Suck it

Tanner part 1

Okay Tanner just breathe. In and out. In and out.
I usually enjoy school. Freshmen year last year was great. Being part of NAHS (Nation Art Honor Society) means that because of my talent at painting and ceramics, I got to hang out with kids in all different grades who loved my work. I was never the shy freshman who upperclassmen picked on. In fact, almost everybody knew my name.
I was quite excited to come back since the day we got out. Until July that is. I made this whole mistake and I'm starting to think everyone will know about it. But I'm only a sophomore! We all make mistakes!!
"Tanner, sweetheart? Are you going to get out of the car?" I pulled out of my thoughts and looked at my mom who was giving me a puzzling look. I had completely forgotten she was in the car. "Yeah sorry. I'll cya later mom" I called out as I hopped out of the car and into the building.
When I walked in I immediately spotted Ryan Olsen and Paige Gabriele, some of my good friends.
"Tanner finally! We have been waiting for forever!" Paige said, pulling me into a hug.
"I know I know, I was just a little nervous to come in." I confessed, smoothing out my jean skirt.

"We're here for you Tan, don't worry, no one will mess with you." Ryan said, wrapping his arm around me. We walked to get our schedules and found seats in the auditorium. 

As the administrators were reiterating the same codes and such, I drifted off, thinking about summer. I miss the beach and sleeping in. I miss being alone when I wanted or going out wit friends with I wanted. I even went to parties with all the older kids whenever there was one. It was amazing. Until July.

"Tanner, you coming?" I snapped my head up and saw Ryan and Paige standing up in front of me while the isles started emptying. I nodded my head and followed them outside. 

I had math and U.S. history with them but not until 2nd period so I had to part ways with them. I went to my first block which was Baking and Pastries. I had a couple friendly faces to sit with but none f my actual friends. 

The next two blocks flew by, and since I did not have lunch today, I went straight to my fourth block which is study hall. I was excited for it to be in the library this year, a nice, quiet place to finish my homework. 

When I got there, Ms. Pickett, the librarian, when on about her regulations but I only saw one of sophomore. She said the rest were upper classmen. Great.

After study hall I had gone to my honors English class and walked to Paige's locker so we could walk home together. I was a little disappointed I didn't have any art classes this semester. But I couldn't complain. I actually had some pretty good people in my classes and since all my core classes were this semester, next semester will be all electives and it will super easy.

"Okay so do you want Freddy's or McDonald's?" Paige said as she walked up to me. 

"Freddy's definitely."  I said and we were off. It has been a tradition for me and Paige to go out to lunch after our first day of school. Since her home life is not the best, she spends most of her time at my house, which isn't that much better but still a lot safer. 

The walk from the high school to Belver Township is actually a better walk than getting to Tregger Park. The Tregs always bother us, thinking they're better than us, they're just jealous they can't walk home since they live in the middle of nowhere, at least our trailer parks are close together. 

Once we got to Freddy's diner, we immediately got a booth and ordered some burgers and milkshakes. Paige's brother, Freddy, started the diner once he graduated and always gives us free meals. It comes in handy when you really don't have money to spend on eating out. 

"Hey girls, here ya go, two cheeseburgers, extra fries, a chocolate milkshake and strawberry milkshake," Freddy said as he laid on food on the table. He slid in the booth next Paige and wrapped his arm around her. "So first day of sophomore year go alright?" He asked. She nodded as she took a sip if her milkshake.

"Well me and Tanner have two classes and I have a class with that Joey I was telling you about!" She said excitedly. Freddy rolled his eyes.

"Girl you better not be messing with any boys from over here. You're gonna wind up pregnant and in a waitress her for the rest of your life. You are going to college and getting out of here, do you understand me?" He told her. Paige rolled her eyes and kept eating. We got the same speech over and over again. "What about you, Tan man, you have good first day? Any cute boys and that shit?"

" Yeah it was pretty good. Unfortunately no cute boys in my class," I said, pretending to pout.

"Good, you don't need those jocks anyway, try and convince Paige that so I can stop worrying." I laughed and nodded my head. We continued talking for a little bit until a couple guys full of tattoos came in. There's no surprise that there is crime in Belver, but it still freaks me out to see. Infernum Gang is always in and out of each local business. They are basically the law enforcement around here since our police officers suck. Freddy went to high schools with most of the members and the leader's grandson so him and Paige are in good standing with them. Plus, Freddy gives a discounted price on anything in the diner for the gang to keep them happy, not to mention all the pretty waitresses who serve them. 

"Yo Freddy boy, we need to talk" Yelled one of them at us. Freddy said a quick goodbye and ran over to the guys. I tried to pay attention to Paige but I just couldn't take my eyes off of the gang. I recognized a senior who goes to Springfield, he's name is Marco I think. I knew he lived on this side of town but he was always quiet, I never thought he would join. 

"Tanner are you listening to me?" Paige asked. I quickly looked at her and gave an apologetic smile. "Why are you so obsessed with them! You always focus on them whenever we see them, its not fair!" She whined.

"Sorry sorry! It's just that they interest me that's all." I said. She rolled her eyes. As we finished up lunch, the gang had slowly moved around the diner, playing darts, hitting on the servers and then finally at the booth behind us. We tried listening in but all they talked about was girls, their motorcycles and what they were going to be eating. 

"Okay let's get out of here, Tanner." I agreed and after saying by to Freddy, we walked home. She went to her apartment with her mother and stepfather and I went to my trailer with my sister.