Assumptions Read Online Free PDF Page A

far side of a large room filled tight with desks and
beige file cabinets, all aligned in orderly rows. A fluorescent
light flickered overhead.
    “I am Mrs. Hansen, Head of Student Services.
Have a seat.” She motioned to a blue plastic chair in front of a
desk with a computer, a printer, and nothing more. Mrs. Hansen sat
at the desk and clicked the mouse a few times. The printer chugged.
“I’ll walk you through orientation this morning. Looks like you’re
missing one registration form. Your father will need to complete
that." Mrs. Hansen pulled a single paper from the desk drawer and
handed it to Jordyn. “Here you are. Make sure you return it on
Monday." She checked her watch. "We’ll start with a tour of the
school. Afterward, I’ll show you to your locker. You’ll have a few
minutes to organize it before second period.”
    She took Jordyn’s schedule off the printer.
“You have Geography first period, that’s now, on the second floor.
Professor Embry knows you’ll be with me this morning. Miss Lawson
attends that class. I’m sure she would be happy to share her
notes.”
    “I’m sure," grumbled Jordyn.
    Mrs. Hansen’s face tightened.
    “I mean, I’m sure I’ll see her later. I’ll
ask for the notes then.”
    “Come with me, Miss Quig. No time to waste.”
Mrs. Hansen sprinted to the office door.
    They walked the empty corridors. Mrs. Hansen
led Jordyn past the academic wings, the gym, and the commons which
already smelled like meat sauce and garlic bread.
    “Pasta for lunch today,” said Mrs. Hansen. As
she walked, she pointed to the bulletin board, decorated with paper
cutouts of apples and milk cartons.
    “As you will see, our student body is quite
diverse,” she explained.
    “Except for money,” Jordyn commented under
her breath.
    “Some of our students receive generous
scholarships. Nevertheless, we do have to keep the lights on
somehow. This way to the library, Miss Quig.” She directed Jordyn
up a wide terrazzo stairway.
    At the top of the stairs, Mrs. Hansen pulled
open a heavy wood door and ushered Jordyn into an immense room
filled with row after row of carved wood shelves and long heavy
tables.
    “Follow me, Miss Quig,” directed Mrs. Hansen.
She led Jordyn past the stacks and up another flight of stairs to
the third floor. “As you can see, our collection is extensive. The
library occupies a large portion of two floors. The lower floor
holds most of our volumes and computer carrels.” They stopped at a
cozy arrangement of cushy sofas and nubby chairs nestled in the
sunlight streaming in from high arched windows. “The upper floor
primarily holds reference material and reading clusters like this
one. It is usually very quiet up here. Let’s keep moving, shall
we.”
    When they reached the opposite side of the
room, Mrs. Hansen stopped, leaning her backside against a low
window sill. “Any questions, Miss Quig?”
    Jordyn looked past her down into an unkempt
courtyard at the first floor.
    “Miss Quig? Any questions?”
    “How do I get down there?”
    “There?”
    “Yes. Is that the door?” Jordyn pointed
toward an overgrown corner.
    “No one goes there. It’s just an old
courtyard. We only use it for light these days."
    “My father used to take me to small gardens
when I was little. He likes to work on his games there. Thinks
they’re inspiring or something. Probably why I like them.” Jordyn
looked Mrs. Hansen square in the face. “Too bad this one is so
neglected."
    Mrs. Hansen fiddled with her scarf. She
stepped away from the window and looked down into the scruff below.
She checked her wristwatch. “Well, Miss Quig, it looks like we’ve
used up all of our time.”
    Mrs. Hansen showed Jordyn to her locker.
“Here you are. You have a few minutes before the bell. Please, let
me know if there is anything else I can do for you.”
    “Thank you. I will.” Jordyn opened her
locker.
    “Miss Quig?”
    “Yes, Mrs. Hansen?”
    “I’ll see if I can get maintenance