I walk into school on my first day of junior year with a smile on face, but anxiety in my heart. I can't wait to socialize and things like that, but I'm nervous about classes. I'm taking 3 AP's, and I'm nervous I won't do well. I take a deep breath to stop my downward spiral. You got this, El.
I walk to my locker, and open the lock. I memorized my schedule and combination last night. I was too excited to sleep.
"Hey Ellie!" I look up to see my friend Liam coming toward me. Liam and I have been friends since Freshmen year, when he spilled his tray on me at lunch, leaving me covered in spaghetti sauce.
"Liam!" I say as I put my binders in my locker.
He pulls up next to me and just stands there.
"What?" I say, stopping the organizing of my locker.
"Well..." He says, like he's waiting for me to say something.
"Well..." I respond. "What?"
"I got a new car!" He exclaims.
"What?" I respond, excited, "That is so cool! What kind?"
"It's a black jeep, the one I've wanted since I was 14." He tells me.
"I can't wait to ride in it!" I joke. "Anyway, I have to get to AP Bio, so see you later?"
"Bye!" He replies, and then he almost runs away. It's a bad impression to be late on the first day.
I walk to AP Bio. I find a seat next to Amelia, my best friend. Amelia and I met on the playground in Kindergarten, when she got pushed and skinned her knee. I helped her up and punched the mean boy who pushed her in the face.
"Hey, I didn't see you in the hallway." I say to Amelia. She normally comes to my locker
"Oh, well, didn't want to be late." She said, sounding distant.
"Oh, well..." I get cut off by the teacher, Mrs. Winklesnap.
"Alright class, I will not tolerate any sort of goofing or messing around in this class."
She sounds like a drill Sargent. At least we know this year will be fun if those are her first words. I see Amelia texting next to me, and I lean over to make a remark about the teacher to her, and she immediately hides her phone and turns away. Weird. It's 8:03 A.M. and my day has already been weird.
After AP Bio, which, frankly, was exhausting (I don't know what I was worried about, the only problem is the strict teacher), I have a free period. Thank God. I walk to the library and plop down in one of the chairs. I really want to take a nap, but I can't, so I pull out my book to read. When I'm reading, just as I'm getting to a good part, a boy interrupts me.
"Hi, I'm Ryder!" He says
"I'm Eleanor." I reply, wondering why he was interrupting me.
"I saw you with Liam, and I'm one of his baseball friends. Are you two dating?" He asks, a little shy.
"Oh, no!" I reply a bit flustered. "We're just friends."
"Okay!" He brightens. "Can I get your number then?"
It's the first day of school. Not even third period and someone has asked me for my number. He's cute, and he looks funny. I haven't seen him be mean to any kids. And he's taller than me.
"Sure!" I reply. He gives me his phone and I put in my number.
"Great! I'll text you later." He says before rushing off. That was quick. Oh, well. I can finally get back to my really good book. The main character just got pushed down the stairs by her boyfriend. I glance at the clock after a few minutes and see I have about ten minutes of free period left. I read a bit longer. Okay this book might not be as good as I thought before.
After free period, 2 classes pass by really slow. Why does the first day suck. I head down to lunch, and when I get there I can't find Amelia. We always sit together. I get out my phone and text her.
Me
Hey, where are you?
I get a text back that says
This message failed to send
That's weird. I don't know why it would say that, unless she shut her phone off. Or she blocked me, which I don't think she would do. I shrug it off and go to the lunch line. I get the lunch which is pizza today. I'm not a big fan but it'll do. I find a table to sit at, and wait for Amelia. While I'm sitting there I get a text.
Unknown Number
Ryder. How's Friday sound for a date?
I change his name in my phone and type out my reply.
Me
Sure, that would be great!
I try to find him in the cafeteria. When I do, I see he's looking at his phone and smiling. He looks up and sees me. I quickly turn away, blushing. Well, that was a bit embarrassing. I feel a buzz in my pocket
Ryder
Okay. I'll pick you up at six:)
Oh, and, you look pretty when you blush;)
That makes me blush harder. Oh, boy. Just then, Amelia walks in with the smokers. My day just got ten times worse. The smokers are the kids who vape in the bathroom and smoke pot at parties. Why would Amelia want to be friends with them? They don't make good choices. Just then, they walk by where I'm sitting.
"What are you looking at, sweet thing?" One of the boys asks me. I think his name is Jacob.
I turn around and ignore them and start eating my pizza. Pretty soon, when they see I don't care they leave. I hear one of them muttering about a bitch. It sounded like Amelia. I want to cry. A month ago we were giggling over boys in movies, and now she's calling me a bitch with the smokers? How am I going to survive this year. She was my best friend. I guess I have Ryder and Liam. I sigh and get up to throw my lunch tray away. I'm not really hungry anymore.
