Joe strolled into school. For once in her life things were going ok. From a
distance, she could see a short girl with dark brown hair struggling with
all the books she was holding. As Joe noticed a book beginning to fall, she
rushed over and caught it.
"Thanks," The girl said nervously, as Joe straitened up.
"No problem," Joe replied, smiling at the girl," Are you new here?"
"Kind of," the girl began,"I got transferred from another school. There was this issue with over-crowding so I was one of the chosen to change schools."
"Oh," Joe answered,"well, let me be the first to welcome you to Peak County High. I'm Josephine Lawson, by the way, but people call me Joe, Joey, or Josie."
"Hi,"the girl smiled back, revealing her baby blue braces,"I'm Anna."
"Nice to meet you, Anna,"Joe greeted,"here, let me help you with those." Joe took a few of Anna's books so she could get her locker open. Anna had shoulder length brown hair, which was covered by a black bandana. She had thick eyelashes, and deep green eyes. She was short, about 5'2, and was slim.
"So what is your first class?" Joe asked, giving Anna her books back after she had put away what she didn't need.
"Chemistry," Anna answered, taking the books,"Then I have gym, and English literature."
"Oh, I have gym 2nd, and English Lit 3rd too," Joe replied,"Here let me help you find the chem room." Anna smiled and followed Joe down the hall. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- Wendell slumped against the locker next to Ephram's as Ephram dropped off his coat.
"So why are you so happy today?" Wendell questioned.
"What do you mean?" Ephram asked, continuing down the hallway.
"I mean, what is up with the good attitude? Did you kiss Amy again or something?" Wendell wondered, wanting the gossip.
"No, not Amy,"Ephram replied.
"Oh..."Wendell said confused,"whom then?"
"Joe,"Ephram answered, grinning.
"Joe Lawson?" Wendell asked, surprised,"The foxy new girl?"
"Yup,"Ephram responded.
"Wow,"Wendell continued,"How'd it happen?"
"You know, Wendell, you really need to get a life,"Ephram laughed, walking into history. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Kayla, Paige, and Joe sat together on the bleachers in gym. Since the creepy, female, gym teacher was sick, they had a sub, which said they could do whatever. Most of the girls were sitting in groups, but the girl's volleyball team was practicing.
"C'mon Joe, you totally have to try out for the dance squad," Kayla pleaded,"It is sooo fun, and it definitely gets you popularity points. Not that you need any or anything."
"Thanks, Kayla, but I really don't know," Joe replied, putting her hair in a ponytail.
"Yeah, you should totally join cheerleading instead. The dance squad is just a bunch of Laker girl wannabes,"Paige told her, shooting a snide look at Kayla.
"Paige, you are so dumb. I guess all the cheering killed the tiny amount of brain cells you had left,"Kayla replied, pleased with her comment. Paige's mouth hung open stunned, she then squinted her eyes at Kayla, and muttered bitch.
"Guys, guys,"Joe tried to calm them,"Settle down. Both are great, I just don't fit the mold, ya know?"
"No, explain,"Paige instructed.
"Well, I've never been the cheerleading or dance squad type. I mean, I don't like memorizing routines, and my cartwheels suck,"Joe explained,"I'm more of a drama girl or uh, a all-girl metal bands girl."
"Ok, whatever. You would have made a great addition to the dance squad though," Kayla sighed, giving up. Joe scanned the gym, to see what was all going on. To the right and near the bottom of the bleachers, she noticed Anna reading a book.
"Hey guys, I'll be right back,"Joe announced, getting up and walking over to Anna. She sat down next to Anna and leaned forward to read the book title.
"Cry The Beloved Country,"Joe read off the cover,"Is it good?"
"Eh, it's ok. I had to read it as an English assignment in my other school, and even though I don't have to read it anymore, I really wanted to finish it,"Anna explained, slipping her book mark into her book, and shutting it.
"Oh, I think I was supposed to read that a few years back for school, but instead I copied a book repost from the internet,"Joe told her,"Or maybe that was "To Kill A Mocking Bird", I really don't remember."
"So, are you from Texas?"Anna asked, noticing Joe's light southern accent.
"Yup, I was born there, and lived there until I was 6," Joe replied,"Then I moved to New York City, and back again to Texas when I was 14."
"Cool," Anna nodded,"I was born in Florida, but we moved to Everwood when I was 11."
