~Breakfast table~
"Morning mom." Sam said as she sat down to eat breakfast.
"Good morning Sammy. You ready for school?" Mrs. Williams asked her daughter.
"Hope so." She answered.
"Hi mom, hi dad. Morning Sammy." Nikki greeted everyone as she walked into the room.
"Looks like your ready for school pumpkin." Mr. Williams said.
"Yea, it'll be okay. Not like before, but okay." Nikki said as she took a spoon full of her cereal in her bowl.
"Mom, we're walking home today right?" Sam asked.
"Yes, here's your key. And remember to lock the door once you come in." Mrs. Williams reminded Sam again.
"Yes mom. I got it." Sam said as she rolled her eyes. The two girls ate breakfast and cleaned up after themselves. They got their bags and went out to wait for their dad.
"Okay girls, let's go." Mr. Williams said as they all got into the car. He dropped the 2 girls off on the street across from the school. He opened the window and said to them, "Nikki, you wait for Sam to come out of the school before you start walking home okay? I'll see you girls when I get home. Have a good day girls!" he said as he started to drive off.
"Bye dad." They said after his car.
"Okay Nikki, this is it." Sam said in a lingering voice.
"Oh come on Sam, it's not like we're going to die. Let's go." Nikki told her sister as they walked across the street to Nikki's school.
"Now Nikki you wait for me outside here okay. Don't leave the building. And don't talk to anyone you know?!"
"Yes mother." Nikki replied.
"Very funny." Sam sad giving Nikki the 'sister' looks. "Have a good day sis. See you later." Sam said as she kissed Nikki's head and walked off to her school. As she walked off to her new high school, she saw all these cars with kids driving by. With their music blasting, she watched them drive by. As she got closer to her school, she heard all the voices of the kids outside.
* "This is it." * She thought to herself. She walked right up the
stairs into the school. She looked around at everything. The kids, the
classrooms, the teachers, the lockers. She walked towards the office
and still was amazed @ the assortment of all the different kids here.
~Office~
"Hi, I'm new here. My name is Samantha Williams. I was hopping that you had my schedule for me." Sam said to the office lady.
"Oh yes, Principal Stevens would like to meet you personally. She's right through that door." The office lady said to Sam and showed her the way to the principal's office.
~Principals Office~
"Principal Stevens." Sam said as she walked in and closed the door.
"Well hello. Why don't you take a seat young lady?" Mrs. Stevens said to Sam. "I suppose that you are Samantha Williams correct."
"Yes Principal Stevens." Sam answered.
"Why please, call me Mrs. Stevens. Now, the reason why I wanted to meet you was because I was looking @ your previous records and files from your old school. And I have found that you are an outstanding student! You were in an assortment of school clubs and teams, you received many awards for your school, and your grades were amazing!"
"Thank you Mrs. Stevens. That means a lot coming from a principal." Sam said smiling.
"I hope that this move to another town does not affect your academic skill for school. I'd really like to see you succeed her @ Lawrence High." Mrs. Stevens finished. "Well, here is your schedule for your classes. Your locker number and your locker combination. You shall be a little late for your first class, but I let the teacher know of it. Okay, off you go. Have a good first day Samantha." Mrs. Stevens said.
"Thank you. Have a good day yourself." Sam said and stood up to go out the door. She left the office and looked @ her schedule in her hand.
"Social Studies. Mr. Lamberg. Room 105." * She thought to herself. As
she found her way to the classroom, she stopped off outside before
going in. She took in a deep breath and relaxed. She opened the door
and stepped in. She saw everyone staring @ her in the front of the
class.
~Socials Class~
"Well, you must be Samantha right?" Mr. Lamberg said with a yardstick in his hand. "Well come on in!" he said welcoming. "Class, I'd like to introduce you to your new classmate, Samantha Williams. She just moved here a couple of days ago." He said happily. Sam smiled to the class, but only found a few students with a delightful face on.
"Why don't you take a seat in the second row." He said gesturing to her new seat. Sam walked over to her seat with a few eyes following her. She sat down while Mr. Lamberg began to say something.
"Samantha, why don't you come up to the front of the class." he said. While she thought to herself,
* "Oh great." *
"And tell us a little bit about yourself and where you came from." He said politely.
"Sure." Sam said with a half smile on. She walked to the front of the class and stood about 2 steps away from her teacher. With her long black and brown hair in a ponytail swishing in the back of her, she turned around to face her class. She reached into her pocket of her black long pants to fit her hand in it that was being slightly covered by her purple shirt that had a surfboard on it. That said: Surf Rider.
"Hi everyone." she said as the entire class slowly brought their attention to her. "My name is Samantha Williams. I just moved here from Patterson a couple of days ago. I'm 15, and live with my mom dad and sister." She said. She tried to continue when a boy in the back of the class raised his hand and asked her,
"Hey, what's with your shirt? What's on it?" he asked.
"Oh, that's a surfboard." Sam replied. Then a couple of voices called out,
"So do you know how to surf?" and "Can you surf?" as well as "How do you surf?!" Then Mr. Lamberg interrupted all the questions.
"Okay class; let's have Samantha explain it to us. How does that sound?" he asked in the teacher like voice.
"Well, this is a picture of a long board. And I do surf. I've been surfing from when I was a little kid." She answered.
"Oh really, where did you surf? I don't recall Patterson having any surfing points here in California." Mr. Lamberg asked as a few laughs filled the room. Sam, wanting to prove that she did surf, and not to have everyone think she was a fake, she spoke up.
"My family always goes to Hawaii over vacations. During summer, winter, anytime when we had a long weekend from school. That's just our vacationing spot." She told them.
"Oh really." Mr. Lamberg sounded interested.
"Yeah. I usually head over to Pipeline. This is pretty much the best surfing point on the island that most of the pro surfers go to practice. Then, there's Waimea. That has some wicked waves there itself." Sam said in a confidence voice. Then another hand went up to ask a question.
"So why did you start to surf? Did your family make you?"
"No, not really. See, I was born in Hawaii. So my family had been part of this surfing group. And my dad was really into it. So once I turned 4, he took me out there on this little boogie board and started teaching me a few things. Then as I got older, about a couple years older he gave me my own surfboard on my birthday." She said. She heard some "Woa's!" here and there. And some "Cool." Coming from the back.
"Yea. But then my family moved up here soon after that. But when I still was back in Hawaii, everyday during the summer we went out to Pipeline to watch and to surf. And I surfed my very first wave there. It was cool." Sam ended.
"Well, that's quite a life!" Mr. Lamberg told the class. "Since we're reviewing the 50 states of our country, why don't you point out where those surfing points are? Since you have the class' attention with it." He said. He pulled down the map of the U.S. as Sam walked over to it. She pointed to the Hawaiian Island chain and said,
"This is the entire Hawaiian Island Chain. And this is O'ahu. Where I was born. But you can't really see the surfing spots on this map. It's too small." She said looking over to Mr. Lamberg.
"Well, lets get this picture of the island." He said handing her a poster sized picture of O'ahu.
"Okay, over here, towards North Shore," she said placing her finger over the point. "This is where Pipeline is located @. And over here," she said moving her finger a bit. "Is where Waimea is." The class was in total 'aw' about Sam. She was surprised that this class wasn't that bad. The rest of the class she spoke about Hawaii. And the different places, and all the cool things about the islands. Soon the bell rang, and everyone left to go to their next class.
"Thank you for sharing with the class Samantha. We're excited to have you here @ Lawrence." Mr. Lamberg told her.
"Thanks Mr. Lamberg." She replied heading out the door.
She headed out the door trying to get to her new locker. But on her way there, she was stopped by a few of the students in her Socials class.
"Hi! My name is Sara." This girl came up to her and said.
"And I'm Nick." This boy said.
"Hey." Sam answered back to them.
