Changes // Andrew Bazzi

one

This was it.

My first day at public school.

The words tasted like vinegar coming out of my mouth and I couldn't stand the thought of this actually happening to me.

I could never blame my mother for what was happening to me. There were financial issues at her workplace and she had been one of the unlucky few to have been laid off. No one could have predicted this, but because of the loss of income, my parents could no longer afford to send me to Worthington Private, where I have attended school since I was starting my first day of kindergarten.

I wasn't sure what to wear to public school, because for my entire life I've had my outfits chosen for me. A simple blue plaid skirt with a white collared shirt. Of course, I always flared it up by adding some knee high stockings and charming black heels, but somehow I doubted I would be able to show up to this school wearing anything of the sorts. Instead, I went with a typical outfit I had seen on various television shows and movies. I opted for my new black miniskirt and a matching, tight long sleeve shirt that showed off my new belly ring. I assumed it would be a good outfit for a first day of school, and slipped on a pair of red vans to make the outfit pop. My fiery red hair was French braided down my back and I wore natural make up.

I refused to eat breakfast, knowing it would only disrupt my already unsettled stomach, and headed straight for my car. I got this car on my sixteenth birthday when I begged my daddy for one of the cars like they drive in Fast and Furious. Instead, I ended up with a '96 Volkswagen Beetle; although I know nothing about cars, I know that I love this one more than anything.

The drive to my new school was short, but after my stomach grumbled and I made a detour for the nearest Tim Horton's it took me an unplanned thirty minutes to find my way back to the school, making me late to my first hour.

I pulled my schedule out of my bra with the hand that wasn't holding my iced coffee and looked at the classroom number.

P207A , it read. What's with the letters? I hurriedly rushed into the building in front of me and made my way up to the second floor, assuming that was the reason for the two hundred number. There was a long hallway in front of me and a C on the wall. Is that what the A is for? I ran down the empty hallway, and passed a B sign on the wall, and assumed that the A was next. Assuming right, I finally found the classroom and knocked on the door. When no one answered, I knocked again, and again until the door finally opened and a boy ran right into me.

Whoa sorry, didn't see ya there. What are you doing out here?" He asked, closing the door behind him. I looked the boy up and down. He was tall, with short brown hair and beautiful hazel eyes.

Uh, this is my class," I said, trying to force and attitude but failing miserably.

His eyes pulled together, "Are you sure? I've never seen you in there before. I mean, I'm normally asleep but I think I would've noticed someone like you," He smiled a dazzling smile and I mentally swooned, but my facial never faltered.

"I'm new here. This is my class. I'm late. Can you move?" I sneered, the attitude finally seeping out of my pores. I was officially pissed that I was screwing up my first reputation at a public school. I mean, it's public school, so it's not like the standards are set too high, but still.

His eyes trailed up and down my body and I crossed my arms, scowling at his blatant checking me out. "Mrs. Foster is the biggest prude of a teacher at this school. The second you walk in there she'll be all over your outfit and you'll spend your first day here in ISS," He spoke as he slipped his arms out of the zip up jacket he was wearing. "Here, wear this," He held the jacket out for me and I stared at it.

"Seriously? It's not going to bite you. I'm trying to save your ass right now, but whatever if you wanna be a bitch about it then fine," He rolled his eyes but I reached out for the jacket and saw a hint of a smirk on his lips when I wrapped it around my shoulders and slipped my arms through the sleeves. The jacket fell down almost past my skirt and the sleeves were way too long so I rolled them up. "It looks good on you."

I looked up, expecting to see him trying to seduce me into going into the bathrooms with him, but all I saw was a gleam in his eye and a sincere smile on his face. My eyes fell to the floor and I shrugged, "Thanks. For the jacket. I'll give it back after class," I mumbled.

"Keep it until the end of the day. You'll get caught at every corner for dress code around here. Besides, it gives me another excuse to see you again," He smiled as he began to walk away. I turned to see him almost to the end of the hallway. He stopped and turned around, continuing to walk backwards, "My name's Andrew, by the way."