Life Changing

New Day. New Life.

Before I knew it, my eyes were opening and it was the morning of my first day at school. Dreading the day ahead, I climbed out of bed and made my way to the kitchen for breakfast. I made a bowl of cinnamon oatmeal and ate it while thoughts of yesterday came back to my head. I knew the gunshots weren't a huge deal but to me, it was one of the scariest things I've ever experienced. After breakfast, I ran back up to my room to get ready. After changing from four different outfits, I finally stuck with one. I finished getting ready and started to make my way out of the door. I checked my phone before leaving. I had a text from my mom wishing me a good first day, she left for work before I woke up. I headed out the door dreading this walk alone. School was only three blocks away but walking put that fearful feeling in my stomach once more. I tried to focus on the loud music playing from my headphones while I walked quickly down the streets.

Eventually, the school came into view as I rounded the corner. I had just enough time to get into the school, find my way round and locate my classes. I didn't want to look like the 'new girl' but I already knew that was impossible. This school was definitely nothing like my last school, East New York High. My old school felt like home to me. My whole life was there, my friends, my boyfriend, my cheer squad, my reputation. And my heart ached for all of it. Everything I knew was gone and starting my first day at this school really reminded me of that.

I walked up to the sketchy school doors and was cautious of all my surroundings. I went inside and headed to the guidance office for my schedule. After locating where all my classes would be, I made my way to first period, Chemistry. I entered the room and my teacher, Mr. Smithers introduces himself and instructed that we look for our name tags on the tables and that would be where we sat for the whole year. I walked around the dim light class room until I found my name on a table located in the very back, next to a window. I hated sitting so far back, it was hard for me to focus. I took my seat and glanced at the name next to mine, "Reese Thomas" I read to myself. Reese sounds familiar and it only took me a second to remember he was the sketchy guy from the Church with those long brown curls.

After another minute, the class bell ring and students started piling in the classroom in clusters. They all looked ragged and tired. I am having a very hard time adjusting and fitting in. I was the most popular girl at my old school, very preppy and high maintenance. And I'm not afraid to admit it. I am iffy about being myself because I really don't want to stand out to everyone, which I know I already do with my flashy clothes and attitude. I watched as the students took their seats and I waited to be greeted by Reese but he didn't come in. Mr. Smithers began his introduction of himself and the class, all the boring stuff teachers go over on the first day. After a while, he began handing out papers that needed to be signed and returned. I was reading one of the forms when I heard the old, heavy classroom door open and it was Reese. He was now forty five minutes late and he just walked on in without any acknowledgement from the teacher. At East New York High, being late to class is a week of detention. He looked around the room and caught a glimpse of the empty seat next to me and trudged his way down the aisle. He double checked his name tag before smirking at me and sitting down. He leaned over and whispered "Im Reese, might as well get to know each other, its gonna be a long year". I chuckled, did he really not remember me?

"Wow you must really have bad memory Mr. Reese" I said back. His smirk turned to confusion quickly, he laughed uncomfortably. "I am sorry, Amanda? Have we met"? he said as he glanced at my name tag in the corner of our table. I rolled my eyes, smirked, and focused my attention back on Mr. Smithers. He got close to my ear and nudged me "Oh really, you want to ignore me huh?" He said with a little sarcasm in his voice. He smelled of cigarettes and a manly must. I looked at him as he was leaned close to my ear and smiled. I replied "we met at the church yesterday, you and your girlfriend and her friend? Amanda from New York?" His eyes grew wide "Oh yeah, rich girl!" he said as he winked. I rolled my eyes once again. We didn't say much else the rest of the class but I could feel him looking at me every once in awhile. He was making me feel different, a bit uncomfortable..I don't really know what I was feeling. The dismissal bell ring and I began to gather my belongings. Reese grabbed my hand "Catch ya later rich girl" he said while winking. He sure does wink a lot. I shook my head with a smirk and we both exited the classroom. His girlfriend, Celeste was waiting for him outside of the door but I don't think she saw me. I checked my phone while making my way to my next class. I had text from my boyfriend "miss you babe, we all do.. you'll rock your first day, can't wait to see you in a few weeks" my stomach dropped. I missed him so much it was almost unbearable. He was going to visit in two weeks and I couldn't wait.