"Well, we just wanted to welcome you to Lawrence. You were great in Socials!" Sara told her.
"Yeah. We think it's cool you were born in Hawaii. And that you know how to surf. It sounds cool to surf." Nick said to Sam.
"Thanks. Yeah, it is fun. But I'm sure you guys have cool stuff to do here too, right?!" Sam asked.
"Cool, what do you mean by cool?" Nick said.
"There aren't that many things to do around here. But we find things to do." Sara told her.
"Oh, well that's still sounds fun. Well, I have to get to my next class. So I'll see you guys later." Sam said as she waved goodbye to them. She realized that she wasn't going to have that much time to go see where her locker is. So, she just headed over to her next class.
~French Class~
"Bonjour!" Ms. Stover greeted her class as she walked in the door.
"Bonjour Madame." Her class replied. Ms. Stover looked through her papers that she placed on her desk. She found a certain paper then stood up straight and walked to the front of the class.
"Class, today we have a new student joining us from the town of Patterson. Her name is Samantha Williams. Samantha, will you please come to the front of the class." Ms. Stover asked her. She walked to the front of the class and stood next to her teacher. "Would you please introduce yourself to the class Samantha?" she asked. So that's what Sam did. She introduced herself like how she did in Social Studies. Except she left out that whole surfing conversation this time.
"Thank you Samantha. We hope that you enjoy French class here. You may take a seat." Ms. Stover said directing her to her seat again. With Ms. Stover's strong English accent, she said to Samantha as a paper was being passed back to her, "Samantha, here in French class we all have French names that we go by. So, if you would please take a few minutes to choose one for yourself, and tell me when you're done. For the time being class, just get your textbooks and workbooks out and get ready for class. Monique, would you please assist Samantha." Ms. Stover went back to her desk to get things ready.
"Hey. I'm Monique." This girl sitting next to Sam said. But my real name is Rachel. Nice to meet you." She said sticking out her hand.
"Nice to meet you too." Sam said as they shook hands. "Umm, @ my old school, my French name for our class was Gabrielle. I can just use the same name again right?" she asked.
"Sure." Monique said. Sam got up to go see Ms. Stover and told her what her name was going to be.
"Class, say hello again to our new student, Gabrielle!" she announced. And the class replied,
"Bonjour Gabrielle." And Sam replied to them,
"Bonjour." And headed back to her seat.
"So class, today we were working on French verbs related to avoir. So, let me go over them again: J'ai Tu as Elle a Il a Nous avons Vous avez Elles avec Ils avec" Ms. Stover said.
"Gabrielle, are you familiar with these?" she asked.
"Qui Madame." She answered.
"Okay, let's go on." She said. And the class went very well. Soon the class was over and the bell rang.
"See ya later Sam." Rachel called after her.
"Bye Rachel." Sam said packing her bag. As she stepped out of her classroom, she saw Tatri coming up to her.
"Hey Sam! Good to see you again." Tatri said to her.
"Yeah, it is good to see you." Sam replied smiling.
"Hey, it's recess now. We have about 15 minutes of free time. Did you find your locker yet?" she asked.
"Nope."
"Cool. I'll help you find it. Let's go." Tatri said walking beside Sam.
"So, how has your day been so far?" she asked Sam.
"It's okay. Different, but okay." Sam replied. She took out her paper with her locker number and combo on it and showed it to Tatri.
"Hey! You're locker number is 203, mines is 206." Tatri said happily. They walked over to her new locker and stopped. "Yep, here's my locker." Tatri said patting her locker door. "That must be yours." She pointed to two over from hers.
"Cool." Sam said and opened her locker. "Not bad. I guess its okay." She said and took some of her stuff from her bag and put it into her locker.
"So what's your next class?" Tatri asked Sam.
"P.E. I think. What about you?"
"Same class! Cool, we're in P.E. together." Tatri said.
"Cool, let's go." Sam said as she closed her locker. They walked off in the direction of the gym. On their way there, they stopped to say to some of Tatri's friends.
"Hey guys. This is Sam. She just moved here. Remember I told you." Tatri said to her friends.
"Hey." Sam said smiling.
"Nice you meet you Sam. I'm Rebecca. But just call me Becca." She said as she shook Sam's hand.
"Sup Sam. I'm Vince. Nice to have you here @ Lawrence." Vince said and shook Sam's hand. Sam smiled and said,
"Nice to meet you Vince."
"Hey, you've got a quite a handshake there." He told her.
"Thanks." Sam replied.
"And last but not least, this is Logan. She's super cool." Tatri said gesturing to Logan.
"Hey Sam. Nice to meet you." Logan said.
"Same here." Sam said.
"Well, sorry guys. We gotta cut this short, but we gotta get to P.E. Don't want Ms. Razz go get mad." Tatri said.
"Nice meetin' you guys." Sam said waving goodbye.
"See ya guys later." They said as the two girls walked on by.
"Your friends are nice." Sam said walking with Tatri.
"Yeah. But hey, they're your friends now." Tatri said smiling @ Sam.
~P.E.~
"Good morning class." Ms. Razz said to her class as her class greeted her back. Her class was sitting down on the gym floor when Ms. Razz was about to say something else.
"Okay, I'm gonna take roll. So listen up." She said flipping her pages. She then began to call out names of students.
"Nick, Lara, Andy, Patricia." All of the names with a 'here' after them. "Simon. (pause) Simon?" she called out.
"Umm, Simon had to go to the office Ms. Razz. He'll be missing class." Simon's friend Chris told their teacher.
"Thank you Chris. Okay, where was I." she continued on with the class. Finally she got down to the last one and the list was finished. "Class, we have a new student here @ Lawrence. Her name is Samantha Williams, so please welcome her!" she said as she called Sam up to where she was standing. The students clapped for her as she walked up to the front.
"Hey everyone. I'm Samantha. But just call me Sam if you want. Umm...I moved a couple of days ago from Patterson. And I'm happy I'm here." She said cheerfully. She realized that this move wasn't that bad. She still likes her old home and town better, but being here wasn't that bad.
"Thank you Samantha. Okay everyone, time for some basketball." Ms. Razz announced while everyone went to their side of the gym to practice for the games today.
"Sam, which team would you like to go with?" she asked.
"I'd like to go with Tatri, if that's okay." Sam asked.
"Sure. Tatri, tell Sam what we're doing."
"Okay Ms. Razz." Tatri called back to her. "Okay, so we're just playing games of basketball. We'll be doing this for a while. And sometimes we might do drills. Like lay-ups, passing, stuff like that. Besides, you should know how the games go. Miss Basketball star." Tatri said with a laugh.
"Okay, let's do it." Sam said as they walked over to their team. Tatri introduced everyone to Sam, and they practiced dribbling. Then the whistle was blown, and the games started. The other team ran down to the basket which Sam's team was by. A girl passed the ball to a boy that was @ the top of the key. He dribbled the ball a little, then moved over the left side and tried to shoot. He missed and someone on his team got the ball. He tried to pass it to a girl, but then Sam blocked it and went right through the two. She stole the ball and drove down to the other side of the court. With a lay-up, she made a shot!
"Alright Sam!" Tatri said giving her high 5.
"Way to go Sam!" Another guy on her team said to her.
"Thanks guys." Sam said smiling. The game went on for a little while. And then later the other 2 teams that were playing stopped to watch Sam's side of the gym. Even Ms. Razz was watching them play.
Tatri stole the ball and ran down to their basket. She passed the ball to a guy named Devon who dribbled and faked to shoot. Then he passed the ball to Sam who made a jump shoot from the top of the key winning the game!
"Woa! Williams, hustle on down!" Ms. Razz called to Sam. "Where did you learn to play like that?" she exclaimed.
"Oh, I was on my old school's basketball team." Sam told her. With some students crowding around the teacher and student, the conversation continued.
