KISS: Casablanca High School

Ch 2: New School, New Me (Eric C)

I sat in the passenger seat, staring out of the window at the cars that sped past in the other direction, the direction I was wishing I could go.
"Mom, school doesn't even start until Monday, can't this wait until then?" I grumbled.
"No honey, you can't wait until you're supposed to be in class to find out which ones you need to take. I'm sorry this is all happening so fast, we didn't receive the news of the scholarship until so late!"
She didn't even take her eyes of the road to look at me as she responded and I sank back into my seat.
"Yeah whatever."

We sat in silence for a moment until she fumbled around in the cupholder, throwing a folded piece of paper at me. "Check your schedule sweetheart, and tell me what classes you need changed."

I scanned the list, mild panic beginning to grab ahold of me.

Calculus AB

AP English Literature

Physics

Advanced Art

PE

AP European History

AP Government

"Ma! Half of these classes are AP and the other half are a joke! I've already taken Physics, I'm not gonna take it again! And why am I in art class? I've never expressed interest in art!"

"Paul Charles Caravello! I will not have you taking that tone with me! We are going to the office to fix your schedule, which you would know if you would listen to me. Now look over the list and come up with the courses you don't want to take, and we can see what you can replace it with when we get there."

I let out a soft sigh, stuffing the paper in my pocket. "Sorry, ma. I'm just tired."

I could see her shaking her head, and to be fair she had a pretty good reason to. Who's ever actually tired when they use that excuse?

The gates swung open as we pulled up to the school, and I could feel a warm blush creeping up my neck. This wasn't right. I wasn't one of the prep school rich kids who paid my way through life. But Ma wanted me to have better education or whatever, so here I was.

Still clutching my schedule, I pushed through the doors, eyes fixed on the carpet that looked like it had crawled right out of the 70s.

"Head to the front desk and ask them where the office of the Activities Director is. You'll meet with him to discuss student life while I speak with the principle about more technical stuff. Have fun and try and stay positive. I know this is hard for you, honey, but it'll be worth it, don't worry!" she said, kissing me on the forehead.

The blush spread to the rest of my face and I pushed away. "Aw c'mon Ma you're embarrassing me," I mumbled, wandering down the hall to the front desk.

The main office was empty except for a middle-aged woman who sat hunched over a keyboard, long acrylic nails clacking against the keys as she chatted on the phone. My fingers drummed against the counter in a rhythm matching that of the clicking of the keys, waiting for her to hang up. She shot me a confused look, sliding the phone away from her mouth. "Can I help you?" she mouthed.

"Uh, I'm looking for the Activities Director's office?"

With a heavily lipsticked smile she pointed down the hall, returning to her phone call. Shrugging, I moved in the direction she showed me, scanning the plaques nailed next to the doors until I finally found the one I needed.

Donnie McGee, Activities Director

He sat behind a desk covered in picture frames, laughing as he chatted with what I assumed was another teacher. As for me, I just stood in the hall, staring through the window on the door and hoping desperately he would notice me before I had to knock.

Five minutes passed and geez this man would not look out the window. Heart pounding, I finally raised my fist and knocked. His head snapped toward me and somehow his smile grew as he leapt to his feet, pulling open the door and ushering me in.

"You must be our new student, Paul!" he cried.

I shook the extended hand with a weak smile. "Please, call me Eric."

"Well, Eric, welcome to Casablanca High School! We're proud to have you as a member of the Warrior family. I hope you'll excuse my friend here, he's one of the math teachers. Go on, Jared, get out of here!"

With a laugh, the math teacher unfolded himself from the chair and stepped outside, leaving the two of us alone. "Have a seat, have a seat!"

I sat perched on the edge of the chair, folding and unfolding my hands. Senior year was just honestly the perfect time to start at a new school, when everyone's already made their friends and all that. He gave me another warm smile.

"Mr. Caravello, I'm sure you're going to find an excellent home here at Casablanca High School, and we're very glad to have you become a part of the Warrior family! I'll give you the number of one of our top students at the school, and have him show you around a bit as you get used to the school. He wrestles, as I believe you do?"

I blinked, too overwhelmed to even process the question. "Uh...uh, yeah! Yes sir I do. I'll make sure to contact him later this afternoon. Thank you so much for helping me feel welcome here, Mr. McGee."

He gave me another smile. "Of course, of course! Do you have any other questions about what other activities we offer here at the school? I believe I might be able to give you some information on it, seeing as how I'm the director!"

I forced a smile, thrown for a loop by his personality. "Uh, not really sir, my mom was going to help me with my schedule, and I think I'm going to focus on schoolwork for a bit to begin. I'll play it by year with the clubs if that's alright."

"Of course, of course! I do advise you consider participating in some sports programs, however. Our wrestling team is one of our fastest-growing sports on campus."

Nodding, I tapped my fingers on my thigh, looking at the posters and pictures and newspaper clippings tacked all over the walls.

"Why don't you head across the hall to Mr. Blackwell's office, as I believe your mother is speaking with him about your schedule there."

"Thanks for the help and the number, Mr. McGee."

I shook his hand, standing up from the desk and leaving the office, heaving a sigh of relief as soon as I closed the door behind me. Casablanca High School, you've got a whole new disaster coming.

A/N: Sorry this is kinda basic, I'm just setting up characters and all that right now! Once school starts there'll be more dramaaa