God, Help Us

Max(01)

"So? How do you feel about your first day?" 

"I think it'll be great. This is the first time I've changed schools so I'm sure this'll be a great year." You said full of confidence and good fortune. You haven't changed schools since kindergarten considering that your old school covered all eight grades but once your ninth came it was time for some change. 

Your mother smiled and glanced at you once she parked the car. "I'm glad you think so. I'm happy this school accepted you, it's close to my job so I can get to you if you need me." She chuckled then her expression turned serious. "Phone off and you better act like I taught you a thing or two. I'm only coming if you're sick or you're dying but if I have to get a phone call from your teachers on the first day you better hope you wish you weren't my son." Her tone was sharp and cut your threads of rebellion slick and fast. Every rebellious thought bought fear because of your mother's discipline but you knew she cared. Even if she wasn't so much of a ball of sunshine she still loved you and that's all that mattered. 

The two of you step out of the car and make your way up to the school entrance. You waited there a few minutes while your mother fought with the door buzzer but eventually you two got in and made your way to the office where two women sat typing away at their computers. "Oh! Good morning! I see you made it here a little late." One of the women stood and greeted you and your mother. 'Ms. Sharell' her school ID read. She was very energetic and didn't waste any time with getting you settled with how things worked for tardy students. "You enter your name here into the computer, first and last, then you get the little slip that prints out for you. All ninth graders are on the third floor so that's where you will go to get your schedule and planner. The dean should explain everything else from there." Ms. Sharell explained. You nodded even though hearing that made the little man inside your brain faint from fact you had to talk more to someone else. You were fine with most people but talking really wasn't your cup of tea. It was overwhelming and made you overthink a good deal of your decisions and next words. 

"Dear God…" You mumbled now that you could practically feel your anxiety stalk its way throughout your body. Your mother on the other hand gave you a big hug and a warm soft kiss to bid her farewell. "I have to go now. You be good and Dad's cooking spaghetti tonight so you better not go straight to the snacks when you get home. Love you, Max. Be a good boy." She waved and blew a kiss making you smile as you watched her leave. 

"You should get going now sweetheart. You don't wanna miss your first period and the dean isn't going to sit there all day." Ms. Sherall pointed to the clock making your eyes go wide before sprinting out the office. Lucky for you there were arrows along the hallways, pointing and guiding you to specific locations such as - the staircase. Step after step you took. Making your way to the third floor as fast as you could. Your legs felt like absolute sludge when you finally made it but you still trudged along, letting your head fall low whenever passing a classroom with an open door thinking the students inside stared at you. You could see some teens walking out the restrooms and some going to different classrooms for things. But then you saw the person you were looking for. The dean. 

'Make it quick Max. Just get your schedule and keep it pushing.' You wanted to keep encouraging thoughts. Maybe if you managed to think that way you'll have an easier time talking and you wouldn't be so awkward. But oh boy were you wrong. 

The moment you sat down you had to endure what seemed to be a full course presentation. It was about eight o'clock in the morning and your brain was not up for it, not one bit. "Sir, can I please just get my things and go?" You finally asked after the dean finished talking. "Oh, of course. I know you didn't want to sit through all of that but it was mandatory and we can't have you wondering around trying to find your classes each day." The dean gave a light smile with a hint of humor in his voice. He looked a bit like your father with his long brown beard and kind hazel eyes. The small moss of hair on his head falling victim to his age and even his small short stature. "I'm Mr. Rezdrogo. I'm the ninth through tenth dean and will be handling most disruptions and problems on this floor so make sure to be on your best behavior and please if you need me, my office is right down the hall. Room 305. Now- head off to class." He finally finished and sent you on your way, even guiding you to your first class. That was rather nice of him and of course you knew you were most likely going to be aimlessly walking around the hall so you appreciated the help. 

You watched as he pulled out his key and unlocked the door, opening the door to reveal the classroom beyond it. "This will be your class. Your teacher is the woman sitting by the computer over there, her name is Ms. Ross. She will be your Spanish teacher for the remainder of the year and this will be your first period class until your schedules get switched in the second quarter. I'll be heading off now, the rest is left to you." Mr. Rezdrogo gave a firm pat to your back and waved to the teacher as well as the other students giving everyone a wholesome greeting. 

Then it clicked. 

You were on your own now. Now you had no help and had no idea who anyone was. It scared you and made you stand still, other teens stared at you with a burning inferno. Judgement lacing their glares and some even whispered. What were you going to do? Everyone seemed to already be settled in and you couldn't help but feel repelled by them. The confidence you once had before had swiftly trickled away and no longer remained inside of you. What a total bust. Slowly you crept in and closed the door quietly before making your way to the front. The desks were grouped together in groups of fours and most students remained in the back of the class. By then the stares stopped and the teacher watched you sit down. There was even another teacher in the back but he remained silent as he typed away on his computer. "Please make sure your backpack is placed under your desk and I will also need your name." The teacher spoke, her thick accent cutting through the air making you feel strangely compelled. It wasn't often you heard accents and none as unique and pretty as hers. Accents always gave you a kick and good inspiration for later when you somehow conjured up a new character for the small story you had going. 

"Your name please." She asked again, making you snap out of it. 

"Max. Max Abbot." You told her and she quickly checked your name off the board she held. Your attention then turned to the rest of the class. It was very decorated. Bright construction paper littered the wall and big pieces of paper with very detailed descriptions were placed on it as well. There were some glittery letters spelling out different things and were even some drawings you assumed were made by other students. Overall the classroom gave a good welcoming feel and you were obviously living for that. The drawings made you excited. Maybe you could get one of your pictures up there one of these days. It was a big opportunity so you made sure to keep a mental note on that for later. 

"Okay class. We're about to start so please quiet down." Ms. Ross spoke up and all the students turned from their friends and looked forward along with you as well. 

It seemed like everything was going to be okay after all. 

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