"Well, I think I'll be looking forward to seeing you on the team this season!" she told Sam.
"Shoots, that's great!" Sam replied with a big smile.
"Okay, enough of this gathering," Ms. Razz blew her whistle noticing everyone coming around. "Hit the showers gang. We're done for today." She said and headed in herself.
~Girls Locker Room~
Tatri and Sam were sitting down on the benches while they put on their shoes again.
"Hey, I didn't know you were that good Sam!" Tatri told her.
"Well, you didn't ask." Sam replied as they both let out a chuckle.
"Man, Sam right?" this girl asked her. "You're really good! I'm Natasha. I hope to see you on the basketball team!" she said and walked on by.
"Cool. Well, I think this class went well." Sam said with a smile. Sam and Tatri walked out the door when they heard the bell ring. They walked on down the hall, to their lockers.
~~Meanwhile~~
"Simon!" Devon called to his friend as he came out of the locker room. "You totally missed a great game in P.E.!" he said.
"Devon, its just basketball. No big thing." Simon said in disbelief he missed anything big.
"No really. There was this girl, came out of nowhere! And totally was rippin' down the court! She was awesome!" he told Simon more about what happened during class. And how much he should have been there.
"So, what class you headed to next?" Tatri asked Sam.
"Oh, Science I think." She said.
"Cool. Science is down that away. See you later Sam." Tatri told her as she closed her locker.
"Yeah, see ya Tatri." Sam said. She took out another notebook, and put in a folder. She closed her notebook and headed in the direction that Tatri pointed out to her. So Sam walked on down the hall until she got to a corner. She turned the corner heading to her class. When she saw this big figure come in front of her and she bumped into someone. She fell to the ground with some of her books falling out of her grasp.
"Woa. I'm sorry." She said, not knowing who she was talking to.
"No, it's my fault. I'm sorry." The figure said to her. As they both got up, they grabbed the books near them. They both got to a standing position when the person across from her said,
"I wasn't looking where I was going."
"Yeah, me too." She told the person. She looked up from her books which she was fixing. And she saw this tall handsome blonde headed boy that was looking right @ her. He looked @ her for a little while. Finally with a few seconds of silence gone by, he said to her,
"Oh, here's your book." He said handing it to her.
"Thanks." Sam replied, putting it with the rest of her books.
"I'm Samantha Williams." She said sticking her hand out.
"Oh, Simon Camden." He said with a shake of his head. Trying to focus the thought that she said something to him. From gazing @ this girl, he had to shake it off his mind. They shook hands, and what felt like a jolt go through their hands to each other, they both pulled back their hands. They both looked up @ each other and stared into each others eyes. 10 seconds went by when Sam finally said something.
"Well, I better get to my class." She said to him.
"Yeah, me too. I'll see you around sometime." Simon told her.
"Definitely." She replied with a smile. He smiled back and turned to go. She turned towards her next class and smiled to herself. She felt something different. Maybe it was the thought of this new boy she just met.
She went over to Science and went through the introduction part all over again. It was like it was some sort of routine that they had here @ Lawrence High School for new students. But she felt comfortable with everyone knowing her. And not just being known as 'the new girl'. After Science she headed over to her next class which was Chorals. That was a class to learn about music. Learning to read music, play different instruments, projects on music history. A class for music. Once she got there, she stopped in the front of the class to once again, announce her new being here @ Lawrence.
~Chorals Class~
"I'm Samantha Williams.." She continued. Almost repeating the exact same thing she said in Science.
"Well, we're happy to have you here in our Chorals class." Their teacher Mr. Morita told them. "Well, Samantha, jus call me Mr. M. And take a seat on table blue. Next to Tarti." He said pointing over to her table. The table was talking, and he called their attention.
"Table Blue." He repeated. And with that, the 4 other students on the table turned around. She saw Tatri, Logan, a new girl she never met. And last she saw turn around to the front of the class, Simon. She headed over to her new table and sat next to Tatri.
"Hey Sammy. Cool, anotha class, togetha!" Tatri said giving Sam a slap on the hand.
"Well, with our new student here in our class, I would assume that she would be introducing herself to her table. Maybe telling a little bit about her self as well. So, I'll take this time to have class as a 'Re- Introduction' for the rest of our class. So, everyone take some time to tell each other about their favorite sports, colors, to get to know each other. Again." He said to the class.
"Cool, cruz time." Natalie said. She was the new girl on the table that Sam didn't know.
"Mr. M. is like the coolest teacher. He's super nice." Tatri told Sam. "So, did you meet everyone on the table?" Tatri asked. "You know me of course." She said as she chuckled. "And you know Logz." She said. "Well, this is Nat." she said pointing to her.
"Oh, I'm Natalie. But call me Nat." she said smiling @ Sam.
"Hey." Sam said back to her. Tatri continued. "And this is----" Tatri got cut off be Sam.
"Simon, right?!" she said smiling to him.
"Hey Samantha." Simon said back to her with a nice smile.
"I guess you two know each other." Tatri said.
"Yeah, we do. And Simon, just call me Sam." She told him, as she saw Simon smile and look down. So Sam started to tell everyone about herself. What she liked to do, things she liked, things she didn't like. Favorites. And everyone chimed in to the conversation as well. Except for Simon. All he could do was look and stare into her eyes the entire class. While sometimes he'd ad a 'yeah' or 'uh huh' into the conversation. But only looking @ her was what he did. Soon the class was over.
RING RING RING
"So, lunch is next right?!" Sam asked. "Cause I'm starving!" she said.
"Yeah, lunch is next. But let's go to our lockers first. I need to drop off my books." Tatri suggested. They walked out the classroom and walked together to their lockers. When they got to their lockers, they put some of their things in their lockers. Then a group of girls came up to them. And guess who they were? None other than the school cheerleaders.
"HI!!" one of the cheerleaders said very happily into Sam's face. Sam could guess that she was the head cheerleader. "I'd just like to welcome you to Lawrence. We're always happy to have a new student!" she said. And with that, her squad in back of her did a cheer.
"Go new students, go go new student!" the cheerleaders must do this often because Sam noticed that no one turned to see what all the loud talk was about. She supposed that they were all used to it by now.
"Well, you just look like a great new friend for us! You'd fit in with us just perfectly!!" the head cheerleader said.
"Thanks.I guess. But, I'm not into being a cheerleader. Thanks." Sam said somewhat sarcastically.
"Well, I see." She said with a smirk. With a look over @ Tatri she continued, "I guess you've chosen your place here @ Lawrence new girl. Pity, you're in great shape to be a cheerleader. And you're just like us!" she said quite loudly.
"Really?" Tatri interrupted. "Because I don't recall Sam having the I.Q. of rock, unlike you guys." She said with a fake smile.
"Well, looks like our work here is done girls." She told her squad. "Have fun in the downer party." She said with a flip of her blonde hair. And she walked on having her squad following right behind her.
"What was that all about?" Sam said closing her locker.
"Oh, that was Tammy. Head cheerleader. She's always like that. And she doesn't like me." Tatri told her.
"I can see that." Sam said as they headed to their last class of the day.
They got their lunch and sat down @ one of the table in the cafeteria. They said with Becca, Vince and Natasha. They talked about Sam being here. What she's done in their classes. And of course the subject of her living in Hawaii came up once again. Lunch ended, and Tatri asked what class Sam had next as they walked out of the room.
"Math. I'm pretty sure." She said.
"Cool, looks like I'm in your class again!" they both smiled and walked over to math. On their way there, Tatri told Sam all she needed to know about the class, the people in it, and their teacher. This was Mr. Dela Cruz. Math. Wonderful math. It wasn't her best subject, but she always pulled by with B's. Mostly A's though.
~Math Class~
"So you're telling me that you hate math. And aren't good @ it. But @ your last school, you past with an A?! Please, do tell me your system. I need to know it!" Tatri told her with a laugh.
