Just Keep Swimming

Chapter 1

     Elementary school is easy, middle school starts to feel tough, but high school feels like literal hell. Unless you're considered one of the cool, popular kids. I, Avery Hummel, am neither of those things. I was when I was younger until I found out for myself that "the kings and queens" that run the school aren't the best group of friends. Kennedy was my best friend up until freshman year of high school. Our parents constantly would tell us they knew we would be inseparable. It was like that until she broke my trust. She was the only person I felt comfortable sharing my deepest darkest secrets to and she promised to never tell a soul. She apparently was jealous of my popularity and wanted to triumph over me. I didn't even realize how much people only liked me for my looks until after she tweeted to the whole school my darkest secret out of all the ones I told her before. The following week of school I was shunned, laughed at, and seen as a freak from that point onward. With all my dignity and courage gone, I stood in front of her looking at the proof of her being the culprit to my fall in disbelief. She looked and laughed as our friendship dispersed right then and there. 

"No one wants a freak like you around," she said. 

     That was the last day of my freshman year. Thankfully my family and I moved to a different town, just far enough to not have to communicate to anyone from that place again, especially Kennedy.

"I hope no one will know me at this school," I thought to myself all summer until the first day at my new high school began.

     "My first day as a nobody is going to be great."

~~~

     I put on a plain white t-shirt, some black ripped jeans, and top off the fall feeling with a flannel. I quickly straighten my hair, put a dab of mascara on my eyes before grabbing my backpack and heading towards my bus stop. While walking, I realize the bus door is already open so I pick up my pace and jump on. I then soon realize no one else is on besides the bus driver and myself. I could've guessed that since the time for pickup is a full hour before school even starts. I make my way to the back, the one benefit of being first.

     People start crowding the bus once arriving to the third stop. Guess everyone lives near each other. All of them must be freshman too because they sit in the front like most freshman do the first day of school. I don't know why but it's always so terrifying to choose a seat with other people staring at you so I don't blame them.

     Then I notice some juniors were coming on, specifically three guys. Their the oldest on the bus because all seniors have there own cars to drive or carpool with one another. Also since the juniors are recognized as upperclassmen now, more likely than not, they could care less if they hold up the time because they start to think they own everything. The boys give me a look before sitting around me.

"Oh great, I just wanted to be left alone this year, but here we go already," I think to myself.

"Hey," one of them speaks up," I don't know what power you have freshman, but this right here is for juniors only!"

"I know," I said, staring out the window acting unconcerned," But I'm not a freshman, I'm actually a transfer so how do you know I ain't one?"

"Well, are you?"

"I don't know am I," I teased back, getting a kick out of their frustration.

"I don't know if you are that's why I asked?"

"Then it's settled," I reply, rolling my eyes playfully, finally facing my body towards them, "I'm sitting here and if you don't like it, you can sit up there."

     They stared for a moment, looked amongst each other before shrugging. I guess that went better than I thought. I didn't give out any information about me, keeping the mysterious, nobody vibe there. Being able to talk to new people, made me feel great even though it was only brief. They knew nothing about my past and had nothing to judge me by. Maybe making friends won't be such a bad idea, I just have to choose cautiously this time. 

Majority of the ride was silent after that. Until I heard one of the juniors whisper, "She's fierce. I like that in a girl."

''On second thought, I'll go back to not talking fully," I thought to myself, yet also slightly blushing.

     I walk off the bus, arriving ten minutes early to school. I make a quick stop into the girl's restroom. I double check to make sure I have everything I need in my bag, but as I make my way out the door I stumble into a girl and accidentally knock her to the ground. I gasp, automatically wrapping my arm under her shoulder and my other on her backpack to pull her back up. Our eyes meet during the process and she smiles, a silent thank you. I make a crocked smile back to show I'm sorry. I notice I still have five minutes until first bell so I shuffle over the my new locker. Soon after the same girl appears at the locker next to me. I chuckle and she looks over at me.

"What," her head shooting up, asking with no hesitation.

"Nothing," I snort," it seems like your stalking me."

"Who me! No just following your every move," she says giving out a little laugh. She pauses, snapping her head to look at me," I'm just joking."

"Don't worry I know, I was kidding as well."

Silence swoops in for some seconds.

"Oh, um, my name is Katie."

"Nice to meet you Katie. My name is Avery."

"Avery... That's a really pretty name."

"Oh? Why thank you. Your name is very beautiful as well."

"Thanks," She meekly replies as if she's never been complimented.

She checks her phone, "Oh crap I'm gonna be late for my first class. It's on the whole other side of the building!"

"Hey wait, I'm completely new to the school, do you  mind telling me where this room is," I open my digital schedule through my phone to show her.

"Omg. I've never seen this happen before," she says looking at my phone with surprise.

"What, do you know where some of those rooms are," I start to worry. Maybe I was dumb enough to ask a freshman for directions, but she doesn't want to be rude.

"Yea, I know where every room is. My sister came here and gave me a tour before she graduated two years ago. I'm a sophomore by the way! I'm just surprised because I've never seen someone have the SAME EXACT schedule as someone else before!"

"Wait so your saying?..."

"We have the exact same classes at the exact same times," she squeals, instantly grabbing my hand, "Come on, this way before we're late, Avery!"