"Mew."
I opened my eyes and Tigger was lying on my chest as if to tell me it was time to get up, so I got up and held him close. Tigger purred happily; he was obviously content to be held all day.
"I have to get ready for school," I told Tigger in a kind voice, gently setting him on my bed.
With a sigh, I got up and I looked at myself in the mirror before sitting back on my bed to write a few quick lines in my journal. I have to remember to eventually thank Sharon for buying it for me.
I am Mary Anne Spier, I will be 14 in a couple of weeks, and I am going into ninth grade at Stoneybrook High School. Dad and Sharon couldn't be prouder and Sharon even bought me a good luck present; this little journal in which I now write. I'm so nervous about high school because it's only one of many changes that my family and I have gone through in such a short time. It's the thought of meeting new people that makes me a little nervous. Will I make friends or even find a new boyfriend?
At the thought of a new boyfriend, I stop writing and set the journal aside. I feel freer ever since I broke up with Logan, but I'm not really sure I'm ready for a new boyfriend yet. Maybe I should take Dawn's advice and simply focus on getting used to high school and making friends as I go along.
Dawn has already been in high school for a whole year because eighth graders were moved to Vista's high school building and she is looking forward to ninth grade. She says that her and her other friends are all rallying around Sunny this year because it is Sunny's first time starting a new year of school without her mother around. Sunny and her dad are in family counseling, but they also spend a lot of time at the bookstore. I understand what Sunny is dealing with and I hope she is doing very well.
The thought of Dawn and her friends make me think of my friends. I know that Kristy is still hurting over the end of the Baby-Sitters Club and I hope I can be a supportive friend to her even if we aren't in a lot of similar classes together. I also need to make sure to support Claudia as she deals with having to take modified classes; special education isn't a bad thing, but she might think she's disappointed her parents.
Abby and Jessi are also people I need to remember to keep in touch with simply because I am close to them and Mallory's not around to hang out with Jessi. Now that the barn has been renovated and we are living in it, perhaps I can invite everyone over for a party like we used to have back when the club…
"Mary Anne, you're going to be late!" my father's voice suddenly calls up the stairs.
Sighing, I load my backpack with my journal and zip it; I loaded the rest of my school supplies last night.
Blowing another kiss to Tigger, I hurry downstairs and find Dad and Sharon sitting at the breakfast table, "Morning," I say in a kind voice, kissing both their cheeks. "Do I have time to grab breakfast?"
"Yes," Dad replies, a smile on his face. "Are you nervous about your first day of high school?"
I shrug and get some cereal before joining Dad and Sharon at the table. Silence fills the house as I quickly eat and then wash my breakfast dishes because Dad likes me to do that. I wave goodbye and hurry out the door so I can catch the bus on time. The bus comes not long after I reach the stop.
The ride is quiet, as I really don't know any of the kids on the bus, and the bus gets to Stoneybrook High rather quickly. I get off and I immediately see Kristy and Abby waiting for me in the front courtyard.
I immediately hug them both because I am so relieved to see familiar faces right off the bat even if we don't end up being in all of the same classes. Soon enough, Claudia joins us because Janine drove her to school that day to help her feel less nervous about her special courses. Claudia looks tired.
"Hi, you guys," Claudia spoke in a tired voice. "I was up late last night looking at my new courses…"
I nod, trying to be supportive even though I have no idea what special education is like in high school, "I hope we'll have at least one course together," Kristy says eagerly. "Are you still taking art, Claud?"
Claudia smiles, "I'm going to be undergoing a review to see if my art is good enough to take college or university courses," she explains eagerly. "My time studying under Mackenzie Clarke in New York and with Rachel on Monhegan really helped. Rachel was the one who recommended me for the review."
"That's great, Claudia," I reply in a kind voice. "How do your parents feel about it?"
Claudia shrugs, "As long as I excel in my classes, they'll support my art career," she replies softly.
Just then, Stacey arrives off another bus and she, Kristy, Abby, Claudia, and I share a hug as the warning bell rings. We quickly pull apart and join the mass sea of kids who are going into the high school.
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