"No, it's just that the math we were doing was easy. Although kids in my class found it hard. I swear it was really easy stuff." She told her friend. She was happy that Tatri was in her least favorite class. So if she had any problem, she knew that there was Tatri there with her. In math class, it was set up as tables. With 4 desks to each table. Luckily she was on Tatri's table and her partner. So they worked together on reviews, and basically could talk with each other during class.
Their last class of the day was English. English was Sam's favorite subject ever! So she was excited about going to that class. Tatri was in her class too. Which Sam was happy about. But when they got to their class, Sam got even happier. She saw Simon sitting in the 3 row. He looked up and smiled @ Sam when she walked in. For the last time of the day, she did her little introduction to the class and settled down in her seat. She sat in the second row next to Tatri. Tatri was right in front of Simon, which was also next to his best friend, Devon. They went through class as usual. The lesson didn't change in English. But Sam didn't mind. Because what they were talking about was something that she liked. Poetry. She liked writing poetry and didn't mind reading it either. They talked about the different kinds of poetry there was. And took down notes on it. Soon, the day was over. And the classroom was clearing out. For Sam, this was a good day. Better than what she expected.
She went down to Nikki's school and saw her waiting in the front sitting with a girl. They were talking when Nikki saw Sam at the bottom of the steps.
"Oh, I gotta go. That's my sister Sam." Nikki said as she got up and put on her backpack.
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow Nikki!"
"Yeah, See ya!" Nikki called back and ran down the stairs. She held her sisters' hand as they walked back home.
"I had a really good day today Sammy!!" Nikki exclaimed very excitedly!
"Really?!" Sam said.
"Yep! I met a lot of new friends. And I saw Mickey there today too! We hung out a lot! What about you? Did you make friends, did you have a good day?" Nikki asked.
"Yep, I had a good day too. And met some new friends." Sam said softly with a smile. Thinking about one special boy that she met. They walked on home talking about their day. And what they each did, and who they met.
~Williams House~
"Anyone home?" Sam called as she and her sister walked through the door.
"Hey girls." Mrs. Williams called out.
"Mom. You're home early." Sam said as she closed the door behind her.
"Well, I got off early. They said since I'm just starting, I shouldn't exhaust myself that much yet." She said and gave her 2 daughters a hug. "But anyway. How was your day?!"
"My day was good! I had fun." Nikki said as she headed into the kitchen to look for a snack.
"Well, she sounds happy." Their mom said as she watched her youngest daughter run towards the kitchen. So looked back to Sam and said, "So, what about you?" she asked as she put her hands on her hips.
"My day, it was.it." she paused and put on a smile. "...It was good." Sam finished.
"Well, that's great!" Mrs. Williams said cheerfully.
"I'm gonna go up to my room and start on homework." Sam said as she turned to walk up the stairs.
"Okay. Dinner will be ready in a little bit. So wash up while you're up there too." Mrs. Williams called and walked back into the kitchen.
Sam went into her room and placed her bag hanging off one side of her chair. She threw herself on her bed and looked up to the ceiling. She thought to herself,
"Wow. Today was so cool. I didn't think it would go this well! I mean, with all these new friends, cool teachers, interesting classmates. It's so cool. I think I'll like getting to know this school. And the people in it." She smiled after she thought of that. She turned on her c.d. player, and popped in one of her c.d. that she brought back from Hawaii. She loved to listen to that kind of music. She really liked it. Even though she only spent her younger childhood there, she still loved the thought of 'Hawaii.' So she always tried to keep in touch with what goes on there. Music was one way to do that. She popped in her 'Keahiwai' c.d. and pressed play and then lay back on her bed and closed her eyes. She listened to the song and relaxed.
I don't wanna push, I don't wanna beg But I don't wanna see you walk away What can I do, to make you see What a love like yours would mean I don't wanna wait, just another day To see if you can love me that way Oh baby boy.to say you do Love me like I, I love youuuu
As the song continued she found herself moving her foot to the beat of the song. Then she heard her mom call up to her to come down to dinner. She turned off the c.d. player and jumped down the stairs. They all sat and the table and said prayer. They started to eat dinner when the subject of their first day @ their new school came up again. Except this time her dad brought it up.
"So girls, how was school today? I'm sure that it was fun and very exciting"
"I had a good day. It was fun. My teachers are nice. And I made lots of friends. Everyone's nice here. And really welcoming." Nikki said to everyone as she took a bite of her chicken that was on her plate.
"That's great Nikki. And I'm sure that you also had a good day Sam?" he asked her.
"Yep, sure was good." Sam took a sip of water. "It was cool. Just like Nikki's. Except with older kids." She said as her family chuckled. "I got to see Tatri. She's in 4 of my classes. Which is so cool." Sam said.
"Well, that's great hunny!" Mrs. Williams said. They talked more about the different classes that they were in. And the teachers that they have. They both seemed to be happy with the move. Although still thinking about their old school, and friends, and life. They still were happy with their first day of their new school.
~~Meanwhile~~
".Amen." They all said as Ruthie finished their prayer.
"So, how was school you 2?" Mrs. Camden asked.
"It was fun. Regular school. But today, there was this new girl. And she's cool too. I talked to her a lot during classes. I think I'm in like 4 or 5 of her classes. She's nice too. She just moved here." Ruthie said.
"Really? Because there's this girl who just moved here too. She's nice. Her name's Samantha. She's cool. I like her." Simon said and stuck some corn in his mouth. Everyone dropped their forks and just looked @ Simon in aw.
"What, it's not like I'm in love with her." Yet, he almost said. "But she's in a couple of my classes. But what's really cool is that she moved from Patterson. Which isn't that far away. She was also born in Hawaii. And goes there all the time! She lived there for a long time. Then moved here to California." He continued to tell everyone about her. How she surfed was he talked about the most. He was surprised that she surfed, because it sounded so cool to him. He went on explaining more about her. And that she was a cool student. While he was talking about her, he put on this big smile the whole time. "Oh, and then Devon said that there was some cool girl in P.E. that was really good during basketball."
"Well sounds like your day was fun!" Mr. Camden said.
"He likes this girl." Ruthie whispered to Robby. "I can tell, I know these things." She said as Robby nodded his head in agreement.
They finished their dinner and the 2 kids went into the living room to watch t.v.
"Ya know Nikki, I'm pretty sure that you have homework tonight." Sam said as she looked up from her Math textbook.
"Oh come on, it's our first day, they wouldn't expect us to do our work on the first night would they?" Nikki replied flippin through the channels.
"Well you never know. Maybe they're not like how it was in Patterson. So, if I were you, I would do it just in case." Sam said with a little glace towards her sister.
"Really!? Oh, see ya Sam." Nikki said as she dropped the remote and ran up to her room to do her homework.
"Thaaaank you." Sam said while reaching to take the remote. "Just in time, Board Stories is starting." She said and placed the remote next to her book. She liked watching the shows from Hawaii. Especially the surfing or body boarding shows they had. She finished her homework and went up to her room. Later, both Sam and Nikki came down to day goodnight to their parents.
"Night mom. Nigh dad." Sam said and kissed both her parents.
"Good night mom, bye dad." Nikki said and did the same as Sam.
"See you girls." "Good night." Their parents told them. They both headed up the stair and to Nikki's room.
"Isn't this whole move working out for us?" Nikki asked as Sam tucked her in to her bed. She got all nice and comfy when Sam answered.
"I think this move is good for us. It is working out, a whole lot better then what I thought would happen." Sam kissed Nikki's forehead and left her door a little bit open. She went to her room and put on her dolphin lamp. The purple colored filled her room and made it look magical. She slipped under her covers and turned to her side. She stuck her hand under her head and rested her head on it. She thought for a while, and then finally fell asleep.
