"Hey, hey, hey! It's Monday morning at 6:30am, and today's the first day of school for all Gwinnett County! Whether you're starting middle school or high school, or maybe even college, you guys will do great!" my radio alarm clock talked to me.

First day of freshman year, I'm officially in high school, I thought when I turned it down to listen to some music as I got ready. Tik Tok came on, so I sang along, heating up my straighter. Over the coarse of the summer, throughout the heat of the south, and marching band, plus the humidity from when It'd rain, my hair got wavy. And I absolutely hated it.

Walking over to my closet, my phone beeped, mentioning I have a text from someone. Instead of checking my phone right away, noticing I had to get ready soon, I took a sky blue tank top out from my closet along with khaki shorts. Perfect, considering it was supposed to be in the 90's all day; I just love the Atlanta weather.

My phone beeped again, so I hopped over to my bedside table. It was from Andrew, so I automatically felt bad for not checking my phone right away.

Andrew: good morning steph :] I cant wait to see you today, even though I saw you yesterday lol. How did first night with your dad back go? Let me know, I gotta go get in the shower before Ally wakes up, you know how long it takes her to shower! Lol i love you

Andrew: oh, also Garrett is taking me and Ally to school, he said we could pick you up on the way there if you want, just let me know

Stephanie: yeah, thatd be great :] eh, it went okay. We had a family dinner, my dad's favorite food but I just stayed quiet. It was awkward for me :/ hopefully itll be better soon. He didn't even drink wine with my mom, so I guess it worked, but well see. I love you too :]

I smiled, loving how he always sent me good morning texts. Ever since we started dating, all ten months, every day he'd send me a good morning text. Even when I was in Clover. He's the best boyfriend ever. Then I remembered, again, that my dad was back. Thinking about everything, I finished straightening my hair. Lucky for me, it didn't take long to straighten, and it'd hold, at least through out school.

I took my marching band bag, and put spandex, soffees, and my eight grade t-shirt in the bag, remembering I had practice after school. I grabbed my extra brush, hair ties, and bobby pins, knowing it'd be hot outside, and that I'd want to put my hair up.

"Stephanie, are you up?" My dad knocked on my door, obviously not hearing my radio in the background, or me shuffling.

"Um, yeah? I've been up for, like, twenty minutes?" I told him.

"Do you need a ride to school?"

"No, Garrett's going to take me."

"Who?"

I rolled my eyes, grabbing all my stuff from school and opening the door. "Garrett, Andrew and Ally's older brother, he's a senior this year," I avoided looking him in the eyes.

"Is Mom okay with him driving you?"

"Well, he's drove me around before, so I'd imagine so," I galloped down the stairs, hoping he'd shut up already.

"Alrighty, I love you, have a nice day," he replied.

I didn't reply, since I was texting Andrew again.

Andrew: aw, im sorry. It'll get better, I promise :] G will probably be ready to leave in like 10 minutes, so id think wed be there in like 15 or 20 minutes. A's excited to see you, but she says shes too tired to text you lol

Stephanie: haha, yea, shes always like that. First day of school, earliest weve been up since the last day of school lol. Actually earlier, which really makes me sad. I used to wake up at 7:30 since school started at 8:15, but now school starts at freakin 7:30. Its stupid

Andrew: yea, ik what you mean. Its worse for me since I have to wake up earlier and take a shower and you take yours at night. I should do that since A takes her showers in the morning. Itd save me time and id be able to sleeeeeeep lol

Stephanie: aw, but then you wouldnt even be close to giving me good morning texts by the time I wake up, your usually right on time lol

Andrew: just for you ill wake up to send you your good morning texts :P alright were leaving now

Stephanie: kk, im sitting outside

I walked out the door to sit on the front steps of my house. It wasn't even 7:15, and it was probably already 80 degrees. I loved the summer warmth, but hated that I'd have to be inside for seven hours. But than again, I have to be outside for three hours for marching band, which makes me hate the brutal warmth, since it's even hotter then.

I thought about how today was going to go. Andrew's classes are all close to mine, except for band which we have together, so he said he'd walk me to my classes. Ally and I have one class together, English one honor. Homeroom, though, are no where near each other, since our last names are miles away. H is on the second floor, C on the first, but it's only for the first week of each semester, and when we get report cards.

We agreed we'd go to the band room until the bell rang, then go to first period. An advantage of being in marching band was knowing people before school even started. So, we're friends with a lot of upperclassmen, like Lizzy, Crystal, and Hanna, for example.

"STEPHANIE!!!!" Ally screamed, running out of the car to hug me, also getting me out of my trance.

"ALLY!!" I screamed back, hugging her tight.

I saw Garrett laughing at us, and Andrew telling him to shut up. Andrew strutted over to me, waiting for Ally to let me go.

"Ally, you can let go now," I laughed, smiling at Andrew.

She let go of her grip around me and backed off, "Sorry, I'm just so excited!"

Andrew walked up to me, and kissed me while taking my hand. "Hey," he smiled.

"Awwww," Ally purred.

Garrett rolled the window down, "Come on guys, you just saw each other yesterday, and we have ten minutes before the first bell rings," he sighed.

Andrew grabbed my backpack and led me to Garrett's car, opening the door for me.

"Hey, Garrett, thanks for the ride," I climbed in the car.

"No problem, we can do this for the year if you want, I'm sure your lover boy would love that," he smirked at Andrew.

"Dude, shut up!"

I laughed, taking Andrew's hand in mine. "Sounds good to me, and yes, my lover boy would like it," I laughed again. "What about Melanie?" I asked, talking about Garrett's girlfriend of four years, who happens to be in the guard with me.

"Since she lives right across from the school, she just walks. But I do walk her home, so you guys have to wait for me to walk her home and everything. Just a warning," he replied.

"'Kayyyyyyyyy," Ally yelled, being herself.

Andrew and I laughed, happy to be with our little group again.

"Think this year is gonna be the best year EVER?" Ally turned around from the passenger seat.

"Wrong, senior year is the best year ever!" Garrett defended.

"Dude, you've been a senior for, like, two hours," Andrew laughed.

"Unless you're talking about senior citizen!" Ally laughed at her own joke, us soon following, even Garrett.

"I think you're talking about grandma, little sister," he laughed.

I laughed along with my boyfriend, my best friend, and my basically brother, thinking of how great this year is going to be. This is the start of something new, something great, and something different; but most importantly, it's the start of my new life.