Old Soul

Chapter One: New School, New Me

There's always something jarring about not immediately knowing where you are when you wake up. As I tried to make sense of the strange room around me, I reach over to turn off the alarm that woke me. The furniture of the room was wrong—it looked too large for the room, making me feel smaller than ever. The bedspread was familiar, a satiny cream with burgundy lace detailing, the same one in my old home. With this thought my memory came flooding in. How could I forget the single largest change in my entire life? The sudden move that brought me from Virginia, where there are four distinct seasons, to Washington, where there are two seasons, cold and rainy and just plain cold? Two thirds of the way into the school year no less.

With this revelation I threw the covers off and head to the bathroom to get ready for my first day at Forks High School. I brushed my teeth and threw my hair into a semi-decent ponytail before changing into the outfit I picked out for this momentous occasion, a lilac sweater, jeans, and a pair of brown boots. I rush down the stairs, my early morning confusion making me late. Grabbing a pop-tart and my bookbag, I head towards the door where my mother waits to intercept me before I make my escape.

"Are you ready for your first day? A fresh start and all that jazz?" She asks with a small, hopeful smile on her face.

"Sure. What's better than starting a new school towards the end of the school year?" I ask sarcastically, softening my expression into a slight grin when I see my mother grimace.

"We wouldn't have done this if we didn't think it was best for you," my mother says while looking down. "Don't forget to pick up your brother after school! Do you have the address?"

"It's already in my phone." I call over my shoulder as I walk through the front door. I shiver in the still-chilly morning air and climb into my Honda Accord, a hand-me-down from my parents. I turn on my navigation and begin the drive to my new school.

I get turned around a bit despite the directions straight from my phone, so by the time I make it to Forks High, I have to park in one of the farthest parking spots in the lot. There are no students loitering by their vehicles, so I assume I'm already late and begin to speedwalk towards the building closest to me, hoping it's the office. From what I can see of the school, I assume that I'm going to have a difficult time trying to find my way around. The school is built like a maze, with multiple buildings that seem to be strewn out willy-nilly. I sigh, surrounded by snow falling lightly, my breath making a white puff in the frigid air.

Upon entering the office, a nice, older woman looked up from where she was typing noisily on an ancient-looking desktop computer. I approached her, glancing at the name plate facing out from her desk.

"Hi, Ms. Cope? I'm Raquel Lewis, I'm new here. I was told to come to the office before heading to class?" My voice came out shakier than I intended.

"Oh, Raquel! I was worried you'd decided not to join us! You're a little late, you see," she babbled, handing me a thick folder with many papers inside, "Here is your schedule; I've taken the liberty of circling the buildings where your classes are and marked the best routes to them. If you could also get your teachers to sign your schedule and return it to me at the end of the day, please. If you need anything else, I'll be here." With a smile and a wave, I was effectively dismissed.

"Thanks, Ms. Cope. I'll see you at the end of the day, I guess." I said as I pushed open the office door with my back. I glance down at my schedule to find my first class, English.

After making the trek to what I hope is the right building, I enter the empty hall, attempting—and failing—to casually look at the room numbers. Finally finding room 347, I steel myself and open the door.