Through their eyes

Chapter 1

     Chapter 1-First Day

It was a sunny morning in September as I stepped foot into a new school as a freshman. 'Flying to The Clouds', They call it. I didn't want to be here, and not just cause it's a new school, but because it's a school that is known to be for kids with disabilities.

     But changing my feelings about being here, It was my first day. They didn't have me do anything as I got a tour of the school. There was classes for each grade, classes for the electives, and classes for the therapies. This school wasn't only for kids with disabilities per-say tho, there were classes for the deaf or hard of hearing kids, classes for the blind or visually impaired, classes for the kids with physical impairments, and of course classes for us with disabilities or mental disorders.

     Anyways, This girl Marilyn was my tour guide I guess. She showed me the high school classroom, and all the other classes I mentioned. Besides the classrooms there was a cafeteria, and there actually was dorms as well. Not everyone did, but people lived here at the school.

     In the 'backyard'? there was a playground, and a field. But enough talk about what it looks like here, At lunch there are tables for the grades, but also sorta separating the people in the same grade? It seems odd. After lunch is when I get to choose my schedule for school, I love that I get this option as well as if I so pleased I could choose to live here at the dorms.

     After I choose what I want for my classes, We do testing. The testing is to see I guess what level I actually am on, If I'm on age level or below or ahead, maybe it'll help for them to decide what therapy's I need unless I already get that without this. Just a a half chill day half testing day.

     My name is Asher McKenzie. I have medium length hair, the color is black while I'm thinking of dying it. This school is actually a uniform school as well, It may not make sense but in a way it does. The same thing everyday is actually very helpful for a majority of the kids here. I didn't have a uniform yet so I'm wearing my typical attire, black ripped skinny jeans, a long sleeve hoodie over a panic at the disco t-shirt, and some high tops.

     "How is the first day coming along Asher?", Mrs. Oscar asks, Shes the principal of this school. She's about 5'7-5'8, hella tall. She has blonde hair wrapped in a bun as she wears her uniform, this professional button up shirt as well as a buttoned skirt.

     "Good I suppose." I respond, not sure what else to say. It was after getting classes and testing done. So I could just walk around or chill in this lounge area they have, Its the sensory room. But I'm not in here for any of those reasons it just had a seating area to chill.

     In case your wondering I have autism. With 'functioning' labels I'm considered 'high functioning.' There are other kids here on the spectrum, duh, who are 'low functioning' or even mildly affected? I don't know, it's a spectrum for a reason and we're all different from our level of needs to our schooling needs.

     "Glad to hear it. School will end soon, but come with me so we can get your uniform." She says, making me nod and follow her to her office. "Short sleeve or long sleeve?" She asks, me instinctively and instantly saying long sleeve. She nods and gets me the long sleeve uniform. The sweater is dark green with a butterfly badge with 'FTTC' on it, while the slacks are black.

     I smile at her and thank her while the end of school bell rings. It's a less loud and horrible noise, it's more of a soft noise that is calming and easy on the ears. I wave and leave her office, going to my bus outside and sitting in my seat; The other kids coming on afterwards.

     After I'm dropped off at home I go inside and go to my room, putting my backpack on a hook and my shoes in a shoe holder on the back of my door. I have a decent sized room, not too messy. My walls are black and I have some posters and such hanging. I have a desk and my laptop is on it, a tv on a little book shelf as well as obviously a bed with a bedside table. And a dresser of course.

I put the school uniform I got today on a hanger and hang it from one of my dresser handles. Looking at it, debating the choices my parents have made to put me here for high school. I sigh, sitting on my bed and thinking of why I have to go to this school.

     "Asher, Melissa is in the living room waiting for you." My mom says from outside my door. Melissa is my little sister, She also goes to this school, it being a K-12 school. I leave my room and go to the living room, smiling at Melissa as she waves at me.

     Melissa is 10, tho she isn't at that age level. Nothing against her tho, She's amazing whether she's at her age level or not. Melissa is also on the autism spectrum, she is 'low functioning' for those who use the labels. She is currently non-verbal and has a speaking device.

     I sit next to Melissa, speaking to her about her day, asking how it went. We know sign-language as to speak to her as well as for the kids at FTTC. She signs back 'It went good' and smiles at me again, I nod and grab her favorite book at the moment. 'Junie B. Jones Stupid Smelly Bus' is her favorite book at the moment, I read it to her while my mother makes dinner.

     Eventually my mother comes out and gets us for dinner; It was Macaroni and cheese, Steak, and mashed potatoes. I love all of those things. I help mom with Melissa and help set the table before I get myself a drink.

     "Your father will be home shortly. Can we wait?" My mom asks, I look at Melissa and she nods so I nod. He works the majority of the day, so we can wait to eat with him. We plate the food and put a drink in everyone's spot as dad walks in the door.

     "Hey! I'm home!" He says after putting his shoes away and walking in to sit with us. "Hi dad." I say, waving as Melissa says Hi with her device. He smiles and ruffles both of our hair before sitting down.

"Looks great dear." He says to my mother, starting to eat. We all eat now that he's home, making small conversation about how our days went and such. After dinner I help Melissa with a bath and put her to bed after we're done getting her ready.

I then take my own shower and get dressed in pajamas that won't last the night and go to bed myself. Drifting off as I prepare for another day of school tomorrow. Tomorrow is my actual first day of classes.

~1,240