Story Time

1

WHEEEEEEEEE

Sorry.

~~~~~~~~~~

*Grade 9 Orientation Day*

I'm not ready. I'm not ready. I'm not ready. Get me out of this car before I puke my insides out and die of humiliation and embarrassment.

"Good luck at orientation!" My dad said. "Make lots of friends!"

My sister was already at her elementary school, and I was just about ready to die.

Were we supposed to wear uniform for today? I read the email billions of times, and it said to wear uniform, why am I even worrying about this?

I looked back down at my new uniform, and let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding. I shouldn't worry.

Oh my god, what if I'm the only one in uniform while everyone else is in casual and I stand out? I don't want people to stare at me.

I need to stop thinking.

Let me go home! I wanna crawl up in a hole and die. I don't wanna get out of this car anymore.

At least Melissa is going to be there. But what if I get there first? I won't have anyone to talk to! I'm gonna be a loner and die oh my god.

Oh right, there's also gonna be Darren and Jason and Chris and Titan and Oscar. But I don't really talk to them, so that would be weird.

I realized I was still sitting in my seat, my dad staring at me, waiting for me to leave.

"Anytime this century would be great, thanks." He remarked, making me roll my eyes and laugh.

"Okay, I'm leaving," I got out the car and started shutting the door. "Byeeeee."

Students were walking into the building and I mentally sighed in relief seeing them also in uniform. At least I didn't mess one thing up.

So. Many. People.

Only the grade nines would be here today, but still, three hundred people? I think I'm going to faint.

The second I walked in I saw people gathering in the lobby. I waited near the door.

I stood there awkwardly as close to the wall as I could and looked at my phone so I would have to talk to people.

I watched as more people walked into the building, greeting their friends and talking excitedly.

I can already tell I'm going to make zero friends, max.

Everyone already knows each other, how am I supposed to make conversation?

Looking up from my phone, which I had never opened, only scrolling through the lock screen. Which, by the way, had no notifications. So you can already tell how popular I was.

Anyway, looking up from my phone, I saw Darren only a few feet in front of me, sitting on the only chair in this entire lobby.

He looked lonely, maybe I should go talk to him.

Nah. Too scary. We've literally never talked before and I wasn't about to lower my ego and pride even more with whatever stupid words would've been about to come out of my mouth.

I looked back down at my lock screen and pretended to look at some more nothing.

Where is Mel?

Obviously not here.

Please hurry up so I don't die here alone.

I looked at the main entrance one more time before I heard a voice.

"Audrey! You're here!" It was Darren.

I looked at him, surprised. Why was he talking to me? We've never really talked before.

"Uhh...hi?" My voice sounded horribly weird and quiet and I cringed.

Honestly I don't know why, but I was surprised he knew my name. But considering how small our old school was, everyone should know my name.

"I'm finally not alone!" He said, looking relieved.

But we never talked before?

Well I guess recognition is great, so I shouldn't be complaining.

He brought his chair beside me and sat down to look back at his phone.

We didn't speak at all afterwards.

After an eternity of scrolling through my nonexistent notifications on my lock screen, I finally saw Mel come through the door.

I rushed over to her in relief. I could finally, uh, not die?

***

Now we were in the gym doing activities, mind you, I was all alone. Everyone was split into different groups and I just so happened to be in a group of people I've never seen before in my life. We were mixed with other groups in the gym too.

"Hi! What's your name?" A voice asked from beside me. I looked at the girl who had spoken. She was standing with her group of friends, and they were all staring directly at me, creeping me out.

"Audrey." I answered. I sounded normal, or at least, I think I did.

"Audrey." She repeated, as if testing out the sound. "It's nice to meet you." She smiled at me and I tried to smile back.

She then walked off with her friends, all of them talking together. I realized I didn't get her name, but she sounded really nice.

Turns out she never talked to me again for the rest of the day. Pfft.

~~~~~~~~~~

Honestly, I don't really remember much of the rest of the day...it was too long ago, but I felt like sharing my boring life during grade nine orientation day and my over thinking and awkwardness.

I hope I'm not the only one who does this because those thoughts were my actual thoughts and I actually did scroll through my lock screen pretending I was busy playing a game or texting or whatever.

To the people who know me and are currently laughing at my stupid looking state...please don't mention this in real life so I don't die of embarrassment. Thanks!!!😘

And wow, after reading this over I realize how boring it sounds in words...oops.

Love you guys,
Audrey❤️