Up Over Down Under by Micol Ostow Read Free Book Online

you will each have to participate two days a week in your assigned internships, information about which is in your welcome packets.”
    Eliza knew a bit about what she was supposed to be working on down here, since it was a match to the work Billie was doing back home. Her father specialized in marine environment and wetlands protection, and thanks to some string pulling on his part, Eliza was going to be working for a group in Melbourne that specialized in coastal ecology conservation. When she’d first read about the S.A.S.S. exchange, the idea of working outside, on the coast, had struck her immediately as a fantastic way to spend a semester. Sunshine, ocean waves, and complete freedom from her parents. At the time, it had sounded divine.
    Right now, though? She was starting to have some serious doubts.
    In particular, what she did not like as she scanned the welcome packet internship description was the use of the phrases “fieldwork” and “appropriate attire for inclement weather.” After all, the only work her father did in the “field” back home was the occasional lunch at Ruth’s Chris Steak House on Capitol Hill.
    She certainly hadn’t accounted for inclement weather.
    But then, this was Australia, land of beach bums and surf gods. “Inclement” was probably a relative term.
    Right?
    â€œThere are many wonderful activities for you to participate in, and you will have advisers to help you find your way and answer your questions,” Mrs. Connell continued. “You should look forward to a fulfilling and educational time, but remember that you represent the long history of St. Catherine’s in all that you do. So equip yourself accordingly in your behavior. We do not stand for your acting as anything other than the ladies you are. No smoking, no cursing, no tardiness, no roughhousing; and for those of you staying on campus, absolutely no alcohol and no boys. Let me be clear, St. Catherine’s is an educational institution for women, and gentlemen callers are not allowed on the premises.”
    Mrs. Connell’s rules for keeping up appearances are actually not all that different from Mom and Dad’s, Eliza mused to herself with a wry smile. She thought back to sneaking quick smooches with Parker by her locker and realized that even despite similarly lengthy rule books, an all-girls’ school was going to take some big-time acclimation.
    I know all about keeping up appearances, Eliza thought, but right now it’s time to shake things up.
    Â 
    The following day was the first day back at classes after the midwinter break. Yes, the midwinter break. Eliza had followed the packing list that S.A.S.S. had sent her, and she had brought sweaters and jeans but, frankly, had really focused on the sundress and sandal component of her wardrobe. As much as she understood the way hemispheres worked, her brain was struggling with the idea that August was a winter month and that it would get warmer as they got near Christmas and New Year’s. She hoped the spring weather came soon because she was woefully short on cold-weather clothing.
    Eliza made her way to her first class, math, without much difficulty. She had been given a school tour as part of the S.A.S.S. orientation, so she had a sense of which way was which, but it was a good deal more complicated when the halls were full of students. She stood outside the door to the math room for a moment to gather herself. She was surprised to find herself genuinely nervous.
    What’s going on? Come on, girl, you’re going to rock this place, so pull yourself together and let’s go.
    Eliza took a deep breath and then, after combing her hair with her hand one last time, opened the door and entered the classroom.
    The room was filled with a dozen or so girls. Row after row of neatly ironed blue shirts and snug gray blazers greeted her. The girls were gathered into a couple of small groups, with the exception