"Hey, want to meet a few friends of mine?" Joe asked tilting her head towards Kayla and Paige.
"Uh, Sure," Anna answered. Joe motioned for Anna to follow her as she strolled over to Kayla and Paige.
"Kay, Paige,"Joe said,"Meet Anna, she's new to PCHS, Anna, this is Kayla and Paige."
"Hi Anna,"Kayla waved. Paige just slightly smiled and waved. Anna waved back, obviously intimidated. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------
The bell rang and Ditey hurried to lunch. It was the beginning of her second week at Everwood Middle School, and she had just started to get used to everything.
"Hey Ditey!" Jisela called from her lunch table. Ditey walked over, wondering what Jisela wanted.
"Hey Jisela, what's up?"Ditey greeted. There were 2 other girls at the table, and three guys.
"Ditey, I want you to meet Lynette , Casey , Hailey , and Caz ," Jisela pointed at each one of them. They all looked very different, and Ditey was eager to get to know them.
"Hi,"They all sang out in unison. Ditey waved and nodded a little. Ditey took a seat in between Jisela and Casey. Casey had shoulder length platinum blonde hair, and was wearing a pink sweater with a long black skirt. She had blue eyes, and was very lanky and skinny.
"So where are you from?" Casey asked, she had a very feminine voice that matched her looks.
"New York, but I was born in Texas, and I also lived in Las Vegas for about a year," Ditey answered, taking a sip of her Gatorade,"Were all you guys born here?"
"No, I was born in Indiana, and lived there till age 9, and Hailey is from Boston," Lynette, the girl with tan skin and long wavy black hair replied. Ditey guessed that she was the artsy one because she had a sketchpad with her, and a pencil stuck behind her ear. On the front of the sketchpad it said "Lynn's Drawings, KEEP OUT".
"Yeah I was born in Boston, but then I came to live here with my sister when I was 7,"Hailey, who had dark red hair, which was put up in a ponytail, with two strands that hung by her green eyes, said. Hailey had a nice figure, and sat up straighter than all the other girls. She seemed very assertive and had a loud, firm voice. She wore a solid colored green shirt that said "Go read your own shirt" on it.
"Oh cool,"Ditey replied,"I've been to Boston, but never to Indiana."
"So, why'd you move here?" Caz asked. It was apparent that she was the group tomboy. She had on tight black exercise pants, and a long Avalanche jersey that hung on her like a dress. Her hung in a messy bun, and she wore no makeup.
"My sister lives here with my aunt, and since my mom and I fight a lot, and Las Vegas isn't the best place for someone my age to be, she thought it'd be best for me to move here,"Ditey opened up to them, which was out of character since she never opened up to anyone she didn't know well.
"How old is your sister?" Casey asked, shifting in her chair as she took a bite out of her peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
"15," Ditey answered, picking at the orange she had brought.
"Oh I have three sisters,"Casey replied,"One is older than me, and the other two are younger."
"I don't have any sisters,"Caz put in,"I have 4 brothers though, and they are all older; I'm the baby."
"Your lucky that you don't have to live with your parents,"Lynette announced,"I can't stand mine at all. They couldn't understand me any less. My father is the worst. He thinks my artwork sucks."
"Yeah, I guess,"Ditey answered. She never really liked to talk about her parents, especially her father.
"I'm having a sleepover tomorrow night, want to come?"Jisela asked, nervously, hoping she'd say yes.
"I'd love to!"Ditey exclaimed, trying to sound enthusiastic, so Jisela was sure that she was interested in going.
"Alright, it's starting at 5, make sure you bring all the essentials,"Jisela added, relieved.
"Cool, see you then,"Ditey said, getting up as the bell rang.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------
~ means memory.
Joe and Ephram walked silently down Main Street, under the black moonlit sky. Snowflakes fell freely from above as shoppers rushed between stores.
"So are you going to go to the spring fling this year?"Joe asked, hugging her blue football jacket, the one Jesse had given her, to her slender body.
"I don't know if Everwood has when,"Ephram replied, stuffing his hands in his pocket and wondering if Joe was hinting for him to ask her.
"Oh Paige said there is. She wants me to go with Bright,"Joe added, glancing over at Ephram,"As if I'd make that mistake again." It once again fell silent, as they past by the toy store and the pharmacy.
