Redwood High 2

Chapter 2

The first day of school went by smoothly. All of my classes were all right. I also found out that an older male teacher Mr. Rios replaced Mr. Flores. He's in his mid forties and is happily married. He seems pretty cool and is really nice. I don't think we will have a repeat of last year.

I was definitely looking forward to this year. Although sophomores hold no significance to the High School Hierarchy, I was going to make it worth it. I was going to be in more clubs and 100% sure I was going on the DECA trip again. I also planned to rerun for Student Council. I am able to run for president since I was a representative last year. Not on the official council but it'll have to do.

I also told myself to open up more with my aunt and cousin. I distanced myself from them and found solitude with my new found friends. They were family. I may not have known them for long, but in the end they are still family nevertheless.

***

Week 3 into the new school year and Riley was already stressing.

"I hate school and projects and work and students and everything associated with school."

We have been working on our project in marketing about freshmen boot camp, a new concept they are starting so we can help them with our supposed knowledge. So far, it wasn't going so good for Riley. She has been complaining about her group who she insists is entirely made up of Neanderthals.

"It's only September and I already feel like this is going to be a gruesome year," commented Carol. I nodded, but I wasn't entirely agreeing with them. So far the year has been great. I understand my classes (sort of) and I have been making friends. Our roommate at DECA last year, Giselle, is in my freshmen boot camp group and she's pretty cool. My teachers are okay for the most part and Sebastian has been absent. A gesture I'm both grateful and disappointed in. My plan to focus on me and just me has been working out just fine. I was at peace and just floating by.

That was ruined during lunch.

Riley, Carol, Giselle, and I were eating lunch as usual. The day has been good and we were just peacefully eating our lunches and talking about random things. I was chewing on my pizza when Carol slapped me, causing me to begin choking on my pizza.

"Grace! Oh my goodness quit choking and pay attention!"

I drank some chocolate milk and slowly stopped my choking fit. I had tears in my eyes that I quickly wiped away.

"What is wrong with you?" I asked, slowly coming back to normal after nearly dying.

Carol huffed. "Everything. But that's no the point. Look!" She pointed towards the cafeteria entrance and I followed the direction of her finger.

"What am I supposed to be looking at?" I asked.

"Right there near the restrooms," she responded. I looked over and saw. It was Sebastian with his group of friends but his hand was holding another hand. And not the hand of one of his guy friends, no this hand was manicured and had skin smoother than stone. She had blonde hair from what I could see and pretty. Really, really pretty.

I turned back around and began to eat my apples. "She's hideous."

But that was a lie. They knew it and I knew it.