The Heredity Project

Chapter 5

Serena's POV:

I had to wake up at six, which wasn't very fun to begin with. My dad wasn't awake yet, because he had a job interview at 11:00. I had to quietly sneak around the house, brushing my teeth with the water running on the lowest possible setting. I played a little music on my iPod while I was doing my hair and makeup, only to lighten the mood and keep me awake. I had a Secondhand Serenade playlist on my phone, which I played whenever I had the chance to.

I drove in my car with the music up, loud. I normally wasn't a fan of loud, bumping music, but I was just in that kind of mood. I had the GPS set up on my phone, and I got to my school in time, without making a wrong turn.

Watertown had a small population to begin with, but I didn't realize that their school would be about the size of my childhood elementary school. The student parking lot wasn't big at all, and my charcoal-colored Volkswagen fit right in. I parked in the back of the parking lot, and got lots of stares walking from my car to the main office. In a small community like this, a new family moving in probably happened once every century.

"May I help you?" The old lady at the front desk asked me, her hair was white and her eyes were a bright shade of blue. Her glasses were brown and her cardigan matched.

"Um, I'm a new student, my name is Serena Campbell," I stated, awkwardly. My people skills were obviously lacking at 8:00 in the morning.

"Serena!" Her voice went up. "Oh, hello sweetheart. My name is Mrs. Compton. Gosh, we've been waiting so long for your arrival!" She chatted my ear off for the next 15 minutes, before handing me paperwork for my dad to fill out, my class schedule, and a map of the school. The school was small enough, I didn't think I would need a map, but it was useful if I ever was to need it.

My schedule went like this:

Period 1: French

Period 2: Pre Calc

Period 3: Advanced Studio Art

Period 4: World History

Period 5: Physical Education

Period 6: Study Hall/ Lunch

Period 7: Life Science

Period 8: Health

Period 9: AP English

I was pretty good at English, I loved writing and reading, and I found myself spending most of my time doing one of the two. Math was hard for me when I was younger, but I've gotten better over the years. I was pretty pleased with my schedule, other than having English last. But hey, sometimes it's better to save the best for last.

My French teacher was pretty cool. She told me her stories about all the times she had traveled to France and stayed in Paris. By the groans and rolled eyes of the rest of the students, I could tell that she has told these stories plenty of times. Most of the people in my classes would be looking at me if I turned around, or even moved. After class, someone would come up and ask me what my next class was and if I needed help finding it.

I guess there was another new kid that day, which suprised me a little bit. A small town like this? It had to be a coincidence. But no, it was some boy. He was in my History class, my Science class, and my health class.

When I arrived in fourth period, he was surrounded by lots of people. Mostly girls in pencil skirts, with cleavage showing, but there were a few jock guys around him too. He gave me a jock vibe, and honestly, I didn't want to be anywhere near him. The last bell rang and we took our seats. I sat in the front row, and the new boy sat near the back. The teacher looked to me and smiled before standing up in front of the class. She had shoulder length, wavy brown hair and librarian glasses. She was probably 5'3 at the most.

"Hey, class. So if you've noticed, we have two new students joining us from warm Florida and sunny California. We have Serena, and we have Alexander. Can I actually talk to the two of you for a second?" The new boy looked at me, unsure where we were going to go. I took my notebook off of my lap and stood up, and walked to the teacher's desk.

"Okay, so I was notified by the office that the two of you had a couple classes together, and I was going to ask one of your classmates to show you two around, help you make friends, you know?" She looked from me to Alexander, and we both nodded simeaultaneously.

"Alright, so I'm going to have Jason show you around for the next week or two, he'll get you blended nicely," I was laughing in my mind as she said it. Blended nicely? What does that even mean? Ugh, he was probably a drug dealer or something.

Mrs. Newman, who's name I had just figured out, motioned over to a boy sitting in the back of the room. He had a Hollister sweater and skinny khakis on, and his short hair was spiked on the top. His eyes were a dark brown, and his hair was black, but his skin was pale and acne free, which was hard to find in a group of teenagers. I had to admit, he was photogenic, but definetly not my type. I didn't know exactly what my type was, but I knew that Mr. Khaki wasn't going to fit under that category any day.

Jason met me by my locker before Life Science, with a texting Alexander standing next to him. We walked to class silently, except for the distinct mumbling that Jason was doing under his breath.

Alexander and I ended up sitting next to each other in Science, because there was only one table left open, but it was no big deal. He seemed somewhat distracted. By what? I had no idea, but I knew well enough not to dare to start a conversation with him. The teacher spent all of class ranting to us about some project that we were starting soon. I was normally really enthusiastic about school projects, but the way that Mr. Harris talked about it, it seemed that he was generally excited for it. But his tone of voice was dry, and he spit a lot.

Health was twice as boring, and I was ready to go home. The last two periods flew by quickly, and I found myself speed walking the hell out of the school, to my little car in the back of the parking lot. I listened to some soft rock station on the short ride home.

"How was your first day, sweetie?" My father asked me, before I could put my bag down.

"It was pretty good," I answered blankly, not wanting to talk about it.

"Make any friends?"

"A few, how was your job interview?" I asked, trying desperately to change the subject.

"Oh, it was good, but I don't think I got it, I'll know by tomorrow," he stared, quietly. I knew how much it was killing him, not having a job. A job is reassuring, and without one, is like having a person with no backbone, no way of support or structure. I kissed his forehead, saying goodnight as I walked into my bedroom.

I changed into pajama pants and a sweatshirt, before hopping into bed. My shoulders were aching from my heavy backpack. My fuzzy comforter kept me warm, and it was easier to fall asleep.

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Author's Note:

Heey. How are you guys liking the book so far?

So I saw this thing on Instagram about how learning about the person who is writing the book you're reading helps you interpret things better, idk.

But I wanted to give you 10 facts about me:)

1. I live in upstate New York

2. I'm young (not saying how young) but people always mistake me as being much older

3. I have blue eyes and brown hair

4. I run cross-country and track

5. I have a boyfriend:3

6. I'm French-Canadian, Italian, and Native American.

7. The walls in my room are blue.

8. I play guitar, keyboard, drums, and the viola

9. I have a cat named Jake

10. I'm a Directioner

I hope you guys learned something new and cool about me, and if you have anything cool in common, message me? :)

I'm going to bed, I love you all.

Have a nice night!!

-Anna:*