"Do you remember the last Spring Fling we went too?"Ephram asked, grinning as he looked at her.
"How could I forget?"Joe giggled in response.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~
Ephram nervously knocked the door to Joe's apartment. The shiny silver 305 glistened on the black wood door. Suddenly it swung open, revealing Joe's mother. She was tall and slender like Joe, and had long dark brown hair reaching the small of her back. There were a few tiny wrinkles next to her bright blue eyes, but you could hardly tell that she was any older than 24. Her smile widened, showing her pearly, straight white super model teeth.
"Well good evening, Ephram, come on in,"Miss Lawson greeted, stepping aside and motioning for him to come in. Her Texan accent was mixed with hints of New York.
"Hi Miss L, is Joe ready yet?"Ephram asked glancing around the apartment. Joe's apartment was the same size as his, and was decorated with lots of artwork and pictures. Joe's mother had a likening for black and white photos of cities and landscapes, which flooded their boldly painted walls. Outside the big glass window, you could see Central Park perfectly, and a little bit of the statue of Liberty. Joe suddenly emerged from the hallway. She was dressed in a strapless black satin dress that stopped right above her knees. Her hair was in a fancy up-do and her makeup was put on flawlessly. Ephram's mouth dropped at the sight of her. Ditey, her 12 year old sister, came running behind her yelling "Don't forget your necklace!". Joe slowly bent down to Ditey's height so she could fasten the old, bronze, tarnished cross necklace around Joe's neck.
"Don't you look breathtaking baby!" Joe's mother yelled giddily, as she ran over to give her a hug.
"Oh mom,"Joe whined, as her mother embraced her,"We're going to be late if you don't let me go soon!" Joe's mother let go, and after taking about 50 pictures of her and Ephram she finally let them leave.
"Finally!" Joe sighed as they stepped into the hall.
"You look amazing, Joe,"Ephram finally said glancing over at Joe.
"Thank you," Joe replied, and curtsied playfully,"You definitely look drool worthy yourself."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~
"So are you going to take Amy to spring fling?"Joe asked, as they neared their neighborhood.
"No,"Ephram answered,"She's probably going with Colin, and I am pretty much over her anyways. Especially since she's been acting so snotty lately."
"Yeah,"Joe replied,"Those Abbott's ain't no good." They both laughed as they walked away into the night.
"Thanks," The girl said nervously, as Joe straitened up.
"No problem," Joe replied, smiling at the girl," Are you new here?"
"Kind of," the girl began,"I got transferred from another school. There was this issue with over-crowding so I was one of the chosen to change schools."
"Oh," Joe answered,"well, let me be the first to welcome you to Peak County High. I'm Josephine Lawson, by the way, but people call me Joe, Joey, or Josie."
"Hi,"the girl smiled back, revealing her baby blue braces,"I'm Anna."
"Nice to meet you, Anna,"Joe greeted,"here, let me help you with those." Joe took a few of Anna's books so she could get her locker open. Anna had shoulder length brown hair, which was covered by a black bandana. She had thick eyelashes, and deep green eyes. She was short, about 5'2, and was slim.
"So what is your first class?" Joe asked, giving Anna her books back after she had put away what she didn't need.
"Chemistry," Anna answered, taking the books,"Then I have gym, and English literature."
"Oh, I have gym 2nd, and English Lit 3rd too," Joe replied,"Here let me help you find the chem room." Anna smiled and followed Joe down the hall. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- Wendell slumped against the locker next to Ephram's as Ephram dropped off his coat.
"So why are you so happy today?" Wendell questioned.
"What do you mean?" Ephram asked, continuing down the hallway.
"I mean, what is up with the good attitude? Did you kiss Amy again or something?" Wendell wondered, wanting the gossip.
"No, not Amy,"Ephram replied.
"Oh..."Wendell said confused,"whom then?"
"Joe,"Ephram answered, grinning.
"Joe Lawson?" Wendell asked, surprised,"The foxy new girl?"
"Yup,"Ephram responded.
"Wow,"Wendell continued,"How'd it happen?"
"You know, Wendell, you really need to get a life,"Ephram laughed, walking into history. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Kayla, Paige, and Joe sat together on the bleachers in gym. Since the creepy, female, gym teacher was sick, they had a sub, which said they could do whatever. Most of the girls were sitting in groups, but the girl's volleyball team was practicing.
