Erin

The Beginning

Chapter 1 - The Beginning

"I don't want to go! I CAN'T!"

"Erin, you aren't learning anything. You've gotten 100 percent on every single test this year!"

Now, most parents would reward their child for getting 100 percent on almost every test. But no, not mine. My parents seem to think it would be a good idea for me to transfer to the gifted kids' school.

Like, REALLY gifted kids.

I may be really good in math, but history? English? No way. I almost want to cry when I think about the immense amounts of homework, tests, and stress that I'll have to deal with if I transfer to that school.

"But Mom, I LIKE it here! At that school, there'll be so much work that I won't have ANY time to see my friends. Or... David." My boyfriend. I can't think about losing him. If we're not together, we're constantly Skypeing, texting, or emailing. I can't live without David. At Florence, I don't know what I'd do.

"Honey, I hate to break it to you, but high school relationships never last. And I know you're used to not trying at all, but in real life, you'll have to work hard for a job and money. And Florence would prepare you for that."

I can't listen to my mom tell me that my relationship with David won't last. I can't see myself breaking up with him. Even if we decided to be just friends, we would still be, well. friends. But the part about not trying, I had to admit, she was right. I couldn't go through life without working hard. The other kids in my school had to work hard. I should have to work hard, too. So I said, "Fine. I'll go." And ran up to my room before she could see the tears welling up in my eyes.

-

I called David. He picked up after the first ring and asked, "Hey, what's up?"

"David, I'm sorry," I said. I didn't want him to hear the sadness in my voice, but I couldn't keep it out. "I have to transfer schools... To Florence Academy."

"That's so cool! That means you're like a genius!"

"But that means we won't be able to see each other that much anymore."

"Come on, Erin. We'll still see each other after school, and on weekends."

"But there's a LOT of work to do at Florence, and it's probably gonna take up all my free time."

"Erin, it's ok. We'll find a way to be together."

"Ok."

Neither of us hung up, but neither of us said anything. It wasn't awkward. It was a... comfortable silence. I was comfortable around David, and he was comfortable around me.

"I gotta go," he finally said.

"Bye," I said.

He hung up. I sat on the bed and hoped that things would work out between me and David.

Unfortunately, things only got worse from there.