Coach Dearest.. (wlw)

Sign Up Sheet

It's my first day of junior year, and my anxiety is through the roof. Last year was rough.. especially on the last day. Having to show my face again at Merida High School is not exactly the most exciting thing for me right now. I am, however, really excited to sign up for my school's color guard. One of my friends did color guard last year, and roped me into wanting to do it. I'll never admit to her that I'm actually excited about it; but I really am. Not necessarily excited for band camp and such, but I'm excited to do something cool and hopefully make friends on my new team. I quit soccer last year and my parents have been on me non-stop about trying to find some kind of physical activity. 

I slide on an off-the-shoulder shirt that says "MERIDA" in our school colors, followed by a pair of jean shorts. "Where the fuck are my socks.." I murmur to myself. "Right here." I jump and look at my mom who was holding a basket of clean laundry. "Thanks mom." My mom smiles and sets the basket on the bed as I snag a pair of socks and slide them on, next grabbing my air forces that were once white but are now a crusty light brown with grass stains on them. I throw my backpack over my shoulder and hug my mom bye, then walking to the bus stop. There's not even anyone around me yet, but I feel like people are already staring. I tell myself I'm just being paranoid and stop for the bus, watching TikTok until I hear the obnoxious screech of the brakes that apparently never get oiled. 

I tuck my phone in my pocket and smile at the bus driver, who doesn't seem to be amused. I drop the smile and climb up the way too tall steps, eventually making it to the aisle. Nobody looks at me until I sit down in seat 16, and the girl across the aisle looks at me and then whispers something to her friend. I choose to ignore it and put in my Airpods, turning on Gracie Abrams. I look out the window, hoping that the whole day won't be like this. That the whole year  would be like this.

I hear the brakes screech again, signaling it's time to get off the bus. I stand up and sling my backpack over my shoulder once more, and trudge off the bus. I walk past the flag pole and see my assistant principal and quickly duck my head, avoiding eye contact at all costs. I see my best friend and immediately migrate towards her. "Hey Em." Emily smiles at me and tugs my hood off of my head, right as we walk past Dr. Dorla, the assistant principal. "DUDE!" I yell, smacking my best friend. "Chill Elle. It's fine. Nobody's even paying attention." It's almost like as soon as she says that, everyone turns their head and looks at me, including Dr. Dorla. "Bitch." I mumble to Em as we walk through the front entrance of Merida High School. 

My first class is english, and then apush, followed by choir. I then go to my homeroom that acts as a study hall before lunch. Once the bell rings, everyone pushes and shoves their way through the irregularly small doorway, all eager to get to lunch. I get down to the cafeteria and go through the lunch line. I set down my tray on my table and walk over to the tables to sign up for things, color guard being at the very end. I smile when I recognize two of the coaches, from Becca's competitions last year. I don't recognize the short girl with brown hair and blonde streaks through it, so I assume she's new. Coach Arie and Coach Cadence come around the table and tug me into a hug. "Elle! Are you signing up this season?" I smile and shrug. "Becca's pretty convincing." Coach Cadence laughs and points at the sign up sheet. "Well what're you waiting for? Let's get your name and number on there." I furrow my eyebrows. "You need my phone number?" Cadence shrugs. "Safety precautions apparently. Warner requires it." I nod. "Of course it's Warner. He's always such a worry wart for his band kids." The unknown coach giggles. A spark of curiousness sparks inside of me. "And who might you be?" I ask as I write my name on the sign up sheet. "I'm Coach K. I'm guessing you're Elle?" I raise an eyebrow as I set down the pen and readjust my posture. "K? Like as in the letter?" Coach K nods. "Yup." I smile and let out a "Hm." I slide the sign up sheet back across the table. "Well, I guess I'll see you on the try it days." They all smile and wave, but as I walk away I hear coach Cadence telling coach K to "not even think about it". Hm.