How To Survive High School

HTSHS- Tips 1-5

Recap:

I have one year to write a guide for  high school. But I don't start for another two weeks, I remind myself. I have to get to work to finish my last compilations of research and check in with my supervisor. 

Because I'm going back to high school. 

Present:

My first day. Everything I've been researching has led me to this. When I woke up right on time at about six thirty, I wasn't worried on time. I pulled a hairbrush through my knotty hair. It only fell to my shoulders so it's not too much to go through, but nevertheless, painful. I styled it the way I'd seen a girl in a magazine do it: my bangs french braided into the back and a classy sort of bun. Maybe its old seeming, but it looked good. After I stripped down and redressed in some not too revealing but way more revealing then I'd wear to the office, I finally tackled my face. It isn't that big of a deal, because I can work wonders with foundation and mascara. I breezed through that and then started on my nails. Irritation was starting to build up in me -this is a lot of work for kids to go through each morning- it finally topped over when I dropped the yellow bottle unto my white carpeting. Instead of cleaning it up, I stood and walked over to the overly priced bag that 'Every girl should carry along at school this year' and grabbed the black bound notebook. I searched for a pen and wrote down my first note for this assignment.

I threw the things back into the bag and hurried to clean the mess. I checked my time, quarter to eight. Fuming, I knew this new senior year may as well be my last. I was late almost every day, due to my inability to drive and fear of public transportation. I walked the half mile or so every day. Huffing, I grabbed my bag and took it into the bathroom with me and put in the color-changing contacts I bought -they changed my eyes from the utterly original hazel to a vivid blue- while almost simultaneously brushing my teeth. I definitely wouldn't be getting breakfast today. Hopping in my car, I start it and bolt out of the driveway. 'Maybe I won't be late', I muse to myself. Suddenly my mind floats to my cover. I prefer to call it a Legend. That's what spies call their back stories. 

My name is Keely Gorden, and I turned eighteen at the beginning of January. My parents were killed many years ago so I live alone; because as soon as you turn eighteen you they release you from the home/orphanage your residing. I'm well adjusted because of the money I'd had from my parents that was bestowed to me on my eighteenth birthday. Though, my foster mother (Or my best friend at the office, Alysha) called the school and told them to keep a watchful eye out for me. 

As I'm chewing all of this over, I pull into the schools parking lot. Not much has changed since I'd been there. The main building is rectangular, and it's the first you see when you park. The familiar scent of the flowers that surround the front building make me smile. My eyes skim over the light gray writing that says, 'Traverse City' and the darker gray that completes the saying, 'Central High School'. Finally, I walk into the main building with a smile on my face. I mean, I'm redoing my senior year. I reach the front desk and wait for the lady to notice me. She looks familiar, and when her gray eyes meet mine I know for sure. It's- "Hello sweetheart. I'm Mrs. Eveny, the school maid!" She laughs.

'Still using that joke Harriet?' I want to say, but just pressed a smile on. This poor womans initals are H.O.E. It's unfortunate, but still makes me laugh. I was the one to discover that when I was doing a piece on her. I went to her house and her husband called her Harriet Olenader. "Haha, well you seem to do an amazing job, it's beautiful." I gush.

The red creeped unto her cheeks as she smiled. "What can I do for you, sweets?"

She's a really sweet woman. Her hair is now fully white compared to when it was only speckled when I truly attended here. Her gray eyes aren't lackluster, but they don't shine. She's a pear shaped type, but still pretty in peoples eyes. I mull this over as I tell her my story. "Yes, I'm Keely Gorden, and I'm supposed to be picking up my schedule?"

She nods and starts going through the stack of schedules she has. Absentmindedly she starts singing, "G, g, g, Gorden! Aha!" Until she found it. "Here you go, my dear." She lowers her voice, "I know we were warned that we shouldn't say a thing, but I'm sorry for your loss."

Keeping up my facade, I lower my eyes and murmur back, "Thanks. It was a long time ago... I've gotten use to it." Then I grab my schedule, say goodbye, and walk towards the academic buildings. The normal clusters of kids don't surprise me; it's the blatantly distinguished between them. They're not mixing, and it's like everyone belongs somewhere. As I reach for my notebook to make a note about this, someone begins talking.

"Hey, are you new? Do you need help?" This arrogant voice says in an amused tone. I can only assume they're talking to me because nobody else is alone. I turn to face the voice with a scowl.

"Yes, I'm new." I answer the first question, and finally have my notebook and pen out. 

"Oh, well you look like you know where you're going... why's that?" The guy who has been talking to me smiled. He's a little boy, but a cutie. If you go for the brooding crap. I don't.

"Because I'm awesome, obviously." I smile back and then turn to go.

"Wait!"The kid yells.  I stop mid turn. "What's your name?" Without actually glancing back, I tell him. "I'm Ray." He answers back happily.

"Great to meet you!" I yell back and start writing in my notebook. Continuing to class, I don't get stopped by any traffic. I guess class starts a little later then I'm used to. Oh well, it can't hurt to be early.

* * *

The rest of my day was slow going and trying. I talked to everyone -and I followed the rules of the 'Popularity' book. I want to get in good with everyone. I smiled and chatted with almost every person I saw. I complimented and accepted any compliments handed to me.

And I wrote a lot of notes. When I finally got home, I turned on my computer and began writing.

Tip #1: (These go in no particular order)Location, location, location!

Know where you're going.I know it doesn't sound simple, but in all reality it is. Before you start school, schedule a tour. Know where you're classes are and any bathrooms.

Tip #2: Know where the back staircases are.

In every school you have your main staircase. The over crowded one that always makes you late for class. In every school there is also the back staircases that you can find at the end of your hallways. These are golden, baby! Use these and I promise you'll never be late again.

Tip #3: Classy, never trashy; just a little nasty.

Keep your apparel simple! I know the models look good with bulky jewelry and layers on, but it only works because cameras are magic! You don't need to go to such extremes to look good. Wear cute clothes, but never spend hours on your appearance. Trust me, you'll only knock over your nail polish and have a pee looking stain in your bedroom.

Tip #4: Smile always!

No matter if someones getting you down, if you frown you look unapproachable. Now maybe you want to be left alone, that's always fine! But be consious of how your body language seems to others.

Tip #5: Don't become friends with the first person you meet.

As snobby as this sounds, I promise you you're dodging a bullet here. The first people to come up to you and introduce themselves are the loneliest. I know it sounds terrible, but these people also will go to any lengths to ruin you, to keep you down. Steer clear of them.

I save my article and go to the bathroom to become Kelly Neumann again. The day was tiring and also fun. I don't think I've gotten that much male attention in a long time. While contemplating this, I get into bed and fall asleep easily.

Who would have known high school was so hard?

The response to this was awesome! So I thought I'd upload. I am stressing this to you: THIS IS A GUIDE TO HIGH SCHOOL. I have to give you a glimpse into Kelly/Keely's school life, but basically that's to help back my tips up. I hope you enjoyed it! Please VOTE/COMMENT/FAN. (: Any tip suggestions are welcome: just P.M. me! Thanks!