Penny
September, 2004
Running my hands over my face, I dreaded the day ahead of me. On the bright side, I had only one more day to endure my misery. Soon, I would escape from it and become a foreign exchange student to start anew.
We had our graduation ceremony the night before, so as I sat there, I hoped I’d be left alone for our year twelve muck up day. If I kept a low profile, maybe…
My sister met my gaze as she skulled down another hot chocolate. She hated seminary, but the prospect of a buffet breakfast dragged her out of bed for it.
For me, seminary got me through the day. Without it, the torment at school became unbearable.
“Can someone please read Proverbs 15:1?” our teacher asked.
Being the only one without a mouthful of food, I raised my hand and read, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
She nodded and scanned the rest of the class who sat either unconscious or stuffing their faces. “Can anyone tell me what that means?”
I opened my mouth to speak, but she raised her hand to stop me. Usually only I answered, so she wanted someone else to participate for once.
“Anyone?”
“There’s no donuts left,” one of the guys grumbled.
Soft chuckling filled the room.
Our teacher sighed and gestured at me.
“It’s about being kind,” I said. “When we speak kindly to each other we can avoid conflict and bring the spirit. But when we say cruel things, the spirit leaves and tension arises.”
“Thank you, Sister Lawrence.”
“You’re welcome.” My sister grinned.
After seminary, I drove down to school, my sister half unconscious beside me.
“I’m stuffed,” she mumbled.
“How many croissants did you have?”
“It wasn’t the croissants.” She smirked at me, raising her fingers to show the number eight. “Hot chocolate.”
I chuckled.
She straightened, her eyes opening completely. “Are you going to be okay today?”
I stared ahead at the road, suppressing the nervous knot in my stomach. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Um, year twelve muck up day, aka, year twelve act like total jerks and prank everyone day.”
“It happens every year.”
“Yeah.” She sat up, turning to face me. “But not your grade every year. I’m only in year nine. I can’t help if one of those idiots—”
“Nothing will happen to me,” I said, praying my words would come true. “I’ll keep out of everyone’s way and it’ll be all good.”
She sighed. “I doubt that. After what happened a few weeks ago I bet that Collin has schemed something—”
“Tam.”
She groaned. “Please, be careful, okay? In fact, go shopping or something. You don’t need to be here.”
“I do. I need to collect my transcripts and info for doing my exams abroad.”
“Fine. Get them and leave.”
“Tam.”
I parked, and across the field I saw the disappointing lack of imagination that existed among my grade.
YOU ARE READING
An Exchange
Teen FictionFollow Penny, Ryan and Giles for their senior year. Penny is an exchange student running from her past. Ryan is the king jock, looking for something more in life. Giles is the wholesome boy next door. When Penny steps into the lives of the two boys...
