Author | Vivian Rice |
Disclaimer: All characters in this story are fictional, except the teachers. I received permission from them to use their names. The story is of a freshman starting at a brand new school, at a whole new grade level with heavier expectations. It portrays the feelings and events of the first day of school from the perspective of a person whose entire school setting has changed. “New Beginnings” is the Journalism Team’s theme for this issue.
I breathed in and out slowly, just out of my mom’s car. It was here, the first day at a brand new school. Of course, I’d attended Open House and Orientation earlier in the year, but this was different----much, much different. What was that feeling in my heart and my stomach? Anxiety? Fear? Dread? No, I don’t think so. Anticipation? Perhaps that was it. Yes, it was exactly that.
As I entered the side doors of the building, I realized that not only was I a freshman this year but a freshman in a new school, Scholars Guild Academy. Things would certainly be fascinating yet frightening this year. After I climbed up the stairs with the 25+ pounds of books on my back, I walked sluggishly, attempting to find my way around. I pulled out the schedule with the room numbers on it, and although I hated to admit it, I faced the fact that I was lost. Students were chattering happily with classmates. I assumed that they were friends from the previous year. They strolled right past me as if I were a ghost in the hazy night. I hoped my teacher would be gracious enough to give me mercy if I was late on the first day. All I knew was that I was quite lost.
"Um, are you lost?” A kind female asked me, breaking me out of my thoughts.
Turning, I saw a girl about my age, with large gray-blue eyes and soft light brown hair.
Smiling sheepishly, I nodded. “Yeah, I am.”
“I can help!” She chirped, turning to look at my schedule. “You’re going to Elements of Lit with Mrs. Wright downstairs in the Kidz Inc. Oh, I am too!”
As we both walked down the stairs (there’s a ton of walking involved), I learned her name was Kristi Minami. She was a sophomore and a cool but random fact was that she was an ice skater. After I stepped into the downstairs hallway, I suddenly remembered the pathways now; I was such an airhead. While waiting in the hall, Kristi introduced me to two of her friends; Nory Moore, who had dark brown-red hair, and hazel-eyed Enamel Hill. Both were equally welcoming, and I started to believe that making new friends here wouldn’t be as terrifying as I originally imagined. As the day progressed, I loved Scholars Guild more and more.
Mrs. Wright was one of the best Language Arts teachers I’d ever had. She gave the whole class a friendly and energetic vibe. Also, she made the learning experience massively more intriguing.
“What’s your next class?” Enamel inquired in a cheerful and inquisitive voice as we were leaving the Kidz Inc. room.
“Biology with Mrs. Wood,” I answered, already slightly huffing and puffing with the heavy load on my back.
He dished out a grin. “I guess I’ll be meeting you there then.”
The day was passing like a summer leaf in the cool fresh breeze. Biology was excellent, and Mrs. Woods was probably the most cheerful teacher I’ve encountered in my life. It might also help that Biology is my favorite subject. Most of my classmates were friendly, and it turned out that I met another new person in my class, Audrey Fieldmiers. I talked to with her a bit, and she even cracked the tiniest of smiles. Lunch rolled around with a warm Chick-fil-A sandwich, chips, and a cold fizzy Coke. In other words, pure happiness filled my stomach. Enamel, Nory, Audrey, and Kristi were all at my table, along with a few other people. We were all somewhat comfortable in each other’s presence, although there was a bit of shyness between the newer members of the table. That, of course, was to be expected since it was only the first day.
Lucky me, though, I had a study hall period after lunch, and I was going to nap my way through it. However, I was taking a foreign language not available at SGA, and should probably use this time to study my Russian. Why Russian? I've pleaded with my parents to switch languages many times, like why not Spanish or German, and every single time they gave me a big flat "no."
In all honesty, I didn’t do much in study hall except read aloud quietly a good ten words in Russian and write one sentence in Cyrillic before I simply gave up and took a power nap. Productive? Yes. Modern World History followed study hall and then Geometry with Mrs. Brothers. Both classes were ok, I guess. I’m more of an algebra person myself, and I just don’t particularly like history. But I loved both of the teachers, so maybe I could learn to like the class.
“I loved world history, especially the modern times!” Nory sighed happily as she, Kristi, Audrey and I strolled down the stairs for the last time that day.
“I prefer Literature,” Audrey quietly commented.
Opinions are good, especially different ones. I think that various views and opinions are excellent. It would be so annoying if everyone agreed on everything. I admitted I didn’t hate today as much as I thought I would. Sure, I only got lost twice and nearly fell on my face at lunch walking, but other than that, it had been a pretty good day.
In the blistering, burning, blazing heat, I waited for my mom to pick me up. I can’t wait until I get my permit in November. Nory’s and Kristi’s parents already picked them up, and I didn’t know anyone else. Audrey just left, so now I’m by myself. I don’t mind it; I’m more of an introvert. Scratch that, definitely an introvert. Soon, I spotted my mom’s red minivan pulling in and parking nearby. She waved her hand to notify me to hurry up. Time to get rolling I suppose. After I made it inside the air-conditioned car, I slumped so hard in weariness.
“So how was your day?” She asked me excitedly.
Shrugging, I didn’t know how to respond. “Good…I guess?”
She sighed, pushing her sunglasses off of her face. “I need a bit more detail than that, Sasha. Did you like your classes? Teachers? How were your classmates?”
Geez Mom, don’t make it feel like an interrogation. I reflected on the day’s events. People were nice enough, but I barely remembered any of them. Kristi, Enamel, Audrey, and Nory were the only ones I recalled. I liked my teachers and classes, but that was all.
“I loved my biology class, and the teachers were great,” I answered dully.
Just please let me sleep! Luckily for me, she merely nodded and turned her full attention back to driving. I guess she was satisfied enough, and so was I. Even if I didn’t say it aloud, Mom knew it had been a good day. I was looking forward to next week already. It would be a good year.
Thank you to Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Brothers, and Mrs. Wood for allowing their names mentioned in this short story.
Thank you to Jewel George Fiji, Lillian Pullen, Denver Smith, and Nate Sommers for allowing me to interview them as insight as new students in this short story.