atching me. It sat in the corner of my mind like a heavy uninvited guest. For three days, I couldn't pick up my violin. E

and smaller after the ga

my coal bucket and the sound of the stones hitting the floor made me jump. Here we go

the rest of us? Just because you played a few notes for the rich m

laire," I said, my v

ead backwards until my eyes watered. This isn't just mean. This is evil and

and you are the perfect clown to hire with your hair to match. Once they

not brave or strong or even confident but I'm done. I'm done with Claire

ones scattered on the floor back into the coal bucket and walked away before she get back

had been like this after Madame Beaumont's visit. Whenever I asked her about it, she said "Isabelle, some secrets are not just hidden, they are buried and when you try to dig them out, they

ered. "Director Rouss

as cleaning dropped from my hand. "The same Director Rouss

e gentleman waiting," she said, picking up my bow

in the chapel wearing a suit that cost more than the orphanage's roof. His gaze was locked on m

said, offering a smile as I sat acros

I replied quickly, offering back a smile. I tried not

been searching for. "I won't take much of your time, I'll go straight to the point. Your

ne of a kind and even without being tutored, you exceeded many expectations. That's why St. Aurelia Academy is offering you a sc

holarship to St. Aurelia Academy? Everything including my f

au called out, snapping his fingers a

.. A scholarship just like that without doing anything?" I stuttered trying to gath

chool administrators and I decided to bring you in. We saw a real talent and we want St. Aurelia to nurture

creaming not to go. She wants me to stay. I don't even need to look deeply for me to know

this for a little

cision today," Director Rousseau said, checking his wristwatch. "But we are starting a new session in a few weeks

public not to mention attending a prestigious school. We are homeschooled. All of us at the orphanage. The sisters

s hiding by the window of the Chapel, eavesdropping on our conversation. Oh

ers with Claire flooded my head. That was enough to drive the will to live in the shadows out. I want to lose the hood and not hide my hair anymore. I want to walk freely like every other person. Like Claire. Lik

e words left my mouth it felt like a

Rousseau said, smiling like my choice

we leave,

get you ready," he said, opening the suitcase that had been sitting

y supplies you'll be needing," he said, tucking back the documents into the suitcase. "You

her, her head bent over it like a sinner praying to the Lord to atone for their sins. One of the many positions you unfailingly see

betrayed her after she warned me. A representative of St. Aurelia came with the other paperwork that required her signature and she followed through. They came with s

es with the other girls. I could hear their whispers about me and how I seduced Alexandre Rousseau to get a seat at St. Aurelia Academy and

ng the only place I know of. The only place that took me in when everybody else tossed me out. I couldn't stop the tears fr

dresser, cracked mirror and the creaking floor. This has been my whole life until n

ide their room door. Waiting to give m

ghost!" Som

voice crackling. "They are going to break you, Isabelle.

old weight over my chest. I thought I was being

grace I didn't understand. I gripped my old violin case, feeling the cheap fabric of my coat like a neon sign. As I stepped out of the car, I felt out of

ntire dorm at St. Brigette's Marble, Silk a

d a blazer with a gold crest. I touched th

the floor. I thought of Sister Marianne's shaky hands and Claire's bitter

onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. Finally, I w