Reforming Oppurtunites

[Zaylah]

The Reform School of Opportune Chances was not a boot camp or some brain washing place, the school gave children who even at a young age started to race down a spiraling road of mischief and chaos.

However, this school did not see them as bad kids, but those just needed a little help, that means in discipline but not only that, structure and understanding, therapy would help the student overall reform in a healthy, true longterm way.
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Right now, a group of mentors new and returning were waiting outside for a bus to pull in that was transporting the new mentees.

Lyle Emerson was among the group, he would be lying if he did not say he was nervous.
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"Hey, Lys, you remember our first bus ride here?"

Caleb, his long term friend asked,
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"I remember you spitting spit balls so yes."

A small tease and it worked.
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Caleb bushed a little,

"Yeah I was a little shit,"

"But at least we have been there, you know?"
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"Yeah but can't rely on just that, every kid is different."

Lyle wisely advised.

"Though... I hope it has some value."
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Before the two could speak more, the roar of the bus motor had everyone turn their heads and attention to the stopping bus.

[Terra]

Kaede sat on the bus, staring out the window. She wore a hooded shirt with the hood up to conceal her bright pink hair. It wasn’t dyed that color, it was natural, which was one cause of people not leaving her alone. Her eyes were blue, but there was a dullness to them like she was staring into space. She was dressed in just a red shirt and jeans and other than the pink hair, looked like a normal 11 year old. One noticeable thing was that her left hand was bandaged. Before boarding the bus, she unexpectedly punched a cement wall. It wasn’t out of aggression or trying to hurt someone, but she couldn’t explain the random outburst. As she stepped off the bus, she looked around nervously, partly to gauge her new surroundings and partly like she was watching to see if she was being followed after.

As she was led along, she was visibly jittery. Her non-bandaged hand was twitching like she was handling an item, but it was just a habit she had. She used to have a lighter that she flipped on and off as the small flame was calming to her, but it was taken from her way before boarding the bus. Every voice in her head wanted her to run, but she knew she wouldn’t get very far right now.

[Zaylah]

Along on the bus ride were a handful of other kids.

Most were acting up, hopping seats, talking loudly and someone was slingshotting something at random people.

Another girl the seat across from Kaede had crimson hair, a dark red yet bright, her green eyes were closed and she wore a hoodie, black with Halloween cartoon skeletons, a black shirt underneath a skirt and bone tights with a pair of boots.

Another boy, more huddled in the bus seat tried to not pay attention to anything and not cry though he had been sniffling for quite a while.

Scarlett came off the bus after Kaede and stood looking around, uniterrested her mask firmly on.

Collin trudged off the bus and stood looking frightened out of his mind, his brown eyes wide and bambi looking, he shook were he stood.

A few more kids came out and that is when their names were called as a mentor came up to them.

"Kaede!"

Lyle called out walking towards the spot were she stood.

He had some information about her but not her appearance yet, he was guessing one of the two girls.

Then Scarlett's name got called and she shrugged stepping forward so that made it easier to know the fidgeting girl in the hoodie shirt was his new mentee.

"Hey there, Kaede, my name is Lyle, I'm your mentor for your stay here."

The flaxen blonde kept his distance but not too much, just in case she was a runner, a few of the boys had fled and were being chased, this school had subtle security nothing obvious like a prison but yes, there was security and such around.

The man gave the girl a gentle smile,

"If your curious, that means I will be guiding you along your stay here, there is a lot more too it, but I figured we learn as we went, unless you have questions?"

"If you do, ask away, and if you need time to think, that is cool too."

"Either way, follow me, we have to get you officially check in the gymnasium, then we will go to the apartment we will be living in, your stuff will be taken there safe and sound, unless you have a carry on bag?"

If she did, it had been checked already so he knew it was safe.

[Terra]

Kaede glanced around, trying to remember various points of interest and potential hiding places in case things went south. As she was approached by an older male, she flinched a bit and took a half-step back. She did want to run, but she didn’t know the place well enough to try. As she half-listened to Lyle talk, she gave a small fidget. “Where’s the rope or cuffs or whatever you have to keep me subdued and in one place?” She asked, mostly at unease with this place as her understanding was this was kind of a detention center for delinquents. As she spoke, wind blew her hood back, revealing her pink hair in full. The preteen yelped in surprise and quickly futzed around to fix her hood.

[Zaylah]

Lyle took a few steps back when Kaede reacted to his presence, he mentally nodded to himself noting that.

"Rope and...?"

Lyle muttered quietly before hearing the rest.

"Oh no, that is Hollywood stuff, there is no need for that, we help you soar not restrain."

*Now are defines of soar are different, I bet.*

Lyle stop walking at the yelp and turned quickly.

"Whoa, nice hair."

It was the first thing that popped out of his mouth.

*She is so young to be dying her hair though.*

*But that is not her fault either.*

[Terra]

Kaede groaned at the cheesy talk about soaring and rubbed her head a bit. At the compliment of her hair, she blushed and shook her head. “You’d be the first to say so. I wear a hood for a reason. Hair dye seems too complicated, so I just hide it the old-fashioned way..” she muttered, pulling the hood more over her head as she walked on.

[Zaylah]

Lyle blinked at those words.

That just sounded backwards... right, using hair dye to cover.

*Wait....*

*Is she implying what I think?*

"I'm sorry to hear that, about the compliment and it being so rare."

"But..."

"Your saying, well, that the pink is...natural?"

Lyle turned his crystal blue eyes to Kaede before moving a bit forward and opening the school entryway doors.

"After you."

Once in, he headed for the gym.

*I need to take a look at her file again, that or it needs updating.*

[Terra]

“Yep. As much as I wish it was just a fashion statement.” Kaede muttered with a light roll of her eyes as she walked through the open doorway. She cautiously looked around as she walked forward, keeping herself ready to fight or flight if she felt like she needed to.

[Zaylah]

"I see."

Lyle nodded saying he understood what she meant.

Yet he couldn't really get were she was coming from in that aspect.

Nor did he try too.

They finally made it too the gym.

Lyle was aware of her current feelings, so when they got to the table, he needed to speak to someone to update her profile.

Then she needed to take a photo for her school ID.

Yet to keep her busy and hopefully learn more about her.

"Here you go Kaede, why don't you fill this out for me?"

Leading her over to some bleachers, were some former mentors were keeping a clear on the various kids.

It was a paper on a clipboard one of those get to know you sheets.

With a list of favorites this and that, likes and dislikes.

Kaede was allowed to sit wherever she wanted on the bleachers.

Lyle waited until she got settled,

"I'll be right back okay?"

After some type of answer either even in body language or verbal before walking off.

[Terra]

Kaede just nodded slightly as she read the clipboard, glancing around her. She noticed the two students that came off the bus with her, but paid them no mind aside from noting where they were. As she filled in basic stuff about her, she especially noted that she enjoyed spicy food and parkour. She initially wrote down that she enjoyed fighting, but crossed it out after a moment. As for dislikes, she just wrote in big letters the word “cold”. After a few moments, she sat the clipboard beside her and stared at the ceiling.