"Allison, wakey wakey beautiful girl," I hear Daddy's soft voice.
I groan groggily and sit up. "Morning, Daddy." All of me is relieved I don't have to look at Kyle's face in the morning anymore. I'd always hate when he woke me up in the morning.
"It's your first day," he reminds me, smoothing my messy hair back.
I open my eyes and jump out of bed, running into the bathroom. I quickly brush my teeth and wash my face, get dressed and go downstairs for breakfast.
"I see you've gotten up quickly," says Daddy as he places a plate of pancakes in front of me.
"Thanks Daddy," I say.
As I finish up breakfast, I grab my bag and rush downstairs, eager to leave. "I'm ready!" I yell.
"Young lady, you are not leaving the house lookin' like that," Daddy says, laughing. "And besides, it's only 8:15, we've got another twenty minutes before we have to leave."
My smile fades as I look up and down at myself. "What's wrong with me?" I ask in confusion.
"Nothing," he says. "It just has something to do with the fact that maybe you haven't brushed your hair, your uniform is a mess, your jacket isn't buttoned up all the way, your tie is all crooked, and the list goes on sweetheart."
I pout in disappointment. "Sorry..." I say.
"Hey it's alright. Here, let me help you." He leads me back to my bedroom upstairs and sits me down in front of my vanity.
"Let's see what we can do here," he says, taking out a brush and silking out my knots. He divides my hair into two sections and begins braiding them, tying marron red ribbons at the end of it – maroon red, being my school color.
"There, much better," he says.
I look at myself in the mirror and smile. "I love it, thanks Daddy."
"Really?" he asks, straightening my tie and buttoning my jacket up properly.
"Yeah. Who knew Dads can braid hair?"
"I can." He smooths my socks up and flings my backpack on my back, arms through the holes. "Now you're ready."
We walk downstairs and the limo horn beeps.
"Well, let's get going Daddy."
We hop into the limo and start Bill begins driving off to school. I hear Daddy cry a little bit. "Daddy," I lift his chin up, "why are you crying?"
He sniffles. "I'm sorry. I just want my baby to be safe at school. If I ever had a child I didn't think I'd be sending them to school. It's not too late to change your mind Princess. Do you wanna stay home? It's not too late, you can always-"
"Daddy, I'm going!" I giggle.
"Right, I'm sorry. I just, aww." He hugs me again and I hug him back.
Before I know it, the limo halts to a stop and I stare outside the window. Class must've already started, but Daddy said that the principle assigned me to attend a little later because of the enrolment and stuff.
He puts his dark shades on and walks out of the limo with me. I hold his hand as we walk into the hallway, spotting the principle's office. We see a lady walking out just as we're approaching it, and she stops and smiles.
"Welcome to Buckley Allison, we're excited to have you here. I'm Mrs Quick, I'll be your principle," she says to me, bending down to my height.
Mrs Quick has a dark brown bob, reading glasses, and just a very professional principle look. She's quite tall and thin as well, I might add. Although she looks about fifty years of age.
Daddy removes his sunglasses and shakes Mrs Quick's hand. "It's a pleasure," he says.
She looks surprised for a moment, but then quickly straightens up and clears her throat. "Uh, this way Allison and Mr Jackson."
She leads us to her office and Daddy and I take a seat in the chairs. "I took a look at Allison's school records from her old school," she pauses for a moment and looks at a paper, "Warwick middle school, am I right?"
I nod my head.
"Well, let me just tell you Mr Jackson, that Allison is a very smart student. She got 99 in mathematics and excelled greatly in science and English."
"Well, well, well, someone's a smart cookie," Daddy says, pinching my cheeks. I swat his hand away and blush of embarrassment; Daddy giggles.
"I'm sure she is, sir. In fact, I'm going to squeeze her in one of our highest classes," Mrs Quick takes her reading glasses off, "do you think you can handle that, Allison?"
I look at Daddy and he nods his head. I sigh and say, "I think so."
"Good, then I'm positive you'll fit right in!" Mrs Quick's voice is loud and chirpy, she seems like a happy woman – well you know, for working as a principle.
"I have your English excel textbook right here," she says, handing me a big bulky textbook that has got to be at least 500+ pages.
"All of this?" I ask, feeling it's weight as it drags my arm down.
"Yes. Now, let's not waste anymore time, I think you know the basic ropes. Be good, get classwork completed, hand homework in on time?"
"Umm...yep," I respond.
"Good. Come on, it's time to say goodbye to Daddy and for me to show you to your class."
I look over at Daddy. He grins at me and bends down, holding his arms out. "Goodbye my princess," he says.
I jump in his arms and hug him. "Bye Daddy," I whisper in his ear, disappointed to see him leave.
"Remember, the limo will be waiting for you at 3pm, okay?" he reminds me as we pull away.
I nod my head. "I know."
"Good girl. I love you Ally, goodbye."
"Bye," I say once again.
We all walk out of Mrs Quick's office and I watch as Daddy walks out of the school. I didn't think I'd be this sad to see him go. I'm definitely going to miss him for sure. I'm surprised Mrs Quick wasn't like one of those fangirls over my dad.
"So Allison, let me show you where you are going to have your classes," says Mrs Quick. "Follow me." She motions to the staircase and I follow her up, eyeing all of the classroom doors as I'm walking past each one. She stops at a room that has the number seven on the outside of it.
"This is where you'll be having your classes," she says, opening the door to the room. I walk inside and look at all the students in the room. They're all so quiet, just indulged in their learning and paying attention to the teacher.
"Eh-hem," Mrs Quick clears her throat. All of the students stand up instantly. "Good morning children."
"Good morning Mrs Quick," the students greet her together.
"This is our new student, Allison Jackson. So I would like each and every one of you to make her feel welcome to our school. Say hello to Allison."
"Hello Allison," the students say in unison.
"H-Hi," I say quietly, feeling shy.
"Hello," says a tall, slim woman with dark blonde hair and short bangs. "I'm Ms Sandra and I'll be your teacher for the rest of the year."
"Thank you Mrs Quick," says Ms Sandra.
"You're welcome. Goodbye, and good luck Allison," says Mrs Quick before she leaves.
"Now Allison, you can take a seat next to Amanda over there in the middle. She's a really nice girl," Ms Sandra says, motioning to a girl with long, dark brunette hair.
"Okay," I quietly say and take my seat.
"Hi," Amanda says.
"Hey," I shyly greet back.
"Okay everyone, enough with the chit-chat, let's get back to work," Ms Sandra calls out. "Everyone take your English excel textbooks out and turn to page 24!"
I do as I'm told and get ready for a day of learning.