I can't believe it. Today is my first day of school again at a new school, the third school in less than a year. I hate being the new kid in school and to make matters worse this time I'm at Seattle most exclusive private school courtesy of my dad who is the school's groundskeeper, which means I get to go to school for free, otherwise I would be in public school.
It's November and I know I will be behind. Compared to my last school in Las Vegas, I might even be challenged here, which will be a nice change.
I've been in Washington for a grand total of 14 hours; I couldn't take another day with my mother's latest husband. My mom was sad but I think she thought it was the best if I went to live with my dad for awhile. I couldn't agree more.
My dad was thrilled when I called him and asked if I could come and live with him. It's been a few years since we have lived together but I actually prefer living with him.
"Annie, are you ready for this, I told you that you could start school in a few days, no need to rush," my dad says as we pull into the parking lot.
"I know dad, but I know I will have a lot to catch up on and I don't want to get further behind," I say adjusting my school uniform and take a deep breath before I walk through the front doors at Lakeside Prep. I was surprised when I received my schedule that I was in all Honors classes. I knew my grades were good down in Vegas but compared to the high level of academics here, I thought I would have been in remedial classes.
My first class of the day is Honors Sophomore English. English is by far my best and favorite subject. I love books. It killed me that I wouldn't be able to bring my entire collection with me back to Seattle so I just have to make do with getting a Seattle library card.
The worst thing about being the new kid is that you have to introduce yourself in front of the whole class. Trust me; it doesn't get any easier as the day goes on. The best thing about a private school is the uniforms so at least I don't stand out without the designer labels everyone has. For the girls you have two options, a dress or blouse and skirt combination. Today I'm wearing the black and white plaid dress and I'm wearing my hair as I normally do in a loose ponytail. I know I'm not pretty, but I'm not ugly, I'm just plain old me.
Lunchtime is what I have been really dreading. You don't want to sit by yourself but I know no one. I'm not that kind of girl who can go up to someone and ask to sit at their table. After receiving my hot lunch which surprisingly is lasagna and smells actually edible I turn to face the crowd of strangers. I feel my legs start to shake as I move down the aisle to find an empty seat.
"Hey new girl," a girl with short black hair waves at me.
"Me?" I say pointing to myself.
"Yeah, do you want to come sit with us," she says and instantly I feel so much better.
I take the seat right next to the girl and immediately recognize her from my home economics elective class. I didn't want to take any electives, but I was told that I had to at least take one and this seemed like the best one suited for me as the only other option that had an open seat was PE and there is no way I was going there.
"You're Anastasia right?"
"Call me Ana," I say barely looking up at the really pretty girl in front of me. In all honesty, everyone at the table is really pretty; I must stand out like a sore thumb.
"I'm Mia Grey," she says and then goes around and introduces rest of the table.
"So, how do you like Lakeside, I hope we aren't too pretentious," she says and she and the rest of the table laugh. I don't know if she is being serious or it's a joke but I decide to go along with the majority and giggle.
"It's ok, still getting used to everything," I say and look down at my uniform.
"I know there horrible, at least we get free dress day every Friday, it's what I live for," she says and then I'm scared, I know that everyone here is very wealthy so I really going to stick out. I will have two days to find something that is suitable for this kind of crowd.
The rest of the lunch period, I'm quiet and just listen to the group. Everyone has been really welcoming and sweet and even tried really hard to engage me in their conversations. I find out that I have a few classes with some of the girls and they decide to give me the grand tour. But it's Mia whom I really like and I can see her as becoming a good friend.
Mia and a few of the other girls have Geometry together and we all sit together. After my last class with McKenna she pulls me to the main quad where the rest of our lunch groups are hanging out. I have to stay at school for at least another hour until my dad gets off works since the school doesn't provide bus service so I need her to chauffer me around. I know that my dad can't afford to get me a car so I will need to learn the ins and outs of Seattle's public transportation system.
"So Ana, we were planning on going to the mall and then over to my house to do homework, I would love if you could come?"
I can't believe they want me to come with them. I'm shocked.
"That would be great, I just need to tell my dad," I say not knowing if everyone knows that my father works at the school.
I nearly run down to my father's office and ask if I can go.
"I'm so glad that you made friends, I told you there was nothing to worry about," my dad says and fishes out his wallet.
