The Big Move

Chapter 2

On the first day of school, Leah made her first ever status update on TheSlap which read: "My first day at Hollywood Arts. I feel like I'll like it here! - MOOD = Excited".

Leah entered the hallway and found where her locker was. She took a moment to organize her things, then suddenly remembered she had to customize her locker. The tough part would be making it work.

While she attempted to cram some books into her locker, she came across a locker neighbor of hers who seemed particularly nervous that morning. "Okay, theater class, then music practice, then lunch," Leah heard him mumble to himself. Then he noticed her and turned to her.

"You okay?" he asked. The boy, Leah now saw, had blue eyes and brown hair. He was dressed in a blue and white checkered shirt, with black denim jeans.

"Yeah. Locker cramming is not as easy as I thought," Leah responded.

"Yeah, I know; it's not for everyone. My locker's right next to yours," the boy pointed out.

"Yeah, just saw. I'm Leah," she said, offering a handshake.

"Clayton," he said, accepting the handshake. "What class are you heading to next?"

"I got Sikowitz's class next," Leah said.

"That's where I'm going," Clayton told her.

"Want to walk there together?" Leah asked.

"Fine by me," Clayton said as the two headed for class.

"Alright, so I want you all to practice the opening scenes of William Shakespeare's Macbeth," Sikowitz told them.

"And what exactly is the purpose of this exercise?" Valerie asked.

"It's to broaden the mind, Valerie," Sikowitz said simply. "Plus, it gives you a chance to speak funny," he added. Just then the bell rang. "Alright, class dismissed," he said.

Everyone got up from their chairs. Leah looked around. She had already met Valerie and Clayton, but wanted to see if she could meet anyone else new.

As she exited into the hall, she saw a paper drop from a boy's backpack. She approached it and picked it up, only to see that it was an assignment that had fallen out. "Excuse me!" she called out. "You dropped this."

The boy turned around and saw Leah holding the paper. "Thanks," he replied rather stiffly. He had blue eyes and black hair; he was wearing a black jacket, with a black shirt underneath, and black jeans to match.

"You new here?" Leah asked, making small talk.

"I'm a freshman," the boy answered. "You?"

"Same," Leah answered. "I'm Leah." She held out her hand for a shake.

"Michael," he said coldly, ignoring her extended hand.

"Well, nice to meet you," she replied, pulling her hand back awkwardly.

"Wish I could say likewise," Michael said. He walked off, leaving Leah to her own thoughts.

Leah watched him walk away and wondered what his problem was. Trying not to dwell on it, she walked the halls and saw how everyone else had such creative and beautiful lockers. It made her want to start decorating hers right away. Perhaps she could find some good collage inspiration on Pinterest!

Just then the bell rang and Leah proceeded to her next class for the day.