"Morning mom." Sam said as she sat down to eat breakfast.
"Good morning Sammy. You ready for school?" Mrs. Williams asked her daughter.
"Hope so." She answered.
"Hi mom, hi dad. Morning Sammy." Nikki greeted everyone as she walked into the room.
"Looks like your ready for school pumpkin." Mr. Williams said.
"Yea, it'll be okay. Not like before, but okay." Nikki said as she took a spoon full of her cereal in her bowl.
"Mom, we're walking home today right?" Sam asked.
"Yes, here's your key. And remember to lock the door once you come in." Mrs. Williams reminded Sam again.
"Yes mom. I got it." Sam said as she rolled her eyes. The two girls ate breakfast and cleaned up after themselves. They got their bags and went out to wait for their dad.
"Okay girls, let's go." Mr. Williams said as they all got into the car. He dropped the 2 girls off on the street across from the school. He opened the window and said to them, "Nikki, you wait for Sam to come out of the school before you start walking home okay? I'll see you girls when I get home. Have a good day girls!" he said as he started to drive off.
"Bye dad." They said after his car.
"Okay Nikki, this is it." Sam said in a lingering voice.
"Oh come on Sam, it's not like we're going to die. Let's go." Nikki told her sister as they walked across the street to Nikki's school.
"Now Nikki you wait for me outside here okay. Don't leave the building. And don't talk to anyone you know?!"
"Yes mother." Nikki replied.
"Very funny." Sam sad giving Nikki the 'sister' looks. "Have a good day sis. See you later." Sam said as she kissed Nikki's head and walked off to her school. As she walked off to her new high school, she saw all these cars with kids driving by. With their music blasting, she watched them drive by. As she got closer to her school, she heard all the voices of the kids outside.
* "This is it." * She thought to herself. She walked right up the
stairs into the school. She looked around at everything. The kids, the
classrooms, the teachers, the lockers. She walked towards the office
and still was amazed @ the assortment of all the different kids here.
~Office~
"Hi, I'm new here. My name is Samantha Williams. I was hopping that you had my schedule for me." Sam said to the office lady.
"Oh yes, Principal Stevens would like to meet you personally. She's right through that door." The office lady said to Sam and showed her the way to the principal's office.
~Principals Office~
"Principal Stevens." Sam said as she walked in and closed the door.
"Well hello. Why don't you take a seat young lady?" Mrs. Stevens said to Sam. "I suppose that you are Samantha Williams correct."
"Yes Principal Stevens." Sam answered.
"Why please, call me Mrs. Stevens. Now, the reason why I wanted to meet you was because I was looking @ your previous records and files from your old school. And I have found that you are an outstanding student! You were in an assortment of school clubs and teams, you received many awards for your school, and your grades were amazing!"
"Thank you Mrs. Stevens. That means a lot coming from a principal." Sam said smiling.
"I hope that this move to another town does not affect your academic skill for school. I'd really like to see you succeed her @ Lawrence High." Mrs. Stevens finished. "Well, here is your schedule for your classes. Your locker number and your locker combination. You shall be a little late for your first class, but I let the teacher know of it. Okay, off you go. Have a good first day Samantha." Mrs. Stevens said.
"Thank you. Have a good day yourself." Sam said and stood up to go out the door. She left the office and looked @ her schedule in her hand.
"Social Studies. Mr. Lamberg. Room 105." * She thought to herself. As
she found her way to the classroom, she stopped off outside before
going in. She took in a deep breath and relaxed. She opened the door
and stepped in. She saw everyone staring @ her in the front of the
class.
~Socials Class~
"Well, you must be Samantha right?" Mr. Lamberg said with a yardstick in his hand. "Well come on in!" he said welcoming. "Class, I'd like to introduce you to your new classmate, Samantha Williams. She just moved here a couple of days ago." He said happily. Sam smiled to the class, but only found a few students with a delightful face on.
"Why don't you take a seat in the second row." He said gesturing to her new seat. Sam walked over to her seat with a few eyes following her. She sat down while Mr. Lamberg began to say something.
"Samantha, why don't you come up to the front of the class." he said. While she thought to herself,
* "Oh great." *
"And tell us a little bit about yourself and where you came from." He said politely.
"Sure." Sam said with a half smile on. She walked to the front of the class and stood about 2 steps away from her teacher. With her long black and brown hair in a ponytail swishing in the back of her, she turned around to face her class. She reached into her pocket of her black long pants to fit her hand in it that was being slightly covered by her purple shirt that had a surfboard on it. That said: Surf Rider.
"Hi everyone." she said as the entire class slowly brought their attention to her. "My name is Samantha Williams. I just moved here from Patterson a couple of days ago. I'm 15, and live with my mom dad and sister." She said. She tried to continue when a boy in the back of the class raised his hand and asked her,
"Hey, what's with your shirt? What's on it?" he asked.
"Oh, that's a surfboard." Sam replied. Then a couple of voices called out,
"So do you know how to surf?" and "Can you surf?" as well as "How do you surf?!" Then Mr. Lamberg interrupted all the questions.
"Okay class; let's have Samantha explain it to us. How does that sound?" he asked in the teacher like voice.
"Well, this is a picture of a long board. And I do surf. I've been surfing from when I was a little kid." She answered.
"Oh really, where did you surf? I don't recall Patterson having any surfing points here in California." Mr. Lamberg asked as a few laughs filled the room. Sam, wanting to prove that she did surf, and not to have everyone think she was a fake, she spoke up.
"My family always goes to Hawaii over vacations. During summer, winter, anytime when we had a long weekend from school. That's just our vacationing spot." She told them.
"Oh really." Mr. Lamberg sounded interested.
"Yeah. I usually head over to Pipeline. This is pretty much the best surfing point on the island that most of the pro surfers go to practice. Then, there's Waimea. That has some wicked waves there itself." Sam said in a confidence voice. Then another hand went up to ask a question.
"So why did you start to surf? Did your family make you?"
"No, not really. See, I was born in Hawaii. So my family had been part of this surfing group. And my dad was really into it. So once I turned 4, he took me out there on this little boogie board and started teaching me a few things. Then as I got older, about a couple years older he gave me my own surfboard on my birthday." She said. She heard some "Woa's!" here and there. And some "Cool." Coming from the back.
"Yea. But then my family moved up here soon after that. But when I still was back in Hawaii, everyday during the summer we went out to Pipeline to watch and to surf. And I surfed my very first wave there. It was cool." Sam ended.
"Well, that's quite a life!" Mr. Lamberg told the class. "Since we're reviewing the 50 states of our country, why don't you point out where those surfing points are? Since you have the class' attention with it." He said. He pulled down the map of the U.S. as Sam walked over to it. She pointed to the Hawaiian Island chain and said,
"This is the entire Hawaiian Island Chain. And this is O'ahu. Where I was born. But you can't really see the surfing spots on this map. It's too small." She said looking over to Mr. Lamberg.
"Well, lets get this picture of the island." He said handing her a poster sized picture of O'ahu.
"Okay, over here, towards North Shore," she said placing her finger over the point. "This is where Pipeline is located @. And over here," she said moving her finger a bit. "Is where Waimea is." The class was in total 'aw' about Sam. She was surprised that this class wasn't that bad. The rest of the class she spoke about Hawaii. And the different places, and all the cool things about the islands. Soon the bell rang, and everyone left to go to their next class.
"Thank you for sharing with the class Samantha. We're excited to have you here @ Lawrence." Mr. Lamberg told her.
"Thanks Mr. Lamberg." She replied heading out the door.
She headed out the door trying to get to her new locker. But on her way there, she was stopped by a few of the students in her Socials class.
"Hi! My name is Sara." This girl came up to her and said.
"And I'm Nick." This boy said.
"Hey." Sam answered back to them.
