RED HOOD

Twelve

"Eat something, dear," Nana said. "Today's a big day. It's your first day of classes."

"I'm not hungry." I hadn't slept well. Again. And the last thing my stomach wanted was anything solid.

"You're not leaving the house until you finish at least half this." Nana set a plate of toast down. Pulling at the strings of my red hoodie, I stared at the toast. I took a few bites, re-reading my class schedule. My head was killing me. I stood, but Nana shot me a look, pointing. "Sit. Finish that."

My stomach, a ball of nerves, rumbled. I took another bite, chewing slowly.

"Aren't you going to be hot in that hoodie?" Nana asked. "It's only September."

I lifted my sleeve. Nana took in my hand and arm gently, looking at the bandages. "I'm not really in the mood to explain what looks like a suicide attempt."

"Who cares what people think?"

"I don't, but I don't necessarily want to feed the rumor mill either."

A horn honked from the driveway. "Looks like your chaperones are here."

"Let's do this," I moaned.

The drive to school was far too fast, but it was nice to arrive with friends. When Ella's Range Rover pulled up in front of Wimberley High, I caught myself looking around for Eric. When I didn't see him, my stomach clenched nervously.

"Come on," Ella said, interlocking her arm through mine. "It's going to be fine. If you need anything, you have me and Gage."
"Do you want to skip today?" I asked.

"You should save your skip days until after your first week," Gage laughed.

Students spoke and laughed in the hallways and the lockers that lined the halls were all bright red, not an inch of graffiti on any of them. Everything was so clean. I was definitely not in New York any more. A brief sense of dread washed over me at the unknown variables of the upcoming day. I ignored them.

As we walked, more and more people looked in my direction. "Why is everyone staring at me?" I asked.

"You're the new girl," Ella said.

"Fresh meat," Gage added.

"Okay, this is my stop. Have fun today," Ella smiled. "See you at lunch." She disappeared inside a classroom.

"And this is me across the hall," Gage said. "Let me see your class schedule. Room 303 is upstairs, take a left, and follow the numbers. Easy enough. You cool?"

My head nodded yes, but as soon as Gage disappeared I got turned around. I hadn't expected to be on my own quite so suddenly.

"Lost?" a familiar voice sounded behind me.

I turned to face Eric towering over me. He peeked at my schedule. "History with Ms. Telford first period. Ouch, that's rough."

"Why is that rough?" I asked.

"Because, I hear she's a bit of a monster. Always trying to get students to read. And not comic books, but actual books."

"Oh, that does sound awful." My face brightened. "Hasn't she heard of the internet?"

Eric leaned in, looking around as he did so, as if he wanted to confess a secret to me. "You know what's worse though? I'm in that class too."