Noah

My stepmother sent me to a boarding school for "unruly children," even though I was a calm, intelligent girl. She was worried that I might tell my father about her plans to take over his business. I tried, but my father yelled at me, and she added fuel to the fire and convinced her to send me as far away as possible.

I cried the whole way, but I pulled myself together at the school gates. My roommate, Albina, met me in the room. We quickly struck up a conversation, and for the first time that day, I felt better. That evening, we went to the cafeteria. They placed terrible food in front of us. I looked up and saw some kids at another table having a decent dinner.

"Why is it like this for them and not for us?" I asked. Albina quietly replied, "They've been here a long time. They break the new guys. But these guys have intimidated the director, and their boss is in charge here." Hearing this, I silently went into the room. My heart sank with resentment, but I didn't want to cry again. A few minutes later, the door opened. The same boss entered, a tall guy with a mocking look, holding a tray of hot food. He placed it in front of me and grinned.

"Baby, would you like something to eat?"