A Sky Without Stars

Part 1-August

"Pearl, you need to get up! It's your first day of high school! You don't want to be late, do you?"

I groaned. It was 6:00 in the morning, which was much earlier than I had intended to wake up.

Maybe this was all a mistake. I was sure my mom was just messing around, and that I still had a long time left before I had to get ready. With a smile, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep once more. The blanket was pulled up to my chin, and it wrapped around me like a comforting hug.

After what seemed like only a few minutes, I heard my mother's shrill voice beckoning from downstairs.

"Pearl Amelia Whitman! Get down here this instant, or you are grounded, young lady!"

I glanced at my clock, then practically flew downstairs. My mother looked extremely discontent as I quickly ate breakfast; she had her arms crossed and was tapping her foot impatiently. We made direct eye contact only once, and her eyes shot daggers into my soul.

After preparing myself faster than I ever had in my entire life, I stepped out the door and into the car. I was greeted by my mom's harsh glare once again. She started the car's engine, and I stared down at my phone. I shot a text to my best friend, Leah, who ironically attended my rival school. As we pulled out from the garage, I stared out the window

Today was the first day of freshman year. I'd barely even had time to register the fact this morning with all the absolute chaos.

Even though I was nervous beyond belief, I smiled. I never let my mom see what I was feeling, even if I was having the worst day of my life. It was kind of the life I lived, always being "happy" around people. I didn't like to use my voice, therefore I didn't have a choice.

I was Pearl, the quiet girl from Montana. I wasn't a leader, and I wasn't a follower...I just sort of drifted. But I was always happy on the outside.

How was a shy girl like me going to survive high school?

The anxiety started in my chest, piercing me like knives. It pulsed through my veins, and the ends of my fingers tingled. My stomach was in knots. I was so nervous I could barely keep a hold of myself.

I looked down at the new iPad I was required to have and took a deep breath. It was only school. And anything had to be better than what happened in grade school.

We pulled into the parking lot of my new school. "St. Barnabas Catholic High School" was written in bold letters above the doors.

"Ready, Pearl?" my mom asked. Judging by her facial expression, I think I was more ready than she was. She looked like she wanted to hold my hand and walk me into the school, just like she had on the first day of kindergarten. But I wasn't a child anymore. I didn't need an escort. I could do this myself.

I offered her a small smile and said, "Yeah, mom. I'm really excited. It's going to be great. Bye."

I jumped out of the car, trying to refrain from rolling me eyes.

Adults are very confusing people.

I walked into the building and ran right into a sign. All of my stuff fell to the floor, and I followed closely behind. I hit the floor with an embarrassingly loud thud. After standing up, hoping that nobody noticed, I looked at the sign. All of the freshmen were supposed to go to the gym.

There was only one issue with that. I had no idea where the gym was.

I decided that my best option was probably to walk one way down the hall and hopefully find the gym. I walked to the right, and was very disappointed to find that I had went in the exact opposite direction. My cheeks began to turn pink as I darted down the hallway in the other direction.