Freshman Year

Chapter 1

Lily had been homeschooled since the second grade, and tonight was the night before her first day of high-school. She would be going to the Military Academy in south Texas, where she grew up, as a civilian student. She realized that all those years of doing her schoolwork in her pajamas and sleeping until 10 every morning were over. She didn't want it to end, yet she had been anxiously waiting for this day to come all summer. She fell asleep praying for God to calm her anxious heart at what this next day could hold. Next thing she knows, she hear her alarm; she was very sleepy and did NOT want to get out of bed. "It is six in the morning," she thought to herself, "why do I have to get up this early?" Already she was getting worried. This is a normal thing kids do, why am I having trouble getting up early she thought to herself. Although sleepy, she got up, brushed her teeth and long brown hair, and did her makeup. She then put on her school uniform, which was a white polo shirt and a khaki skirt. Lily went out into the kitchen to find her mom, Jolie, and her mom's wife/Lily's stepmother whom is like a biological mom to her, Jill sitting at the kitchen table. She calls Jolie "mom" and Jill "mama."

"Ready for your first day of high school?" Mama asked.

"Yeah, a little nauseous, is that normal?" Lily smiled weakly. They both laughed.

"Yes, that is very normal. We have to go, we can't be late to the new-student breakfast though. Ready?" Mom said.

"I guess?" Lily said, as she grabbed her blue backpack and headed out the door. The drive to school felt like an eternity of Lily feeling nervous, excited, and nauseous. They parked and Lily's moms went with her into the Gym 1 of the Snow Athletic Building. They got their tacos and sat in the corner of the gym in the bleachers, observing. They ate in silence, and finally, they ran into a familiar face, and they all breathed as sigh of relief. It was Mrs. Johnson, the new college counselor at the school, and a personal friend of the family's from their church. They made small talk, but finally, 7:48 ran around, and Lily's moms had to say goodbye.

"I have to go to my locker really quick, will you come with me?" Lilly asked. She was scared to be left all alone in this big place.

"No, we have to go sweetie. Have a good day, we love you!" Mom said. They both hugged her and Lily had tears in her eyes, silently begging them not to leave her. She watched them walk away, and she suddenly panicked. However, she managed to make it to her locker and the chapel, where they were supposed to report to first before their actual classes, pretty unscathed.

LILY'S POV

After my only safety net left, I sat on a large stone outside the chapel, just observing. Everyone seemed so comfortable with one another; most were already talking or laughing in big groups. I started to feel very out of place when Mrs. Johnson came up to me:

"Hey Lily! Ready to head into the chapel?"

"Umm sure. Do we sit wherever we would like? 

"Yes, have a nice day!"

"I will, thanks, you too!"

I walked into the chapel, and it was a lot more grand than I remember it. There were so many seats, and the altar was so big, as well as the windows. It had a large echo and it was super tall. I sat on the end of a large empty row of chairs. I was taking in my surroundings when I felt a light tap on my shoulder from behind.

"Hi, I'm Alice!" The girl said. She had deep brown skin and eyes.

"Hi, I'm Lily! Is this your first year here?" I asked, hoping to find some common ground with her.

"Yes it is, what about you?"

"Yes!" Just then, the priest welcomed us. I was dragged along in a speech about how to start off the school year strong, and introductions of all the teachers and faculty. Afterwards, Military Academy has a tradition of all the teachers lining up to shake all the students hands before we went to class. I went with Alice, and we discussed classes we had, and our summers. After many new faces and many handshakes, it was now time to go to our advisory before our first period class. My schedule said room 128, but as I was standing outside of it, I was not sure if it was the right place. All of a sudden, a perky blonde with so much makeup on I though she was a senior, asked if I was in Mr. Atkins' advisory.

"Yes, I think this is the right place!" I responded. "By the way, I'm Lily."

"Hi, I'm Marissa, nice to meet you. Want to sit next to me in advisory?"

"Sure!" I responded. I sat in the first desk I had sat in ever, and I glanced over to Marissa anxiously, and she gave a reassuring smile. The next 30 minutes were a blur of information; Mr. Atkins told us all about classes, grades, expectations, and much more. Just as I thought my head was about to explode, a small beep came into the room which I could only assume was the bell. "Onto first period," I quietly said to myself. Thankfully, Marissa and I had first period together so we attempted to find it together. After going in a complete circle twice, I finally found my locker. Then, we went to first period. The hallways had become quite empty, and we walked into class right as the bell rang. 17 other freshman were staring at us as we walked in, and our teacher had already begun to take attendance. Marissa and I sat at the opposite side of the room because there were only 2 chairs left. I knew about 10 minutes into class that I was going to like my english class. Mr. Davidson was really cool, and I was genuinely excited for the material we were covering. Maybe this whole high-school thing wouldn't be that bad after all.