Chapter one: Everyone
Chris
First day of school, great, I think as I pull on the new pants my mom bought last week. I hate the first day. I never understand why parents insist on getting new clothes for the new school year; what's wrong with my old ones? I prefer my perfectly worn jeans and my some-what torn shirts. But mom always buys new things right before school and if I don't wear everything at least once she'll feel bad.
I also don't get why everyone brings all of their new school supplies on the first day. Today all I'm bringing is a notebook, folder, and pen. Nothing flashy, no overstuffed book bag, just the essentials; the one thing I've learnt in the past 3 years of high school you don't need anything for class until at least the second week of school.
My sister, on the other hand, thinks you should have everything just in case. For being twins we couldn't be more different. Amber is smart, top of the class, popular, never does anything wrong. Then there's me; lazy, lucky if I get straight Cs let alone Bs, I have my share of friends but not like her, and I get grounded at least once a week.
At least I can get away from her at school; I'm in the more artistic field, photography, whilst Amber is in business. I think I'd drop out if I had to see her 24/7.
Jake
"As- I mean Jake, are you ready yet?" Sounds like mom is in the hall meaning if I don't get down soon she'll leave without me.
"Ma, it's been six months, how much longer until you remember my name?" Joking as I meet her by the door, back pack over my shoulder ready for the first day of school.
"I know, I know; just give me time." I do give her time, and I understand it's hard, but it's harder for me having to hear my old name all the time.
Today I will be starting school as a boy for the first time. I'm transgender and after loads and loads of paper work and therapy sessions I finally had my name and gender changed in the school records just last week. I just hope no one recognizes me. Over the summer I cut off all of my hair, bought a chest binder, and threw out all of my old clothes and got a brand new wardrobe; one of the perks of living with a mom who will spend as much money as it will take to make me happy. I feel like I look completely different, but my peers will be the judge of that.
All I want this year is to fit it, make some new friends; most of my left me when I told them the big news; and to hopefully get a girlfriend. I want to be myself and be happy. Is that too much to ask?
Sam
"Chris and Amber are here, bye Mom!" I call as I walk out the door, I can hear her say something about chores but by that point I'm already jogging to the car. Thank god they live next door; I'd die if I had to ride the bus.
"Hey dyke," my usual greeting from Chris since I came out to them.
"Hey duche," my usual greeting for Chris since I came out, "hey Amber."
"Will you two ever be civilized?" Amber hates how Chris and I act when we're together. Some people find it weird that I'm best friends with both of them yet they are completely different. Chris and I can fuck around with whilst Amber I can talk to; it's like the best of both worlds. Except that Amber has been a little distant since I came out as a lesbian last year. She said it was fine and that she believes in gay rights but she hasn't been having me over as often. Though being friends with her twin brother, I'm still with them all the time.
I normally hate the first day, but for some reason I feel really good today. Today is the last first day. In 7 months I will be out of here and on my way to California. I am so sick of Canton, Ohio; I need to be in a big city asap. I'm sick of the close minded people here.
"Any news on colleges Amb?"
"Not yet, but I should know soon, I just hope I get into Harvard, anywhere else I don't care."
"Only you would apply before you were even a senior."
"Have to have my options early," I think she's crazy.
Kit
I hate being the new kid; I think as I walk in the doors to my new school, I have no clue where I'm going. Somehow I find my way to my first class: English 3. This should be easy; I love English. I'm the second person there; a boy that looks like a freshman is sitting in the back corner of the class. I take a seat in the middle, I don't want to stand out as the new kid with no friends yet sit in the back and be stuck with everyone who do have friends.
The bell rings ten minutes later and the teacher started pointing out where people will sit. I sit in the 4th row next to the kid who looks like a freshman; I think she called him Jake. Stereotypical English teacher; young, blond hair, wants to get to know everyone on the first day. "Today will be an easy day, just to get to know each other. Let's go around and say our name and our favourite book."
Everyone said books like Series of Unfortunate Events and Twilight, which are okay books, but everyone has read them. When it was my turn I said "I'm Kit, my favourite book is Let The Right One In." I could here a few people question what that was and the teacher said something about never reading that one. Then Jake went, "Hi I'm Jake, I like the Harry Potter series." Wow, his voice even sounds young, I wonder if he hasn't hit puberty yet. At least he likes to read, not many guys can sit and read the whole series.
At the end of the class the teacher let us talk for a bit. I want to talk to Jake but I'm too shy to. He's actually really cute; with his black hair spiked into a faux hawk, bright blue eyes, he looks very little probably about 5 foot 5. I wonder if he's new too.
"So I guess we'll be seeing a lot of each other," I look up and see Jake looking at me with a smile.
"What? I ask stupidly.
"Your schedule," he points to the paper on my desk, "we have math and study hall together as well."
"Oh, well at least I'll know someone then."
"Are you new? I've never seen you before."
"Yeah, I used to live in Columbus; just moved in last week."
"Ha why on Earth would you ever move here?"
"My dad got a job, no choice," I try to smile but I think it comes off sadder than I mean to.
"Well it's not so bad here, boring at times but so is every place. You'll fit in well. Just warning you, you have about one day to pick your friends before you get forced into a clique. Happens every time there's a new kid, everyone wants to be your friend and if you don't pick they will."
