Cold Path

2

An obnoxious buzzing sound strikes through the silent room indicating that my alarm is going off. I moan trying to gather my strength to turn it off and get out of bed.

It is seven o'clock on Wednesday morning which means today is the day I start fresh. I wish we all lived in a perfect world where if you are the new kid in school that they will welcome you with opened arms. Unfortunately, that is not high school. I am prepared to get snarky glares when I walk down the hallways and for people to gossip untrue statements about me.

I struggle to get out of bed and soon after regretting it as I walk to my bathroom. I take a minute and look at my self in the mirror. How will I ever fit in? If I can not fit in at the school I grew up in there is no way I will be able to fit in here.

I shrug off my insecure thoughts and turn on the hot water for my morning shower. My stomach suddenly feels like there are a hundred knots inside and goosebumps rise down my legs. I keep telling myself that I will get through today and that I will be fine, but I feel nervous and vulnerable.

Once I get out of the shower I brush my long, brown hair and apply a small amount of makeup around my green eyes to look somewhat presentable.

I pull out a black, long sleeve shirt and a pair of blue jeans with black converse to wear. As I walk out of my room, I hear an obnoxious banging on the front door.

"Goodmorning Grace! This is Carly and she will be your ride to school." Uncle Dan said a little too perky for the morning as I walk down the stairs.

I give Carly an awkward smile and walk to the kitchen for a bowl of cereal. I hear Carly and Uncle Dan talking about their farm animals while I scarf down the cereal, so Carly is not miserable talking to my uncle.

I grab my purple Jans Sport backpack and walk out the door following Carly to her run down car. Her car looks fairly old. It is filthy black and it has a small dent in the front, but other than that it looks perfectly fine.

Carly starts the car and starts talking about the basics of her school.

"So, Franktown Community Highschool is small like really small. Our class literally has only two hundred and twelve people. The only problem with having a small class is that everyone has their own friend group. I know people at every school has their own friend group, but everyone is so picky about who their friends are here."

I nod my head taking in all of the information she is giving me. Her telling me this makes my feel even more sick from my nervousness.

"Don't worry though because I don't have many friends, so you can stick with me if you'd like."

The rest of the short drive was silent until we pulled into the school's parking lot. After minutes of Carly struggling to find a parking spot, we head inside the school together.

I tuck my long hair behind my ears and dart my eyes in every direction once we walk into the school. I wipe my hands onto my jeans to try and get rid of the sweat on my palms.

"The front office is right here, so you will get situated there. Hopefully I will see you soon!" Carly smiles at me and walks off leaving me alone with unfamiliar faces.

I slowly walk into the front office which is pretty large. There are three desks with one smiling lady obviously waiting for me to arrive.