The first day at a new school is always scary. Something you want to go well. For most students, the first day of school isn't half way through the first semester.
I woke up around the same time I would have had to wake up at home. I took my shower got dressed and made my hair look really good. I did my make up the same way I always do.
Breakfast was already made for me, sitting at the table. Eggs and bacon. Dad was getting ready to head out the door.
"The bus will pick you up at the corner. Right where Rue Jolie meets Crevice. I'm never here when it arrives, but my assistant called the bus company and they said it arrives at that stop at 7:30. So you have a half hour to do whatever, but I want you to start walking over at 7:20. When you leave the house, turn left. Crevice is the first street that branches off of our street on the right. There is no other street on the left, so you will be fine." Dad said. He then hugged me. "I love you. Have a good day sweetie!"
Then he was gone. I forgot how dad lives in a French area of Cleveland. Most of the street names are French. I remember how he told me the last time I was here that all the schools in this area require French to be taken every year.
It was exactly 7 and my dad was out the door. Mom was right. He does stick to a strict schedule.
There was 3 people already at my stop. 2 boys and a girl. One of the boys looked my age. Along with the girl. But the other boy looked a lot younger. Like he was in grade 7. Maybe even 8. I could see the stop from my house. It wasn't a far walk at all. I put my bag on over my shoulders. I made sure I had all my books and my lunch in it before I locked the door and started towards the bus stop.
Everyone stared at me when I got to the stop. I could tell instantly the girl and the younger boy were related. They looked a lot alike.
"Hi" the older boy said as he started walking towards me. "I'm Dylan. You must be Jack's kid." Dylan said. How did he know?
"Yeah, I am. I'm Aislyn. I just moved in with my dad this weekend." I said.
"Where did you move from? I'm Colleen by the way" Colleen said. I looked over at the girl who started talking to me. She was tall and had black hair that went just below her shoulders. She had big blue eyes that were filled with curiosity.
"Norwood. It's a small town close to Cincinnati." I said. As I told them my town, their faces dropped. Clearly they heard about what happened.
The bus then pulled up and we got on without another word said. There wasn't very many people on the bus yet. Which told me this was either going to be a very long bus ride or there aren't many people in this area.
"Why don't you sit with me!" Colleen said. She sat far away from Dylan. Something told me they weren't friends.
"Sure." I said as I sat down. "So I'm assuming you went to Norwood high?"
"Yeah. You heard what happened?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer.
"Yeah. I heard. Everyone in Cleveland heard about it. Your dad wrote an article about it in the paper! My mom is his assistant. Alison Therein. He faxed what he wrote while he was up there then my mom gave it to the people who create the paper."
"Yeah I know. He was staying at my moms." I said. "So, what's our school like?" I asked avoiding the topic.
"It's alright, I guess. Its huge. Three floors. 2 gyms and a caf. And a huge auditorium."
"Wow. That's a lot bigger then my school. My school only had 2 floors and one gym that was used as a caf and used for assemblies and stuff."
"Oh wow. That's what happens I guess when you live in a small town. I think you will like it here. And honestly, you will fit in perfectly with my friends. You're a regulation hottie. Yes, I know. Stolen from Mean Girls. But it's true!" Colleen said.
The bus stopped and picked up more people. "See that blonde girl right there? That's Pascale Léveillé. She's my best friend. This bus makes a lot of stops in this neighbourhood by the way. It takes 35 minutes to get to school from our stop." Colleen said.
"Colleen!" Pascale said. Pascale reminded me of Angel in many ways. Like Angel, she had blonde hair and was completely gorgeous. She sat in the seat in front of us. "You must be Jack's daughter. I'm Pascale. My mom works with your dad. She writes all the French stuff."
3 other people got on behind Pascale. 2 boys and a girl.
"How many people went to your old school?" Pascale asked.
"Around like, 600. It was a small school." I said.
"Oh my. Well, this school is a lot bigger. We have over 2000. But don't worry you will be fine." Pascale said. I wanted to believe her. I really did. But when someone says 'you will be fine' sometimes, you never are.
In my neighbourhood alone we picked up 20 kids. After what felt like forever, the bus arrived at the school.
I headed towards the school with Colleen and Pascale. And as I walked in the doors, I walked into what is hopefully a good new beginning.
