(Parenthesis)

Jay

(January 25th, 1st day of gloom.)

Walking through the doors of Everbird Academy was almost as refreshing as saying it's name. In Chicago, lots of different people come from lots of different places, and I happen to be one of those people. You see, "Jay DeCeas" was actually born in England. My parents were on an extended honeymoon there, with a house and everything. So the first few years of my life I attended "primary" school.

By the time I was in the 7th grade we had plans in moving to Washington DC., but due to family issues I haven't been told of, we took a plane to Chicago instead. We have been there since, and now I am attending Everbird Academy. It sounds like a highschool, of course, because it is one. I am currently a junior.

A junior with no college plans what so ever.

I know, I should be prepared by now, right? Everyone around me is. This decision is just another reason I can't go out in public with classmates. In casual conversation, the question will appear; "Where do you plan on going for college?" And there I will stand, frozen and embarrassed, with no answer.

Why can't things not be about my future for once? Then again, if problems like these don't appear every so often in life, no one would get anything done. But I can't worry about that problem right now.

There is a much smaller problem in front of me that I'd like to take care of first.

I walk down the hall towards the front office, noting how cold it is, even inside. Although there was no school today do to weather conditions, me and another student were selected randomly to give a new student a tour of the school with a couple teachers.

This happened a lot to many students, since we get new people all the time, but never to me. I don't normally get called on by the teacher regardless of how high I raise my hand, or mention over the morning announcements no matter how good I am to everyone. So when they called my parents to let them know I'd be doing this, we were all mildly shocked.

Opening the pine green door to the large front office, the first thing you'd see is the windows. They were big and open, 3 of them lined up on the wall across from the door. In front of these was the principal's desk and chair, a few file cabinets off to the side, the same as any other office. But today something else was there, and I'm not talking about the other student and teachers.

In front of the windows, spacing out at the ceiling, was who I assume I assumed to be the new student everyone had gossiped about over the past few days. She had long, dark hair that looked hard to brush, with light blue color at the bangs. She wore a black shiny jacket that was probably leather, and under that, a plain white shirt. Then a galaxy pattern skirt that stopped at the knees with black leggings and bright red converse. Her arms were crossed, and I could see all the bracelets she wore. They all looked like they were home made, not quite jewelry store quality. I noticed her nails somehow, and they were painted a dark but vibrant shade of blue. Her matching blue ear buds went from her ears to her coat pocket.

"Ah, Jay," Principal McDaniels spoke up, his voice gravely like always. "How nice of you to join us." They other teachers echo similar greetings, and I wave.

"This is our new student, Parenthesis Darkos," said Ms. Yaika, our English teacher. The new girl perks up at the mention of her name and pulls out an ear bud, looking at all the teachers curiously. Most of them nod or motion to me. She looks at me and blinks, scanning me up and down, as if judging me.

"Wow. I probably should have stayed inside my house."