Waiting It Out - Benny Rodriguez - Book 1

Welcome to High School

We've had a quite hectic summer.

Let someone into the group, lost a priceless ball, struggled to get it back. I, personally, was chased all over town trying tire out the dog that guarded the fortress that was Mr. Mertle's backyard.

Now it's time reel it all in and go back to playing on the weekends and holiday breaks... when it's not too cold.

Me, Benny, and Smalls have stayed true to our deal to meet with Mr. Mertle every week but he's moving to Arizona to be close to his newborn grandkid. We had our last meet up yesterday.

Today's the first day of school and I've just woken up. Benny's already started his 7-call wake up routine and I should be expecting him at my front door in any minute.

I get up from my bed and slowly walk over to my bathroom.

I look over my reflection in the mirror after my morning bathroom routine then head back out to my bedroom to start getting dressed.

Nothing much.

Most people take the first day of school as an opportunity to dress nice and make a good impression but I'm not that desperate.

I leave my room after checking the window to make sure it's locked before heading out to the living room.

I grab my backpack and double check I have all my textbooks and stuff right as there's a knock on the front door.

Me and Benny packed our bags last night together while eating pizza from Paranormal.

I continue looking through my bag and go over to the front door, then open it.

I don't bother checking who it is before walking back over to the couch. I know it's Benny.

"You ready?" he asks me closing the door and coming in.

"Yeah." I tell him, zipping up the bag. "You think they'll have those juice packs today?" It's these off-brand juice bags they give out to kids for breakfast. Usually only for $2. Only time I ever willingly eat or drink anything grape flavored.

"For sure." he responds.

"Alright. I'm good." I tell him heading for the door and grabbing the house keys from the kitchen counter.

He follows me out and takes the keys from my hand to lock the door.

"You haven't eaten anything?" he asks concerned after locking the door and putting the keys in my bag, then we start our walk.

"Nah. I'll grab a juice bag and one of those microwaved waffles they give out." I tell him.

"When are you gonna do that?" he asks me with a skeptical look on his face.

"I'll drop my stuff at my locker then stop at the cafeteria before going to homeroom. They let you eat in there before class." I tell him.

"We don't need textbooks for homeroom?" he asks.

"No. It's just announcements and stuff."

About a week ago the school sent us a pamphlet thing telling us our student information. Our locker numbers, dress code, and class schedule. We went to the school to pick up the textbooks they provide a few days ago.

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We met up with Kenny and Bertram on the way and we all just entered the high school building together.

"What's you guys' locker numbers?" Kenny asks us.

"I'm at 926." Bertram tells him.

"957." Benny says.