There and back again...
A yellow taxi pulled into the drive of St. Catherine's School for Girls, and the grizzled driver peered out of his grimy windshield at the stately grounds.
"This yer school then, girlie?"
In the backseat, Utena nodded her reply, cotton-candy pink hair flashing in the rear-view mirror. She pretended not to hear the old man's grumblings about kids and their crazy hair colors.
The car came to a stop, and the athletic girl swung out of the backseat eagerly, not waiting for the old cabbie to get out and unload her luggage. She retrieved her bags, swinging the largest over her shoulder easily. It was best that the cabbie didn't help her, as he'd surely wonder at how a sixteen year old schoolgirl would manage to carry such heavy luggage by herself.
Utena reached into one large pocket, pulling out a wallet on a chain and unfolding some crisp American bills to pay the driver his fare, plus a generous tip. His look of surprise was thanks enough, and she shoved the wallet back into the baggy painter's jeans with a grin.
Tugging the strap of her snug-fitting tank top back into place, she adjusted the baggage once more and set out for the dormitory building, wondering who would be the first to welcome her back.
"This yer school then, girlie?"
In the backseat, Utena nodded her reply, cotton-candy pink hair flashing in the rear-view mirror. She pretended not to hear the old man's grumblings about kids and their crazy hair colors.
The car came to a stop, and the athletic girl swung out of the backseat eagerly, not waiting for the old cabbie to get out and unload her luggage. She retrieved her bags, swinging the largest over her shoulder easily. It was best that the cabbie didn't help her, as he'd surely wonder at how a sixteen year old schoolgirl would manage to carry such heavy luggage by herself.
Utena reached into one large pocket, pulling out a wallet on a chain and unfolding some crisp American bills to pay the driver his fare, plus a generous tip. His look of surprise was thanks enough, and she shoved the wallet back into the baggy painter's jeans with a grin.
Tugging the strap of her snug-fitting tank top back into place, she adjusted the baggage once more and set out for the dormitory building, wondering who would be the first to welcome her back.