Stoneybrook Middle School. The three words were practically staring back at me from the little roof above the doorway to the school. I readjusted my backpack and sucked in a deep breath.
Today was my first day of middle school, or junior high as my parents and brainy older sister Janine called it. For the first time in my life (not including kindergarten), I had been looking forward to the first day of school. My parents had treated me with a new backpack (pink and black zebra striped with a single wide baby blue line that crossed diagonally), a large assortment of school and art supplies, a couple of brand-new appropriate but stylish outfits, and a new pair of sneakers. Janine had presented me with a dictionary, thesaurus, and her old 6th grade notes, which I wasn't too thrilled about but appreciated though. Besides my birthdays and Christmases, I've never gotten so many gifts.
"Clau-di-a!" a voice boomed from behind me.
I smiled; that voice was all-too-familiar. Before even completely turning around, I called back, "Hey, Kristy!"
Kristy Thomas and her best friend Mary Anne Spier caught up with me. This morning I had preferred to walk to school but my two neighbors and best friends had gotten a ride from Mr. Spier. "You guys ready for Stoneybrook Middle School?" Kristy asked, looking straight at the doorway.
I nodded eagerly. Mary Anne bit her lower lip and shrugged slightly. Kristy threw her shoulders back, put her chin up high, and walked right in the school, leaving Mary Anne and me still standing at the front, probably looking like chickens.
We looked at each other. "Well, let's go!" I finally said, making her break into a grin. We mimicked Kristy's confident actions and stepped in.
"Wow. This school seems bigger than from orientation," Mary Anne muttered, gazing around. I suggested it was because everyone was here this time. She agreed.
Kristy's and my lockers were coincidentally next to each other. Mary Anne's was straight across from ours. The three of us fiddled with the code a few times before managing to open it and shove our stuff in. "We all have homeroom together, don't we?" I said after taking out a couple of textbooks. "First period I have math. What about you guys?"
"Gym," they said in unison. Mary Anne didn't seem too happy about that.
We compared schedules. The only class I had with them was homeroom and art (seventh period), which was a bummer. I'd been hoping to be going from class to class with my childhood pals. However, I'd also be seeing Mary Anne in second period for science and both for lunch anyway.
Just then the bell rang. My friends and I squealed in excitement and dashed to our homeroom class, nearly tripping over each other.
Homeroom was interesting. We got the usual first-day-of-school notices to give to our parents, a short lecture from the teacher on behavior and attendance for the school year, and listened to the morning announcements, which was just to welcome everyone to a new school year and for us sixth graders to have "the best years of your lives ahead of you." I made a face at the corniness.
Ri-i-i-ing! First period! Although it was math and I was alone, I powerwalked there and chose a seat in the front row. The teacher went over the curriculum and my heart sank. Everything I learned from elementary school had flown out of my mind over the summer. Maybe Janine's math notes will come in handy.
Second period couldn't come fast enough. I'd be seeing Mary Anne and science might not be as bad as math.
"Hi, Claud. Did you like your first period?" Mary Anne greeted me.
I rolled my eyes and made a choking impression. She giggled. "Well, gym still won't be my favorite part of the day. That's for sure."
Our science teacher did not talk about science at all, just the rules and discipline in this class. Third period was the same.
Finally fourth period: lunch! Me, Mary Anne, and Kristy grabbed a table. Kristy literally fought Alan Gray for it. Mary Anne said hello to the Shallaber twins, and I caught sight of Emily Bernstein, Howie Johnson, and Pete Black, old friends from Stoneybrook Elementary. I waved at them. They grinned at me.
The rest of the day flew by. Art was especially fun; the whole class went on a scavenger hunt for art supplies. I was surprised nothing spilled or shattered, considering the amount of noise the boys were making.
Before I knew it, I was walking out of the campus with a large smile across my face. Mimi picked me, Mary Anne, and Kristy up and patiently listened to our chatterings about our first day. "My, girls. So much went on. I suggest you start a journal and write it all down, so you remember what it was like when you grow old."
Mary Anne spoke up, "I already started a journal last night!" Kristy seemed thoughtful, but I brushed that idea away. Writing just wasn't me.
When my friends had been dropped off and I got a snack, I went straight to my room to be an artist to my heart's content. The canvas in front of me was soon submerged with paint, pastels, and pictures. With a thick black pen, I wrote across the bottom: "Day 1 of Grade Six and Claudia."
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P.S. if you like The Hunger Games, please read my fan fic called The 94th Annual Hunger Games. I'd really appreciateit!