Teen-Adulthood 101

Chapter Fifteen

The next morning after breakfast, Jake caught a ride with Nathan to work, so I had the car for the day and after cleaning the kitchen and taking a shower, Rain and I headed to Amanda's to pick her and Kayla up.

"I can't believe you have your license, Kayla." Amanda said as we departed from her driveway. "I thought the minimum age was sixteen."

Turning on North Columbus, she shook her head. "It's 15 ½ in some states, including Mississippi, but you can only drive alone from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m."

"Totally cool and mom's already talking about getting you a car."

"I heard her, too, sweetie. Haley and Rain can carpool with us, so they won't get in trouble for driving without a license."

"Yeah, that would be awesome," Rain and I replied as Kayla pulled in the student parking lot.

When second block started, Miss Tillman was out sick today, so we had a substitute and basically spent the time watching Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, but I was mostly writing short stories and dark poetry instead of seeing the movie, as was Amanda. However, just as class was about to end, she, Rain, Carly, Kayla, and I were all summoned to the office. So, we met on the patio and made our way there together.

Going inside the principal's office, Mr. Mills, the school principal, and Vice Principal Payne lead us to the conference room and had us sit down. There were also two others seated at the end, wondering what was up.

"What's going on?" I asked them, trying to remain calm.

Without saying a word, they passed us each a sealed letter and instructed us to open them. So, we did and my letter had said:

Attention Haley Richardson:

Effective the beginning of second semester, you will be attending Nanih Waiya High School to continue your high school career pending completion or if you decided to transfer to another school or pursue other options of High School Equivalency. The reason for the transfer is that there is no longer a place for you at the city school. School transport will not available to you because you do not live in the area, but carpooling options are available. If you wish to go to another school instead of the one listed for you, then let us know a week before final exams, which yours will be a week before the other students.

Thank you,

Samuel Mills, Principal

Apparently, everyone else's letter had said the same thing because when we were done, we all shouted, "What? Nanih Waiya?"

"Yes," Mrs. Payne replied. "As of next semester, you will automatically be transferred to Nanih Waiya High School unless you specify otherwise."

Still bewildered, I asked. "Why?"

Mr. Mills shook his head and answered. "You are either married or associated with a married student and the county schools are more suitable to married students than this school is. You will still be enrolled in this school until the end of the semester and free to take the college courses, if you are enrolled, but afterwards you will no longer be students here, but Nanih Waiya."