Cheers to New Beginnings

Chapter one: Hello Again

Lilibeth:

I stood in the noisy hall, grasping my books to the chest of my brown and pink plad button up. Amber, my sorta-kinda best friend, was perched beside me on the window sill. Classes hadn't started for the day, but I was ready to get to homeroom. However, Amber had to meet up with her boyfriend Ken- I jokingly referred to them as Barbie and Ken- so attempting to be a good friend, I stayed with her. It was the start of my senior year, and I really didn't want to spend it alone, like I had the half of semester I'd been there the previous year. I was way behind credit wise and if I failed a single class this year, I wouldn't graduate. I'd taken loads of summer courses just to catch up to where I was right then, and my GPA was still below a two point.

It didn't take long for Ken and his best friend Brent to arrive to walk us to homeroom. Brent tried to make conversation with me while Amber and Ken flirted shamelessly, but I only mumbled vague answers. I wasn't very fond of Brent or Ken. The only reason I hung out with Amber was that she had a partying side. I felt I didn't have to hide my past from her completely, though I don't believe any of our group really believed I could have been very bad. They all assumed I was exaggerating. Brent and Ken were like these high class, governor want-to-bes. They played basketball, were on student council, worked fundraisers, etc. Ken did it for the looks. Brent I was sure was actually a do gooder because it made him feel happy to help others, but he just wasn't my type of guy. He didn't seem to understand that though.

My classes blurred into one another, and before I knew it, the final bell was ringing. I ran outside quickly, hopped on my bicycle, and headed home.

"Hey, Lil! How was your last first day?" my sister called from behind the curtain that made the walls of her "bedroom." She was the only one who still called me Lili or some form of it.

"It was boring. I got a few nasty bits for teachers, but it should be a decent year!"

"Alright, well I've got to get going," Tammy said strolling into the living area tying her apron around her waist. "I've got a double shift tonight, so don't wait up. Lock the doors when I leave, And absolutely no..."

"Guys over," I finished for her laughing. I received the same spill every time Tammy had to work late. "Don't drop the tray, don't back talk customers, and keep the waitress' gun on you after eight. I don't want you getting robbed or kidnapped." My sister rolled her eyes at my warnings before leaving me to fend for myself. I made a quick bowl of Ramen Noodles before turning on my favorite movie, Live Free or Die Hard. After that, I crawled over to my twin mattress on the floor and started on my new reading list for English.

Cadience:

The front of the building consisted of all windows from waist high and up. I watched my new peers carefully. If people heard I'd just gotten out of juvie, they would treat me like a pariah. I didn't want that. I didn't do drugs anymore nor did I party hard every night. A few beers here and there, and I'd be good. Stopping to stare up at the Harold Bufurd High sign over the front doors, I was suddenly glad that the school started on Thursday. I'd missed the first day because my transfer papers hadn't been faxed in time, so I was starting on Friday. Already the weekend couldn't come quick enough. As I strolled into the building I saw a few girls checking me out from both sides of the walk. I smirked, glad I at least still knew how to dress for high school. My army greens had gotten old after my first month of three I spent in juvie.

Inside, I followed the direction tags on the walls heading toward my homeroom. It was at least another thirty minutes before first hour. I slipped through a small group of people congregating outside room 221. The teacher was already sitting at his desk, so I simply handed him the folded transfer/admit paper from the pocket of my black jeans. With a quick nod he sent me to a seat. I hesitated, scoping out the possible weirdos from the possible ass-holes when my eyes fell across three girls chatting away. The most hyper one had fake, curly, red hair and wore too much make up. One had straight black hair that fell over her shoulder, and she caught my eye with what she thought was a cute smile.