What's there to Lose?

New School Same Expectations

As I walked through the creme colored corridors of my new high school I couldn't help but feel a major difference between my old life and this town. During my last year I couldn't remember seeing a surface without some form of graffiti, usually a vulgar slur or obscene phallic image. This often left the walls covered in wet paint and signs warning passersby. Though it seemed a waste of money since the graffiti was never completely covered and would often seep through after only a few days. In a school as large as my old one it was most definitely a large sum.

My old school was very large in order to accommodate the size of the population. It also allowed teachers the opportunity to prioritize which students they would nurture and which they would turn a blind eye to. I was one of the lucky few to be nurtured... at first, then merely left to learn on my own when the offspring of the rich felt I was being favored. Regardless the wasted efforts of my peers only served to help me focus on my education and not waste it on teenage dreams of popularity.

As they wasted their time bullying, I spent my time earning scholarships and a ticket to a faraway place via university.

Compared to that, Little creek had a different atmosphere. There was something strange here I just couldn't quite put my finger on. Maybe it was the weather. Little Creek was worlds colder then the city.

As I studied my surrounding with my peripherals I noticed there wasn't any bullying, yet, which was promising. Maybe I could find solace in my books without having to worry about anything else. I wasn't worried so much about any inherent threats that might come from the student body, that I could handle. I just didn't want any more obstacles in the way of getting into a good university and out of my fathers way. Maybe then he could finally find his own happiness and stop worrying about mine.

I continued my way through the halls lost in thought until I arrived at the office.

It was all so small and homely. I looked around and found it empty. On top of a little counter in front of the office was a small note next to a service bell that said "Ring me once and be gentle please." I tapped the bell with what I thought was the right amount of force and was greeted with a pleasant DING.

"Coming!" A happy voice came from a room to my left behind the counter.

"Well if it isn't our little new comer, what was your name again? No don't tell me. Let me think, let me think, think ..... Oh yes! Jemma Hemming . Aren't you just adorable! Are you sure your a soft more you look like you could still be an 8th grader."

The voice belonged to a woman who looked to be in her late 40's she was dressed in a very bright floral print and had her glasses in her hand. She looked at me and waited for a response with a bright smile on her face.

She seems nice enough.

I grabbed my board and started writing.

Can you use sign language.

"Oh dear I completely forgot. No, I'm sorry, I cannot read sign language but some of our brighter and more intelligent teachers can. We apologize for not being able to accommodate you more Jemma."

That's just fine, thank you for you concern miss....?

"Oh, Mrs. Taylor."

Well thank you Mrs. Taylor. I came this morning to pick up my schedule and a map of the school. I would very much like to not get lost my very first day.  =)

I drew a little smiley face on the note and gave her a smile to match. I didn't want to come off rude to the staff. Once college recommendation season came I was going to need all my bases covered.