Drop and Run

Chapter 1:

First day of senior school, new country, new town, new school, new friends.

Looking out the window on September 30th, watching the leaves start to fall to the ground. The bright orange and yellow colors of the leaves mix with the lush green colour of the grass that has begun to go yellow after an intense summer. I'm arriving in Cherry Hill now, the suburb that holds my new school, New Jersey School Of Music. I am a little late beginning my autumn term but I don't mind, as long as I am playing music I am happy.

We turn onto Union street and my eyes widen, towering three feet above the dull yellow school bus are rows upon rows of blossoming cherry trees. the street is filled with light pink flowers and lush green leaves that had just begun to turn yellow. we continue driving under the trees that sway slightly in the warm autumn breeze. I just have to take a photo. I grab my camera and stand up, I point it out the drivers window and get a perfect shot of the sunlight coming through the small gaps between the trees. I turn around and try to take another shot when the bus comes to a sharp stop. I stumble backwards as I grab for the back of my seat, Oh no... My knees give way and I fall to the ground with a loud grunt. Why have I been so clumsy lately? I pick myself up, snatch up my bag and take off to the front of the bus. Hopefully no one saw that, I thought to myself. I really need to make a good impression at this school. 

FLASHBACK: Walking through the halls, trying to get to my locker. Fumbling for my key to the door, screams of panic, alarms and silent prayers. CAN'T BREATHE.

I walk through the strong iron gates covered in green vines with tiny purple flowers that are asking for their photo to be taken, but there is no time, I have to report to the office and sort out my timetable.

I reach the office and meet my first pure American. 

"Hi" I say slowly, stepping through the old wooden door that leads to the school reception. 

"Oh Hey", says a young lady behind a stack of loose papers and open files, "you must be Alenna" says the american, trying to spot me through all the piles of paper. 

"That would be right" I say sidestepping a pile of old looking books that are stacked on the floor. I hold out my hand so she could shake it, but instead of shaking it she grabs it and slaps me on the back.

 "Oh" I say startled, looking around to see if anyone saw what she did. 

"Sorry. Did I do something?" The American asks, looking confused. 

"No," I reply. "It's just that I've never shaken anyone's hand like that before". 

"Oh that's right, I forgot that you are Australian. I'm Amy by the way. I work here 3 days a week and the other two days Kathryn the slob is here, trying to make a mess" Amy laughs a serious laugh as she chews gum and picks up a file off the ground labeled 'newbies'. 

"We do things differently in America, but personally I think we are better". Amy opens the file labeled 'Newbies' and hands an A5 piece of paper to me, I take it and turn it over and read Newbies' elective sheet. 

"I thought I was meant to be receiving my timetable today," I say, confused. 

"Well I can't make up a timetable unless I know what subjects you want to do, unless you are planning to study 24/7 and take all of them. Trust me, if you do that, you will be smart but boring, so if you are considering taking on everything, then good luck to you." With that she turns back and disappears behind her overcrowded desk that is really being used as a dumping ground. 

Feeling embarrassed, I turn and look for a place to sit. How can I be so stupid? I say to myself. I know I need to make a good impression to fit in here but I can't help being a master at asking stupid questions. I'll have to research american schooling when I get home.