Waiting for Superman

And So it Begins

I guess I should start at the begining. The day I started high school. The day that I thought my life began. (Melina at the top)

I walk through the huge double doors at the front of the school. Groups of kids huddle around each corner, claiming their space for the year. I follow the flow of people walking towards the gymnasium, ready to get their schedules. More students  crowd around me, heading in the same direction.

As I enter the gym, I notice that each wall is set up for a specific grade. I slowly make my way towards the freshman table and look for the R's. After a quick search I find where I need to go and make a bee line straight towards the teachers behind the table.

"Last name?" An older man asks. He looks about 30 and pretty short.

"Rollan." I tell him.

He looks down at the sheets of paper in his hands, then at the lady next to him. He nods and gets her attention before saying, "Rollan."

She flips through the papers quickly and picks out one of them. "Melina?" She asks. I nod and she hands me the paper.

I mumble a thanks before running towards the exit. A few people bump into me as we walk through the crowded hallways. I finally get away from the crowd and into the commons. I see every stereotypical group huddled around a table in the large room. The stoners are in the far left corner, the preps in the very center, goths in the left front corner, nerds in the right front corner, jocks to the right of the preps, and so on. I take a look at my schedule and frown.

1st period: Choir - 2nd period: Honors Algebra II - 3rd period: PE - 4th period: English Lit. 9 - 5th period: Physical Science  - 6th period: Drama II - 7th period:  European History

I look back into the crowd of kids and see all the unfamiliar faces. Over the summer my family moved to Idaho, and now I have to start completely over. My parents said it would be better to move over the summer, that way we would get to start the year off with everyone else. I guess its okay for me since I'm a freshman, but I'm not very social and this is a small town. My brother is a senior this year, but he is overly social and will have no trouble fitting in with these kids.

The bell rings and everyone gets up, heading to their first period classes. I start heading towards the performing arts building, but am having quite a bit of trouble. I follow the long hallway with, I swear a hundred turns, and finally come across the band room. I turn around, extremely confused when the bell rings, signalling the start of class. Another girl comes, rushing around the corner. She turns a corner infront of the band room and I follow after her. She walks past 3 more doors until she walks into the last door in the back hallway. I follow after her, reading the word "CHOIR" printed above the door.

The room is full of about 25 girls sitting on black risers. I take a seat next to a sweet looking brunett. The teacher, a middle aged woman with red hair and grey glasses looks at me with confusion. 

"What's your name, dear?" She asks me.

"Melina Rollan." I say, shyly.

"Do you know what part you sing?" She asks.

"Um, I was never told. I like to sing low." I reply.

"Okay, please move to the other side of the room with the other altos." She tells me.

I pick up my plain black back pack and walk over to the altos. I walk up to the second row and sit next to a girl wearing ripped jeans and a pair of beat up chuck taylors.

Choir goes well. We just stood around introducing ourselves. Of course when it came to me I looked like a complete fool, stumbling over my words and mumbling nervously. I moved to this school district, so I don't know anyone, which makes everything even more awkward. I'm the new girl with no social skills.

The rest of the day goes as planned; a couple awkward encounters and very little talking. Until 7th period that is. European history.

I walk into the classroom and see a bunch of guys sitting in one corner and a group of preppy looking girls in another. I quickly take a seat in the back of the room behind the group of boys, hoping not to be noticed. The teacher walks in shortly after and the bell rings, signalling the start of class.

"Welcome back to hell on Earth. My name is Mr. Fink, and I will be teaching you European history for the year, except when I'm at home taking vacation and sick days." Everyone laughs at the teacher, obviously excited about this class. Mr. Fink seems like he's going to be the best teacher I'll have this year.

Suddenly, one of the boys from the group grabs their things and switches to the seat next to me. Mr. Fink catches the movement and chuckles. "Trying to make new friends Mr. Ross?" He jokes, making the class burst into another fit of laughter.

"The lady seemed lonely, Mr. Fink. I couldn't have that." The boy said. "The names Jack, by the way." He says, turning to me.

"Well, Jack," I say, raising my voice a little so everyone can hear, "I think I prefer being lonely over having a smart ass next to me." All the kids fall into yet another fit of laughter and Mr. Fink joins them.

"My, my. What's your name young lady?" Mr. Finks asks, after finally catching his breath.

"Melina Rollan, sir." I reply, boldly. I know exactly where this spark of courage is coming from. I'm not exactly the goody-goody kind of girl. I'm socially awkward, extremely quiet, but a bit of a handful as soon as you bring out my personality.

"Well, Melina, I believe you and Jack are going to be sitting next to each other for the next 6 weeks." He says, completely serious.

"And why is that, Mr. Fink?" I ask.

A small smirk shows on the corner of his mouth. "Because I have a feeling there is going to be a lot of these conversations to entertain us later this year." He replies.

"For sure, Mr. Fink." Jack tells him.

"Game on, Ross." I snap, turning towards him.

"I believe so, Rollan." He replies, smirking.

That, is how I ended up meeting my first boy friend: Jack Ross.