"I don't like attention; I'd rather just go under the radar."
"Well, you can stick with me, that's a sure way to not get too many people wanting you."
"Why's that?" I try to ask but the bell rings and we're getting pushed away in the hall. "See you in math," I try to say before we get too far away. He turns and smiles at me and gives an encouraging wave. I'm going to like this school. I go to find my next class with a smile.
Amber
Damn, math next just what I need; to sit with a bunch of juniors because math is the one subject I don't do well in. I think on my way to class. It's not my fault Chris got the math gene and I didn't, that's the only class he does well in and it's my worst.
I take a seat in the back next to a girl with short blond hair. She kind of reminds me of Sam, I wonder if she's gay too. Wait what am I doing; someone's appearance doesn't define their sexual orientation. I've been like this since Sam came out to us. I mean she's my best friends and I support her but what if she changes? I heard many stories of friends coming out only because one likes the other. But if I ever told her that she'd punch me. I love Sam and what her to be happy but I'm just worried something will change between us.
By this point class has started and the teacher tells us we're old enough to pick where we sit. I'm next to the blond girl and her friend, I've never seen either of them and I know everyone. They're probably both new. At attendance I learn the girl is Kit and the boy is Jake. God, Jake looks like he's 15, I'm going to look stupid next to him because I'm almost 18 and in junior math.
We spend the whole class talking and "getting to know each other." I'd rather just jump right in and learn. All I want is to pass this class and graduate. Everyone thinks I'm so smart and everything comes easy but it's hard just to get a B in math. I guess I have something called dyscalculia or something; it's like dyslexia but with numbers. I hate math.
Finally after an hour of listening to everyone talk around me the bell rings and it's time for lunch. I find Sam and Chris and we go out to the quad to eat. The good thing about the quad is none of the underclassmen are brave enough to leave the building in case they get in trouble. It's nice to be with people my age right after math.
Sam and Chris are talking about some prank they want to do on their teachers from last year. I laugh a few times to show I agree but I'm not paying attention. I look around and notice some familiar faces. Although I'm popular and know everyone I still eat with Sam and Chris. No one has ever invited me to eat with them. I notice in the back corner where we used to sit Kit and Jake from math are sitting together. I wonder if they're together, that would prove that her appearance doesn't make her gay.
"Hey, have you guys ever seen them before?" I point to Kit and Jake.
"Yeah I think they're in my study hall," Sam says through a mouth full of taco.
"Oh just wondering," I go back to my food and try to not think about them.
That night, Chris and Amber
"So kids, how was school?" Dad asks at dinner.
"Same old, same old; it's just school," Chris says whilst shoving potatoes into his mouth.
"It was fine, anything in the mail for me?" still hoping for a letter, Amber is starting to get discouraged.
"No, not yet sweetie; I'm sure it's on its way." Mom says rubbing Amber's hand softly trying to make her feel better.
"Don't worry Amb, you're going to get in, just you wait." Chris says giving his twin a thumbs up.
"I hope so," Amber looks down at her plate and doesn't say much else at dinner. Lost in her thoughts about how she will survive math with underclassmen that are smarter than she.
Jake
"How was school Jake," Mom asks as she pulls the pizza out of the oven.
"Hey, first time getting my name right," I say jokingly, she rolls her eyes at me. "It was good," and it was.
"No problems with teachers or names?"
"Nope, I think people think I'm a new kid." I take a piece of pizza and sit on the counter eating; we haven't had a sit down meal since my dad left us.
"Any, uh, cute girls?" Mom hates taking about girls but she tries to be supportive; although I'm straight and she knows I'm a boy she still doesn't like me with girls.
"Nah, not yet," but really there was someone. Two actually; my new friend, Kit, who is beautiful. Short, blond hair, big, brown eyes, laid-back style, and very easy to talk to. Then there was someone I don't even know. I saw her sitting with a girl in my math class. Short, black hair with that Justin Bieber flip, skater look; from what I could tell she was very cute. I think she's in my study hall but I only saw her back at lunch.
Kit
Whilst sitting in my room eating alone since my dads are out for the night I can help to think about Jake. He's just so cute and nice, we talked a lot today. He wasn't even weirded out by me having gay dads. I'm glad I actually made a friend today. It's nice to not be alone, but it seemed like he didn't want to be alone either. Not once today did he point out his friends and at lunch he looked relieved to see me. I wonder if he has many friends or if I'm his only one.
Sam
Mom's drunk again; she isn't even sober on my first day of school, lovely. She's been like this since Dad was killed in Iraq last year. True it took me awhile to get over it and it did trigger me to cut again, but it's been over a year. I hate when she drinks.
I grab some Coke and chips and go up to my room to do my daily routine; sit online until one in the morning. The internet is way more interesting than thinking and worrying about school. Good thing Mom stays sober enough to pay the internet bill. I think then instantly feel bad and wish I didn't think that. Hopefully tomorrow Amber won't be as weird; it was like she was zoning out all day to get out of talking to me. I can tell me being gay bothers her, she just doesn't want to admit it. I wish I could be able to have a girlfriend and hang out with Amber like I could with Chris but I know she won't like that.