[Chapter 1] Welcome to Hemingway Academy

124 0 0
                                    

"Yes, Mom, I know," I say, my phone securely tucked between my ear and shoulder as I hurry around the dorm room, unpacking.
I spent the better part of my summer vacation determining how to efficiently fit the most stuff into one single suitcase and now here I am, moving day, digging out clothes and knickknacks from every last crevice.
Mom's voice crackles through the speaker once again, repeating the same sentence she's been lecturing to me nonstop. "I really need you to make sure Hunter stays out of trouble this semester. I'm counting on you, Kelly."

Hunter, my older brother by a year. It's senior year for the both us, but it's pretty clear only one of us actually cares. That one being, me, of course. Anyway, for as long as I can remember it's always been my responsibility to keep him in line and over the years, it's only gotten more difficult.

I inhale to trap the sigh of frustration building up in the back of my throat. "I'll try, Mom. But, Hunter doesn't really listen to me—"
"Okay, honey, I have to get going—I'll talk to you later."
I blink at her dismissive tone before forcing a smile on my face in hopes of it translating through my voice. "Okay, mom. Bye, I love y—"
The line goes dead halfway through my goodbye and I pause at the suddenness before finally releasing the exhale I was holding in.
"Well."
My phone starts ringing and I look down in surprise, half-expecting to see my Mom calling me back to apologize for hanging up on me but instead I'm faced with the picture I took of my best friend, Dakota, last volleyball season.
I answer and hold it up to my ear again. "Hello?"
"Kel!" Dakota's voice immediately bursts from the other end of the line into my ear. "I'm finally here—that traffic was insane. Also I am definitely gonna need your help bringing my stuff in. I had to add a few more things after what I showed you."
"Dakota, you already had three full suitcases—what do you mean?" I widen my eyes the slightest bit as I grab a beige claw clip off my nightstand and swoop my blonde hair up into a messy updo.
She titters sheepishly. "Yeah, well. A shopping spree right before moving day will do that to you."
A perfect example of Dakota being: Dakota.
I shake my head slightly but smile. "Alright, I'm coming. Just give me a second."
"Fine but hurry!" she commands. "I'll send you my location, it's a freaking zoo out here."
With that, she ends the call.
I slip my phone into the back pocket of my high-waisted corduroy pants before grabbing my key lanyard and crossing the medium sized dorm.

Closing and locking the door behind me, I turn and walk down the hallway towards the elevator.
"Hey, Lee!" I wave to the guy heading in the opposite direction of me, recognizing him as one of the cheerleaders from last semester.
"Hey, Kelly!" he waves back, pulling his rolling suitcase to a stop as he pauses to talk to me. "Trying out for volleyball this year?"

"Of course!" I smile as I hit the 'down' button for the elevator. "How about you? Getting back into cheerleading this semester?"

"You know it!" he makes a show of flexing his muscles. "Hey, maybe they'll finally let us cheer for you girls this autumn."

I laugh some as the elevator doors slide open. "Well, you never know. See you around, Lee."

"See ya, Kelly!" he tosses up a friendly hand again before giving his suitcase a little kick to get it rolling and then proceeding down the hallway.
I wave as well before I step inside the elevator and press the first floor option.

My phone chirps with a text from Dakota, sending me her location and I respond with a 'thumbs up' emoji.

The elevator slowly climbs down, thankfully without any stops until I hit the bottom floor and the doors open with a cheerful 'ding'.

I step out and smile brightly as I almost instantly cross paths with Ms. Peach---my elderly science teacher from last year.

"Ms. Peach, hi!" I allow myself a side mission to stop and chat which she responds to with a happy albeit shaky smile. "Well, Miss Blake! Look at you! Could it be you've gotten lovelier over the summer?"

𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝒾𝓉 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉Where stories live. Discover now