Everything is fine

Chapter 1

****CLAIRE******

"Checklist time, everyone line up!" I get so excited about the first day of school, and senior year adds a special sense of excitement to my relatively boring life. Being the oldest of 3 means that my poor siblings have to live through this torture every year, but luckily for them this is their last one. I am already nervous about not having them around next year wherever I end up.

"Claire, are you kidding, I think we know what we need for school by now." Jordan groans as he rolls his eyes at me. He has always felt just a little too cool for everyone in this family, but I know he is going to be missing at least something that he will need today. Being 15 is hard for any boy, but I do think that the worst of puberty is past him. He is just itching for independence, but he doesn't understand anything about responsibility yet. I don't know where he got his looks, light brown hair, tan skin, and brown eyes. Last year he was a tiny freshman, but working out this summer has done him lots of good, along with a growth spurt that added 3 inches to his previous 5'7. I know he isn't done yet, but he already has lots of girls after him.

"Shut up Jordan! You know Claire knows more about this stuff than we do!" Addison shouts as she reaches her arm out and punches Jordan. She may only be 13 but she is feisty. I will never understand how my mom was able to handle having 3 children under the age of 5. I smile at them and feel like I might start crying if I think about next year's first day of school too hard. 

"Thanks Addy, but he's right, you should know what you need for school by now, but do you?" I ask teasing and winking at her. Luckily she isn't like most other 13 year old girls, yes she's moody, and isn't comfortable in her own skin, but she's generally happy, and somehow blindly trusts me more than anyone else, as if I know what's going on in this world, ever. "By the way, I thought you said that you didn't want to wear black on the first day and be considered "gothic" the whole school year?"  I ask as I notice she's wearing dark black jeans, with a white tank top and converse. She's still lanky and awkward, but I know she will grow into her looks in no time. Her hair is short and blonde, in a messy half up bun, but we have the same blue eyes. She has recently gotten into the makeup, but she doesn't wear much at all. She doesn't understand why I wear makeup, but it just makes me feel better about myself, as bad as it sounds. I don't feel like I wear too much, but I definitely like my mascara and foundation. She has tried to mimic my eye routine and has black underneath her bottom lashes and on her eyelid. 

"Don't even mention the clothes, they will think she's goth just from that shitty eye makeup, have you been crying or something Addison" Jordan asks squinting at her face, making her blush and look down. 

"Language Jordan! And leave her alone, I told her I'd help her clean up around the edges before we leave. Now I wasn't being mean, you look great sis! Just didn't know if you wanted to change last minute?" I ask with a wink and she smiles and shrugs. 

"Back to our checklist" I begin as a I rattle off my usual list, adding a few more important things that I know they will need since they're getting older, such as tampons and extra panties for Addison since this is her first school year with her period. And for Jordan I have to remind him to get his pencils, new calculator since he is smart enough to be in the advanced area of his class, and his football gear for after school. I know they really will need me when I'm gone. After going through my own checklist, help Addison fix her makeup, and put my shoes on, I sigh and look in the mirror. 

I've never felt like the prettiest girl in the room, I have lots of friends, and feel like boys should like me, but I've never really had a boyfriend, and I can see why. I am average height for a girl, but oddly shaped with a soft stomach, not large, but not flat, long legs, and big features. My eyes are bright blue and my complexion is light, except for the slight summer glow I've gotten even though I worked for most of the summer instead of hanging out with friends outdoors. My hair is dark brown, curly and long, kind of a mess even though I took my time styling it this morning. I wore something plain, light jeans with a loose baby blue scoop neck t shirt, and my favorite cheetah print vans. Today would be good. It has to be.