See you next Saturday

Joy

This whole house looks sad. 

Dad and I have been here for 3 months now and almost all of our house is still packed in boxes. Like we think we're gonna leave, like we think something better is coming along.

We really need to just accept our fate. We're here, she's not, and it's going to stay that way.

I look over the table at my dad who's looking into his empty bowl of cereal with a somber look on his face. It's rare moments like these when I'm able to see how he's actually feeling.

He's trying his best, and I appreciate that more than I tell him. But I wish he'd let down his walls and grieve with me. He's always trying to put up a happy front for me and make it seem like everything is okay but it all seems superficial. I wish we could just be mad at her together, I wish we could vent, but he doesn't want to and I'll respect that.

He catches me looking at him and another one of his smiles appears.

"Are you excited for your new school?!" 

Not even a little bit.

"It should be good. A fresh start." I give him an equally fake smile.

"Do you want me to drop you off? I should have time to hurry and give you a lift on my way to work." He offers and I'd really like to spare us both the awkward car ride.

"It's okay, I can walk, it's just a few minutes away."

"Ok if you're sure." He stands up and picks up our dishes.

I just nod.

"You're gonna have a great day, everyone will love you!" 

I wanna laugh. What is it they say, nothing is stronger than a mother's love? And if she doesn't love me I can't imagine anybody else will.

"I'm gonna head out, but I'll see you tonight. I'll make dinner?" I say as I grab my bag.

"Sounds good. I love you my bundle of Joy." My dad says as he kisses my forehead.

"Love you too dad." And I rush out the door.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fairview High. 

From my whole 45 minutes of research I've learned a bit.

Very sports oriented, very rich, and honestly I didn't pay attention to much else. It was just a school, and all I wanted to do was get through the year as painless as possible.

Students are rushing around the hallways, talking in groups, and laughing with each other. I finally reach the front office and as I'm walking in someone walks out and we collide into each other. The person I ran into grips my shoulders pulling me upright and I notice it's a boy.

A very attractive boy. He's tall, and that says a lot because I stand at 5'10 and he's got about 4 inches on me. Fluffy brown hair, hazel eyes, and glasses a bit too big for his face. After I finish gawking at him I realize he's also staring at me with a firm grip still on my shoulders.

"You ok?" He grunts.

I nod. "Yeah, sorry." 

He nods back and then rushes away leaving me standing in the doorway dumbstruck. 

"That was intense." A voice says next to me.

I turn and a tiny girl no taller than 5'3 with jet black hair says with a smirk.

"What?" 

She chuckles. "Nothing. You must be Joy Marshall, I'm Eve Yeun, I'm supposed to be showing you around today."

"And what makes you think I'm her?" I raise an eyebrow.

"We don't get new students often. This is like a major holiday for us."

"I'm sorry to disappoint, I forgot my fireworks and sleigh full of presents at home so it may have to be just a boring old day for you all after all." 

"I like you already Joy Marshall. Let's head to first period. We have our first four classes together and lunch. Don't worry though both my friends have the other classes with you and they can help you out."

"Thanks Eve, I appreciate it." And I really do. I haven't talked to anyone my age in months and it feels nice.

"Don't thank me too much, I'm just doing this to get out of detention."

We both laugh.

"Ahh well then you're welcome for getting you out of detention."

She playfully bumps my shoulder and motions for me to follow her.

"Cmon Joy, the day has just begun."