A Thousand Miles and A Million Years

Chapter Seven

Mae

11 Years Old

I pulled up my skinny jeans, tucked the pockets in again then pulled on my Pearl Jam band tee. I brushed out my hair and pulled it into a messy bun at the back of my head, still disappointed I couldn't dye my hair until I was thirteen. I rolled my eyes at my thoughts before pulling my messenger bag over my head and on my shoulder properly before heading downstairs. As soon as I started descending the 24 steps to my impairing-photo-shoot-doom the cameras started going off. I sighed and waited for my parents to stop taking first day of school pictures.

"Look at our big girl! Going into 6th grade!" My mom fussed as I headed into the kitchen to get my lunch for school. I looked at the smiley face pancakes waiting for me and looked up at my parents.

"I made them special for you!" My dad said in a sing-song voice while heading to the fridge and grabbing something I couldn't see. My mom wiped away a few fake tears and headed back upstairs to get ready for work. "I also have something else to celebrate middle school."

"What?" I asked, trying to hide my excitement. I dug into my pancakes, not even bothering to sit on the breakfast bar's high chair.

That's when my dad pulled out a red bull. What I have been asking to drink since I was 5. I squealed before he shushed me and handed it over. "Let's not let your mom know, now." He said, patting my back as I opened it.

"Is this a large size too?" I asked excitedly as I packed it in my lunch. It wasn't what I expected it to be, but I washed down my plate of pancakes quick enough to almost kill me.

"Of course," he laughed. "I know you didn't sleep at all last night."

"I was watching The Little Mermaid, sorry." I laughed as I headed towards the front door, my lunch box now safely packed into my Metallica book bag.

"It's okay! Haha, I just hope you have an amazing day at school!" He smiled down at me as I opened the door. Mark was already sitting on the porch, waiting for me. He put up whatever he had out and stood up, waving slightly to my dad who waved back. My dad pulled me into a hug by my shoulders and kissed the top of my head. "I love you."

"Love you too, dad." I said, pulling his waist in a hug. I quickly ran down the porch with Mark, waving at my dad as I walked to my first day at middle school.

"So, are you excited?" Mark asked, pulling me into a side hug as we walked towards the large school.

"I guess." I shrugged, walking oddly with him draped over my shoulders. He had his grey faded skinny jeans and a red plaid shirt with a black beanie and black converse to match the black stripes on the shirt.

"You dork! Come on, get pumped!" He teased again as the school came into view. "This year may change your life." he mocked my mother's voice.

"Oh, whatever!" I laughed with him. "How did the first year of middle school change you?"

"It didn't." he laughed. "I've never really changed, have I?"

"Not since I've known you," I laughed. "Plus I'm kinda bummed we only get one year together in this school."

"Hahah, don't worry, Mae. It'll be okay. Now, let's get you to your home room." He said, squeezing my shoulders again as we walked in though the doors held open with last year's books. "Let me see your schedule."

"Here." I said, handing it over. "But are you sure you want to waste your time bringing me around?"

"Of course!" He said as he pulled his arm from around me and studied my schedule. "And it's not a waste of time."