Orchard

Part 1

HEY!

Little Authors note here, but this is Orchard!This is originally a 30 day writing challenge but I might change my mind. We'll see how it goes. Comment throughout the story and give feedback to let me know if I should stop doing this or not.

Anyway, enjoy!
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Sometimes I think about those videos of soldiers seeing their families for the first time in months. Those videos make me happy. You know what doesn't make me happy?

School.

This is what goes through my head at 5:45 in the morning while my alarm clock beeps like it was made to annoy me. I hope it gets paid well, because it does a FINE job.

Eventually, I go in the bathroom and brush my teeth. The job is so much easier without braces. God I'm so happy I got those off. Flossing is much easier too. I just go up and down, instead of through the brackets.

Okay Jess, focus!

After washing my face and all that jazz, I go wake Noah up. For an 8 year old brother, he sure is cooperative. Too bad we have to share a bathroom though. If we didn't, I might be able to sleep until 6. Stupid bathroom.

My closet has nothing for me. All my clothes don't match my style, probably because my mom bought them. I finally settle for skinny jeans and a long sleeved V neck. When Noah gets out the bathroom I go back in and comb through my long strawberry blonde hair. I always wear it down and straighten it.

He told me I looked pretty this way...

"BREAKFAST," my mom shouts. "YOU HAVE TO EAT BREAKFAST ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!"

Oh mom, always a go getter. I finish my makeup and go downstairs to see a buffet await the little rascal and I.

"Ooo, bacon AND pancakes? I love school!" Noah says in jubilee.

"That'll change soon," I mutter.

We both sit down and eat our breakfast. Dad comes in later for his cup of coffee.

"So, Jess, a junior now. So grown up," he says in between sips.

I nod my head. Small talk isn't my favorite. I like to converse as much as I can. Now, at least.

"Mommy are you driving me to school?" Noah asks, bouncing up and down, shaking his brunette curls.

"Not this year honey." She sighs. "Jess is driving you this year. We thought that since the elementary and the high school are right next to each other then we could just take one car"

He looked dead at me, threatening to take my soul. "Don't kill us Jess. I have baseball practice"

I chuckle,"I'll try."

Soon, we're out the door and at school. Noah looked happy to be at this new school. He saw the playground, the new kids, and his teachers. He practically jumped out the car to greet them.

I was a different story.

I parked and started walking inside. I got out my phone and pretended to text, but really I was observing. Observing the lonely girl on the bench. Observing the pretty boy reading under a tree. Observing the MANY couples making out. Ew. I hope I'm never like them.

I keep observing, but am soon interrupted by the loudspeaker. The guidance counselor booms over the whole school,"Attention. Please report immediately to first period. You will get your information here. Oh, and Jessica Kane, come down to the guidance office."

Luckily no one knows who Jessica Kane is. Not yet, anyway. I have a tendency to become known. Whoops.

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All guidance wanted was to give me some lame papers. Very boring. They also said they looked forward to the volleyball season, but not to get my hopes up for setter. I didn't pay attention to that part. Of course I play all positions, but I'm a GREAT setter.

My first period is an Honors class, so there are seniors and juniors. Oh goodie. More sharks to feast upon me. I choose a seat at the front, seeing how that's how to become teachers pet. Teachers pets are the best because they get favoritism and better grades. I want better grades. I need to improve my self from last year.

I need to forget about Last Year...