Ahead By A Century

First Day

"Anne, wake up! You're going to be late for your first day!" Marilla Cuthbert yells from the staircase.

"I'm up!" I yell. The time on my phone reads 6:30 am. I haven't woken up this early in a long time.

Today is my first day at Avonlea High. I have no idea what to expect. I've never been to public school. Home school was always the easier option, since I switched foster homes so often, I didn't want to deal with the drama of leaving a new school every few months.

Thankfully, I was finally adopted by Marilla and Matthew. They are the kindest, most woeful souls I've ever met. It's rare for teenagers to get adopted, but my age didn't matter to the two, and for that I am eternally grateful.

I look outside my large window, and admire the beautiful fall colors. I am so thankful to live in a world where there are October's.

I slip on a pair of light blue denim jeans and a striped long sleeve. Anxious thoughts run through my head as I brush out my wavy hair.

You're not one to be anxious, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert. Calm down. You've been waiting for this experience your entire life!

I've never had any friends. People tend to look at me and decide I'm too weird, too "imaginative" for their tastes. All I want is one friend, please, whoever's up there, let me make at least one friend today.

I'm not one to wear makeup. No one has ever taught me how to wear it, so I just go without it, although it would be nice to cover up my horribly ugly freckles.

When I get downstairs, Matthew and Marilla are at the table eating eggs. Normally breakfast is my favorite meal but my stomach is far too queasy for food right now.

"Aren't you going to sit down and eat?" Marilla questions.

"I can't. Too nervous."

"Well alright then. Don't forget to pack a lunch!" She says as I walk into the kitchen.

"I'm 15, not 8. I don't need a reminder," I reply.

"No need to be snappy, Anne. She's just worried about you," Matthew kindly says.

"I'm sorry, Marilla. I'm just nervous, 's all."

"It's okay to be nervous, dear. But don't worry too much. School will be fun, you'll learn many new things and make friends. You're a bright girl, I know you will do just fine."

Once my lunch is packed, I follow Matthew into his car. I press my face against the window. Green Gables passes by in a flash, the bright colors whisk by and soon we're on the highway.

"Matthew, what was school like for you?" I ask out of curiosity.

"It was- fine, I guess. I was kind of quiet, got my work done. I spent most of my focus on the farm, though. Sometimes I wish I paid more attention to my studies. Maybe I'd be something more now," he chuckles.

"Well I think you're doing just fine. Besides, it's never too late to learn," I smile.

"That you are right. Thanks, Anne." He smiles back.

Finally, we pull up to the school. The parking lot is filled with cars, and students hurrying to get inside for warmth.

"Is it too late to go home?" I squeak.

Matthew chuckles and rubs my hair. "You'll do fine. Now, go! I have to get to work."

"O-okay... bye," I say. I step out of the car. Wow, I have never seen so many kids my age in one place. I follow the crowd of people inside the large, red-brick building.

I'm supposed to go to the main office to get my schedule, but I can't seem to find it. Shouldn't it be by the main doors?!

I spot a dark haired girl helping somebody with their lock combination. She seems nice enough.

"Hi, um, excuse me, do you happen to know where the main office is?" I awkwardly ask the girl.

"Yes, of course! I'll take you there. I'm assuming you're new? I haven't seen you around before!" She smiles. Wow, this isn't as bad as I thought.

"Yes, I am new. My name's Anne, with an E. I know it's sort of plain, but A-N-N-E seems much more fascinating than A-N-N, am I right?"

The girl awkwardly laughs. "Um, yeah. Nice to meet you, Anne with an E. My name's Diana. With an... a?"

I can't imagine another vowel to end the name Diana instead of 'a', but I keep quiet.

"Nice to meet you, Diana. I hope we have some classes together," I smile.

We reach what I assume is the office. "Me too. Would you want to sit with me and my friends at lunch?" She kindly asks.

"Yes!" I say a little enthusiastically. We wave each other goodbye and I smile. Did I just make a friend?

•

Once I get my schedule sorted, I start making my way to my locker.

I can feel the anxiety from this morning slowly vanishing. I don't know why I was so nervous, I mean, I'm hardly ever nervous! This isn't hard at all, and the students seem nice... even though I've only talked to one.

When I get to my locker, I twist the dial for my code.

30-15-25

I click it open. It doesn't budge. I enter the digits again. Nothing.

Fuck, why is this happening to me? I'm gonna be late. Is Diana around? No. Okay... just breathe, Anne. Try again. You probably entered it wrong.

The minutes go by as I keep trying to open this godforsaken locker when all of a sudden someone taps me on the shoulder.

"Excuse me, what are you doing at my locker?"

I turn around. A boy, with black curly hair and hazel eyes looks at me confusedly.

"Oh, oh! That's why it won't open! My mistake, I really didn't mean it. You see, I'm new, I thought it was mine. Guess I'm just a little confused. Sorry about that!" I quickly gush, hoping he doesn't think I was trying to break into it or something.

He just laughs. "It's fine."

We just stand there, staring at each other for what seems like an eternity before he clears his throat.

"Right, sorry," I say sheepishly
and move out of the way. He laughs lightly and I force myself to look at my schedule so he doesn't see my blush. My eyes focus on the top left corner of the page. Anne you stupid idiot. Your locker is 432 not 431. Great job making a fool of yourself.

My locker opens swiftly and all my books are neatly organized from orientation a few weeks prior. The boy's locker shuts and I glance up.

"See you around," he says, looking into my eyes for a few seconds and walking away cooly.

What is his name?

•

Ahh!! This is m first awae fic, i hope you like it!! <3