Saint Joseph School

The suitcase wouldn't close. She bounced atop it trying in vain to get everything to stay inside just long enough to latch it tight.

Tiffany sighed as she finally gave up and removed a few articles of clothing from the top.
Her sweats from track, letter jacket, a photo album she started after ...

Valorie Atwoods was cleaning the clutter from her desk when a small knock sounded on her office door.
It was still 20 minutes before the first of the class of the day and 45 minutes from her first scheduled appointment this morning.

"Yes? Come in please." she answered as she carried a stack of ...

Valorie Atwoods sat cross legged on the floor of her office, a sketch pad neatly placed on her lap as her hand worked its charcoal magic across the page.
An increased number of students were finding thier way into Dr. Conrads office and her own as of late and she found herself wondering what was ...

Surprised to hear Nick, Tiff quickly responds, "I'm here Nick but I'm not sure where here is. It's a little bit hard to hear you too, but don't stop talking."

She listens closely to the words he says between bursts of static. Then she explains briefly to Mandy who Nick is. Mandy follows close ...

Pulling the scared girl by the arm Tiffany continued to run down the narrow passageway.
She stumbled over a few rocky crevices in her haste but still managed to keep a hold of the girls hand.

Out of breath and not sure now where to turn she stopped and knelt down.
"Rest here" she said as she ...

Aaah!
Tiffany yelps slightly from the surprise of the fall.

Landing on her bottom she looks around her.
Her eyes adjust slowly to the darker surroundings shes landed in as she stands and brushes off the cave dirt.
No ocean , no beach , no cliff with the beautiful view.

" What the..." her voice ...

Tiffany (she prefers Tiff, really) smiles at Nick as she pulls a cart from the line up as they enter Paragon Pricemart.

"He looks so tense," she thinks, "he really needs to smile more often."

"Hey Nick... you mind pushing this thing while I grab what I need and toss it in?"

"I don't mind at ...

Taking the coke from Mana with a grin Tiffany pops it open and sips followed by a carbonated hiccup.
"Oh gosh... *laughs* Excuse me! Didnt mean to be rude. "
She blushes lightly and turns to mana,
" thanks again and really the salads no biggie"

"I dont know how much it was so heres $100.00. Is that enough? I have more if it isnt."
Tiffany sits wide eyed and somewhat bewildered as Mana hands her the money.
" no .. no its ok really... I'm sure Joe didn't eat much anyways... here take it for him , i'll just share the salsa ... I have this ...

" Oh yeah sure i knew it was you ! "
Tiffany exclaimed , almost too excitedly.
"I'm great , Still getting use to where everything is. How bout you?"

As Bryan grabs a seat with them Tiffany gets a whiff of the bounty of his El Super bag.

" That smells great , tons better then this..." she ...

Carrying her tray stacked neatly with a salad , crackers , side of french dressing and a bottled water , Tiffany stands in the cafeteria looking somewhat lost.
where should I sit...."

She opts for a table towards the middle that noone else has taken yet and sits quietly letting her bookbag slide ...