Oceans and Emeralds

Chapter 1

"River. It's time to get up." I hear my Aunt Tammy knock as she opens the bedroom door a crack. "We need to go to the school and get your schedule."

"Okay." I groan and bury my face in the pillow. "I'll be out in a few." She closes the door and I rub my eyes as I sit up and yawn. Reluctantly, I get out of bed. I hate everything about school. I mean I get why we need the basic stuff like math and history and shit but why can't we learn any of the cool stuff?

Sighing I look in my dresser to find something that isn't stained or filled with too many holes. After finding a decent shirt and jeans I go to the bathroom and shower before getting dressed and brushing my teeth. At least I'm not actually starting school until Monday. We're just making sure I know where to go and what the school's rules are. Tammy and Arthur sit on the couch in the living room. They're my aunt and uncle. I love them but Arthur's super cheesy puns are kind of annoying.

"Is that what you're wearing?" Tammy asks, referring to my grey shirt and ripped jeans.

"Yeah, something wrong with it?" I ask, looking at the outfit.

"There are holes in it." She points out the holes on the side and shoulder of my shirt.

"I can put on my hoodie." I shrug.

"How about you put on that nice jacket I saw next to your door." She suggests so I start going towards my room.

"Hey, before you do that. I have a question." I stop and give Arthur my attention. "Are those your church pants?" I roll my eyes, knowing exactly what he's about to say. "Because they're holy." He smiles.

"Good one." I give him a sarcastic smile and turn back down the hall to my room. I grab my denim jacket and put it on as I go back to the living room.

"Ready?" Tammy asks as she and Arthur stand.

"As I'll ever be." We go downstairs and out through the shop. "Why are you guys dressed up? It's not like we're going to the white house." I ask as we get in the car.

"We want to make a good first impression." Tammy states. Her dress is nice but it may be too nice considering we're going to school on a Saturday. Arthur's just wearing jeans and a nice shirt. I rest my head on the window and look at the passing small shops and houses. After a few minutes, the buildings aren't as close to each other as trees take over the scenery.

It's not a bad town but I already miss my parents. They're always there for me. Even when I was treating them like shit. I know they love me but I wish they didn't make me move just because I got kicked out of my old school. There were others close enough that I wouldn't have had to move. I've been here for a few days and my room isn't even fully set up yet. I've put my clothes in my dresser and my bedding on my bed but there's still a box of my stuff to put somewhere.

"River? You still with us?" Arthur turns as we sit in the small school parking lot.

"What?" I snap out of my thoughts. "Oh yeah." I quickly follow Arthur and Tammy into the building.

We go to the office where the woman at the desk directs us into the principal's office. "Good morning. I'm Carla Carter. The principal at Breakfait High School." She smiles as we sit down. "Here is River's schedule and you shouldn't have a problem navigating but just in case there's also a map of the school." Tammy takes the papers and hands them to me as I slouch in the seat. I read the schedule as they talk.

"Sorry to interrupt but I've already gotten my gym credits. I shouldn't have to take it again." I sit up to speak.

"Oh yes, most of our classes are full so we had to put you in PE." Mrs. Carter smiles.