Very well then.

The words slipped out of Mrs. Dalton's thin lips like honey.

Sigrid felt comforted by her small words of affirmation, she was used to adults typically trying to convince her into pursuing something better. Like her father said: nurse, housewife, or anything else except a poet or writer. It took creative people to understand why she was passionate, Mr. Hall was the furthest thing from that.

Mrs. Dalton and Sigrid shared a small smile before the older woman continued to talk, "What year are you in, young lady? I'm sure a girl as advanced and put together as yourself has gotten far in her education."

"Actually," she looked down at her yellow saddle shoes and then sniffed. "I haven't quite got a school yet. You see, my father is really opposed to the idea of myself becoming a poet because he says it's a man's career. He took me out of school to prevent me from getting into any universities. I was previously enrolled in Ridgeway but you see, due to current circumstances I'm looking into secret homeschooling. I'd regularly be a junior...seeing how difficult it would be to get help once the year's started he's decided he's going to get me to marry."

The people in the front seats looked at each other, Mr. Dalton pursed his lips, "Well, that's horrible Sigrid Taylor. Could you afford homeschooling? If the opportunity arises where you do discover a teacher who's willing."

They were also opposed to the idea of the girl dropping out of school, there would be so much wasted potential.

The question sounded rude coming from his lips because he had a naturally monotone and deep voice. Sigrid shook her head, "I was thinking that I could exchange some lessons for cooking, cleaning, and maybe even babysitting. Seeing that it'll be secret I can't take money out of my savings account and whatever my dad gives me out his pocket wouldn't even get me the books until December."

"And if that's not good enough?"

"I've got friends at Ridgeway who I'm sure would let me borrow their books to study. I wouldn't want to be a burden to them but if borrowing is what it comes down to I'll do it," there was a murderous undertone in her words, she didn't appreciate getting questioned and they were unwillingly pushing her buttons. Instead of being insulted by the tone, Mrs. Dalton smiled and turned her head to look at her.

The older woman immediately picked up on how serious she was about the topic. Then her mind trailed back to the possibility of arranging the girl with her son. Keen on it, really. The lightbulb in her head lit up like never before, "Have you tried enrolling into Welton?"

Sigrid's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "Isn't Welton an all-boys boarding school?"

"Yes."

She was even more confused.

"But you've got us, the Dalton's. Whatever we say goes, we put a lot of money into that school and a little asking won't hurt."

Sigrid's facial features slowly twisted into a smile before they dropped quickly as she remembered, "But it's too expensive, even if you get me in through convincing I wouldn't be able to gather enough money to continue studying there. We're back at square-one. And missing this year would ruin my entire academic career I-"

"Don't worry, we've got you covered."

She went into a slight state of shock, the Dalton's laughed at her expression.

Just like that? It couldn't certain be that easy.

Her internal monologue didn't fail to doubt her, laugh at her. The car stopped at the street Sigrid had requested, but she could not move a muscle realizing that the nice strangers had just offered to pay for the rest of her education. Not even her father was that kind. It made her wonder why and how she considered her father kind if he had literally left her miles away from her own home.

Mr. Dalton opened her car door and reached his hand to politely get her out of the car, she took his hand with a smile and the moment she got out she attacked him in a hug. "Oh mercy! I'm so sorry for being so sudden but I'm so happy! What can I do to repay you? I can't possibly get all this privilege without doing something in return."

Mrs. Dalton pulled the ecstatic girl off her husband and Sigrid immediately hugged her instead. "You too! I'll mow your lawn, walk the dog, I'll even clean the chimney."

"Don't be so reckless, Sigrid," Mrs. Dalton whispered as she awkwardly patted the girl's head. She separated, muttering an apology but she didn't seem genuine by the grin on her face. "Now, which is your house? We've got to go inside to make a call but we'll knock on your door in case we get news from Headmaster Nolan. Is that alright with you?"

"Is that alright with me? It's more than alright!"

The woman shook her head with a laugh before signaling her husband to make the call. She looked at Sigrid to examine the position she was in. "We do not need anything in return, Sigrid. From one woman to another, I think that we should embrace our aspirations and do whatever we can to achieve them. I admire your determination, a girl with no real wishes would not put herself through extremes to get back into school. So with that, if you do happen to get into Welton Mr. Dalton and I would pay for everything. Because we're spending a pretty dime on you, we expect the utmost respect, tolerance, and behavior. No getting in trouble, no failing classes, and absolutely no tardy announcements. We'll have our special attention from you, one mistake and all of this could be taken away from you."

