache forming.

“Next week. You don’t like it?” her mom asked, noticing her expression.

“No, it’s okay,” Elaine said with a tight smile.

They finished the rest of lunch talking about

lighter topics, though Elaine’s thoughts had already drifted far from the table.