Standing in front of the mirror, I hardly recognize the girl looking back at me. Wrapped in a towel, my long dark hair hangs loosely over my shoulders and my once light skin now has a dark tan from the summer sun. As the steam of the shower begins to settle, I can make out the little features; the dark green of my eyes and my high cheekbones. Nothing about me has really changed. I still have the same little noes, the same height, and even the same lines on my forehead from smiling so much....
Smiling, that's what has changed. I used to have a constant smile on my face, but that disappeared after the accident. It's changed my whole appearance; I look the same, but so different. Placing my hands on the counter, I look straight into the mirror and smile. After trying multiple times, I come to realize that not one seems to fit. They'll have to do. I don't have time to sit and try to perfect a fake feeling.
"Nic, get out of the bathroom. We have to leave in forty-five minutes and I still haven't showered!" I hear Malcolm yell from the other side of the door. I grab the hair dryer and take one last look in the mirror. Today is going to be a good day. It's a new school year, time for new opportunities. I open the door to find Malcolm sitting on the ground next to it. "Finally. How long does it take a girl to shower?" he asks, walking into the bathroom.
"Just wait until you get in. Hope you don't mind cold water," I say before walking down the hall. I hear him laugh at what he thinks is a joke as he closes the door. A few moments later, a scream of shock emerges as the cold water hits his skin. "Early bird catches the worm!" I yell to him before walking into my room.
Laying on my bed is the outfit I've had picked out for almost a week. Black jeans, red blouse, and gold jewelry. After putting it on, I dry my hair so it's straight and put makeup on. "Today is going to be a good day," I keep telling myself. I grab my gym bag and backpack and make my way down stairs.
"Ah good, the princess isn't going to make us late on the first day of school," Malcolm says, sitting at the kitchen table looking bored. I've never understood how he could get ready so fast. Even though he only wears jeans and T-shirts, he showered and is still ready before me. "Shall we go, princess?" he asks, laughing because he knows how much I hate that name. Malcolm and I have always been best friends. He's only a few months younger than me, and our mothers were the closest sisters that you could ever meet. He's like a little brother to me, even though he's nearly a foot taller than my five foot six inch height, and we've always protected each other. Moving in with him and Aunt Jen has only brought us closer. We've become practically siblings, and it's really nice, even if we constantly tease each other.
"Hey, you going to be alright today?" Malcolm asks from the passenger seat.
"Yeah, of course. Why wouldn't I be? It's the beginning of our Junior year, I'm not letting the past hold me back," I tell him, pulling one of the fake smiles I had practiced this morning. How can I tell him that I'm not up for today? That I wish I would have stayed home because even though I dealt with school for a couple of months last year, I'm not up for dealing with it again; especially with it being almost a year since everything that happened. The whispers and rumors are going to start again, and it's going to be hard. I look over to see him giving me an expression of disbeliefe. "I'm fine! Oh by the way, take the keys. I have basketball after and then I'm going over to Samii's, so you have to drive yourself home," I say, hoping to change his mood. He looks away and just nods, obviously not caring.
We pull into the parking lot of Cyprus High and I park the car. Getting out, we grab our bags and I toss him the keys. "Call me if you need a ride, alright?" he asks. I smile and nod as we walk into the school. The hallways are filled with students and it's hard to get passed them all. Before I know it, Malcolm was lost in the crowed and I was on my own. I decide to head down to the commons area to hopefully find the three people who make school worth coming to.
