#eiideticmemory

Sunny loves many things, but none more so than biting. It's helpful in a pinch when there's no can opener in sight or when you need to bite through some rope OR when you're trying to get your older brother's attention while he is engulfed in a book.

The first day of school was always the day that students tried their hardest, before falling back into the usual routine. Most children would pack their things the night before, make sure that they rose early, and arrived plenty of time before the bell rang for the first lesson. Sophia was no different, except perhaps her timing had been a little too good.

Clutching a piece of crumpled paper in her hand, reading the room number and teacher’s name, the girl entered the empty classroom, noting the time on the wall. Seven-thirty. A whole forty-five minutes early. Even earlier than the new teacher: Miss Browning, or something.

With only the ticking of the clock being the only audible sound, Sophia began to pass the time by doodling on the back of the paper. Stars and hearts and little cartoon people. After a full seven minutes of doing this, the sound of the door opening startled her into pausing, although she kept her head down, focusing on her scribbles.

With any luck, she would avoid any confrontation on her first day.

Klaus, on the other hand, seemed displeased at the idea. He’d been burying himself in his books far more frequently than usual, & his mother had noticed. So in act to cheer him up, & perhaps to change his mind on the matter a little, Beatrice had bought him a new book with some tea & freshly baked cookies, laying it all on a tray on the table by the chair he loved to read in. 

               “    What are you reading about today, my darling ?    ” 

  “Klaus, I’ve made chicken tetrazzini. Could I convince you to come and eat a little?”

   Klaus Baudelaire did not need to look up to know whose voice it was addressing him. It belonged to his guardian, who, I am sorry to say, was neither his father nor his mother, nor either of his sisters.