Staying Afloat

Chapter 2

We arrived at the high school and I practically jumped out of the car, completely deserting my brothers. I was so excited that I was finally here. I navigated through the hall, making my way to my locker. I had worked really hard on memorizing my combination so I wouldn't make a fool of myself. I was in the top row of lockers, which was nice. I took a couple of pictures out of my backpack and taped them up to the walls. It already felt a little bit more me.

As I was getting my books out of my backpack, I made a terrible discovery. Apparently, at Harbor High School, lockers are given out alphabetically by last name. Which means I have the joy of having Benny's locker right next to mine. And right next to his is August's. Fantastic.

"Hey, squirt! Looks like we're locker neighbors! Aren't you excited?" Benny pulled me into a headlock and started to give me a noogie.

"Ugh, Benny! Quit it!" He chuckled and released me, so I was able to fix my hair.

"Hey, this is good for you. If you have trouble reaching that high up, we can help you." August said, gesturing to my locker that, might I add, was at a perfectly normal and reachable height.

"Very funny." I finished getting my books out and shut my locker door. I turned around and saw a very pretty girl. She was about my height and blonde.

"Hi, I'm Gabby! I think my locker is right under yours."

"Oh sorry, I'm totally in your way!" I laughed at myself a little bit. "I'm Cecilia. Or Cece. Whichever one." Gabby bent down and started to get her books out as she talked to me.

"Cool! Are you a freshman? I haven't seen you around. I'm a junior."

"Yeah."

"Are you in any sports or clubs?"

"No, I don't know what to join." Gabby sprang up excitedly.

"Oh my gosh! You should join the cheer squad! I'm a cheerleader and it's so fun! You'd fit right in!" Benny walked up behind her and started laughing.

"You seriously think she's cool enough to be a cheerleader? She'd fall right on her face in front of everybody!"

"Shut up." I glared at him. I didn't want him ruining my chances of maybe having a cool upperclassman actually not hate me.

"Seriously, tryouts are on Friday! Please say you'll think about it."

"Okay. Alright, I have to go to class." I turned around and started walking down the hall.

After a few minutes, I realized I had no idea where I was. I couldn't figure out how the school was organized. My home room was nowhere to be found. I saw August to the side of the hall talking to some of his friends. I walked up to him and timidly tapped on his shoulder. I was so embarrassed that I had to ask him for help before school had even started.

"What do you need?" He groaned, clearly irritated I was interrupting his 'bro time' or whatever.

"I just don't know where Mr. Gemlock's classroom is."

"It's right next to the North Auditorium."

"I don't know where that is either."

"Fine. I'll show you. But you owe me for being a good brother." I rolled my eyes as soon as he turned around so he couldn't see. I followed him down a couple of halls until we reached the classroom.

"Okay, squirt, it's right here. Gemlock is kind of a hardass, so try to get on his good side."

"Oh great. I'm sure he'll automatically hate me if he had you and Benny already."

"Hey, watch it," August warned. "I'm only being nice to you because you're new here, so don't push it."

"Thank you." I go in for a quick hug. He's clearly embarrassed, but he hugs back.

"Let me know if anybody gives you trouble, okay?" I nod in response and head into the classroom.

This was my homeroom, and I didn't recognize anybody. I took a seat on the side, not too far in the front, but also not too far back. Somebody eventually filled the seat next to me, but they didn't look at me even once.

Mr. Gemlock explained that homeroom was about 15 minutes every morning and that most of the first few weeks would be going over rules and getting to know eachother. Our homeroom were split by underclassmen and upperclassmen, so mine was a mix of freshman and sophomores. At least that meant no Benny or August.

Eventually the bell rang and I headed to English. Our class was also fairly uneventful, and I only recognized a handful of annoying boys from middle school.

My next class was History, and I saw a few people I was sorta friends with in middle school, so I sat by them. The teacher, Mrs. Webber was fairly young and nice.

Finally, it was time for my most dreaded class of the day. Math. I am accelerated in math, so I'm taking pre-calc this year. I'm the only freshman in my class, as it is mostly juniors and sophomores. And, as luck would have it, Benny and several of his friends are in my class. I sit as far away from them as possible, close to the door.

When class finally ends, I book it to the hallway and back to my locker, hoping to miss them. I exchange my textbooks out for my lunch. I shut my locker and begin to walk to the lunch room, but a hand on my shoulder stops me and spins me toward them.

"Hey, squirt." Benny says, smirking. "I thought you and I could walk to lunch together." I sigh, knowing I won't be able to get out of it.

"Fine, but make it quick." Benny gets his lunch out of his locker and we head into the lunchroom. I look around for a table to sit at, but they are mostly full by now. I see a table full of kids from middle school but it's completely full. I look around and feel the panic start to set in.

"Cece, you can come sit with me and my friends if you don't have a table." Benny offers. I know this sounds sweet, but it is just a disguised invitation to my doom. But, I also don't really have an option. I sigh and accept defeat, going to the table full of rowdy junior boys.