The Lady

The First Day

•

Year 2000

Ander drove through the small road covered with trees on Mount Winschell. The road was straight, shady and led straight to the school. He looked through the rear mirror and saw him sleeping in the backseat.

“Hey sleepy head! Wake up.”

Miles woke up at the call. “Where are we?”

“Almost there,” Ander smiled.

Soon they made their way to school. Magnificent as Miles could recall, the building stood still on the grounds of Mount Winschell.

“That looks like a f*****g castle!” Ander exclaimed.

“It is” Miles smiled.

“Is your hidden identity 'a prince'?!”

“It belonged to King in late 1700. But it was transformed into school in 1950’s.” The smile on Miles’ face disappeared for some reason.

The Principal, along with some other staff members were waiting for their arrival at the gate. The gates were opened as they drove in the ground.

As soon as they got out, the principal welcomed them with a bouquet.

“ The staff of Mount Winschell boys school welcomes you.” said the principal. “ It’s an honour for us, that an ex-student of ours has achieved such a great success in such a young age and yet willing to do so much for his school.”

“ Well Mount Winschell have always meant so much to me. I have spent one of the best time of my life here.” Miles smiled.

“ Your contribution is going to be so helpful. We would be able to renovate this whole area” one of the staff members said.

“ Our meeting is going to particularly on that matter.” The Principal said.

Miles nodded. “ This is my assistant, Ander.” He turned towards Ander. “He’s going to keep the records of today’s meeting.”

“Nice to meet you Mr Ander.” The principal leaned forward to shake hands.

Ander did the same. “The feeling is mutual.”

Then they proceeded towards the meeting hall.

The meeting went for more than a hour. The staff members kept explaining various areas where Miles’ contribution would we useful. Proper sanitation facilities, renovating the classrooms, adding extra beds to the hostel and various other improvements that would be made.

“We were planning to advance computer facility.” The principal added.

After the meeting was over, Miles asked principal if he could take a stroll through the school.

“Of course. It’s a holiday for students. I can show you around.”

“No don’t worry,” Miles said, “I won’t burden you anymore. We’ll manage ourselves.”

“Well then,” Principal smiled, “Feel free to explore the campus.”

Miles nodded and smiled back. The principal then, left.

• Year 1980

Miles was looking at the stone building that seemed to be reaching up to the clouds.

“Careful there!” a voice came from behind. “Your neck will ache if you keep staring for too long.”

Miles saw the man approaching him. Semi-bald, with round golden glasses, thick moustache and wearing sweater.

“New student?” the man asked.

Miles nodded slightly without saying anything.

“Not a fond of stone buildings?”

Miles didn’t show any expression.

“You might not like it at first, but eventually you’ll become fond of it.” the man continue looking at the building.

Miles’ parents along with a Mr Smith approached them.

“And this is Mr Lewis Burnell,” Mr Smith introduced Lily and James to the man standing beside Miles. “And they are..”

“Mr and Mrs Wingrave,” Lewis cut him off, “It’s a pleasure.”

“The pleasure is all ours” Lily said. “ I see you’ve already met Miles.”

“Yes we were admiring the structure,” he smiled as he looked at Miles.

Miles didn’t smile back. He just had an eye contact with him for a few seconds before he moved near his mother.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” said James, “Is there any history about this place?”

“Sure there is sir,” said Mr Smith, “And it is all included in our education system.”

“Wonderful! I hope Miles learns some very interesting things here.”

“You see,” Lily said with a sad smile, “Miles is really sensitive boy. He’s so nervous around strangers. We’ve never left him alone and this is the first time we are gonna be so far from him for such long time.”

“Don’t you worry Mrs Wingrave, we’ll keep your son happy and safe.” Mr Smith patted on Miles’ back. But those pats were bit strong than normal ones.

“We know Mount Winschell is among the top schools and we always want best for our son,” James said.

Mr Smith and Mr Burnell nodded in agreement.

“Well,” James added, “Its just matter of a year. After that, our son will study in one of the best schools in US.”

“Of course,” Mr Smith smiled, “Let me show you around the school.”

"That's okay," James said, "We'll manage ourselves."

•Year 2000

Ander’s hand slid up Miles’ waist. His fingers made way through his t-shirt. Somewhere behind the corner in the school, the two lips reached for each other.

After a while, Miles pulled back. “Come on now,” he said moving away, “We’re not here to make out.”

Ander followed him. “So you’re gonna tell me now?”

“Tell you what?”

“About him.” Ander kept staring at Miles’ confused face. “Oh come on. Do you think I didn’t know what you meant when you said ‘I’ve spent some of the best time of my life here’? Clearly you had a childhood crush here.”

“Ah.. no.” Miles stated.

“What do you mean ‘no’?” Ander said it in a high-pitched voice. “A 10-year old doesn’t get to have a crush at his school?”

“I hardly ever talked to anyone,” Miles said. “I was this shy, nerdy little kid, you know, who has his own personal space.”

“So you’re telling me, that you had no friends at this school, for one whole year!”

“Actually no,” Miles said recalling, “I’d a friend. I think Kevin, was his name.”

“Oh Kevin. Interesting..”

“And for the record, my Mount Winschell crush was a girl.”