The Appraiser

I smiled as the car approached the school. It was an all girls school with almost a thousand students and my new place of work for the foreseeable future. Sadly I couldn't see much thanks to the nine foot brick wall around the place except for those buildings rising over the wall such as the main campus

The school took its security seriously with most of its students living on campus. The few exceptions were the local girls who had chauffeurs that drove them in daily. This level of protection was understandable, given the elite nature of the institution and the high-profile families many of the all female students came from. I made a mental note to familiarize myself with all the security protocols as soon as possible. As we pulled up to the large metal gate I rolled down my window as the security guard approached and handed him my ID. He looked it over puzzled.

“You can't be a teacher.” He shook his head.

“I am on the staff. You can call the principle to confirm my identity.” I frowned. I was sure I looked like a kid to him being only twenty one myself even though I had just finished my senior year at college. He of course went back to his station and called up the school. Besides myself I think only the dean was a male as the school employed only women except for the security staff.

The guard of course went back to his station and called up the school. Besides myself I think only the dean was a male as the school employed only women except for the security staff. I watched as he picked up the phone, his skeptical gaze still fixed on me through the glass of his booth. The wait felt interminable, my fingers drumming nervously on the car door as I tried to look composed.

After a few minutes he came back and offered me my ID back and gave my driver the go ahead to proceed through the wrought iron gates which opened slowly. As he handed back my ID, he gave a curt nod, his way of apologizing without words.

As we rolled onto the campus proper, I straightened my tie and took a deep breath, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in this unique environment. The driveway curved gently, revealing a campus that blended modern architecture with classic New England charm. The main building, a three-story structure of red brick and large windows, stood proudly at the center. Its clean lines and large glass entryway spoke of recent renovations, while ivy climbing one corner hinted at the school's long-standing tradition. The car passed a large sign featuring the school code of arms with a red fox.

The school's entrance featured a circular drive surrounding an old marble fountain, its water stained with green patina and decades of subtle wear. Bronze figures of classical women posed around the fountain's edge. Limestone steps led up to double wooden doors, wide enough to allow groups of students to pass through easily.

I got out of the car and grabbed my bags out of the trunk and then headed up the main stairs then entered the main foyer. The main foyer was spacious hallway, with high ceilings and large windows letting in natural light. One wall was adorned with the school's crest. A long desk stood ahead of me positioned to one side of the hall where two security guards waited for me, leaving a narrow passage on the other side for people to walk through what looked to be a metal detector.

"Good morning. Name and reason for your visit?" A woman said as she came around the desk holding a clipboard, a long neatly braided ponytail swinging behind her as she came around the hallway. Her warm hazel eyes framed by thick lashes scanned me quickly as she closed the gap between us. A confident smile spread across her full pink lips as she greeted me. Her dark security uniform hugging her athletic tone body. I was surprised to see one was a woman as security was not typically a job women could get in this world given women were by law typically property of their fathers till they came of age then became property of their husbands but then most women still worked to bring in money.

I glanced at her name tag on her impressive bosom to see her surname in bold letters. The metallic badge gleamed against the dark fabric of her uniform, drawing attention to her curvaceous figure. "Morning, Shepherd. I am Mister Chase. I will be working here starting today but have not yet received my school ID card." I said as I pulled out my wallet and my photo ID, the leather soft and worn from years of use.

"I see." She smiled as she took my ID, her warm hazel eyes sparkling with interest. Her slender fingers grasped the card, turning it slightly to catch the light as she examined my info then glanced at the clip board. The scent of her subtle perfume wafted towards me, a mix of vanilla and something floral.

"Please put your bags on the table so I can scan them and empty any items in your pocket into the tray,"The second man behind the table spoke up, his voice gruff but not unkind. He was an older gentleman with balding hair and a thick salt-and-pepper mustache that twitched as he talked.

I nodded and took off my satchel, the strap leaving a slight indentation on my shoulder, and set my medical bag on the desk. The polished surface reflected the fluorescent lights overhead. He took them over and set them on the conveyor, the rubber belt humming softly as it started to move and he watched a screen. I began to empty my house keys, their metallic jingle breaking the quiet, along with my wallet and phone into the plastic bin.

"You are on the visitors list but will need to get your school ID. If the office does not have it yet come back and see me and I will get you set up in the security office mister Chase." She smiled and gave me a little wink then handed my ID back. Her hazel eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief as she returned the card, her fingers brushing against mine for a brief moment.

“Thanks.” I returned her smile as I took my ID and put it in the tray with my stuff.

