Continuity of Story

The next chapter of Shannon's life begins today! I don't have a lot of time to write today so I won't be doing the art blog until later.

Which is fine because it gives me time to think.

Anyways! Enjoy the next part of Shannon's life!



Since the school year wasn't over Shannon had to attend classes. Having been taught by the teaching staff at the orphanage the public school was going to attend needed her to take an aptitude test to ensure she was on the same learning level as her peers.

Shannon sat in the principals office writing the aptitude test. She had been writing for what seemed like hours when finally she came to the last page. She quickly filled out her answers-all multiple choice-and put down her pencil. The principal looked up from his desk.

"Finished already?"

"It was quiet a long test, sir."

"I supposed for someone as young as you it seemed that way." The principal walked over and picked up the sheets. He looked through them briefly before setting them aside. "If you could give me a few moments I'll mark it immediately. In the mean time could you wait in the hallway outside?"

Shannon complied and left the office. She sat on the first available chair next to the office door and waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Two girls came walking through holding an attendance sheet. They were laughing and giggling. They stopped talking when they saw Shannon. She smiled at them. The girls just looked at each other and kept walking past. A few moments later they walked by again without the attendance sheet laughing. The one girl pointed at Shannon and said something in a hushed voice. The other girl looked at her and they both started laughing.

"What are you laughing at?" Shannon asked. The two girls abruptly stopped laughing and looked at her. "Well?" she continued. The girls just walked away in silence. Shannon didn't get it, what could possibly be funny about her sitting here.

A few moments later and another girl around Shannon's age walked by with another attendance sheet. She stopped when she saw Shannon looking at the ground.

"Hey, you in trouble or something?" the girl inquired.

"Huh? Oh no. I'm just waiting for the principal to finish marking my aptitude test." The other girl looked confused. "I'm new here. I'm being tested to make sure I'm on the same learning level as everyone else."

"What, what did they teach you in your old school?" The girl asked genuinely confused.

"Oh, I never went to school. I was taught by the staff at the orphanage." Shannon explained. The other girl looked awkward for a moment.

"Oh." She said, not entirely sure of how to respond.

"I'm Shannon."

"Well, Shannon, you should be put into Miss. Merriweather's class! She's the best!"

"Is that your class?"

"Yep. Miss. Merriweather's the best Grade 4 teacher here!"

The principals door opened then. "Ms. Spencer, I hope you're on your way to deliver that attendance sheet."

"Yes Principal Lawson!" She smiled nervously and ran off towards the office.

"No running in the halls!" The principal shouted after her. He shook his head and turned to Shannon. "Well, Ms. Baker. It appears everything is in order. Your reading compression is very good for someone your age. Your writing is a bit sloppy, but so is every other 4th graders. Your math is a bit on the low side." He paused here and stared down at her.

"I've never been very good at math." Shannon admitted.

"Well, math is an important part of life. You should really study it a bit more." He paused a moment before continuing. "Other than that you appear to be on the level as your peers. I'll show you the school and escort you to your class."

"Will she be in Miss. Meriweather's class Principal Lawson?" The Spencer girl had returned.

"Ms. Spencer return to class at once."

The Spencer girl ran off towards he class, she called back to Shannon. "Nice to meet you Shannon!"

"No running in the halls!"