Dragon's Gate

Chaper 2: First Day

The single weekend day went by in a blur. Devon was feeling better about the move, but he'd spent most of his day buried in his book. He'd enjoyed his trip to get ice cream with his dad, they talked about memories growing up, their favorite parts, and what they'd miss about it. Devon felt like, for the first time in a while, he and his dad were able to connect. The only fear he still had was whether they would be able to do so in the future.

Devon shoved it in the back of his mind to worry about later, today was his first day at a new school, and he needed to be coming up with a strategy to fit in. His mom asked if he wanted to take the bus, but he told her he'd rather her drive him. Devon was unsure how much time he'd be able to spend with his parents in the coming months, but Devon was sure he had a plan to make at least one friend on his first day.

"We're almost there, you ready?" his mom asked.

"Butterflies in the gut, but otherwise I think today will be fine. Just going to find a groove and stay in it".

"That's my son! You've always found out how to make the best of the worst, kind of like moving here. Two days ago you looked and seemed upset, but now your face has an eager smile!" she said sliding her finger across his jaw.

Devon chuckled, "Thanks, mom. And for driving me."

"No problem sweetie." she smiled back.

His mom pulled into the school's drop-off lane, parking behind two buses in front of them.

"This is it! Go do what you do best!" his mom said.

Devon leaned over and hugged her, "I will, thanks, mom."

Devon stepped out, taking a glance at the other students making their way, one by one through the front doors of the school.

"And remember!" she spoke through the passenger window she just rolled down, "I won't be picking you up after school today so be sure to catch the bus!"

Devon mouthed 'Okay' with two thumbs up before turning back around to his task at hand. He motioned blowing her a kiss, and she did the same in return, motioning the catch. Hearing his mom drive off behind him, he started to make his way through the doors, reading a sign posted in the window as he approached.

'NEW STUDENTS CHECK IN WITH FRONT OFFICE'

Devon took note and walked in, the front office being just to his right from the large entrance lobby. Coming up to the window, an older lady sat in the chair behind the counter window. She flicked her eyes from her computer screen for a second, noticing him.

"Hi there! Welcome to Jelly High! First and last name?"

Her attitude was happy and chipper, which eased Devon's anxiousness slightly, "Devon Sparly?" he said with an inquisitive tone.

The secretary went back to scrolling through her screen, her eyes scanning for two words.

It took her a moment, "Ah yes! Devon! Our new sophomore!" she said. "Your morning class is in room 204, that's where your starting class will be all year. Here's your block schedule, that should tell you everything you need to know. If you have any questions come to the office and talk with me or the counselor, we can help you out with anything you need. My name is Shirley, good to have you here Devon!"

"Thank you, I'll keep all that in mind. Good to meet you, Mrs. Shirley!" Devon said.

She handed him a dial lock, "Your locker number is at the top of your page, and here is your lock, with the combination 457."

"Thank you, I appreciate it," he said before walking away. He looked down at the piece of paper he was handed, looking at all the classes he might have to suffer through this year; Psychology 102 just sounded like boredom. In the bottom corner of the page, there was a tiny map of the school. Devon scanned it finding 204 was at the far end of the East hallway.