"Well, we just wanted to welcome you to Lawrence. You were great in Socials!" Sara told her.
"Yeah. We think it's cool you were born in Hawaii. And that you know how to surf. It sounds cool to surf." Nick said to Sam.
"Thanks. Yeah, it is fun. But I'm sure you guys have cool stuff to do here too, right?!" Sam asked.
"Cool, what do you mean by cool?" Nick said.
"There aren't that many things to do around here. But we find things to do." Sara told her.
"Oh, well that's still sounds fun. Well, I have to get to my next class. So I'll see you guys later." Sam said as she waved goodbye to them. She realized that she wasn't going to have that much time to go see where her locker is. So, she just headed over to her next class.
~French Class~
"Bonjour!" Ms. Stover greeted her class as she walked in the door.
"Bonjour Madame." Her class replied. Ms. Stover looked through her papers that she placed on her desk. She found a certain paper then stood up straight and walked to the front of the class.
"Class, today we have a new student joining us from the town of Patterson. Her name is Samantha Williams. Samantha, will you please come to the front of the class." Ms. Stover asked her. She walked to the front of the class and stood next to her teacher. "Would you please introduce yourself to the class Samantha?" she asked. So that's what Sam did. She introduced herself like how she did in Social Studies. Except she left out that whole surfing conversation this time.
"Thank you Samantha. We hope that you enjoy French class here. You may take a seat." Ms. Stover said directing her to her seat again. With Ms. Stover's strong English accent, she said to Samantha as a paper was being passed back to her, "Samantha, here in French class we all have French names that we go by. So, if you would please take a few minutes to choose one for yourself, and tell me when you're done. For the time being class, just get your textbooks and workbooks out and get ready for class. Monique, would you please assist Samantha." Ms. Stover went back to her desk to get things ready.
"Hey. I'm Monique." This girl sitting next to Sam said. But my real name is Rachel. Nice to meet you." She said sticking out her hand.
"Nice to meet you too." Sam said as they shook hands. "Umm, @ my old school, my French name for our class was Gabrielle. I can just use the same name again right?" she asked.
"Sure." Monique said. Sam got up to go see Ms. Stover and told her what her name was going to be.
"Class, say hello again to our new student, Gabrielle!" she announced. And the class replied,
"Bonjour Gabrielle." And Sam replied to them,
"Bonjour." And headed back to her seat.
"So class, today we were working on French verbs related to avoir. So, let me go over them again: J'ai Tu as Elle a Il a Nous avons Vous avez Elles avec Ils avec" Ms. Stover said.
"Gabrielle, are you familiar with these?" she asked.
"Qui Madame." She answered.
"Okay, let's go on." She said. And the class went very well. Soon the class was over and the bell rang.
"See ya later Sam." Rachel called after her.
"Bye Rachel." Sam said packing her bag. As she stepped out of her classroom, she saw Tatri coming up to her.
"Hey Sam! Good to see you again." Tatri said to her.
"Yeah, it is good to see you." Sam replied smiling.
"Hey, it's recess now. We have about 15 minutes of free time. Did you find your locker yet?" she asked.
"Nope."
"Cool. I'll help you find it. Let's go." Tatri said walking beside Sam.
"So, how has your day been so far?" she asked Sam.
"It's okay. Different, but okay." Sam replied. She took out her paper with her locker number and combo on it and showed it to Tatri.
"Hey! You're locker number is 203, mines is 206." Tatri said happily. They walked over to her new locker and stopped. "Yep, here's my locker." Tatri said patting her locker door. "That must be yours." She pointed to two over from hers.
"Cool." Sam said and opened her locker. "Not bad. I guess its okay." She said and took some of her stuff from her bag and put it into her locker.
"So what's your next class?" Tatri asked Sam.
"P.E. I think. What about you?"
"Same class! Cool, we're in P.E. together." Tatri said.
"Cool, let's go." Sam said as she closed her locker. They walked off in the direction of the gym. On their way there, they stopped to say to some of Tatri's friends.
"Hey guys. This is Sam. She just moved here. Remember I told you." Tatri said to her friends.
"Hey." Sam said smiling.
"Nice you meet you Sam. I'm Rebecca. But just call me Becca." She said as she shook Sam's hand.
"Sup Sam. I'm Vince. Nice to have you here @ Lawrence." Vince said and shook Sam's hand. Sam smiled and said,
"Nice to meet you Vince."
"Hey, you've got a quite a handshake there." He told her.
"Thanks." Sam replied.
"And last but not least, this is Logan. She's super cool." Tatri said gesturing to Logan.
"Hey Sam. Nice to meet you." Logan said.
"Same here." Sam said.
"Well, sorry guys. We gotta cut this short, but we gotta get to P.E. Don't want Ms. Razz go get mad." Tatri said.
"Nice meetin' you guys." Sam said waving goodbye.
"See ya guys later." They said as the two girls walked on by.
"Your friends are nice." Sam said walking with Tatri.
"Yeah. But hey, they're your friends now." Tatri said smiling @ Sam.
~P.E.~
"Good morning class." Ms. Razz said to her class as her class greeted her back. Her class was sitting down on the gym floor when Ms. Razz was about to say something else.
"Okay, I'm gonna take roll. So listen up." She said flipping her pages. She then began to call out names of students.
"Nick, Lara, Andy, Patricia." All of the names with a 'here' after them. "Simon. (pause) Simon?" she called out.
"Umm, Simon had to go to the office Ms. Razz. He'll be missing class." Simon's friend Chris told their teacher.
"Thank you Chris. Okay, where was I." she continued on with the class. Finally she got down to the last one and the list was finished. "Class, we have a new student here @ Lawrence. Her name is Samantha Williams, so please welcome her!" she said as she called Sam up to where she was standing. The students clapped for her as she walked up to the front.
"Hey everyone. I'm Samantha. But just call me Sam if you want. Umm...I moved a couple of days ago from Patterson. And I'm happy I'm here." She said cheerfully. She realized that this move wasn't that bad. She still likes her old home and town better, but being here wasn't that bad.
"Thank you Samantha. Okay everyone, time for some basketball." Ms. Razz announced while everyone went to their side of the gym to practice for the games today.
"Sam, which team would you like to go with?" she asked.
"I'd like to go with Tatri, if that's okay." Sam asked.
"Sure. Tatri, tell Sam what we're doing."
"Okay Ms. Razz." Tatri called back to her. "Okay, so we're just playing games of basketball. We'll be doing this for a while. And sometimes we might do drills. Like lay-ups, passing, stuff like that. Besides, you should know how the games go. Miss Basketball star." Tatri said with a laugh.
"Okay, let's do it." Sam said as they walked over to their team. Tatri introduced everyone to Sam, and they practiced dribbling. Then the whistle was blown, and the games started. The other team ran down to the basket which Sam's team was by. A girl passed the ball to a boy that was @ the top of the key. He dribbled the ball a little, then moved over the left side and tried to shoot. He missed and someone on his team got the ball. He tried to pass it to a girl, but then Sam blocked it and went right through the two. She stole the ball and drove down to the other side of the court. With a lay-up, she made a shot!
"Alright Sam!" Tatri said giving her high 5.
"Way to go Sam!" Another guy on her team said to her.
"Thanks guys." Sam said smiling. The game went on for a little while. And then later the other 2 teams that were playing stopped to watch Sam's side of the gym. Even Ms. Razz was watching them play.
Tatri stole the ball and ran down to their basket. She passed the ball to a guy named Devon who dribbled and faked to shoot. Then he passed the ball to Sam who made a jump shoot from the top of the key winning the game!
"Woa! Williams, hustle on down!" Ms. Razz called to Sam. "Where did you learn to play like that?" she exclaimed.
"Oh, I was on my old school's basketball team." Sam told her. With some students crowding around the teacher and student, the conversation continued.
