Nothing More- Mike Wheeler

Prologue

I awoke to the sound of my alarm, 6:00 AM. I was so excited to start my first day of public school. I was homeschooled in kindergarten and the first two months of first grade. My parents didn't like me around crowds. They kept me home with them almost every day, occasionally we would walk around the block, but that was it. They weren't home most days, always on business trips or vacations.

My goal for my first day was to make a friend. I never had the chance to make one. Maybe my parents will let me go on playdates.

It was Monday, October 3rd, 1977. It took me two months to convince my parents to join public school. It consisted of crying and screaming until they said yes.

I quickly slipped on my clothes I had ironed and folded the previous day. I rushed to the bathroom to brush my teeth and do my hair. I decided to go with the half-up and half-down style, I needed to look presentable, and I need to make a good first impression.

When I walked out of the restroom I looked over at the clock to see it was barely 6:30. I still had an hour before school starts. It was a good thing, I would have a lot of extra time to explore the school and get to my class in time.

I knocked on my parent's door, no response, it was early so I decided to let 20 minutes pass before I tried again. To pass the time I read my favorite book at the time, Carrie.

The clock read 6:50. I always loved being on time so I had to wake one of them up this time.

I knocked and knocked. Nothing. I decided to just open the door, they hated when I invaded their privacy but sometimes I just had to do it.

As I opened the door I was hit by a wave of disappointment.

Where did they go? Did they get kidnapped? They knew today was an important day why are they gone?

I ran to the kitchen to see if they left me a note. There was a sticky note on our fridge.

Gone to New York, be back in a week or so. Cash for food is in the cookie jar.

From, Mom and Dad

Unbelievable. I can t believe them. I knew they were leaving soon, just not today. Not on my important day.

Crap! I needed a ride! I knew no one else in the town. I slipped on my shoes and grabbed my backpack and headed out the front door. I had to speed walk. The school wasn't close to my house so it took me a little over 35 minutes to get to the school.

I rushed to the front office. Luckily the building read OFFICE on the front, so it was easy to find.

I rang the bell on the desk a couple of times before I heard a voice.

"What do you need?" The woman behind the desk asked, flatly.

"Hi I'm new and I need my class," I said out of breath.

"Name?"

"Penelope Reyes."

" Okay, Miss Reyes. I will tell you being late on your first day is never a good look, but lucky for you I can show you where your class is, and I'll make sure you're there on time!" She got up quickly and opened the door for me. We quickly walked to my class. It was not far from the office and I made it right when the bell rang.

" Have a great first day Penelope, we're glad to have you at Hawkins elementary school." She walked out and I turned to see the whole class, staring.

This was a mistake, I should've stayed home, why did I decide to do this.

" Ah, you must be Penelope. Class, we have a new student, her name is Penelope Reyes. Where are you from Penelope?" The man asked.

"Hawkins," I answered quietly.

" Nice, born and raised! My name is Mr. Torres, welcome to the first grade. In my class, I think everything is more effective with a partner. So this year you will have a partner. My goal is to have you learn to work with others no matter the circumstances I throw at you two. Go ahead and take that empty seat next to Mike, right over there."

As I walked to the empty desk I watched the boy clumsily organize his desk and fix his hair.

"Hi," I said as I sat and dropped my bag next to my chair. He looked so nervous.

"H-Hi I'm Mike, nice to meet you."

The class went on and before I knew it, it was lunch time.

Crap. I have no idea where it was at. Where was I going to sit? How does it work? Was it assigned?

I was turning to. Mike who was barely starting to pack up his stuff. He felt me staring at him so he stopped and stared back.

"Do you think you can show me to the lunch room? I have no idea where anything is at."

"y-yeah! Let me just finished packing"

"Cool, thanks Mike."

+++++++++++++++++

On my plate I had beans, green beans, potatoes, and pizza. Weird combination.

"So where were you planning on sitting?" Mike asked

"Oh I thought I could sit with you but if not I'll figure it out."

"NO! Yes! Of course, it will be okay. You can come to meet both of my friends. Lucas and Will! You'll love them!" Mike said eagerly.

Friends. Maybe I can make friends with all three of these bots. Then my goal for this year will be complete on the first day!

"Guys, this is Penelope. She was homeschooled and now she is my partner in Mr. Torres's. Penelope this is Lucas and this is Will."

"Hi, nice to meet you!" Lucas said.

"Hi! Are you going to learn to play D&D with us after school?" Will said

"D&D?"

"Dungeons and Dragons. It's a game we've been dying to learn. Our parents never let us but I finally convince my mom to buy me the game. So today is the special day! Did you want to learn it with us?" Mike asked me with a sparkle of hope in his eyes.

"I would love to"

++++++++

Lunch went by fast. I got to learn more about the boys. If I am being honest, it was the best 30 minutes of my life up until that point. I spent the rest of the school day with Mike. He was so kind and thoughtful. He gave me his full attention. I actually felt important and heard for the first time in my 7 years of living. After school, I walked with mike to his bike.

"Hey, Mike, what's your address? and what time should I be there" I asked

Grabbing his bike off the rack he said "We're all about to go right now, do you have a bike or a ride?"

"Uh-no but I can just walk. I'll be there a little later than everyone else though."

"C'mon Penny just hop in the back of my bike, I'll give you a lift," Mike said while patting on his back seat.

"Penny?"

"Oh, Crap. Is it okay if I call you that? I just thought Penelope was long and the name Penny suits you really well. And if we're going to be hanging out I thought a nickname would be great. It's okay if you don't like-"

"I love it! Way better than Penelope, you're right."

A nickname. I'm in. I found a new friend, and I think we're going to be best friends.

"Let's go penny."