Adolescent

Chapter 1

When I saw Julia in the lobby I didn't know what to say. I really didn't have much to say about anything, not even my best friend. I had little time to say something, so I decided. "Hey", I finally said. "Hey Morgan!" I could feel the intensely fake excitement radiating off her. "It is so good to see you! I had no idea you'd be going to Manon High!" Julia said. Even though, I'd said nothing else to her for the entire summer break. "Yeah" I said. Her enthusiasm was nauseating. Especially because it wasn't genuine. Much about Julia was not genuine. Yet, she was still my friend. We went way back to like, kindergarten. "This is Curtis" she said, gesturing toward a tall and geeky looking boy. "Hi", I said. "So you two like, went to the same school or something?" he said. Not even giving my "hi" any recognition: he didn't even wait for me to finish my statement. "Yeah, we go pretty far back." I said. "Yeah we do! To like pre-k or something, right?" she said. I contemplated throwing the blindingly fake enthusiasm back in her perfect Barbie-esk face. "Um, yeah" I finally said.

Manon High was a relatively new performing arts school. It had not really built a name for itself yet, which is why the teachers from the catholic grade school I graduated from-Saint Leo Interparochial- made it very clear that they did not want students from their arrogantly prestigious school attending. Which really pissed me off, because catholic schools are always trying to make decisions for you, even when you no longer attended. But anyway, today the school holds an orientation day, which is the first day of school. Orientation day is simply a day to get to know your teachers, your peers, etc. "Lemme see your roster!" Julia said. I gave it to her; she made a face at every class that we wouldn't be in together. As if they would place next to each other, let alone in the same room. "Aw, you're only in like three of my classes." She said. "Too bad" I said. "I would've loved being in all your classes!" I had decided to throw the false enthusiasm back now.

The school day would go normally; we just wouldn't learn anything. We pretty much just talked about what each class would be like, and what we would learn in each one. First Period for me was Math, and I was again pissed because no 14-year-old wants to do math every morning from 8:30 to 9:20. My roster was Math, then Science, a double-period of ELA, then Social Studies, and then it would be my preferred major. Since it was a performing arts school, we dedicate ourselves for two hours a day doing whatever it is we would do in our major. My major was Digital Design. Long-story-short when I was twelve I discovered Photoshop and fell in love with it; ever since it's been a sort-of hobby, but I wanted to expand my knowledge of it and perhaps make it my career.

I shared my lunch period of only thirty minutes with Julia, Curtis, and Carrie. I met Carrie in the double ELA period, and she told me that Digital Design was her first major too. She also complimented my hair, to which I think I thanked her. "Morgan, over here!" Julia said. I walked over and sat down. Curtis was olive skinned and way to cute for me s I didn't even bother thinking of him of more than a friend. Carrie was beautiful, from her ocean-blue eyes, all the way down, but she didn't believe anyone when they told her that. Maybe she'd had a rough past like the rest of us. Or maybe she just enjoys the attention, which I do not blame her for. I mean, if I got the amount of attention she got, I would enjoy it too.

There was a makeshift food court with as Salad works and a Taco Bell built in. I didn't eat anything, but all the others did. I try not to be hungry. Later, it was major time. Julia was a dancer, Curtis was theatre, and Carrie and I were in digital design. Carrie and I said goodbye, and walked towards one of the elevators to the floor that had digital design on it (floor six). When Carrie and I entered the large, stadium-like room we quickly chose the best seats because apparently we were early. Our teacher, Mrs. Whig, was actually quite personable. I felt she really had a personality and an actual life outside of school. I felt like she was the type of teacher that might be doing something with her kids or whatever and couldn't grade all the tests so she would try to get them done the next day.