Eleven Conversations

Chapter 5: Conversation 4

A few sunny days later, it was time for school registration. There were two weeks until school and to be honest, I was dreading it. My mom and I headed out of the house at about ten o'clock in order to get to the school on time. As soon as we got in the car, my mom and I started chatting about ransom stuff in our lives.

"So, you have been spending a lot of time with Walker lately." My mom said casually, as we pulled out of the driveway.

"Yeah him and his family are very nice." I replied.

"Yes they are. I talked to his mother quite a bit at the 4th of July lunch and she is just so sweet. I was thinking about inviting them over for dinner some time this week."

"That sounds like fun." I said as we passed the super market.

"Alright, how about you text Walker later today and ask if him and his family can come. I think tomorrow will be a good night for us, maybe around 5?"

"Sure," I replied, " I'll text him when we get home I left my phone at home."

"Ok, sweetie." She said as she pulled into the school parking lot. We parked near the front beside a few other cars and then headed into the highschool.

A lady was standing near the door and greeted us.

"Hi! I'm Mrs. Rose and I am going to be the principal this year, I'm looking forward to a fantastic year! Now, are you a freshman?"

I nodded.

"Oh, so is my daughter! I'm sure you will see her some where around here."

"See who?" A familiar voice said.

"Oh, hello darling, we were just talking about you! I was just wondering if you knew- er... What's your name?"

"Kellie." I said tersely as I glared at Tori Rose's "perfect" make-up caked face. How did I not make the connection sooner that Mrs. Rose would be the mother of Tori Rose?

"Oh, yeah. I know her." Tori said with her signature eye roll, but her mom didn't seem to notice.

"Well, great! I'm sure you will be great friends this year!" The principal exclaimed. She sure was peppy.

"Oh, yeah, I'm sure." Tori said coolly,
staring straight into my eyes.

"Um, mom, let's go register." I said pulling on my mom's wrist and shuffling towards the table that had a sigh that read Ninth Grade Registration.

"What was all that about?" My mom asked me.

"Well, Tori and I don't exactly get along." I said, hoping I wouldn't have to go into detail.

"Why? Is she the one who spilled the drink on you at dinner? I'm sure that was just an accident..."

"Um, no, I just don't really like her attitude." I said trying to avoid the subject as much as possible.

"Alright, I'm sorry to hear that. At least her mom seems very nice."

I nodded as I started filling out the classes I wanted to take. I had decided to take standard algebra 1, honors biology, honors Spanish 1, AP geography, and health. I had to pick an elective but I couldn't decide which one to pick. I wasn't very interested in many of them so I just decided to pick art, even though I wasn't very good at drawing and rarely ever did an art project. I handed the paper back to the lady sitting behind the table and waited for my mom to finish filling out my health forms. I stood by my mom and impatiently looked around until a familiar face caught my eye.

"Hey, Walker!" I called

He waved and walked up to me.

"Hey, what's up?"

"Um, you know just registering for school." I said very awkwardly.

"Oh, yeah, same," he laughed, "I guess that's kinda obvious.

I laughed and nodded.

When my mom finished filling out the form she walked up to us. "Hey, Walker, how are you?"

"I'm good, thank you for asking. How are you?"

"I am great." My mom replied, smiling at his politeness.

"Is your mom here?"

"Yes ma'am, she ran into the principal and they started talking."

"Oh, I see her over there."

"Yep, that's her." Walker said, as his phone buzzed. He pulled his phone out of his pocket, glanced at the text, ignored it, and then put his phone on silent. I didn't see what the text said, but the sender was Tori Rose. Yay. (Please note sarcastic "yay")

Mrs. Johnston walked over to us, smiling.

"Hi!" She said happily as she gave both my mom and I a hug.

"Do I not get a hug?" Walker said making a pouting face at his mother.

"Would you really like your dear old mother to give you a hug in public?"

"Now, that you mention it, I'm good." Walker said taking a step away from his mother.

"That's what I thought." She said, turning back towards my mother as she laughed.

"So how have you been? It's been a while since we last chatted."

"Oh, I've been good, work has been a little busy but other than that all has been good. How is moving coming along?" My mother asked.

The two ladies chatted for a while and Walker and I started chatting amongst ourselves.

"Can I ask you something?" Walker said, a slight look of concern in his face.

"Yeah, sure."  I replied, anxious to what he was going to ask me.

"Should I ask Tori out? I think she likes me and she seems really nice, but I have not known her that long.

Walker was my friend and I wanted him to be happy, but for some reason I had a sinking feeling in my heart. Should I tell him about the way Tori has teased me for so long? Should I tell him about the way she embarrassed me in front of the class? The way she spilled Coke all over me at red robin? I didn't know what to say or what to do and my mind was racing.

"Um, well I guess if you like her then yeah." I finally spewed out an answer.

"What do you think she would like to do?"

I half wanted to answer "embarrass me" but I decided against it. "A movie, maybe?"

"Yeah, that's a good idea. Thanks Kellie you're the best." He said giving me a kind of awkward side hug.

"Oh, um, no problem."

I didn't know if I should have told him more about Tori or not. Was it my place? I didn't know. And why did I feel so bad about him asking her out, it's not like I having feelings for him or anything. Or do I?