My Life is a Silent Hurricane

Chapter Eleven- School...

I take a breath and push open the doors to the school. I walk through, and head to the secretary's office, where I pick up my schedule. Then I walk quickly through the school, trying to find my homeroom. Finally, I spot it. I pull open the door and walk in, trying to look confident (confidence is key... Right?) and the whole buzzing room freezes. I feel people staring at me, analyzing me, sizing me up. Then the whole room starts buzzing again, and I can tell everyone's talking about me, the way they whisper to each other and keep glancing at me. I walk to the back right corner and slide into a chair. That's when I realize, these desks are two people each! I glance to the left, and I see a pretty girl with shoulder length light brown hair, diagonal cut bangs, soft blue-green eyes, and freckles. She wears black jeans, a tight half sleeve turquoise top that shows off her eyes, and lots of sliver bangles and necklaces. She seems to be the popular type.

"Um... Hi." I say nervously, feeling like I should say something. I drop my backpack next to me, then pull out a few things and set them on my desk.

"Hi." The girl says. "I'm Sophia."

"That's a pretty name. I'm Storm." I tell her.

"Wow, I love that name!! So are you new here? I don't recognize you."

"Yeah, actually this is my first day."

"Cool! I'm new too, but I started at the beginning of the year. I can show you around later, if you'd like." She offers.

"Sure, I'd love that!" I say, just as the bell rings and the teacher- Miss Reede - calls us all to attention. She's young, probably mid to late 20's, and she has blonde hair and brown eyes.

She does attendance, then calls me to the front of the room. My face turns bright red.

"I would like you all to meet our new girl, Storm, and welcome her in here to Lakeview Middle." She says, and pats my shoulder, signaling me to go back to my seat. I hurry to the back. As Miss Reede starts the lesson, Sophia leans over and says "It's okay. At least it was her short speech." She giggles a little, then sits up straight again when Miss Reede gives her a warning look.

After school is done for the day, I head to my locker, my backpack heavy with books from all the classes. I'm surprised when I see Sophia standing there. She was also in French, math, and history with me.

"Do you have a phone?" She asks excitedly.

"Yeah." I say.

"Cool!! What's your number?" I write it down and a piece of notebook paper and hand it to her.

"Sweet, thanks!! I'll text you later! See ya!" She says, before hurrying away.

I grin. A phone number swap! I think we're almost friends. Yay!!

I put my books away, grab my homework, and hurry down the hall to catch the bus.

Back home, I grab an apple for a snack and head up the stairs to my room. I see Maggie sitting on my bed.

"How was school?" She wants to know.

"Great! I actually made a friend!" I say before I can stop myself.

"That's great!" She says. "You look fabulous, too!!" She says.

I blush. My combat boots are suddenly very intriguing. "Thanks." I say.

Then she stands up and exits the room, pausing at the doorway. She glances back at me, then leaves.

After the my homework is done and I've polished off the apple, I get a text from Sophia.

Sophia: "Hey how r u?"
Me: "gr8. I'm done w/ homework hbu?"

"Me 2."

I quickly hunt down Maggie, and ask if it's okay. She says yes, with a grin, and I ask Sophia "wanna come 2 my house? We can sleepover"

She replies quickly "sure, when should I come over?"

"5:00. we can order pizza 4 dinner"

"K. C u soon." She types, and I grin. I tidy up my bedroom, and by 4:45 the house is ready and I'm waiting eagerly for the first sleepover I've ever had. I've been to sleepovers, but never had one at my house. I feel a pang of regret when I realize Mom won't be here to see it.

At 5:01 (yes, I admit, I've been watching the clock), there's a knock at the door. I open it, and Sophia walks in, carrying a small duffel bag and a pillow. She grins. I smile back. This is going to be awesome.