Whiteboard Messages

Chapter 6

The weekend passed way too quickly.

Over Saturday and Sunday, I had gotten all of my school supplies together, bought my large, electric-blue Vans backpack, and endured a whole 32 hours of Lisa as company.

Needless to say, I spent most of the weekend pitching, talking via whiteboard to Hayden, or giving Kouger a bath (you wouldn’t believe how long it takes to give him one). And during the time where I wasn’t doing anything that involved me hearing anyone, I had music replace the silence or Lisa’s babbling.

During the weekend, I had wished it would end so I could go to school and escape the house. Now that it was Monday, the weekend didn’t seem so bad.

I sat in the passenger seat of Old Blue with my right headphone in, staring at the busy school grounds.

“Have fun, Jess.” Dad told me.

I smiled at him. “I will, you have fun at Giovanni’s.”

Dad winked at me as I got out of the truck and slung my backpack over my shoulders and grabbed the box full of books and such for my locker.

I began walking to the entrance of the school, saying nothing. I didn’t really know anyone, and I didn’t really care. Right now, I just wanted to dump my box of supplies in my locker.

I went inside, getting greeted by an overly zealous Principle Marten.

“Jessi Ray!” He exclaimed. “Welcome to your first day!”

“Thanks.” I called back as I kept walking to the stairs, heading up to my locker.

When I finally found locker #83, I pulled a slip of paper out of my jean pocket with my combination.

“2…1…7…4...” I whispered as I unlocked the padlock.

“You know, usually saying your combination out-loud isn’t a good idea.” A girl’s voice next to me said.

I looked to my right to see a girl about my age smiling at me.

“Sorry, I’m…new.” I told her.

“It’s fine, I was new at one point, too.” She said, her brown eyes twinkling.

I laughed. “At least I’m not alone.”

She shook her head. “You’re not. I’m Leah.” She held out her hand.

“I’m Jessi.” I shook her hand before closing my locker door.

“Well, Jessi, what’s your first class?” Leah asked.

Leah nodded.

I thought for a moment. “History.”

“Me too!” Leah exclaimed.

“Thank goodness, because I think I’d get lost.” I said with a smile.

Leah laughed. “Don’t worry, I’ll take you there.”

Maybe today wouldn’t be so bad…

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LATER

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I was wrong.

History was fine, it turns out that my seat was right next to Leah’s, Mr. Cordell was nice, and the stuff we learned was pretty easy to learn.

The next few classes, however, were torture.

Math was dull and I got stuck next to the smartest kid in class, which in turn makes me feel stupid most of the time. And, just to pour salt in the wound, Mrs. Goide was very critical and hated talking. Even a whisper was yelled at and finding the answer to something you missed was like some sort of Navy S.E.A.L. mission.