It was an early rise the next day. Many of the gymnasts in the Florida facility were woken up by the sounds of their alarm clocks or someone waking them up. For Kimberly, adjusting to a new time zone was the challenge.
She was no longer in California where she'd see the peak of the sun sweep away behind the trees from her bedroom, but in Florida; a place she's still trying to make it her home away from home.
She was still adjusting to new friendships as well. There were so many names to remember and staff members to keep up with who were attempting to train her.
School was another too. She still was to enroll in a new high school and receive her roster for her year that she had left behind. She still wished she was in Angel Grove High School. By now, she'd be halfway through her third quarter as a junior.
The only thing that kept her occupied was pictures of her and Tommy. He was all she could ever think about for the time being. He was there through it all; and now, the two were going through a long distance relationship.
She entered the new high school as it was like her old one in Angel Grove. The school was much bigger than the one she had attended; she didn't know what to expect from it all, but she knew it was going to be a challenge.
The scurry of busy students raced through the doors as they all managed to get to their lockers or destined classes. Prior to finding her own locker, Kimberly was in the office, where she was filling out paperwork.
First Name: Kimberly M.I. A. Last Name: Hart
Address: 10741 Oak Lane, Room 214
State, Zip, 33604
Grade entering: Eleventh/Junior
School Prior to Archer High School: Angel Grove High School; Angel Grove, California
"Ms. Hart," said a distinct voice as it came out of its small corridor of an office. The female came up to her as she handed her Kimberly a freshly printed student roster. Her new student identification card sat on top, which was taken minutes prior to her filling out. "This is your new roster and I.D. card. Your first class starts in fifteen minutes," she said as she gave a smile.
Kimberly smiled back as she placed the ID card into her purse as she looked at her first class, which literacy, "Thank you again, Pencotte," she said as she carried out her books to her new locker.
As she left for her locker, she bumped into another as they two collided. Papers flew as the two looked up.
"Her let me get that," she said as she retrieved the papers. The other girl looked up at her as she gathered up her belongings. "You're in my literature class; I'm Kimberly," she warmly greeted her.
"Rose," the other replied as she picked up her papers. The two shook hands as they both got up. "See you in class," she looked up at the time.
"Great," she muttered under her breath. She was running late on her first day in a new school. It wasn't fun. She gathered up her two books she needed as she quickly unlocked her locker. "I hope I'm not late."
The door remained open as it students for the class all rummaged into the room for the lecture of the day. Kimberly hoped the teacher wouldn't lock the door.
Almost all fifteen, included Kimberly were assigned to the class. She scurried as fast as she could, she had time to spare.
Some students were running late as well, so she didn't feel like the only one to be late.
"And today class," the teacher said as he began lecturing. As he started his lesson for the day, he shut the door. "Who can tell me about the play they read last night?"
The door was shut for her literature class as she sighed at the glass door. Not knowing what to do, she wanted to rudely knock on the door, but figured she'd get detention anyway, tried to find a solution to the problem.
"What am I going to do now," she sighed as she slid to the corner of the lockers. Knocking would be one thing, but all she would recall on how to plan it without getting herself into trouble.
"Well, Beautiful; I say we figure out something, or we'll be late for class," a familiar voice replied.
Puzzled, she squinted her eyes at what she thought she was seeing, "Tommy?" her eyes widened with disbelief.
"Well, whatcha say?"
She raised her brow as she looked around. No one was around, but just her; and only her.
"Ms. Hart, who are you talking to?" Vice-Principal Shayfield said as she looked over at the young woman, "Ms. Hart?"
"Um, no one," Kimberly replied in a startle. She picked herself up as she brushed off her jeans and top. "I was trying to get into my literature class when Mr. Otto locked his door."
"Well, I see," the older woman retorted. She took her own I.D. card as she swiped it across the side of the door. "Your I.D. card has a key embedded into it. Plus, it has an attendance device on it too, which means you're more than fifteen minutes late."
"But, I didn't…." she trailed off as she looked up at the woman who explained the procedures to her. "I didn't even know that these track your attendance."
"Just this once, Ms. Hart, I'll eliminate the tardy from your record; but other than that, be on time," Mrs. Shayfield stated.
Kimberly nodded as she was admitted to class.
"Thank you," she mouthed as she headed to the door.
"Well, well, well; what do we have here?" Mr. Otto replied as he stopped his lesson. Mrs. Shayfield stood at the doorway with Kimberly as he saw a new student for his class. "And you must be,"
"Kimberly Hart," Mrs. Shayfield replied as she introduced her. "She's new to Archer and didn't find her way till now with your class."
"Well, come in Kimberly. Sit, listen, and enjoy this class. Here's your syllabus. We are on chapter fourteen of Romeo and Juliet, one of Shakespeare's finest plays ever."
"Thanks."
Kimberly sat down and sighed as opened up her notebook and marked off her textbook which Mr. Otto had noted the lecture was given. Mrs. Shayfield left as she made her rounds in the halls.
This was going to be one interesting junior year.
A junior year she wouldn't forget.