"Please sign in and then step through the metal detector." She said, handing me a clipboard with and a blue ballpoint pen. I nodded and signed my name in the visitor's log, the ink flowing smoothly across the paper. I handed it back to her, catching a whiff of her light floral perfume as she reached for it. Then I stepped through the metal detector and was glad it did not go off as I realized I was still wearing my belt.

"What is in this bag?" The man asked from the security desk as he held up my medical bag. His eyebrows furrowed as he examined it closely. I was sure all the metal instruments inside had been very noticeable on the X-ray machine.

"Medical equipment, you have my permission to open it and look inside. There is nothing that can harm you." I shrugged. I was sure he had no clue what any of it did though. The zipper made a soft sound as he opened the bag, revealing the neatly organized contents within.

“Do you take any medications that we need to be aware of and are they on your persons or in your bags?” Shepherd. asked as she twirled the ink pen between her fingers as she glanced up at me with her brown eyes.

“Nope.” I shook my head.

"Do you mind if I search your person?" She asked, her fingers still gripping the clipboard as she held it against her chest as it pressed against her impressive bosom and making her breasts swell against her uniform shirt.

"Be my guest." I held up my arms for her to search me. She nodded and sat the clipboard down on the marble desk with a soft clatter.

She reached inside my outside jacket pockets and then reached into my jacket and checked the inside pockets. Her hands touched my chest as I felt the warmth of her palms through my shirt, her fingers splayed wide. She slid her fingers down over my stomach teasingly, tracing a slow path, and then around my waistband to make sure I did not have anything inside. The metal of my belt buckle clinked softly as she checked. She leaned forward slightly, her blouse gaping just enough to give me a glimpse of her cleavage, smooth skin disappearing into shadows between. I tried to ignore the scent of her perfume that filled my senses as she worked.

Her hands slid down over my hips, patting my front pockets next, then slid around to pat my back pockets. As she did so, she caressed my buttocks giving it a firm squeeze. her touch lingering a moment longer than strictly necessary. She smiled at me, her lips curving upward as she slowly slid her hands away.

“All clear. You are good to go.” She said in a soft sultry voice. I smiled and nodded and gathered up my things from the tray and headed over to the end of the marble table where the older gentleman zipped up my medical bag. I grabbed it and my satchel and slid it over my shoulders and proceeded into the lobby.

As I stepped into the lobby, I was struck by its size and polish. The marble floor gleamed under my feet, and my eyes were drawn up to the high ceiling. Tall windows let in the morning light, illuminating the space. The main hall stretched ahead, its length emphasizing the building's scale.

I saw the girls dressed in the school uniforms, their attire a blend of tradition and youthful style. Most of the girls wore snug school blouses, the crisp white fabric accentuating their figures. A few opted for the red school sweater vest or cardigans, the rich crimson hue a stark contrast against the white shirts beneath. All paired these tops with black and red plaid mini-skirts, the pleated fabric swaying with each step.

The leg wear varied subtly among the students. Younger girls sported crisp white thigh-high socks that hugged their legs, while the upper class men moved with a more sophisticated grace, their sheer black stockings catching the light as they walked. Their footwear was a mix of flats for the younger girls while the upper class men wore short heels that clicked against the marble as the girls walked through the lobby, each step echoing in the spacious hall.

These girls exuded an air of privilege, their posture and demeanor reflecting their upbringing. They came from high society, born into wealthy families whose names likely graced the plaques and donor lists throughout the school. Their designer bags and meticulously styled hair spoke of mornings spent in front of expensive vanities, while their manicured nails and subtle jewelry hinted at regular spa treatments and shopping trips to exclusive boutiques.

Some of the older girls had added subtle alterations to the standard uniform that pushed the boundaries of the school's dress code without quite breaking it. A few had shortened their skirts an extra inch, the hem barely grazing mid-thigh. Others wore their blouses with an extra button undone, showing some cleavage without being overtly revealing. The air grew thick with the subtle scent of perfume filled the space.

Many of the girls stopped mid-conversation to give me looks as I passed, their reactions a complex tableau of curiosity and intrigue. Some wore puzzled expressions, their eyebrows slightly raised, heads tilting as they tried to place me. Hushed whispers rippled through small clusters, fingers subtly pointing, eyes darting between their friends and me.

Other girls responded with more direct interest - flirtatious smiles curving their lips, a deliberate shift in posture that seemed designed to catch my attention. A few leaned closer to their friends, speaking behind cupped hands, their gazes sliding over me with a mix of speculation and barely concealed attraction.

They probably wondered why a young man was here in the lobby of an all-girls school.