Exotic

VIII

Sydney

My first day at school. And I'm fucking nervous. I never got word back from Kath if I'm going to her school or not. And I think that maybe a sign that I'm not in her school. Which has me even more nervous because I'll have no familiar faces. No one to fall back on. No one to-

"Come on, Sheila. It can't be that bad." Mum rolled her eyes.

"I'm just nervous."

"You best hope that this is Kath's school. I fear only she can calm you down." Mum said cautiously. She was noticing my shaking hands and profusely sweating face probably.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I snapped my gaze to her.

"Well, you've taken quite the liking to Kath, haven't you?"

"Yeah, but that's because she a good person and we're friends. She's my first friend."

"That's what I'm saying. So, you trust her. She'll be able to calm you down."

"I really hope that this is the school, Mum." I say as tears prickle my eyes.

"Let's hope so. Will you be alright? Do you know where the office is?"

I look out the window and scan the building. There's all sorts of people heading in through what seems to be an office, teachers, mostly.

"I think that's it there." I mumble, pointing to the doors.

"Okay. Well, have a good day. Text me if you need me to come and get you. I'll be out with Dewey on her lunch break though. So be mindful of that and try to schedule your panic attack before or after it." Mum joked and I chuckled lightly.

"Off I go. I love you. Wish me luck."

"Good luck, and I love you, too. You'll be fine." Mum said, leaning over to kiss my head.

"Bye." I say as I get out of the car. I make my way towards the office and it feels like I'm walking during an earthquake. It's not fun. I feel nauseous, sweaty, gross and shaky.

"Hi, how can I help you?" the lady at the office desk asks as I walk in.

"Uh, hi. Um... I-I'm Sydney. Uh, Sydney Kelly. I- I'm the transfer student." I stutter. It's slightly embarrassing but I'm nervous as hell.

"Ah, yes. Sydney. We've been excited to have you." the lady beamed.

"R-really?"

"Yes! Anyway, your student guide should be here. She's on her way down. You're in her home room." she smiled.

"Oh, okay. What's her name, please?" I ask. My fingers crossed and I'm silently hoping for Kath's name to come out of her mouth.

"Gemma." she said. And there goes my heart.

"Thank you." I nod. The office door opens and a brunette with blue eyes walks in. Her hair is short and she's wearing overalls with a stripey t-shirt. She had a massive smile on her face and braces lined her bottom teeth.

"Hi! Are you Sydney?" she asked me. I nod and she smiled even more somehow, "I'm Gemma, I'm gonna be your student guide. Let me take you to home room."

She led the way and I was left trailing behind her like a scared puppy. If I had a tail, it would be wedged between my legs as I walk.

"You're from Australia, right?"

I feel a 'shrimp on the barbie' joke brewing.

"Mhm." I reply.

"What, so like, 'put another shrimp on the barbie' type thing?" she did an awful Aussie accent. And also, called it.

"Nope. We call them prawns. And we wouldn't barbecue them." I say quietly. I'm still just trying to get my breathing steady.

"Oh, okay. Did you watch H2O growing up?" she asked.

"No. I watched Bluey." I shake my head. Sometimes I'll watch Bluey for a bit of comfort, but she doesn't need to know that.

"Nice. My Dad always quotes Bluey. I think he's secretly a child." Gemma mumbled. It made me giggle silently. But I could feel stares on me as we walked through the corridors, "Right, so, this is home room. Our teacher will give you your schedule but this is where we go for the first half hour of the day. After you." she tried to let me go in first, but I shook my head. No way was I going in there without protection, "Fine, I'll go first." she jokingly roles her eyes and pushed open the door.

The room went silent as we walked in. A lot of staring st me was happening, and I don't like it. Gemma led me to the teacher, who had a nice smile and bright blue eyes. She was also really short.

"Hi, I'm Mrs Rogerstone-Montgumery, I'll be your homeroom teacher and your English teacher." she said, handing me the schedule, "This is your schedule. Do you need help reading it?"

"Yes, please." I nod. She took me out into the corridor and explained the room numbering systems. It's was fairly simple. But it was a big school. Then I heard my name being screamed from the corridor.

"Sydney!" it was a female voice and it was followed by footsteps at running pace. I turn around and it was Kath running towards me. I sighed in relief and met her half way. I hug her tightly and take in her smell, subtly. And I cry. She holds me while I do.

"I think you two should go to the bathroom." Mrs Rogerstone-Montgumery said. I feel Kath nod and she let's me go, but takes my hand and takes me to the bathroom. She locks the door and hugs me again.

"What's the matter?" she asked softly.

"I was so nervous. And I thought you weren't here and I was even more panicked but then I saw you and I just felt so relived." I ramble while crying into her shirt.

"Oh, Sydney, babe." she pulled away and wiped my tears with her thumbs.

"And I brought your shirt because it would comfort me because I was really panicked and-"

"Hey, it's okay. I get it. Let's have a look at your schedule." she said. I was still holding it but it was crumpled and the edges were slightly tear stained. Kath looked over it and smiled wide, "We have the exact same schedule."

"Really?"

"Yeah! That's so good. I'll be able to look after you."

"Good. Good." I say as I hug her again.

"You're so cute and cuddly. You're like a wolf cub." she whispered to me, "Everything is going to be okay. I'll make sure of it. And we'll hang with Eliza at break, and then my friends at lunch. Oh and my Mama said that you like ice hokcey. We have a team here and I was able to convince the coach to let you try out. So that's tomorrow. But yeah, I'll be here for you."

"Thank you." I say as I squeeze her tighter.