The Hope Lies with Me

Chapter 1

I wake up to the noise of my mother unpacking the toaster and yelling "Āwiki, you're going to be late for school, meli."
"I'm getting up," I said groggily as I crawled out of bed and into my bathroom.
Today was my first day at a new high school. Should I be scared? No. But am I? Most definitely.
My long black hair was tangled and I had bags under my eyes. I got dressed and ready for school in a pair of shorts and a tank top with a bunch of five frangipani flowers on it. I grabbed my backpack and went into the kitchen.
"Can I have some toast, Mom?" I said as I walked into the kitchen.
"Sure, meli. Give me a second while I plug in the toaster. Can you get the bread out, please?" Mom said.
"Sure," I said as I went to get the bread from the compartment on the counter. I gave the bread to Mom as she finished plugging in the toaster. I sat at the kitchen table.
I just stare at this new house we have been living in for almost two weeks. My mom let me get used to this new place before she would let me go to school. She likes to do things slowly and carefully, making sure everything is in its place.
"Here, K. I'll drive you to school today," Mom said as she put the toast in front of me. I ate quite quickly for two pieces of toast. Just nerves, I guess.
I put my empty plate in the sink and grabbed a water bottle from the fridge. I slipped on my flip flops and went into the garage. I sat in the passenger seat of our 2013 black Ford Fiesta.
"Ready, meli?" my mom said as she came out into the garage with the keys in her hand.
"Yes, I am," I said.
Mom was a caterer for parties and luaus. There will never be food that is better than hers. My favorite Hawaiian dish that she makes has to be sweet-and-sour roasted pineapple and bell pepper on top of rice.
"Nervous?" Mom said as she was pulling out of the driveway.
"Oh, no. Not at all," I lied. Today was the first day of my (somewhat) new life.