If I Survive

~1~

 I awoke on the day I had been looking forward to all year, my sixteenth birthday. I raced down the stairs to be greeted by my mother. Her soft blue eyes met my ecstatic eyes. I walked over to greet her like I do every morning. I entered the kitchen as the sunlight melted through the widows. The smell of fresh bread filled my nose as I sat at the table. My father and brother entered the room soon after me.

"There's my big girl." He rustled my hair embracing me into a hug. Giggles escaped my mouth as his arms stayed wrapped around me. I blew my bangs out of the way as mom put the fresh bread on the table. I ate as my mother and father enjoyed chatting about life. My brother, Mason, was three years older than me. He had his ruffled brown hair hanging in front of his icy blue eyes.

"Well look who has grown up!" Mason leaned over to me to pat me on the back.

"Thanks Mason! I cant wait for tonight when all of our family will be back together!" My other brother, Carson had been deployed to Islam where he was securing the area. I tend to worry about him, but not all the time. I looked over to his picture on the wall. His bright green eyes filled with joy holding his new sister, me. I gazed and grinned at the warm memories. I was snapped back into focus as the bus pulled up. I groaned knowing another boring day was ahead of me.

"Have a good day kids!" My mom kissed us both as we left the house and climbed aboard the bus. Students filled the bus with laughter and chatter. I found my usual seat alone next to the window. Pulling out my book, I continued my adventure in fantasy all the way to school. The school was much louder than the bus. I always am certain I will get a headache from all this noise. I entered Algebra taking my seat with Wilson. He was a short fellow and had blond hair. He was shy but so was I so we never really talked. Mrs. Matthews entered the room. she is really sweet but knows how to take control when needed.

"Ok, open your books to page 46." Wilson opened our book as we gazed on the new lesson. It wasn't hard for me since I am the nerd of the grade. I am constantly made fun of for that but it is easy to ignore. The bell echoed through the halls as I was off to my next class. After three more classes I could finally escape to the library. It was a nerd's safe haven free from noise and best of all, human interaction. I went to my usual desk in the corner and started on my Biology homework. I popped in my ear buds and began to listen to my music and finish the last problems. Relieved from homework I slowly walked to the lunch room. I groaned as the voices got louder as I approached the dreaded place. Entering I grabbed my usual sandwich and sat on the ground and pulled out a book. I peacefully engrossed myself in the book until I was interrupted by an unfamiliar face.

"Hi there!" I gave a silent nod and went back to my book. I expected him to just shrug it off and leave. But instead he plopped his stuff down next to me.

"What are you doing?" I said pushing his stuff away from me.

"I think its called being friendly." He gleamed with a bright smile upon his face that was decorated with freckles. I gave him a confused look and looked back down at my book.

"And why are you being friendly to me?" He just shrugged leaning his head back.

"I don't know, you just seemed lonely." I looked in shock. No one has ever just come up to me and been nice. They only did that when they wanted something like homework. The boy looked over at me.

"What?" Shaking my head out of my thoughts and responding with, "Nothing."

"Oh my name is John, what's yours?" He stared at me again with joy radiating from his eyes.

"Katie." I simply said looking back into my book.

"Katie huh? Is that short for something like Catherine or something?"

"No just Katie." I looked back down at my book not even reading the page.

"Well, that's kind of cute." I blushed hiding my face in my book but I could feel his electric eyes staring at me. We spent the rest of lunch talking about one another. Turns out he's new here and has no friends. It felt weird having someone to talk to for fun and not talking to just get homework out of me. I couldn't help but smile at the warm thought. We road the bus home together and waved goodbye for the day. I leaned back against the cold seat smiling at the thought of John. finally a friend.