"C'mon Joe, you totally have to try out for the dance squad," Kayla pleaded,"It is sooo fun, and it definitely gets you popularity points. Not that you need any or anything."
"Thanks, Kayla, but I really don't know," Joe replied, putting her hair in a ponytail.
"Yeah, you should totally join cheerleading instead. The dance squad is just a bunch of Laker girl wannabes,"Paige told her, shooting a snide look at Kayla.
"Paige, you are so dumb. I guess all the cheering killed the tiny amount of brain cells you had left,"Kayla replied, pleased with her comment. Paige's mouth hung open stunned, she then squinted her eyes at Kayla, and muttered bitch.
"Guys, guys,"Joe tried to calm them,"Settle down. Both are great, I just don't fit the mold, ya know?"
"No, explain,"Paige instructed.
"Well, I've never been the cheerleading or dance squad type. I mean, I don't like memorizing routines, and my cartwheels suck,"Joe explained,"I'm more of a drama girl or uh, a all-girl metal bands girl."
"Ok, whatever. You would have made a great addition to the dance squad though," Kayla sighed, giving up. Joe scanned the gym, to see what was all going on. To the right and near the bottom of the bleachers, she noticed Anna reading a book.
"Hey guys, I'll be right back,"Joe announced, getting up and walking over to Anna. She sat down next to Anna and leaned forward to read the book title.
"Cry The Beloved Country,"Joe read off the cover,"Is it good?"
"Eh, it's ok. I had to read it as an English assignment in my other school, and even though I don't have to read it anymore, I really wanted to finish it,"Anna explained, slipping her book mark into her book, and shutting it.
"Oh, I think I was supposed to read that a few years back for school, but instead I copied a book repost from the internet,"Joe told her,"Or maybe that was "To Kill A Mocking Bird", I really don't remember."
"So, are you from Texas?"Anna asked, noticing Joe's light southern accent.
"Yup, I was born there, and lived there until I was 6," Joe replied,"Then I moved to New York City, and back again to Texas when I was 14."
"Cool," Anna nodded,"I was born in Florida, but we moved to Everwood when I was 11."
"Hey, want to meet a few friends of mine?" Joe asked tilting her head towards Kayla and Paige.
"Uh, Sure," Anna answered. Joe motioned for Anna to follow her as she strolled over to Kayla and Paige.
"Kay, Paige,"Joe said,"Meet Anna, she's new to PCHS, Anna, this is Kayla and Paige."
"Hi Anna,"Kayla waved. Paige just slightly smiled and waved. Anna waved back, obviously intimidated. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------
The bell rang and Ditey hurried to lunch. It was the beginning of her second week at Everwood Middle School, and she had just started to get used to everything.
"Hey Ditey!" Jisela called from her lunch table. Ditey walked over, wondering what Jisela wanted.
"Hey Jisela, what's up?"Ditey greeted. There were 2 other girls at the table, and three guys.
"Ditey, I want you to meet Lynette , Casey , Hailey , and Caz ," Jisela pointed at each one of them. They all looked very different, and Ditey was eager to get to know them.
"Hi,"They all sang out in unison. Ditey waved and nodded a little. Ditey took a seat in between Jisela and Casey. Casey had shoulder length platinum blonde hair, and was wearing a pink sweater with a long black skirt. She had blue eyes, and was very lanky and skinny.
"So where are you from?" Casey asked, she had a very feminine voice that matched her looks.
"New York, but I was born in Texas, and I also lived in Las Vegas for about a year," Ditey answered, taking a sip of her Gatorade,"Were all you guys born here?"
"No, I was born in Indiana, and lived there till age 9, and Hailey is from Boston," Lynette, the girl with tan skin and long wavy black hair replied. Ditey guessed that she was the artsy one because she had a sketchpad with her, and a pencil stuck behind her ear. On the front of the sketchpad it said "Lynn's Drawings, KEEP OUT".
"Yeah I was born in Boston, but then I came to live here with my sister when I was 7,"Hailey, who had dark red hair, which was put up in a ponytail, with two strands that hung by her green eyes, said. Hailey had a nice figure, and sat up straighter than all the other girls. She seemed very assertive and had a loud, firm voice. She wore a solid colored green shirt that said "Go read your own shirt" on it.
"Oh cool,"Ditey replied,"I've been to Boston, but never to Indiana."
