Diary of A "Curvy" Teen: A Scoliosis Novel

Chapter 2

Now what?

I glanced down the hall. More and more freshmen were arriving. And if the groups of girls exchanging hugs and guys with their shouts of "Dude!" forming by the lockers were any indication, then most of them clearly knew each other. I didn't recognize any of these girls or guys from orientation either. Great. So I could either sit alone in front of my locker, introduce myself to one of the groups of girls sprawled in front of the lockers on either side of me, or go to English early. Hmm. To my left, there was a rather large group of...well...how else can I describe them, but to say "Barbie's"? With their Sunkist skin, fresh blowouts, and manicures, these girls clearly took the first day of freshman year seriously.

"Do you think we'll have to change for gym today?" a pretty brunette said, hanging a mirror on the inside of her locker.

"Gosh, I hope not! I don't want to sweat out my hair. I just got it done yesterday!" a petite blond pouted as she sipped on an ice coffee.

So this is my cue to stop listening in on that conversation.

I actually like gym. More than most subjects actually. But the only thing was, since my Scoliosis diagnosis in 7th grade, I had to watch what activities I could do. I wasn't wearing my brace today. There was no way that I was starting my freshman year off like that. No to the uncomfortable brace. One day wouldn't hurt. Also, changing for gym meant being able to wear baggy clothes to hide my back without being labelled as a fashion don't.

A bit to my right stood two girls.

"Damn it Bridget! Did you bring all of Walmart with you?!" a tall, athletic girl with shoulder length braids asked, as she attempted to shove a locker closed. A few books and notebooks spilled out on the floor.

"Well, what if we need this stuff today?" Bridget, a brunette with freckles, responded. She bend down to pick up the stray books and notebooks.

"Bridge, it's the first day. We haven't even gotten any syllabus yet."

"I like to be prepared."

"Well, this isn't going to fit."

"Put some of it in your locker."

"No way. If I put this stuff in my locker, you won't be able to find it in a week." The tall girl gestured to her open locker, already half-stuffed with gym bottles and bags.

"Are try outs today? Isn't it a bit early for your locker to be jammed with gear?" Bridget smirked.

"I like to be prepared," the tall girl shot back, tossing a few of Bridget's books and notebooks on the top shelf and snapping her lock back in place.

"Wait, did I give you a blue notebook?" Bridget asked, rummaging around in her backpack.

"Ummm yeah."

"That's my English notebook. I have it first period."

"Bridgetttt," the tall girl sighed, but turned to her locker nonetheless. She fidgeted with the lock but it remained in place. She tried again.

"Damn it. I hate these things."

"Let me see," Bridget zeroed the lock, then tried out the combination. No luck.

Well, I'd watched this escalate this long. I might as well step in. What else, did I have to do? Plus, I needed some friends.

"Um, hey. Do you want me to give it a try?" Both girls whirled around to see who'd spoken. Neither of them recognized me, but hey so far, no one else had either.