riptide

Chapter 4.

"Kat come on, you were supposed to be up ten minutes ago!" I hear Mom holler from downstairs.

Crap.

Today is the first day of school, and I'm already off to a great start.

I quickly jump out of bed and sprint to my dresser. I throw on a pair of black leggings and the white tank top I purchased Saturday. I grabbed a grey jacket and shut my dresser, before I half run, half stumble, into my bathroom.

I switch on the light and begin to brush my teeth. I decide to attempt my hand at multitasking. I pick up my hairbrush, and run it hastily through my hair, attempting to get all the knots out.

I'm so focused on my hair, that I harshly poke the inside of my mouth with the toothbrush. I rinse my mouth before spitting in the sink. There's blood.

"Ow, shit!" I curse, rubbing the inside of my mouth.

See, this is why I shouldn't multitask.

After applying a thin coat of mascara, and dusting some powder on my face, I trek down the stairs.

"Aren't you going to eat something? You don't want to be running on an empty stomach," Dad says, looking up from the newspaper in his hands.

"It's okay, I'll eat on the way," I reply, grabbing a granola bar before shoving it into my bag. "Oh yeah, I need the car keys. You're not leaving the house today, right? So it's ok if I take them?"

"Yeah, go ahead. But, we'll have to eventually buy you your own car. One car for the three of us isn't going to work," Dad says with a chuckle.

"You have some money, right?" I hear Mom ask from behind me.

"Yeah, I have like thirty dollars. That should be ok for today," I reply, already making my way to the door.

"Great. Okay, have a nice first day," She calls to me.

"Not likely," I mutter under my breath.

~

I had already programmed the school's address into my phone, so I have no trouble getting there. It only takes about 10 minutes.

When I pull into the parking lot, most of the spaces are already occupied. Luckily though, I spy a few spots a little further down. I quickly pull my car into one of the empty spaces before switching off the engine.

I look down at my phone, and see I still have ten minutes left before school starts. I remain seated, and take the time to observe the area.

A group of boys and girls stand around the entrance of the school laughing and talking. They look like the popular kids. Popular kids, for some reason, always seem to bunch together like a pack.

I look around to see other kids littering the campus, chatting with one another and using their phones.

I look down at the time, and see five minutes has passed.

Shit.

I actually have to get out the car now.

This is it, Kat. You can do this.

I push open the door of my car, and step out. I walk to the trunk and grab my backpack, before heading off into the main building. My welcoming letter said I had to go to the office first, so I find myself heading down a hall that reads "administration."

Once inside, I notice a lady with white hair, seated behind a large wooden desk. She's staring at her computer screen, and doesn't notice my presence.

I clear my throat awkwardly before the lady glances up, startled.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't see you there. What can I help you with?" She inquires with a smile, swiveling her chair to look at me.