"So, why'd you move here?" Caz asked. It was apparent that she was the group tomboy. She had on tight black exercise pants, and a long Avalanche jersey that hung on her like a dress. Her hung in a messy bun, and she wore no makeup.
"My sister lives here with my aunt, and since my mom and I fight a lot, and Las Vegas isn't the best place for someone my age to be, she thought it'd be best for me to move here,"Ditey opened up to them, which was out of character since she never opened up to anyone she didn't know well.
"How old is your sister?" Casey asked, shifting in her chair as she took a bite out of her peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
"15," Ditey answered, picking at the orange she had brought.
"Oh I have three sisters,"Casey replied,"One is older than me, and the other two are younger."
"I don't have any sisters,"Caz put in,"I have 4 brothers though, and they are all older; I'm the baby."
"Your lucky that you don't have to live with your parents,"Lynette announced,"I can't stand mine at all. They couldn't understand me any less. My father is the worst. He thinks my artwork sucks."
"Yeah, I guess,"Ditey answered. She never really liked to talk about her parents, especially her father.
"I'm having a sleepover tomorrow night, want to come?"Jisela asked, nervously, hoping she'd say yes.
"I'd love to!"Ditey exclaimed, trying to sound enthusiastic, so Jisela was sure that she was interested in going.
"Alright, it's starting at 5, make sure you bring all the essentials,"Jisela added, relieved.
"Cool, see you then,"Ditey said, getting up as the bell rang.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------
~ means memory.
Joe and Ephram walked silently down Main Street, under the black moonlit sky. Snowflakes fell freely from above as shoppers rushed between stores.
"So are you going to go to the spring fling this year?"Joe asked, hugging her blue football jacket, the one Jesse had given her, to her slender body.
"I don't know if Everwood has when,"Ephram replied, stuffing his hands in his pocket and wondering if Joe was hinting for him to ask her.
"Oh Paige said there is. She wants me to go with Bright,"Joe added, glancing over at Ephram,"As if I'd make that mistake again." It once again fell silent, as they past by the toy store and the pharmacy.
"Do you remember the last Spring Fling we went too?"Ephram asked, grinning as he looked at her.
"How could I forget?"Joe giggled in response.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~
Ephram nervously knocked the door to Joe's apartment. The shiny silver 305 glistened on the black wood door. Suddenly it swung open, revealing Joe's mother. She was tall and slender like Joe, and had long dark brown hair reaching the small of her back. There were a few tiny wrinkles next to her bright blue eyes, but you could hardly tell that she was any older than 24. Her smile widened, showing her pearly, straight white super model teeth.
"Well good evening, Ephram, come on in,"Miss Lawson greeted, stepping aside and motioning for him to come in. Her Texan accent was mixed with hints of New York.
"Hi Miss L, is Joe ready yet?"Ephram asked glancing around the apartment. Joe's apartment was the same size as his, and was decorated with lots of artwork and pictures. Joe's mother had a likening for black and white photos of cities and landscapes, which flooded their boldly painted walls. Outside the big glass window, you could see Central Park perfectly, and a little bit of the statue of Liberty. Joe suddenly emerged from the hallway. She was dressed in a strapless black satin dress that stopped right above her knees. Her hair was in a fancy up-do and her makeup was put on flawlessly. Ephram's mouth dropped at the sight of her. Ditey, her 12 year old sister, came running behind her yelling "Don't forget your necklace!". Joe slowly bent down to Ditey's height so she could fasten the old, bronze, tarnished cross necklace around Joe's neck.
"Don't you look breathtaking baby!" Joe's mother yelled giddily, as she ran over to give her a hug.
"Oh mom,"Joe whined, as her mother embraced her,"We're going to be late if you don't let me go soon!" Joe's mother let go, and after taking about 50 pictures of her and Ephram she finally let them leave.
"Finally!" Joe sighed as they stepped into the hall.
"You look amazing, Joe,"Ephram finally said glancing over at Joe.
"Thank you," Joe replied, and curtsied playfully,"You definitely look drool worthy yourself."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~
"So are you going to take Amy to spring fling?"Joe asked, as they neared their neighborhood.
"No,"Ephram answered,"She's probably going with Colin, and I am pretty much over her anyways. Especially since she's been acting so snotty lately."
"Yeah,"Joe replied,"Those Abbott's ain't no good." They both laughed as they walked away into the night.