The Newcomer (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter Thirty Six

Hey! :) sorry for being MIA. Lots going on. I'm just writing when I've got time and not in the middle of a block.

Got hit with some inspiration so here we are.

Enjoy!

Every first day back after Christmas and New Year, something always shifts in the school atmosphere. Everyone is happy again to see our friends we didn't see during the break. Everyone just looks more energised for some reason; could it be the time off, or because we're closer to finishing high school?

The first days after the winter break has always been vital for seniors. Coming back, the school makes sure every senior student is prepared for college interviews and for graduation, and if we don't, the counsellors help us build the plan. The real work toward college begins after the winter break.

"What do I put if I don't know which college I'm going to yet?" Kennedy asks, rapidly clicking her pen in the last 15 minutes.

"Hmm... must be nice to have ten million choices." I tease.

Kennedy makes a face at me, "Funny, Kim."

"What happened to UCLA? You're not going there anymore?" Jane asks her.

Kennedy groans, sinking in her seat. We're in our homeroom classroom, and it's empty except for the 3 of us. Should be 4 of us but Jacky got called to the counsellor already.

"She had her mind made up, until she realised she actually does have a shot at Berkeley. Even Columbia." I shrug, and she glared at me.

"But Ivy Leagues want people who look like Charlotte Tindall! And why am I even thinking about it? My parents can't afford to send me to an Ivy League!"

"I guess that done." I look at Jane who just shrugs.

"By the way, your photo story, Kim?" Jane asks me and it hit me that I am still not finished. And Jane catches that from my expression. "Kim! Its due at the end of this month!"

"I know!" I grumble. "I didn't have any time this Christmas break to work on it! It was so so busy!"

Dad's been away since Christmas. I mean, not more than he already was but it's only now that I really felt the weight of it. Sometimes I wonder if I did the right thing. If standing up for myself was worth it at the cost of my parents' relationship. But mom tells me it's not my fault, and it's bigger than the Christmas dinner. They started going to couple's therapy too, but I haven't talked to my dad properly since the break.

I don't know how to anymore.

JACKY'S POV

I watch the guidance counsellor flip through my file the last 5 minutes. Miss Wilson is her name. She's one of the younger teachers. She's new too, just started after the break. She looks confused looking at my records.

"You're older than your classmates."

I nod. "I was homeschooled. I was working more than I was in school so I was delayed." I explained.

"Modelling, right?" She asks me.

I frown, confused. "I did not know that's part of my school record?" I ask her.

Miss Wilson laughs, "Surprisingly, yes. This makes planning after high school a little more complicated, right? How is that going? I can't imagine you have as much time as now when you were homeschooled."

I shrug. "Great, I guess. No I don't have time, but I can still book jobs."

"Do you plan to go back full time after graduation?"