Finding Myself

*Getting to know the cool kids

I looked into the mirror brushing out any tangles in my dark black hair. I pulled my long hair into a tight ponytail. I pulled my deep blue tank top down admiring how the blue made my tan stand out. My long and toned legs were wrapped in black leggings. I kicked the toe of my new Nike shoes against the floor loving how weightless they felt.

"Nina, are you done yet?" my older brother barked. The door slammed against my wall and I forced my eyes away from the current assessment of my outfit. I looked into annoyed hazel eyes that were in a rather tan face. His long thin nose was scrunched partially in annoyance and the other part in habit. His brown hair was carelessly tousled back but if I paid more attention I could see how some strands were forcibly put into place. His red shirt and tan shorts that were completed by his loafers were setting off his bronze skin quite nicely.

"I'm coming, Erick," I replied in a huff while rolling my eyes. I gave myself one last check in the mirror before slinging my small black book bag over my right shoulder. I lightly jogged down the stairs grabbing a bright red apple on my way to my brother's car.

I slid into Erick's low Mercedes aware of the glare he was giving me certainly for not dusting off my shoes before entering his royal chariot. On the way to school Erick decided to entertain himself with some ride or die rap music to which he was trying to currently channel his non-existent inner Eminem.  

I knew that voicing my opinion that maybe he shouldn't enter any future x-factor auditions could have some major repercussions. Erick was in his final year of high school which meant he was looking for a way to end his senior year in a big bang. Throw some YOLO in there and Erick was well on his way to making River Side High School history. Knowing that I was in my junior year and looking for some perks of swimming with the right fish, my brother constantly held my fragile reputation over my head. That entailed not pissing off my brother, who thinks it rather funny not sharing his fame with me, and working my way up the ladder. I'm a crappy climber and not to mention I'm scared of heights but my brother's words of wisdom, "It builds character," is his answer to my, according to him, very easily cured phobia.

Thankfully we pulled into River Side's parking lot. Much to my relief the awful music and singing was turned off allowing my damaged ears a moment to recuperate. It all went to waste as soon as I stepped out of the vehicle.

I was roughly pushed aside and away from the car. A variety of voices called my brother and asked him how his summer went. They were practically tripping over their own feet in an attempt to have a word with Erick. While I was busy glaring at them my brother threw me a smirk, one that told me he thought himself superior. I bit my lip and walked off my pride a bit hurt.

I went in search of my new locker receiving a few smiles and greetings from familiar classmates from last year. I was on my last turn of the dial when I felt someone crash into me. Small thin hands wrapped around my midsection and tickled me in my lower rib region.

"Missy," I cried out trying to hold myself back from shrieking in laughter, "Stop tickling. Uncle! Uncle!"

The mischievous hands froze and Missy took a step back. "How did you know it was me?" her red eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

I looked right into her lively blue eyes and replied, "Because no one else tickles me." Her mouth made a small "o" in understanding. She hopped to my left side and peered into my locker. Her red fishtail braid bounced along with her. Her freckles were very noticeable against her pale skin. Her flowy yellow top and dark jeans did nothing to stop her from being a stark contrast against my tan.

"That makes sense," she finally said. I closed my locker and turned towards her.

"Give me a hug you big dodo bird," then I threw my arms around her smaller frame. She gave me a tight squeeze back. I had missed Missy over the summer. Her parents had decided to send her to Europe with her older sister who graduated last year. Needless to say Missy was a little bit too occupied in European boys and not to mention the expense of phone calls to my house phone limited our contact quite a bit.