Chapter 1 – The First First Day
September 8th.
Last night was the last of summer vacation. Every year on the last night of summer, Mom and Dad would take April and me out to dinner at Farley's – one of our favorite restaurants in Boston. Every year, that would be the best night of summer. And every year, I'd spend the whole day before looking forward to it. A night of great food, laughs with the family, and talking for hours about how our summers were. We'd always end the night eating ice cream and walking along the waterfront. The crisp breeze of summer nights and the sound of the waves. It was perfect.
This year was different. Dad passed away last December and things have not since been the same. The house was colder. Darker. It was as if the sunlight would never cross through the kitchen window the same way again. The Boston air was no longer cozy and inviting but like a blanket heavy with sadness. Breakfast had become an obligation instead of the cheery start to the day it had been. Dinner now lasts all of 15 minutes before I resign myself to my room. Most nights I just throw on some music and lie on my bed hoping to distract myself from my own thoughts. Since Dad died, Grams came to live with us. I guess it's helped to have her around, but things still aren't easy.
I spent most of the summer doing work for school. As you can imagine, my grades kind of took a nose-dive when Dad died and I had to make up a good amount of work over the past few months. I think I've done okay all things considering but really…getting good grades in school is probably the farthest thing from my mind right now. Summer wasn't all that enjoyable.
Three months ago, April was diagnosed with cancer and our lives were turned upside-down yet again. I'm glad April has Grams, Mom, and Beth to help her get through this. I guess I haven't been the best support system for her…but I'm trying. It's just hard.
Today's the first day of school, though. The first first day of school I'll have without Dad. The first first day of school I'll have with April being sick.
I stand at the bottom of the steps at the entrance to Charton Academy when I hear a familiar voice behind me. I turn around to see my best friend, Ford, stepping off the schoolbus.
"I didn't know if you were gonna show up this morning, Bren," she said. "I guess this means you passed summer school, huh?"
"Yeah. Just glad it's over with. Definitely not looking forward to this year, though," I said.
"Aw, come on. The Populars have so many new fashion fads we can make fun of! I mean…have you seen their skirts?"
I chuckled softly. "I missed you, Ford."
"I missed you too, Bren. How about we try to make this year not-so-horrible?"
"Sounds like a plan," I said – forcing a smile as the bell for homeroom rang.
