Sketch.

Chapter 7. "Bus ride to Sycamore Middle."

I couldn't just stay silent and stand about. So, I decided to occupy ten minutes by humming radio songs. People never cared (nor heard) me humming ever, but these three somehow heard me and began to sing the songs out loud. No matter what song I hummed, they knew what it was!

A loud screech silenced us all as the bus rolled up.

Emma, grabbing my hand, lead me to the door. She smiled and the doors opened. "After you, Yemi!" I stared at her with my eyebrows raised. "Thanks, I guess." Going up the steps, I looked at all the unhappy, tired, looking kids. The ones I met (who were standing behind me) were way more pumped than everyone else. I guess these kids were super sick of school already.

I sat in an empty seat and passed glances at everyone around me, the boys scowling and the girls making odd (very odd) faces.. "Who is she?" One girl said with that dumb girly teen voice. Emma look at her sternly before sitting beside me, (great...) "She's new! Leave her alone." She said defensively and with determination. "I wasn't even bullying her, Emma. I was just asking." The girl bickered back. "Well, you done that with Oliver before, so I can't really trust you saying you don't bully people." Emma snapped back. "Funny part is Emma, I don't care. So, please shut up." The teenage girl scowled and made a 'zip your lips' motion.

Emma turned to face me. "Don't mind her. She's always mean." I nodded at her remark and brought my eyes back to the window. The changing scenery was very interesting. Cars driving by, and trees changing colors, sizes, and different houses racing past.

Oregon looked boring whenever I had first drove here with my mother. But, this scenery was a lucid dream. Kids talking took the role of white noise, my eyes focusing on the outdoors.

Then, the bus stopped. Everyone standing up and the white noise silencing. Nothing in life was much of a lucid dream, as much as this was. I got up and grabbed the schedule I had stuffed in my cardigan pocket.

Emma looked in curiosity. "So, whose your first class, y'know, homeroom teacher?" As much as I tried to avoid these girls, (and boy) it never seemed to work out. They were huge help however and showed me everything before class. I was very thankful for that.

"I have Mrs. Creak? Is that how you say it?" I asked, scratching my head. "Yeah! I have her too. So, we'll walk together!" Emma said happily. I never thought I'd make a friend on the first day. This was going great! As we walked down the hall, I watched as unfamiliar faces begrudgingly watched me.

"Almost there." Emma said concentrating on the room numbers that walked past us. "Take your time." I said, scanning my schedule again. Was I the only one who was new here? Everyone seemed to know where to go.

"Here we are!" Said Emma, peeking into the room. The teacher, (who I assumed was this 'Mrs. Creak') smiled and came out of the room. "Just wait, please." She pointed beside a locker, and that's where I stood in wait. She handed me a card with my locker combination on it. Or at least, I think it is. It definitely looks like it. "While you wait for other classmates to arrive,  you can try your locker combination, if you get bored though. You don't have to." I nodded, looking at the piece of paper.

Kids walked past, laughing. I started to wish I could joke around with someone, but, I didn't wanna bring out my weird side. Everybody who walked past would look at me funny. I guess they thought I was in trouble or something. 

I decided to try my locker combination now. Carefully scrutinizing the paper card I held. 31-4-15. Lockers work in a simple fashion. 31,31,31. You go around three times for the first number. 4,4. Two times. Make your way to 15 once. It used to be hard, especially in sixth grade. But now, I thought it was easy. Opening the locker, I cheered in my mind. Opening a locker was satisfying to me.

"Okay Yemi, we have everybody. Go ahead and put your stuff in your locker and we'll get ready to introduce you! I can't wait to hear about your life."