There and Back

Chapter 2

2 months later

It's been two months since we left James in England. We came here in June and it was almost September already. I've mostly been sitting around the house, sulking about leaving James, while mom, dad and Megan did all the work.

“ Kristina, please come outside and do something.” Mom begged

" No, I have no friends and I'm never going to get any." I sniffled. " I want to be with James. It was always fun with him."

" Your going to find new friends, Kristina, you're a beautiful, smart and friendly girl." Mom told me.

But how can I believe that? I thought, Everyone makes fun of gingers. Ever since I was a baby I had bright red hair. Everyone at my old school except for James made fun of me. I still remember them taunting me on my first day of school, Tomato head, Carrot Top and a lot more. And I wasn't exactly the most popular. I always used to get left out of everything.

" Listen, Kristina, we are going to go shopping for your school stuff and if you don't come with, I might pick up some really embarrassing things." 

" But Mom, if I go, everyone will stare at me." I whined

" Don't be silly. I hear the people in Canada are very polite."she argued

" Fine I'll go. But if anyone says anything about my hair, it's your fault."

                                                                                          *** 

Mom took me and Megan shopping while dad stayed home to paint the house. He said he had to paint it but I think it was just that he doesn't want to be seen with me. Dad's a nice guy and everything but always wants to be normal and not the guy with an abnormal kid. 

Mom took me and Megan to a place called Walmart, which is supposed to have really good deals on stuff. When we got in Megan went straight to the toys department.

" Mom, are you gonna buy Megan any toys?" I asked

" No, why?" she replied

" She has already found something." I giggled as Megan came out of the aisle with a huge plush toy.

" Oh, dear." mom said, " Here take the list of things you need for school. This might take a while." and she rushed over to Megan.

She's not gonna give in, I thought to myself.

As I walked through the store looking for the school supplies, I saw a girl about my age with a little boy about Megan's age. Their mother was right behind them nudging them as they went. I started following them to see if they were headed for school supplies as well. Sooner or later I got to the school supplies and started looking around.

" Mommy, mommy look." the little boy I was following said, pointing at my hair, " Her heads on fire!"

" No sweetie," his mother said calmly, " that's just her hair."

" Oh." the boy said dumbfounded.

" She might not have liked that, go say sorry."

" OK mommy." he said as he trudged over to me, " Sorry for making fun of your head."

It was a start, I thought. In the corner of my eye I could see the little boys sister turn bright red. 

" It's okay," I replied with my strong english accent, " can you go tell your sister it's alright as well?"

" OK." he said with a smile on his face.

Mom was right. The people here are really nice.