Chapter 7

Spinelli POV

Damn it! What was I thinking about this morning? I can't believe that I made myself late for my first day of class. It's bad enough that I'm now the new kid, but I had wanted to be here with plenty of time to see the counselor and find my classes before the other kids arrived.

Looking around the office I sigh as I hear the school bell. Looking at the clock another sigh escapes. This sucks….. Why can't the counselor see me now before I'm even later?

Alright I have to calm down it will not help to see the counselor in a bad mood. First impressions are what matter…..

20 minutes later

What the hell is taking so long!

Finally the door opens.

"Ashley Spinelli….." I look up at a rather short teenager dressed in a dress shirt and tie who trailed of in mid sentence as he reads my name off of his clip board and my heart drops. Did I really think that I could keep who I was a secret? Well now I'm officially screwed.

"I go by Elli now Menlow" Gs you would think the kid would stop working in offices by now. Doesn't he have to attended classes like the rest of us?

He looks me over and to my surprise he smiles slightly.

"I go by Eric now, Elli, Mrs. Sherberton can see you now. And don't worry I'll fix the name typo on the attendance sheets." As I stand up I send him a great full look and go towards the door he pointed me to. Right before I go in I pause, turn around and look at Menlow um Eric. "Thanks" I say and then quickly walk into Mrs. Sherbertons office.

10 minutes before lunch

Gs you would think that I was some celebrity by the attention I'm getting today. First Mrs. Sherberton makes a big deal out of my coming here and that if there is anything she can do for me just let her know. Apparently she can't wait for the publicity the school will get with my art show.

Then for my first block which happens to be art, the teacher stops teaching midway through class when I finally make it and begins to just talk to me. Meanwhile all the students are wondering what the hell is wrong with their teacher and who the hell I am.

I've asked for the teachers not to make a big deal about the show I'm going to be doing because I don't want to be distracted. Yeah right I don't want to be even weirder to these peers.

Then walking to class I stick out like a sore thumb because I don't dress like Barbie and have lots makeup on.

In my old school all of the students were more concerned with whatever their main subject was whether it was theater, dance, music or art to be worried about appearances. We had other things to worry about. Most of the time I had walked around with paint in my hair, under my nails, and small spots on my face; but I think that would be little much here.

Then the class I'm in now, Math; which has never been one of my best classes; and the teacher is driving me absolutely nuts. He keeps asking me question after question to see where my math skills are. Why am I putting myself through this? I ask myself for the millionth time.

The class started with an awkward moment when the teacher did attendance and called Ashley S. The class who had been whispering through attendance stopped and looked at me.

You would think that after so many years the name Ashley wouldn't put you in a damn category. Another Ashley was sizing me up seeing if I was Ashley material when I very calmly replied to the teacher that since there were so many Ashley's in my other school I simply went with the nick name Elli.

This caused the teacher to look at me weirdly because where do you get Elli from Ashley S. But it got most of the students to stop giving me glares.

"Well class that's all for today you can pack up early and go for your lunch. Elli if you could stay for just a moment." Mr. Hewber's voice brings me back to the here and now as I see the rest of the class packing up quickly.

I walk to Mr. Hewber's desk dreading what he's going to say. Have I mentioned that math really isn't my subject.

"You wanted to talk to me Mr. Hewber?"

"Ah yes Elli. Your math skills appear to be a little bit behind the class. I was wondering if you would mind me setting you up with a tutor. I have a student who is extremely good at helping other students with their studies." He writes something on a paper and hands it to me "She is very nice, she usually hangs out in the library during lunch if you would like to meet her she might even be able to show you around the school. That paper has her number. But you really do want to talk to her soon or else you might fall even more behind" and with that he looks back down at the papers he's grading and dismisses me.

Well damn I didn't think I had done that bad bsing my way through the class. That's why I like English and the Arts better then math and science, if you don't know something you can usually make it up as you go along.

Walking out of the class I look down at the card in my hand and swear.

What are the bloody chance. I stare down at a name I know far too well; Gretchen Grundler.

Realizing that I've just stopped in the middle of the hallway which just draws more unwanted attention I begin to make my way to the cafeteria to grab a bite to eat before going to face Gretchen.