The Seasons Of Your Soul

SEPTEMBER 5TH, 2020 SHAY

I walked into the front doors of Springdale high. Everyone was already talking about the new boy. Great another jock I have to ignore. I went up to my locker and started looking for my chemistry books. "Top one to the left." A voice from above me said.I turned around to see my friend Naomi. She wasn't supposed to be back home until December 12th. I quickly raised and said, "Mimi? What're you doing here so soon I thought you were supposed to be in-

"Rome" She interrupted me. "Thought so too but the trip got canceled due to some violence in so the next thing you know my guardian, Trina tells me I'm heading back to arkansas. So.." She trailed off. "Here I am! Miss me?"Was that even a question? I pulled her into a tight hug. Ahead of me I saw my other two friends, Ivy and Tristin.

"Oh my god! Naomi? You're back!" Tristin said pulling her away from me and into an even tight hug.Then Ivy said, "Okay, my turn!" And squeezed her tightly.Automatically Tristian and Ivy started cheering waiting for me to join them."Okay, okay calm down guys I haven't even been gone for that long. Right, Shay?" Naomi asked.

I started to agree " Yeah." Then I really thought about it.

"Well..." I said trying not to pick a side. "See. Even Shay agrees with us and that almost never happens. That's really all the proof you need." Ivy exclaimed. We all laughed.Soon, we started walking in the halls together giggling and laughing like we used to.

6

"So, What's the deets on the new guy?" Tristian asked, not taking his eyes off of Naomi. He always kind of had a thing for her. Both me and Ivy saw it. He sort of made it obvious. The way he always invites me to go places and not tell me or Ivy and then claims he likes to hang out with each of us individually. wHich is true but there's a difference between hanging out at a mall and going out to a reserved dinner date.

"Deets?God, how long have I been gone?". Actually this was the first time I've heard Tristian say that. He must still be nervous about seeing her again. Let's hope he dosen't do anything stupid."Let's see, you've been gone for exactly 152 days." Ivy said.

Naomi had been gone for 5 months and had barely talked to us at that time. I then said, " What's the point of daydreaming about some new kid when we could party all night." I loved partying. It took the stress of living with my crazy, melodramatic, and crazy mom off my chests. Well at least for a little while.

"I'm in!" Tristian and Ivy said at the same time. Now we were just waiting for Noami to give in. "I don't know'' She said. "I was hoping we could just watch a movie. Y'know not party all night." Noami usually loves going out to parties. I imagined she was always going out in Tuscany. I guess she's not the same girl anymore. But I can help with that. "A movie. Since when do you not want to party? If I remember correctly you got us started on all of this. Am I wrong?" Ivy teased. After Thank god, Ivy has the gift of teasing and making people feel guilt tripped into doing things she wants. Me and the guys haven't had a night out since last winter. Yes, since last winter. It's now 5 months later. It didn't feel the same without Naomi so we stopped. Plus, Tristian was drinking way too much due to Naomi being gone. I looked over at Ivy to see her frowning.She was just ' jumping with joy.'

7

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After school I headed home to look for an outfit for tonight. Ma was staying home late these days. I headed up to her door. It was locked but If you watched an amount of spy movies as I have you know a thing or two about breaking or opening locks. I pulled out a bobby pin from my hair and dangled the door until it unlocked. I slowly walked in looking for any possible traps or camera not that my ma would put up any. She has her mind set on the fact that she raised me right. Right enough to get into Princeton at least. I slowly opened the door to the left, her walk in the closet.