"Well, I think I'll be looking forward to seeing you on the team this season!" she told Sam.
"Shoots, that's great!" Sam replied with a big smile.
"Okay, enough of this gathering," Ms. Razz blew her whistle noticing everyone coming around. "Hit the showers gang. We're done for today." She said and headed in herself.
~Girls Locker Room~
Tatri and Sam were sitting down on the benches while they put on their shoes again.
"Hey, I didn't know you were that good Sam!" Tatri told her.
"Well, you didn't ask." Sam replied as they both let out a chuckle.
"Man, Sam right?" this girl asked her. "You're really good! I'm Natasha. I hope to see you on the basketball team!" she said and walked on by.
"Cool. Well, I think this class went well." Sam said with a smile. Sam and Tatri walked out the door when they heard the bell ring. They walked on down the hall, to their lockers.
~~Meanwhile~~
"Simon!" Devon called to his friend as he came out of the locker room. "You totally missed a great game in P.E.!" he said.
"Devon, its just basketball. No big thing." Simon said in disbelief he missed anything big.
"No really. There was this girl, came out of nowhere! And totally was rippin' down the court! She was awesome!" he told Simon more about what happened during class. And how much he should have been there.
"So, what class you headed to next?" Tatri asked Sam.
"Oh, Science I think." She said.
"Cool. Science is down that away. See you later Sam." Tatri told her as she closed her locker.
"Yeah, see ya Tatri." Sam said. She took out another notebook, and put in a folder. She closed her notebook and headed in the direction that Tatri pointed out to her. So Sam walked on down the hall until she got to a corner. She turned the corner heading to her class. When she saw this big figure come in front of her and she bumped into someone. She fell to the ground with some of her books falling out of her grasp.
"Woa. I'm sorry." She said, not knowing who she was talking to.
"No, it's my fault. I'm sorry." The figure said to her. As they both got up, they grabbed the books near them. They both got to a standing position when the person across from her said,
"I wasn't looking where I was going."
"Yeah, me too." She told the person. She looked up from her books which she was fixing. And she saw this tall handsome blonde headed boy that was looking right @ her. He looked @ her for a little while. Finally with a few seconds of silence gone by, he said to her,
"Oh, here's your book." He said handing it to her.
"Thanks." Sam replied, putting it with the rest of her books.
"I'm Samantha Williams." She said sticking her hand out.
"Oh, Simon Camden." He said with a shake of his head. Trying to focus the thought that she said something to him. From gazing @ this girl, he had to shake it off his mind. They shook hands, and what felt like a jolt go through their hands to each other, they both pulled back their hands. They both looked up @ each other and stared into each others eyes. 10 seconds went by when Sam finally said something.
"Well, I better get to my class." She said to him.
"Yeah, me too. I'll see you around sometime." Simon told her.
"Definitely." She replied with a smile. He smiled back and turned to go. She turned towards her next class and smiled to herself. She felt something different. Maybe it was the thought of this new boy she just met.
She went over to Science and went through the introduction part all over again. It was like it was some sort of routine that they had here @ Lawrence High School for new students. But she felt comfortable with everyone knowing her. And not just being known as 'the new girl'. After Science she headed over to her next class which was Chorals. That was a class to learn about music. Learning to read music, play different instruments, projects on music history. A class for music. Once she got there, she stopped in the front of the class to once again, announce her new being here @ Lawrence.
~Chorals Class~
"I'm Samantha Williams.." She continued. Almost repeating the exact same thing she said in Science.
"Well, we're happy to have you here in our Chorals class." Their teacher Mr. Morita told them. "Well, Samantha, jus call me Mr. M. And take a seat on table blue. Next to Tarti." He said pointing over to her table. The table was talking, and he called their attention.
"Table Blue." He repeated. And with that, the 4 other students on the table turned around. She saw Tatri, Logan, a new girl she never met. And last she saw turn around to the front of the class, Simon. She headed over to her new table and sat next to Tatri.
"Hey Sammy. Cool, anotha class, togetha!" Tatri said giving Sam a slap on the hand.
"Well, with our new student here in our class, I would assume that she would be introducing herself to her table. Maybe telling a little bit about her self as well. So, I'll take this time to have class as a 'Re- Introduction' for the rest of our class. So, everyone take some time to tell each other about their favorite sports, colors, to get to know each other. Again." He said to the class.
"Cool, cruz time." Natalie said. She was the new girl on the table that Sam didn't know.
"Mr. M. is like the coolest teacher. He's super nice." Tatri told Sam. "So, did you meet everyone on the table?" Tatri asked. "You know me of course." She said as she chuckled. "And you know Logz." She said. "Well, this is Nat." she said pointing to her.
"Oh, I'm Natalie. But call me Nat." she said smiling @ Sam.
"Hey." Sam said back to her. Tatri continued. "And this is----" Tatri got cut off be Sam.
"Simon, right?!" she said smiling to him.
"Hey Samantha." Simon said back to her with a nice smile.
"I guess you two know each other." Tatri said.
"Yeah, we do. And Simon, just call me Sam." She told him, as she saw Simon smile and look down. So Sam started to tell everyone about herself. What she liked to do, things she liked, things she didn't like. Favorites. And everyone chimed in to the conversation as well. Except for Simon. All he could do was look and stare into her eyes the entire class. While sometimes he'd ad a 'yeah' or 'uh huh' into the conversation. But only looking @ her was what he did. Soon the class was over.
RING RING RING
"So, lunch is next right?!" Sam asked. "Cause I'm starving!" she said.
"Yeah, lunch is next. But let's go to our lockers first. I need to drop off my books." Tatri suggested. They walked out the classroom and walked together to their lockers. When they got to their lockers, they put some of their things in their lockers. Then a group of girls came up to them. And guess who they were? None other than the school cheerleaders.
"HI!!" one of the cheerleaders said very happily into Sam's face. Sam could guess that she was the head cheerleader. "I'd just like to welcome you to Lawrence. We're always happy to have a new student!" she said. And with that, her squad in back of her did a cheer.
"Go new students, go go new student!" the cheerleaders must do this often because Sam noticed that no one turned to see what all the loud talk was about. She supposed that they were all used to it by now.
"Well, you just look like a great new friend for us! You'd fit in with us just perfectly!!" the head cheerleader said.
"Thanks.I guess. But, I'm not into being a cheerleader. Thanks." Sam said somewhat sarcastically.
"Well, I see." She said with a smirk. With a look over @ Tatri she continued, "I guess you've chosen your place here @ Lawrence new girl. Pity, you're in great shape to be a cheerleader. And you're just like us!" she said quite loudly.
"Really?" Tatri interrupted. "Because I don't recall Sam having the I.Q. of rock, unlike you guys." She said with a fake smile.
"Well, looks like our work here is done girls." She told her squad. "Have fun in the downer party." She said with a flip of her blonde hair. And she walked on having her squad following right behind her.
"What was that all about?" Sam said closing her locker.
"Oh, that was Tammy. Head cheerleader. She's always like that. And she doesn't like me." Tatri told her.
"I can see that." Sam said as they headed to their last class of the day.
They got their lunch and sat down @ one of the table in the cafeteria. They said with Becca, Vince and Natasha. They talked about Sam being here. What she's done in their classes. And of course the subject of her living in Hawaii came up once again. Lunch ended, and Tatri asked what class Sam had next as they walked out of the room.
"Math. I'm pretty sure." She said.
"Cool, looks like I'm in your class again!" they both smiled and walked over to math. On their way there, Tatri told Sam all she needed to know about the class, the people in it, and their teacher. This was Mr. Dela Cruz. Math. Wonderful math. It wasn't her best subject, but she always pulled by with B's. Mostly A's though.
~Math Class~
"So you're telling me that you hate math. And aren't good @ it. But @ your last school, you past with an A?! Please, do tell me your system. I need to know it!" Tatri told her with a laugh.
