Chapter 8: The First Day

SEPTEMBER 6, 1979

NEWPORT BEACH, CA

Kirsten stood in front of the mirror, putting the final touches on herself before the first day of school. She was wearing a thin white lace top with sleeves that ended just slightly past her shoulder along with a denim mini skirt. On her feet, she donned new tan platform sandals that gave her an extra three inches in height. Kirsten knew that her father wouldn't particularly approve of the outfit, but he had already left for work, so she knew she was in the clear. Strands of her blond hair had been curled into loose spiral curls all throughout her head. She had been careful to arrange her curls strategically in order to hide the remnants of her surfing accident that had occurred just a few days before. A small section of her hair in the lower part of the back of her head had to be shaved off in order for the doctor to insert the stitches, which were still present. She turned her head once more and was satisfied when she couldn't see any of her stitches. On her face, she wore brown eyeliner and natural looking eyeshadow, along with a gloss over her lips.

Kirsten looked over at the clock and realized it was time to leave for school. School, she thought. Man that sounds weird…and so another year at Harbor High begins. She wasn't particularly looking forward to the first day of school…especially because she knew everyone would be talking about her "brush with death" from her surfing accident, which she didn't really want to talk about anymore. But the one thing she was looking forward to was seeing Jimmy again, and that was enough to put a smile on her face. And with that she grabbed her bookbag, headed downstairs, and drove off in her brand-new red Volkswagen Super Beetle convertible. Her father had wanted to get her a more expensive car for her sixteenth birthday, like a Mercedes or BMW, but Kirsten had insisted on the red Beetle. It was so much more fun than a super expensive luxury car and she was glad that her father had finally agreed to it.

Upon getting out of her car in the parking lot of Harbor High School, Kirsten spotted Kelly a few cars down. Kelly came towards Kirsten, gave her a quick hug with a quick 'hey,' and the pair started walking out of the parking lot towards school.

Kelly slowly broached the subject of the accident and said, "So are you feeling any better, after, you know?"

"Yeah, I guess so…" Kirsten hesitated for a second and continued, "I keep having these nightmares about the accident…it seems like they are getting continually less vivid and violent, but still…"

"Jeez, I'm sorry, Kirst! Anything I can do?"

"Not really…I guess it's something that has to go away on its own…And the other thing is, I know everyone's going to be talking about it," Kirsten told her.

"No they won't…there's so much gossip in this freakin town…there's got to be something else that happened, some scandal or something," Kelly assured her.

Just then Taryn and Courtney approached the two of them. "So, Kirsten, how's the head…I'm so sorry that happened to you…I heard you almost died or something," Taryn told her.

Kirsten bit her lip to keep from saying something she might regret. She instead tried to convince herself that they were genuinely sympathetic and answered, "I'm doing fine…it really wasn't that bad."

"Maybe it was those margaritas…have a few too many before you went out surfing, Kirsten?" Courtney started in on her.

Kirsten was doing all she could to contain herself. Where did they even get the nerve? she thought. Just when she was about to say something, Kelly stepped in, "Stop it you guys…just leave her alone…she's had a long week…and for the record, she only had one margarita, definitely not enough to be the cause of the accident…I mean, she went over the freakin falls of the wave!" Kelly paused for a moment to catch her breath, and continued, "And you too are ones to talk…it looked that you both had knocked back a few too many already when we got to the beach house!"

"Jeez, Kelly…take it easy…we were just joking around," Taryn said, trying to defend herself and Courtney.

"Well, see you two later…sorry Kirsten…I, um sorry," Courtney told them as she and Taryn walked in the other direction.

"What did I tell you…everyone's talking about me," Kirsten told Kelly.

"That was just two people," Kelly said. Kirsten gave her a look and Kelly relented, "Okay, okay, you're right."

"Courtney's already probably spread a rumor that 'Kirsten Nichol drank too much before she went out surfing and that's why she got in an accident,'" Kirsten said.

"Well you and I both know it's not true…I'm sure something else will happen in a few days and all will be forgotten," Kelly said reassuringly.

"I can only hope. Do you think I could get off on an insanity defense if I killed Taryn and Courtney right now?" Kirsten asked.

"I think most juries would see it that way," Kelly said laughing. Just then, Kelly spotted Jimmy Cooper from a distance and decided to move onto another, much more interesting subject, "So, Kirst…it's time for the truth…what's going on with Jimmy Cooper…we still haven't had a chance to talk about this…and I mean, the guy just met you and he waited like five hours in that hospital for you to wake up."

Kirsten blushed slightly at the mention of Jimmy, a blush which Kelly noticed. Kirsten took a second to compose her thoughts, and said, "Well, you know he came over for dinner with my family…and afterwards we went on a walk…and he kind of told me he liked me…and we ALMOST kissed, but stupid Hailey interrupted us."

Kelly smiled with excitement, "Wow, Kirst! I'm so happy for you! Sorry about Hailey, though…that's gotta suck."

"You have no idea. Anyway, he's taking me out on a date this Saturday…a surprise date!" Kirsten said, starting to get excited as she spoke the words.

This sent Kelly over the edge, "Yay Kirsten! I am so excited right now for you. That is so great!"

All Kirsten could do at the moment was smile. She hadn't felt this happy about the possibility of something fun and exciting happening to her for a long time. In the distance, she noticed Jimmy and started to call out for him.

Jimmy was trying to make his way through his new school. Man, trying to find your way around has got to be the worst thing about changing schools, he thought. Suddenly he heard his name being called and he looked up to see Kirsten standing with Kelly, yelling at him.

"Hey you two!" Jimmy called as the gap closed between them. "How's it going?"

"Pretty good!" they both answered simultaneously, at which Jimmy just laughed.

"Good, I'm glad. Hey I was wondering, do either of you know where Mrs. Hinamin's US history class is…I'm kind of having some trouble…" Jimmy said, feeling totally lost.

"Well, you are in luck! I have her first period too! Come on and we'll walk together," Kirsten told him.

"Okay, I'll let you two go…I have class this way…Have a good day and I'll catch up with you guys later," Kelly said, walking in the other direction.

"Bye Kell!" Kirsten called.

"Bye!" Jimmy exclaimed.

Kirsten and Jimmy began walking to their class, when Jimmy asked, "So, I was wondering, considering the accident and all, if you were still up for the date on Saturday, because we could do it anot-"

"Jimmy," Kirsten started, cutting him off. "The date on Saturday would be great, as long as the offer still stands."

"Of course!" Jimmy said, hoping he didn't sound too excited.

"Honestly, Jimmy, this date is the only thing I have been looking forward to all week, especially after the accident and all…I'm excited for it!"

"Me too!" Jimmy said as they entered the classroom.

The pair sat in desks next to each other just as the bell rang for classes to begin. I think this is going to be a good year, Kirsten thought to herself. Ironically, Jimmy was thinking the exact same thing at the same time.

Mrs. Hinamin started off the first US history class of the year, "Hello class. As you know, I am Mrs. Hinamin, and today we will begin class by taking roll…"