"No dad, I can't take your money," I say.
"I'm not taking no for an answer, consider it your homecoming present."
I can't believe that my dad just gave me $100.
Dad tells me to take my time and he won't expect me home for dinner.
"Just be home by 9," he says and gives me an awkward hug. My dad has never been the affectionate one, but it's still nice, I have missed him so much.
Meeting the girls in the parking lot and I take the last seat in the Mercedes SUV. Wow, this car is really nice. I've never been in such a nice car and this girl is my age.
We head east toward Bellevue. I think we have hit every store in the mall. Mia and the rest of the group have been so welcoming me and I'm surprised that they are not stuck up. I been made to try clothes that I normally wouldn't wear but I'm having fun so I don't have the heart to say no. Mia has even said she wants to give me a makeover, I don't know what she means but I don't want to disappoint my new friend. She hand selects just the perfect out for Friday, although I'm not too sure if I could pull it off.
"You have the cutest little figure, you should hide it," she says tossing another top over the top of the dressing room. No one has ever said that to me before and I'm not sure if she is being honest or just nice because she feels bad for me.
I look into the mirror and almost don't recognize myself. Back at my old schools, I always wore jeans and a t-shirt under a hoodie and a pair of sneakers. I would never wear a skirt let alone something this short, but I'm reassured by everyone that it's just long enough to get around the rules.
After a quick spin in front of the group, I'm greeted with applause and then I'm pulled next door into Victoria Secret as I need to have the perfect foundation garment to pull off the blouse. With my lack of chest, there has never been a need for me to wear a bra, but after trying on a few with a lot of padding, I discover that everyone was right.
We have a great time at dinner and the girls pick up the bill as their way to welcome me to school.
Once dinner is over, Mia drives everyone home as we stayed longer at the mall than planned, but Mia and I still have homework to do and we are partners for our government project so we drive to her house.
"Just to warn you, my parents will probably ask you a lot of questions because that's what they do, but they are going to love you and then there's my brother Christian, you probably won't see him, he's always in his room or out at practice," she says as we pull into the driveway of this massive house.
"You live here?" I ask. I've never been in a house this large before. It's quite overwhelming.
Mia practically pulls me out of the car and into the house where we are greeted by her parents who are sitting in the living room.
"Mom, dad, this is my new friend Anastasia Steele, today was her first day at Lakeside," Mia beams as she introduces me.
"Anastasia, it's so nice to meet you, welcome to our home, I hope you have enjoyed your first and that Mia was welcoming," her mother says standing up to shake my hand.
"Please call me Ana, and yes Mia has been so nice as well as her friends. I'm lucky that she asked me to sit with them at lunch today."
Mia was right, her parents asked me a dozen or so questions before Mia pulled me away and up to her room so we can get started on all of our work.
"So, what did you think of today," Mia asks changing out of her uniform and into a pair of sweats.
"Better than I expected, to be honest, I have a hard time making friends," I admit, but with Mia I don't feel embarrassed by that statement.
"Really, I have a hard time believing that you."
"It's true and it doesn't help that I move a lot. I hope I can stay here for awhile."
Mia looks over at me and questions what I have said so I explain to her my mom's lack of ability to stay married for more than a year or two before moving on.
"I'm here if you ever need to talk, I'm a great listener, well that's what Christian tells me and he never really talks to anyone," she admits.
I don't want to be rude and come right out and ask if there is something wrong with her brother so I think of a question that hopefully doesn't offend her.
"Is your brother shy?"
"Christian has had a hard life, you see we were all adopted and Christian has had a hard time dealing with his past so he tends to keep to himself a lot, but we talk all the time, he's my best friend."
That's so nice to hear, I wish I had a sibling whom I considered my best friend.
As we finish up our homework I head to the bathroom before Mia drives me home when I run straight into someone and fall down.
"I'm sorry, I guess I didn't see you, are you ok," the boy with the copper hair says pulling me back up to my feet.
"I'm fine," I said as I look up and see him for the first time and what I see are his beautiful yet mysterious grey eyes.
"And you are?" He asks staring right back at me still holding my hands in his.
"Anastasia Steele."
"Well Anastasia, it's nice to meet you, I'm Christian."