"No, it's just that the math we were doing was easy. Although kids in my class found it hard. I swear it was really easy stuff." She told her friend. She was happy that Tatri was in her least favorite class. So if she had any problem, she knew that there was Tatri there with her. In math class, it was set up as tables. With 4 desks to each table. Luckily she was on Tatri's table and her partner. So they worked together on reviews, and basically could talk with each other during class.
Their last class of the day was English. English was Sam's favorite subject ever! So she was excited about going to that class. Tatri was in her class too. Which Sam was happy about. But when they got to their class, Sam got even happier. She saw Simon sitting in the 3 row. He looked up and smiled @ Sam when she walked in. For the last time of the day, she did her little introduction to the class and settled down in her seat. She sat in the second row next to Tatri. Tatri was right in front of Simon, which was also next to his best friend, Devon. They went through class as usual. The lesson didn't change in English. But Sam didn't mind. Because what they were talking about was something that she liked. Poetry. She liked writing poetry and didn't mind reading it either. They talked about the different kinds of poetry there was. And took down notes on it. Soon, the day was over. And the classroom was clearing out. For Sam, this was a good day. Better than what she expected.
She went down to Nikki's school and saw her waiting in the front sitting with a girl. They were talking when Nikki saw Sam at the bottom of the steps.
"Oh, I gotta go. That's my sister Sam." Nikki said as she got up and put on her backpack.
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow Nikki!"
"Yeah, See ya!" Nikki called back and ran down the stairs. She held her sisters' hand as they walked back home.
"I had a really good day today Sammy!!" Nikki exclaimed very excitedly!
"Really?!" Sam said.
"Yep! I met a lot of new friends. And I saw Mickey there today too! We hung out a lot! What about you? Did you make friends, did you have a good day?" Nikki asked.
"Yep, I had a good day too. And met some new friends." Sam said softly with a smile. Thinking about one special boy that she met. They walked on home talking about their day. And what they each did, and who they met.
~Williams House~
"Anyone home?" Sam called as she and her sister walked through the door.
"Hey girls." Mrs. Williams called out.
"Mom. You're home early." Sam said as she closed the door behind her.
"Well, I got off early. They said since I'm just starting, I shouldn't exhaust myself that much yet." She said and gave her 2 daughters a hug. "But anyway. How was your day?!"
"My day was good! I had fun." Nikki said as she headed into the kitchen to look for a snack.
"Well, she sounds happy." Their mom said as she watched her youngest daughter run towards the kitchen. So looked back to Sam and said, "So, what about you?" she asked as she put her hands on her hips.
"My day, it was.it." she paused and put on a smile. "...It was good." Sam finished.
"Well, that's great!" Mrs. Williams said cheerfully.
"I'm gonna go up to my room and start on homework." Sam said as she turned to walk up the stairs.
"Okay. Dinner will be ready in a little bit. So wash up while you're up there too." Mrs. Williams called and walked back into the kitchen.
Sam went into her room and placed her bag hanging off one side of her chair. She threw herself on her bed and looked up to the ceiling. She thought to herself,
"Wow. Today was so cool. I didn't think it would go this well! I mean, with all these new friends, cool teachers, interesting classmates. It's so cool. I think I'll like getting to know this school. And the people in it." She smiled after she thought of that. She turned on her c.d. player, and popped in one of her c.d. that she brought back from Hawaii. She loved to listen to that kind of music. She really liked it. Even though she only spent her younger childhood there, she still loved the thought of 'Hawaii.' So she always tried to keep in touch with what goes on there. Music was one way to do that. She popped in her 'Keahiwai' c.d. and pressed play and then lay back on her bed and closed her eyes. She listened to the song and relaxed.
I don't wanna push, I don't wanna beg But I don't wanna see you walk away What can I do, to make you see What a love like yours would mean I don't wanna wait, just another day To see if you can love me that way Oh baby boy.to say you do Love me like I, I love youuuu
As the song continued she found herself moving her foot to the beat of the song. Then she heard her mom call up to her to come down to dinner. She turned off the c.d. player and jumped down the stairs. They all sat and the table and said prayer. They started to eat dinner when the subject of their first day @ their new school came up again. Except this time her dad brought it up.
"So girls, how was school today? I'm sure that it was fun and very exciting"
"I had a good day. It was fun. My teachers are nice. And I made lots of friends. Everyone's nice here. And really welcoming." Nikki said to everyone as she took a bite of her chicken that was on her plate.
"That's great Nikki. And I'm sure that you also had a good day Sam?" he asked her.
"Yep, sure was good." Sam took a sip of water. "It was cool. Just like Nikki's. Except with older kids." She said as her family chuckled. "I got to see Tatri. She's in 4 of my classes. Which is so cool." Sam said.
"Well, that's great hunny!" Mrs. Williams said. They talked more about the different classes that they were in. And the teachers that they have. They both seemed to be happy with the move. Although still thinking about their old school, and friends, and life. They still were happy with their first day of their new school.
~~Meanwhile~~
".Amen." They all said as Ruthie finished their prayer.
"So, how was school you 2?" Mrs. Camden asked.
"It was fun. Regular school. But today, there was this new girl. And she's cool too. I talked to her a lot during classes. I think I'm in like 4 or 5 of her classes. She's nice too. She just moved here." Ruthie said.
"Really? Because there's this girl who just moved here too. She's nice. Her name's Samantha. She's cool. I like her." Simon said and stuck some corn in his mouth. Everyone dropped their forks and just looked @ Simon in aw.
"What, it's not like I'm in love with her." Yet, he almost said. "But she's in a couple of my classes. But what's really cool is that she moved from Patterson. Which isn't that far away. She was also born in Hawaii. And goes there all the time! She lived there for a long time. Then moved here to California." He continued to tell everyone about her. How she surfed was he talked about the most. He was surprised that she surfed, because it sounded so cool to him. He went on explaining more about her. And that she was a cool student. While he was talking about her, he put on this big smile the whole time. "Oh, and then Devon said that there was some cool girl in P.E. that was really good during basketball."
"Well sounds like your day was fun!" Mr. Camden said.
"He likes this girl." Ruthie whispered to Robby. "I can tell, I know these things." She said as Robby nodded his head in agreement.
They finished their dinner and the 2 kids went into the living room to watch t.v.
"Ya know Nikki, I'm pretty sure that you have homework tonight." Sam said as she looked up from her Math textbook.
"Oh come on, it's our first day, they wouldn't expect us to do our work on the first night would they?" Nikki replied flippin through the channels.
"Well you never know. Maybe they're not like how it was in Patterson. So, if I were you, I would do it just in case." Sam said with a little glace towards her sister.
"Really!? Oh, see ya Sam." Nikki said as she dropped the remote and ran up to her room to do her homework.
"Thaaaank you." Sam said while reaching to take the remote. "Just in time, Board Stories is starting." She said and placed the remote next to her book. She liked watching the shows from Hawaii. Especially the surfing or body boarding shows they had. She finished her homework and went up to her room. Later, both Sam and Nikki came down to day goodnight to their parents.
"Night mom. Nigh dad." Sam said and kissed both her parents.
"Good night mom, bye dad." Nikki said and did the same as Sam.
"See you girls." "Good night." Their parents told them. They both headed up the stair and to Nikki's room.
"Isn't this whole move working out for us?" Nikki asked as Sam tucked her in to her bed. She got all nice and comfy when Sam answered.
"I think this move is good for us. It is working out, a whole lot better then what I thought would happen." Sam kissed Nikki's forehead and left her door a little bit open. She went to her room and put on her dolphin lamp. The purple colored filled her room and made it look magical. She slipped under her covers and turned to her side. She stuck her hand under her head and rested her head on it. She thought for a while, and then finally fell asleep.