Sigrid swallowed harshly at the threat, "I fully understand, Mrs. Dalton."

"Sigrid, please call me Theresa."

She nodded and then proceeded to show Theresa where her house was for updates on her special offering. Mrs. Dalton excused herself to go into the house, Sigrid ran across the street and knocked on the door for someone to open. Miss Dorothy opened the door, asking why she wasn't accompanied by her father, and then was pushed away with an apology when Sigrid ran passed her to go into her room.

She couldn't believe it. How could strangers be so kind?

She opened the door and left it open. She ran to her bed, screaming as she jumped into it and hit her face on the mattress, "Yes!"

Mr. Hall was walking into the house, eyebrows furrowed as he looked in the direction of the girl's room, wondering how she had managed to arrive at the house before him and why she was so particularly happy. He looked at Miss Dorothy but she had already gone back to work. He sighed through his nose in annoyance before walking in the direction of the girl's room. He knocked on the already open door, Sigrid turned around in shock. Her mouth went dry as she looked at her father, then fixed the sheet and stood up. Military-like.

"This commotion, what is it about?"

"Nothing father."

She fought the urge to smile and she looked out of the window to look at the Dalton's house.

"Absolutely nothing."

was a knock on the door half an hour later, Mr. Hall opened the door with a superficial smile in case it was someone of importance. His face fell neutral when he saw Theresa, "Neighbor, what is the pleasure of your visit?"

She looked passed his shoulder to see if Sigrid was anywhere near. Mr. Hall had her painting in the living room which was odd because he was opposed to the idea of his daughter pursuing the Arts. Theresa smiled, "Actually, kind sir, I'm here with a couple questions for your daughter."

"What of the sort?" he got defensive without really knowing the intentions of the woman in front of him.

Theresa pulled out a falsified portfolio from her purse and put it in Mr. Hall's hands. He looked at it hesitantly, "St. Catherine's? Why would that be of interest to my child."

They had caught Sigrid's attention, the paint she was using for water was mixing with her trees as she looked away from the canvas to see who was at the door. Theresa licked her lips to wet them nervously then she smiled her million-dollar smile. "We've looked at your daughter's past report cards," false, "And she's caught our special interest," true. "St. Catherine's is an all-girl's boarding school that specializes in forming girls in the path to the perfect health career. Athletic training to Surgical assistance, we've got it all. I find that she'd be a splendid addition to our student body."

Theresa was just as good of a liar as her son, her plans were going perfectly, exquisitely even. "There is no need to worry about expenses, with Sigrid's etiquette and outstanding record we are willing to pay for everything for the remainder of her high school career."

Mr. Hall started to realize what was happening. But he didn't do anything realizing money was coming into the equation. Sigrid assumed they had accepted her if Theresa was putting herself through such extremes. "All of it?"

"Yes, she's one of the few who have successfully been able to impress us."

He nodded, "Alright then," there was a grim look on his face as he peeled his blue eyes away from Theresa. Theresa's eyes began to sparkle, black like in posession. He grabbed onto the door making signals to Theresa only they understand, Mr. Hall didn't want to ruin Sigrid's perception on Theresa.

"Sigrid, come over here!"

She wiped her hands off and fixed her painting attire to walk to the door. She pretended she did not know the woman in front of her, reaching her hand out and smiling kindly at her. Theresa returned it with a wink from the side of her face that Mr. Hall could not see. "May I step inside for an interview?"

Sigrid looked up at her father, he grunted before shoving his head in the direction of the living room. They stepped away from the door and showed Mrs. Dalton inside. They all sat down on the couch, Theresa looked at Mr. Hall with a neutral expression before licking her lips to speak again. "Mr. Hall? These interviews are typically done one-on-one."

He nodded and stood up, he went to his personal library to read until he was asked to come back outside. Sigrid was now smiling at the woman in front of her, asking whether or not Headmaster took her request into consideration. Theresa nodded slyly, Sigrid squealed before putting her hand on her mouth. "Thank you, thank you so much!" she whispered so Miss Dorothy wouldn't eavesdrop. Theresa had only known of Sigrid's existence for a day but she already looked at her like a daughter.

She supposed it was because she was never able to have one.

Sigrid pulled out all of her report cards, her desk set, and asked if she had enough time to shower before they had to drive her back to talk to Headmaster Nolan. Mrs. Dalton told her it would be best to wait until tomorrow but to have everything set and ready to go.

Sigrid looked like a child on Christmas.

"Mrs. Dalton, you are an angel!"