Survivors

Chapter 12: School Days

Kara had faced many challenges since arriving on this planet. She had fought a Black Bear, been shot, chased through a grocery store, used a port o potty and slept outside in all types of weather while keeping a baby safe and fed. Nothing had made her as nervous as what she would face this morning.

"Look at you two! Adorable!" Eliza pushing aside a stray hair off Alex's forehead and looking at Kara's face, for what the girl wasn't sure.

"Adorable isn't quite the look I am going for this year, Mom, but thanks." Alex grumbled. She was pleased with her appearance as she felt she filled out the jeans she wore a bit more than last year. The simple red t shirt and white button down shirt over it, was loose but stylish. Kara however, would have looked adorable if she didn't appear to be facing a firing squad.

"Smile little sis. Mom insists on pictures on the first day of school every year."

"Not in these jeans!" the blonde whispered fiercely, still uncomfortable with denim covering her this closely. The teel blue t shirt with a rabbit of some sort did not go to her knees either. The girl did enjoy her braided hair that Alex had done for her. Still the horrors that would come were greater in comparison to her appearance.

"Those jeans are perfect on you. You can wear your new dress tomorrow if you want."

"Nobody wears dresses to school, Mom." Alex reminded her.

"Stand still and smile you two." Eliza ordered. Alex grinned and Kara planted the largest fake smile she could manage on her face.

Alex noticed the look on her face. "Kara, you look like a psycho. Ease up on the smile. Think of Pot Stickers."

The smile turned gentle and genuine and while she still had the dreamy look in her eyes, Eliza snapped four photos.

"Perfect."

"You girls ready? I'm sad to see the summer end. It has been amazing." Jeremiah admitted, walking down the stairs. "Maybe I should drive you two instead of walking. I know you don't like to be dropped off Alex, but the less she is seen the better."

"If we keep her hidden people are going to really talk. If we stick to the story, which is mostly true, then people will get over it quicker and she can blend in, right Dad?"

Jeremiah had a hard time arguing that. He just hated to see them go. Walking would give Kara more time to contemplate running back to the house. He could tell she was shaking, despite the calm demeanor she was badly faking.

"Okay. Speaking of blending in, Kara, in Math class don't get all the answers right. Not everybody gets everything right all the time. If you go through the year with perfect scores your teachers are going to want to give you IQ tests and pass you through more grades or bring more attention to you. The less the better, right? Shoot for between 90 and 98 percent."

"I promise Jeremiah, I won't get all the answers right. I will blend in."

"I know you will, sweetheart."

The parents kissed both girls on the head, surprising Kara when they told her they loved her. Not that she doubted it, but it still came as a surprise whenever she heard it. The blonde picked up her cousin from the floor.

"You have never been away from me for this long in your life. I don't know what is going to happen in this place but if I don't make it out, please be happy and live life for both of us."

"Melodramatic much? We are going to school, not the Middle East. Put Squirt down and lets move kid."

Jeremiah picked up the boy and the two parents watched their girls walk down the drive and onto the street behind the house. It was only a mile and a half walk but they hated it. Alex had insisted last year that she was old enough, so of course they gave in.