Orientation starts out boring and ends the same way. Principal Grizzly spouts the same BS we've been hearing since junior high. "We are here to help you," he claims, "so you can become the powerful young men and women you are capable of being."
Blah blah school rules, blah blah dress code, blah blah think of Your Future. I pass the time by sneaking small glances at Francine from across the room. She looks just as bored as I am. Maybe she'll look this way. Maybe I'll wave, and she'll wave back.
Maybe I should shut up.
We are dismissed from the auditorium and instructed to go to our first hour class. That means I have to go to English on the third floor. I hate to be so pessimistic, but exercise wasn't really on my to-do list today. If I have to spend all day climbing the stairs, I might just pass out from exhaustion.
Holding my notebook and folder, I start to head up the stairs. I make it to the second staircase before my foot catches on a step and I start to trip. I feel a firm grasp on my shoulder steady me before I fall. "Easy there, tiger."
Out of all the people to see me almost trip, it has to be Francine Frensky. Mumbling out some sort of thanks, I turn away and continue up the Staircases of Death. She takes them to at a time to walk with me.
"So how's it going?"
I try and find words to say that won't confirm her suspicions that I'm a total idiot. It's pretty tough, given what happened moments ago.
"Pretty good. You?"
"I'm fine. Just heading to English."
"Hey, me too!"
She smiles. Of course, it's a beautiful smile. One that could make a snowman melt. "Really? I'm glad I'll know one person in there. Muffy has French."
For some reason, that doesn't surprise me.
"Yeah, well, Buster has some Public Speaking course. I wish he were in this class."
Wow, Arthur, I bet that made her feel wonderful. I'd much rather be hanging out with Buster, but I guess you'll have to do. Can I get through a single interaction with her without embarrassing myself?
"Yeah, me too. I wish the gang could all have a class together or something. I miss hanging around with everyone."
I don't tell her that The Brain (Alan!) would rather calculate some velocities with his Science Club than hang out with us. "I do, too."
"Maybe we could all meet up at the Sugar Bowl after school. I haven't seen you guys all summer." She opens the door to the classroom. I hadn't even noticed we made it to the English room.
"Don't you have soccer practice or something?"
"Nah, JV practice doesn't start until next week. I could've made varsity, but some sophomore got the last spot."
"Oh, well…I guess I could make it."
"Cool! I'll ask Muffy and Sue Ellen."
I take a seat, and she sits next to me. Maybe English won't be so bad after all. I don't even mind walking up those steps that much if Francine is there.
Class begins and I'm upset that our conversation is cut short. I stare at the clock. Six and a half hours until the school day is over. Six and a half hours until the Sugar Bowl meet up.
Is it bad that my stomach is already twisting itself in knots?