I woke up on Saturday with Abigail bringing me breakfast in bed. She entered the room, placed the tray on the bed, and said,"Sweetheart, I'm sorry. I waited for you to wake up naturally, but we have to go buy your supplies. Your father has already called twice."
Still sleepy, I looked at the clock and saw it was already 10:15 a.m. I jumped out of bed."Wow! I've never woken up so late."
"It's normal, you were tired," Abigail said with a smile. "But take it easy, have your breakfast and get ready. I'll be waiting downstairs."
I nodded and she left the room. I looked at the breakfast tray and saw some things I wasn't used to eating, like jelly and toast. I only ate the fruit, which, by the way, was tasteless. Fruit from the countryside was much better. Then I brushed my teeth, changed clothes, and went downstairs. Abigail was already waiting for me. We left the house and got into the car.
On the way to the mall, we talked a little. As soon as we arrived, we went straight to the store. I chose each item carefully, until my eyes landed on a notebook of my favorite band, Coldplay. I ran to grab it, and Abigail, seeing my desperation, came behind me. I hugged the notebook tightly and saw that it was a bit expensive.
"Abigail, can I take this one?" I asked hopefully.
She smiled."Of course! Your father said you can take whatever you like, just don't forget anything from the list."
While I was flipping through the notebook, I heard footsteps behind me and smelled a nauseating perfume approaching. I blinked hard, uncomfortable. When I looked back, I saw a tall, thin, blonde girl. Her slightly wavy hair looked like it had been drawn, not a single strand out of place. She seemed to be my age. She was wearing huge heels, a tiny skirt, and sunglasses. She was holding a small Yorkshire dog, and a saleswoman stood beside her.
"Miss, here is the band notebook you wanted," the saleswoman said.
The girl looked at the shelf and asked,"Where is it?"
"I'll check in the stockroom," the employee replied.
The blonde seemed impatient while the saleswoman checked the tablet. Meanwhile, I kept browsing some pens.
"Unfortunately, we're out of stock, miss," the saleswoman informed.
The blonde complained loudly. Shocked by her rudeness, I automatically looked at her. That was when her eyes landed on the notebook in my basket.
"Oh, there's this one!" she said, grabbing the notebook.
I snatched it from her hand instantly."No, this is mine. I'm sorry, look in another store."
She lifted her sunglasses and glared at me with light green eyes full of anger."Can't you just give it to me?"
"Of course not," I replied firmly.
Abigail, who had been watching everything, intervened with a calm tone."Sorry, miss, but she picked it first. Please check another store. Excuse us."
We turned around and walked away. I heard the girl stomp her foot angrily."That little poor thing must pay for her supplies in twenty installments, poor thing," she muttered.
I could still hear her saying that store was a dump before she left. I was stunned, but decided to let it go. Abigail and I had a good day together, we had lunch at the mall and talked a lot.
When I got home, I was exhausted and threw myself on the bed. I received a message from Brandon asking me to go out, but I already knew my father wouldn't let me. I gave some excuse. Saturday wasn't very eventful after the mall trip, and I ended up sleeping early.
On Sunday, Abigail made a great pizza for lunch and we spent the afternoon playing Uno, my dad, Abigail, and me, until my dad received a phone call and left. When he returned, he asked,"Mia, do you want to go out for dinner today?"
"No, I want to sleep early. Tomorrow is school."
He laughed."You're more responsible than I am!" he joked.
"Dad, can I go to the pool?"
"Of course, sweetheart, you don't have to ask."
I spent the rest of the afternoon in the pool. After that, I took a shower and organized my school supplies, excited. I went to sleep early.
On Monday morning, Abigail woke me up at seven."Mia, get up. It's time, dear."
Then I remembered: it was my first day at the new school. My stomach turned cold, but I got up and got ready. When I went downstairs, my dad was already waiting for me.
"I'll take you today, but starting tomorrow the driver will take you. I'll also arrange for you to get your driver's license, so you can drive."
I jumped with joy and kissed him."Women always jump for joy when they get something!" my dad joked, making Abigail laugh.
On the way to school, he commented,"Sweetheart, I'm old, but I remember how cruel schools can be. If anything happens, tell me."
