Sleep

Wednesday September 3

My mom comes in and turns on the light, making me burrow my head deeper into my comforter. I don't want to go to school. I DONT WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL. I don't want to get out of the warm, comforting covers. Covers are better than school. Covers are nicer than people. The only reason I get out of my covers in the morning is to get food, or use the restroom. I'm not ready to get out of the covers when my mom yanks them away and I shrivel up in a helpless ball.

I decide to get up and get dressed in my nice first day of school outfit.

" are you ready for the first day of fourth grade?" Jeanne asked.

" no. Plus Gracen always said fourth grade was the worst grade, and ever since the end of last year, he's made sure we don't forget that," I said adjusting the collar of my shirt in the bathroom mirror.

" you can't always trust Gracen's opinion. Like when he said that, uh-"

" exactly," I answered. "so, who's in your class? I have Julie, uhg. Also Stacy, Andrew, and Kendal."

" I have Max, and uhg Jessica, oh and I have Centia," she said adjusting her blue bow.

We finish up our regular morning routine, and board the bus, which smell like new shoes, and shirts. I sit next to Stacy, but we don't talk much, we never really do. Andrew and Jeanne sit across from us. A tall girl with blonde curly hair sits in the fourth grade section. Her name is Heather, and she's in my class. I've never met her before, so she must be new this year. I look up and down the open house class list again, and see her name along with one other name I don't recognize.

" hey-" I tap on Andrew's shoulder- "do you know her ," I point to the unfamiliar name, "who's that?"

" that's Jackie, she went to Tamhoh school," which was another elementary school in our town.

Heather turns around and talks, "Jackie went to my school. She's a brat."

We all raise our eyebrows, and give a huff of a laugh.

We spend the rest of the bus ride dodging the wadded paper the 6th graders send our way, and mock them if they miss. We try to throw the paper back at them, but no one's arms are strong enough but mine with my years of baseball. I hit one boy that was laughing at us in the back of the head, and duck down so he, nor the bus driver know I threw it. But, the bus driver mine as well be a crash dummy, because he won't notice or care about anything, really.

I'm horrified when the bus pulls into the big red-brick building with a white-ish tan worn roof. My school. I walk across the yellow grass, the uneven bushes that are always in need of a trim, and the creaky pavilion, with white paint chipping off in many areas, revealing the dark brown water stained wood. I reach the doors, but I can't stop and turn around because people are waiting for me to open them. When I enter, I make 2 left turns, and reach my class. Inside is chaotic.

Everyone is going every where. Reading the seating chart on the smartboard, asking the teacher if they're in the right seat, plopping their supplies down on a desk, and making many trips to their backpack. I set my stuff down in what I believe is my seat, and seek out Kendal.

Kendal is my closest friend. So after being friends for 5 years, it's not hard to spy her brown haired head. She cut it short since the last time I saw her- it's up to her collar bone. She's about my height- around "55" tall. We greet one another with almost identical grins. We're finally in the same class after 3 years, so we're as excited as Andy is when he opens his Christmas presents.

There is a ginger standing by her, but I don't know her.

"Hey! Who are you?" I said casually.

She gives me a rude look and Kendal pats her on the shoulder and whispers something. She gives a wide eyed expression and turns toward me.

" sorry I didn't know you were Kate, I'm Jackie. Hey, are you the one that has a twin? "

I nod and reply, "Yeah, do you guys know each other?"

" yeah, Kendal lives next door to me."

Kendal walks away bored, and Jackie scans me over with a look of disappointment. Then she pulls me in and whispers, "oh my gosh! She's here-" she points to Heather- "she was at my old school, she's a brat."

I look at the way the two girls look at one another with hate, and I'm wondering if this will be a very good year at all.

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