Upside Down

Chapter 1

Burrr. I shuddered as I closed the clear, glass shower door behind me. As I wrapped my brown cotton towel around the slim figure of my body, I felt the coolness of the early morning surround me. My mind drifted into a section of thoughts that I was dreading thinking about. I felt the cold water droplets run off of my fingertips and heard them hit the tiled floor with a "splat." Walking out of my bathroom and into my bedroom, I glanced at the clock.
7:18. Pulling a few random drawers out, I grabbed a few comfortable garments and slipped them on. Sitting down on my bed, I looked around my dark bedroom. Boxes were stacked on top of each other scattered around the room.
I really need to unpack those and stop telling myself that I'll do it later, which never happens.
I was really thankful for my dad's new job, I really was, but don't get me wrong...Here I am almost 18, starting my senior year, living my entire life and having my own friends and family in Tennessee, and all of the sudden having to abandon everything except for some clothes and furniture, and be shipped to Chino Hills, California.

Chino seemed like a cute place, but it would never compare to the beautiful, vast lands of Tennessee. I would never get to feel the chilly winter mornings when frost covers the windshield. Although, the warm weather will be nice. I'm sure I will love the beaches too, but Chino Hills is not my home. I might finish high school and fly back over to Tennessee for good. That's where my heart is; that's my home. Maybe that'll change, but for now, I just have to make it through senior year.
-
-
-
"Ouch!" I yelped at the burning sensation that was still tingling on the skin of my thumb. I lowered the 400• curling wand down onto the granite bathroom counter as I examined my some what of a burn. After curling the last few strands of my brown hair, I glanced in the mirror to see if I looked okay. I had on a pair of light washed, ripped denim jeans rolled up at the leg bottoms, a light grey shirt matched with a navy flannel tied around my waste, and a pair of white converse. My silky brown hair fell down my face and tumbled over my shoulders, stopping right at my waist in loose curls. My long bangs caved over the upper left side of my face. I checked the time on my phone which read "7:49". Considering I had to leave by 8:00 and my makeup wasn't done nor had I eaten anything, I was going to have to hurry. Pulling out my concealer, I covered my dark circles. Afterwards, I pulled out my mascara and made sure to apply a couple coats onto my long, black lashes. Nothing too flashy, just a little something to make my hazel eyes pop. I didn't want to look too flashy for the first day of school...I didn't want anyone to even pay attention to me. I knew the "new girl" was going to draw attention but I had prayed that wouldn't happen. The last thing I needed to come back was my terrible anxiety that I had worked so hard on getting rid of with countless pills and therapists.

After applying some lip balm and running my hands through my hair a couple times plus adding some spray, I was ready to leave. I grabbed my blue backpack off of my bed and dashed down the stairs, making sure to snatch a granola bar out of the pantry. I took my car keys and was about to jog outside until my parents stopped me.

"Honey! Have a wonderful first day at Chino Hills High School!" my dad over-enthusiastically said to me while giving me a sweet hug.

My mom patted my head and kissed me on the cheek adding, "Make friends!"

Rolling my eyes and letting out a soft chuckle, I replied, "Too bad all mine are over 2,000 miles away." Their smiles fell and I instantly felt sorry for what I had said. I winked at them to let them know I was joking and they both returned sweet smiles. "Love you guys! Have a great day," I spoke before getting into my Jeep Grand Cherokee that my parents had gifted me for my 16th birthday almost two years ago. It was like my baby. I took great care of it, and yes...I did name it. Libby.

I plugged my iPhone into the aux cord and started to play "Too Much" by Drake. I always liked soft songs in the morning. Pulling out of my neighborhood, I let the GPS guide me to Chino Hills High School.
-
-
-
As I pulled into a parking place, I could feel my anxiety coursing through my veins. My leg had been shaking ever since I left my house, and my palms were sweaty. I took my phone and checked the time, 8:13. School started at 8:30, so hopefully I would manage to find at least my locker and possibly my first class before the bell rang.