My fingers ran down the navy blue tie for what felt like the thousandth time. I couldn't believe that I got into Grant. For the first time in forever, I thought that I would have a future. And it was all thanks to Emma.
Ulysses S Grant Academy was a private school that focused on the arts. I had always wanted to go there and that had always been the plan until things changed. After I lost everything, I knew that there was no possible way for me to join Em at Grant. I couldn't afford the tuition anymore.
With her parent's help and the portfolio she secretly made me, Emmaline was able to surprise me on my sixteenth birthday. The school board provided me with a full-ride scholarship to attend the school. As long as I didn't fail any classes and kept my attendance up, I was able to attend the school that could help get me into an amazing college.
I stared at my pale complexion in the mirror and tucked a single strand of bleach blonde hair behind my ear. I couldn't help but frown. Even though the school allowed for creativity to shine through, they wouldn't allow students to dye their hair. It was against the dress code. I did miss the lavender shade it once was, but I knew that this was a big opportunity that I didn't want to miss. And I was grateful to get to go to school at Grant. Even if it meant I had to deal with all of the snobby kids who attended the school.
I tied the laces of my only pair of shoes and hoped that the black high top converse could last me the long walk to Grant. There were dirt stains on them that would never come off and holes that were slowly forming on the soles, but I didn't mind. I wanted the last nice thing I bought to work forever.
As I walked out of my room I kicked a few empty beer cans. Noting the fact that I would need to pick up the hallway when I got home, I made my way towards the front door of the trailer I called home. Of course, John was passed out on the fold-out couch. I rather have it that way though. There was no need for me to wake him up.
I slipped out the door and into the humid air of New Jersey. Instantly the smell of cigarettes hit my nose and our neighbor Josie waved. I gave her a light smile as she flicked her cigarette. She was in her mid-40s and never said much to me. I knew she felt bad that I was here. Almost everyone in the trailer park did. But no one ever said anything and there was nothing I could do about that.
My feet occasionally kicked the gravel as I walked out of the trailer park. Although I was glad to not be headed in the direction of my old school, I was definitely nervous to be headed to the rich side of town. Even though Emmaline lived there and I would go to her house often, I hadn't really explored that side of town in a long time.
It wasn't like nobody knew me there. They all did. This town was not that big and most of the people who lived on that side of the town knew my mom and what had happened to me. I tried to avoid it because of pity. For some reason, they all pitied my situation but none of them wanted to help. No one offered to help my dad or me. They all knew who John was before, but they would never offer a drunk a job.
I couldn't help but feel bitter.
When I finally reached the parking lot of Grant, my feet were exhausted and was sweating like a pig. I looked around at all of the new fancy cars that most of these kids were gifted with once they got their license. I noticed a few kids that looked familiar when I once attended the same schools as them. I hoped that none of them remembered me. I really wanted a fresh start and for no one to really pity me.
As I entered the hallway, I could hear a group of girls discuss where they each vacationed over the summer break. A girl was whining about going to Europe instead of the Bahamas. With a roll of my eyes, I headed to my locker. My fingers twisted the cool metal of the lock. I pulled out the books I would need my first two classes. Suddenly, a pair of warm hands covered my eyes.
