Ilene Robin had never been a girl that you would call an extrovert. She had long, dark brown hair and eyes so brown they were almost black. She liked to hang out in her room, play Nintendo, and watch anime. Nevertheless, she was a happy girl. Her two parents, her, and her cat made up their tiny family, and her grandma lived right down the street. She loved school, she had great friends, and she couldn't wait to start high school. So you can imagine her shock when her parents told her they were moving out of her lifelong home of Chicago and into the tiny town of Huntsville.
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"What?! We're leaving?! Now?! You're just going to tear me away from my friends?! My school?! The people I love?!" shouted Ilene when her parents told her the news. "Honey, I'm sorry, but your father was relocated, and there's nothing we can do about it. We need the extra money." said Ilene's mother in the soothing tone that always managed to calm Ilene down. But not this time. "I hate you!" Ilene yelled as she ran upstairs to her room. She turned on her stereo, "The Kiss of Death" playing at full volume. She fell onto her bed, grabbed her cat, and cried. She begged and begged to stay. Chicago is my only home, said Ilene. All my friends are here. She made one last attempt that fateful June morning as she watched the moving van pull up. "Daddy, what about Granny?" said Ilene in her sweetest tone. "Don't worry, sweetie, we'll only be three hours away. We can visit Granny over long weekends." Ilene pretended to be cheered by this news, but as soon as her father had retreated inside, she slumped onto her porch chair. Ilene's mother peeked out the front door. "Time to leave, honey. Help me grab some boxes." Ilene reluctantly helped to load the moving van. She climbed into her car. As her dad drove away, Ilene watched with her hands pressed against the window as her house get smaller and smaller until she could see it no more. Silent tears fell from her eyes.
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*two and a half months later*
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Ilene looked at herself in her new wall mirror, her face filled with gloom as she buttoned the collar of her navy blue dress shirt. At her old school, she could wear what she wanted. Well, not here. Her parents had enrolled her in a tiny Catholic school called Our Lady of the Angels Parish School because of its great ratings and friendly-looking teachers. But Ilene had other thoughts. This skirt is uncomfortable, she thought. I wish I could wear my pink one. She glared down at her plaid burgundy skirt and left her room. Her mother was making chocolate-chip pancakes, normally Ilene's favorite. But this morning she could hardly eat. She liked her new house, and a quiet town was a nice change of pace from the busy, noisy Chicago. But now the day she's been dreading was here: the first day of school. Her mother practically had to drag her to the car. "Come on, Leeny, it'll be fun!" she said. "I'll bet..." mumbled Ilene, her stomach twisted in nervousness.
Ilene stepped out of the car, in awe of what she was seeing. South Central Chicago High, where she should've been, was a huge grey building with streets and sidewalks all around. This school was a small brick structure with bright blue doors, a flower garden, and an American flag fluttering proudly in the breeze. A church with huge stained-glass windows was crouched next to it, a statue of the Virgin Mary looking on, a crown of real roses adorning her head. The buildings both said OLOA Parish school on the front, neatly tucked away into the trees. Ilene could already see groups of students gathering in groups, talking and laughing. Yes, thought Ilene. This is a Catholic school. These kids have probably been together since they were babies. She timidly walked over to the ninth-grade sign-in table, adorned with blue and white balloons. "Hello, what is your name? I haven't seen you before. You're very pretty." said a teacher that looked about in her fifties with a bright purple suit on. "I-I-Ilene..." Ilene finally managed to stutter out. "Miss Robin! Why, I'm going to be your homeroom teacher this year! My name is Ms. Sholey. I also teach math. I'll bet you're in my AP class. You look like a smart girl." Okay... thought Ilene. I've been here two minutes and I've already been complimented twice. Maybe it won't be so bad here. She walks away from the table, scoping out all of the kids who look like they're in her grade. Suddenly Ilene heard a sharp, high pitched noise in the distance. Someone threw their arms around Ilene's neck. Aaack! thinks Ilene. I can't breathe! "You must be Ilene!!!" says the unknown girl. She comes around and faces Ilene. She's short, stout, and she has gold curly hair and thick black glasses. "I'm Mackenzie Prescott. Call me Mack if you want. I love new people. Welcome! I'm probably going to drive you crazy." She stuck out her hand eagerly. Ilene nervously placed her hand out, too. The girl gave it a short, hard, shake, and began asking her questions. "Down, Mack," says an apologetic looking girl with curly black hair and olive skin. "Sorry, she's super excited to meet you." says the girl. "She's Mack and I'm Delia. We're in your class." "Well, nice to meet you guys." said Ilene. "Why don't we show you around? Tell you who's who?" said Mackenzie. "Sure." said Ilene. "Well, let's go." said Delia.