"It will be fine," I assured him with great confidence, after all, I had never had any problems at my previous school.
When we arrived, I observed the huge building. The principal was waiting for us at the entrance. My dad didn't get out of the car, he just waved goodbye and drove to work. The principal introduced herself, but I didn't pay much attention, I was too excited looking around.
"Come on, I'll show you your classroom."
I followed her and, curious, asked her name.She pointed at her badge."Welsh," I read out loud. "Oh, sorry, Mrs. Welsh."
"It's okay," she said, smiling.
When I entered the classroom, some students were already there. They all stared at me. Mrs. Welsh introduced me and I chose a place to sit. Soon, a girl next to me turned and said,"Nice to meet you, I'm Emma. I'm new here too."
I observed her for a few seconds. She was beautiful, dark skin, long and voluminous curly hair, and dark brown eyes.
I sighed with relief."Nice to meet you, I'm Mia."
Emma smiled. But suddenly, the classroom went silent. I thought the teacher had arrived, but unfortunately, it was the blonde girl from the store. She looked at me and gave a sarcastic smile."Wow, this school is terribly crowded. Good thing it's the last year."
I didn't know what to say. She approached Emma."Excuse me, this is my seat since eighth grade."
Emma smiled and said,"All things come to an end. This year, the seat is mine."
Everyone was silent. The blonde insisted,"I'll be polite one more time. Excuse me, this is my seat."
Emma didn't move."I'm not leaving."
That was when the teacher arrived."Katty, dear, you don't own any land in this room. Calm down, she got here first."
Everyone laughed. Katty, furious, sat somewhere else but mumbled,"This is not over."
While the teacher introduced himself, a strange boy with a fierce look, long hair, and baggy clothes walked in. He apologized quickly, kissed Katty on the cheek, and sat near her.
"This year we'll have big problems, Wender," Katty said, crossing her arms.
He looked straight at Emma and smirked."I noticed. But we're experts at solving problems."
Emma sighed, as if she already knew exactly the type of people they were. Meanwhile, I could only think of how brave she was. I, on the other hand, was shaking.
During recess, Emma and I sat together. We talked a lot and, somehow, formed a friendship out of necessity, two new girls trying to survive in that hostile environment. She told me she lived in London for a few years and had returned to Florida a month ago. The rest of the school day was torment: jokes, dirty looks, nasty whispers. I was terrified of everything.
When the bell finally rang signaling the end of classes, I stood up and started gathering my materials. Then I felt a strong push and all my things dropped on the floor.
"Oh dear, sorry, I didn't see you," Katty said in a fake innocent tone.
I didn't even reply. Emma, however, didn't let it slide."I think you need glasses, girl."
Katty turned to her with a sharp look."Me, with glasses? And soon you'll need a cornea transplant if you don't shut up."
Before the situation got worse, Wender pulled Katty by the arm."Let's go, did you forget we have tennis practice?"
They left, and I felt huge relief. While Emma and I were still picking up my things from the floor, a boy approached to help.
"Thanks for the kindness," I said.
Emma smiled at him."What's your name?"
"Adam. I've been studying in this hell for a year now," he replied casually.
I let out a nervous laugh and said,"Hell?"
He shrugged."Yes. Hell. Welcome."
He tapped me lightly on the shoulder and left. Emma and I looked at each other, thinking the same thing: "Where did we end up?"
We left together toward the parking lot. Katty was on the back of Wender's motorcycle and, when she saw me, she shouted,"Hey, country girl! Welcome!"
I looked at my clothes, confused. Why did she call me that?
"Don't mind her," Emma said, rolling her eyes.
I took a deep breath, then we exchanged phone numbers, Emma and I said goodbye, and I got into the car. The driver was already waiting for me. On the way, I couldn't hold back the tears. It felt like a nightmare. Not that there wasn't any bullying in Staunton schools, but nothing compared to that. Or, at least, it had never happened to me.
I put on my headphones, rested my head against the car window, and wished, with all my heart, that this was just a bad dream. That when I woke up, I would get ready for school and find kind and respectful people.
But then I heard the driver's voice,"Miss, we're here."
Unfortunately, it wasn't just a bad dream.It was my new reality.