Dear J,
(The teacher had told them they should name their journals, like Anne Frank had. Misti hadn’t been able to think of anything and didn’t like the idea of naming it something you would a pet, so just put “J” instead of “dear journal.”)
I’ve been thinking about what that social worker said, about taking time to make this a new, fresh start. I think I’m going to do that. Penny isn’t as horrible as I expected. And Aunt Mary and Uncle Bill are nice. But it is the first day. New always seems better on the first day. We will see how it really is after a few weeks. They might get over having a permanent guest.
Misti stopped writing, biting the inside of her lip, her chest tightening again.
Penny told me I would be the star of the show tomorrow. I really hope not. At least she gave me some new clothes so I don’t look like the slob I usually do. Do you think I should stop wearing eyeliner? I didn’t put it back on today and I kind of liked it. That can be part of the new appearance. Mom always said eyeliner was a warning. It scared the right people. But, all things considered, Mom isn’t the best person to think about right now. You know I don’t like to talk about it. Nervous for tomorrow. But, overall, things aren’t as bad as I was expecting.
Four
First Day
The morning went smoothly. Penny was not a morning person and took a long time to get ready. Misti had not slept well. Normally, she knew that she would be leaving in a few months and it didn’t particularly matter if she made a good first impression. But this situation was different. She was in this school for the rest of the year. And her cousin was going there. She didn’t want to be an embarrassment. She had thought about all of this while completing a very minimal makeup look and dressing in her borrowed clothes. Aunt Mary must have known that Penny had given her clothes because she smiled at her daughter with approval before they all headed out. Uncle Bill left in his truck, Penny left in her Camry, and Misti and Mary drove off in the SUV.
“Are you nervous?” Aunt Mary asked after she parked. Kids were streaming into the building, some by themselves, some with a single companion, others in packs. Misti’s heart was racing but she shook her head. No need to worry her aunt.
The enrollment process was mostly complete when they entered. Misti’s grades had been transferred, and judging by the sad look the counselor gave her along with a comforting pat on her forearm, Misti knew she had been told about her past. The counselor was an older woman attempting to look ten years younger. Her hair was cut in a long bob and she wore a thick layer of makeup with bright eyeliner. She kept pushing up jangling bracelets only for them to fall back to her wrist and clink like Christmas bells as she typed.
“Okay, Misti, here are your classes. It looks like you have all your credits except English and a couple electives. Now you have your choice of electives: We have Drama, Choir, Band, Art, Creative Writing, Gym, Weight Lifting, and TA.” Bracelets shoved back up her arm. “I’m going to put you in senior English with Ms. Williams for the first hour. After that, you can have your choice.” Bracelets clinked.
Misti selected Art for her first elective. The thought of getting on stage and performing terrified her, and she was not musically inclined. Instead she picked creative writing. She did like writing in her journal. Probably something she could force her way through.
The rest of her schedule was filled with a Statistics and Financial Planning class, and a study hall. Not a horrible schedule.
“Okay, well, I guess that’s all,” Aunt Mary stood with them. “Are you ready for this?”
Misti nodded, afraid the nervousness she was trying to hide would reveal itself if she spoke. Strong and silent. That was her strategy for the next eight months.
“Okay, Penny will bring you home. I’ll be home at about the same time as both of you.” Aunt Mary stared at her for a moment and looked at the wacky counselor before grabbing Misti, hugging her, then bolting away.
Misti was given a map of the school and a code to a locker. Then she was set free.
The first bell had not yet rung, but Misti thought it would be wise to find her first class and get her bearings. On her way down the wide hall, she noticed people stopping and turning from their lockers, looking at her with gaping mouths and popping gum. A few boys pushed each other and a couple girls looked her up and down. She was pleased to see that she was dressed a lot like them today. It would be easy to blend in.
“Misti!” Penny appeared beside her. “Let me see your schedule.” She snatched the schedule from her hands and they kept walking. “Misti, this is my best friend Chloe.” Penny was carrying a coffee, something she did not have before she left that morning.
“Nice to meet you!” Chloe said. She was a short girl with black hair and small eyes that seemed to dart. Misti did not like her. Her eyes held no trust.
“We don’t have any classes together but you have a sweet schedule. All of your teachers are actually decent at their jobs.” Penny handed back her schedule. “Your English teacher is the best one in the building. She’s older but definitely understanding.” Penny was leading the way, pretending to ignore but actually loving the eyes on her as she escorted the new girl.
“She’s just down the hall from my class.” She pointed at a door that had a sign leaning against it. “Your second and third hours are close to mine too; I can come get you. After the third hour, we’ll find your locker and then go to lunch.” Misti was relieved that Penny was taking charge of the situation. She would not have to interact with anyone new. “See you in a bit!”
Misti walked to the room alone and found the sign read: “I don’t have bad handwriting, I’m just using my own font!” Misti liked Ms. Williams immediately.
“Hello! You must be my new student!” The teacher rose from her desk. She was wearing a full-length skirt and boots with a loose peasant blouse. She reminded Misti of the hippie woman who had read to her after school when she was little when her mom was working, back when her mom could manage a full-time job.
“I am. I just wanted to find the class before being late,” Misti explained.
“Responsible, I like it!” The teacher moved to the front of the room and took a book from the shelf. “We’re reading this in class. We just started a few days ago. Today is a writing prompt over the first ten chapters. You can just get caught up.”
Misti nodded and looked at the book. To Kill a Mockingbird. She had actually already read it, but she chose not to say anything. It had been a few years and she would like the chance to read it again before making a fool of herself.
“I have no seating chart, but my students kind of assign themselves seats. There are a few open in the middle of that row. Yes, right there is good.” Misti settled into the desk and opened the book. She was halfway through chapter one when the bell rang and other students started coming in.
Most students just stared at her. She heard a few whispers but did not look up to acknowledge them.
“We do have a new student, and yes, she is pretty, boys, and yes, girls, she is smart. Just leave her alone and get out some paper. You have a writing prompt.” There was a groan but everyone listened and soon the class had pulled their attention away from Misti and to their assignment.