3 Chapter 3

The bus pulls in front of the school and the doors open. Students flood out of the bus and I'm the last one to step out.

I start heading for the cafeteria and let out a sigh. 

"Another day, not looking forward to it," I whisper to myself and roll my eyes.

I open the door and walk in, Raven and Jessica are sitting down at a table eating today's breakfast. I stand in line to checkout and head for the table to meet my new friends.

I begin eating and Raven looks over at me.

"How was the last part of your day?" she inquires.

"Okay, I guess," as I look down at my breakfast and continue eating.

"I'm sorry," Raven and Jessica say in unison.

"It happens. No need to get worked up, I guess."

We all finish our breakfast and dump our trays. We head for our lockers to put away our backpacks and grab our first class materials.

I groan and shut my locker. Jessica looks at me and says, "Enjoy your first class."

"I'll try," I reply back.

She turns around and heads for her class.

Raven turns to me, "Ready for biology?"

"I guess," I begin to feel my face get warm and my hands grow clammy. I dread sitting with Scott after yesterday's disaster.

We head to class and I sit down next to Scott as I try to avoid looking towards him. I open my book and distract myself by reading over yesterday's homework to double check my answers.

I hear a whisper, "Victoria?"

I look around the room and notice Scott looking at me and I turn warm again and feel myself blush.

"I wanted to apologize for yesterday. I'm not entirely good at talking to girls," he whispers to me.

I look down at my papers  and utter, "It's okay. Raven apologized for you and mentioned you had a rough life."

"Oh, she did. I'll have to talk to her about it. She knows not to mention my life to anyone."

"She didn't tell me anything else."

"Okay, that's good. I want to keep it a secret. I don't want people feeling sorry for me."

Just then the bell sounded to signal the start of class.

The teacher walked to the front of the room and asked,"Did you all finish your homework?" 

Everyone replied, "Yes."

"Good, Let's go over it, and correct it before turning it in."

I grabbed out a red pen and we began going over the answers. We finished the last question and I was shocked. 

What? I got them all right. Sweet. I had never been good at science.

The teacher collected our homework and began today's lecture.

Class dragged on and felt like it was never gonna end. The bell finally sounded and everyone rushed out of the classroom.

Raven waited for me at the door before walking out with me. We walked together to our lockers. 

I pulled on it and pulled on it.

"My locker is jammed!," I say.

"Let me try," Raven exclaimed.

She yanked on it till it finally flew open and all my stuff slide out onto the ground.

"Thanks."

"Anytime. Glad I could help."

I started picking up my stuff while setting it back into my locker when Jessica walked up, making me jump.

"So jumpy," she said.

"Yeah, I've always been like that."

Jessica entered her combination and gently opened the door.

"Ready for our next class?"

"Yeah, hold on."

"Take your time. Do you remember where history is?"

"I think so," I glanced over at her with a blank stare.

"I'll wait for you. Don't want you to get lost. I know it's only your…"

Raven interrupted, "Did you want to come over after school?"

"Sure, let me send a text to my mom, and I'll let you know at lunch," I glanced over at her with a smirk.

I grabbed my phone out and sent a quick text.

Is it okay if I go to a friend's house today? Her name is Raven.

My phone vibrated. It was mom. My mouth opened slightly.

Wow she is fast sometimes.

Sure. Glad you made a friend already.

I shot back a quick text.

Thanks mom! 😊

Just then the bell rang.

"Crap! Sorry Jessica," I say.

"It's okay, your new. The teacher will excuse us, just try and hurry next time."

I looked over at her and shrugged.

"I'll see you at lunch," Raven said as she walked away down the opposite side of the hall. 

Jessica and I headed for class and took our seats.

"Jessica, Victoria," the teacher said.

"Sorry, I'm new and Jessica was just helping me find this class."

"It's okay. I'll excuse you guys this time, but try to be punctual."

I looked at the teacher, remorseful and slumped down in my seat.

As my next class finished, it was time for lunch.

I couldn't find Raven or Jessica, so I headed down the hall for lunch. They were already in line and I sneaked in with them.

We hurried to grab our trays and headed for an open table.

We began eating lunch, which was not my favorite, but I was hungry, so I ate it anyway.

Jessica piped up, "How was your day so far?"

"It was alright, at least I haven't embarrassed myself yet. Oh also, Scott talked to me in Biology today."

"Oh, how was that?" She leaned towards me.

"Oh, just a bit of small talk."

"Well, that's a first."

"Why do you say that," I ask.

"Usually he doesn't even talk to anyone at school. Almost as if he doesn't want to be here."

I glance over at Jessica trying to avoid smiling but I can't help it, as a huge smile spread across my face.

"Don't get your hopes up."

"I won't."

I throw her a look of disbelief as my eyebrows raise and my chin drops.

"I bet you're excited for your next class," Raven chimes in.

"Yes, very much so." I avoid jumping up and down in my seat, fearing that I'll fall out.

"Do you need help finding it?" Raven and Jessica replied in unison.

Jessica glared over at Raven. 

Okay, I really need to get to the bottom of this. Why don't they like each other. Raven doesn't seem to be bothered by Jessica, but Jessica is bothered by Raven. No one asked them to be nice to each other, but can they at least be civil.

The Lunch hour ends, and we walk our separate ways. I head for the art room joyfully skipping.

I walk in, take my seat just in time for the bell to ring.

"Today, you see there are displays in front of each table. Each one of you will be drawing the display you look at in front of your desks. Three people to a table, please."

I grab a seat and examine the display set in front of me and I begin first by drawing the plant that is set in the middle of the display

I add shading around the edges and blend the shading so it appears as shadows. 

This is one of my favorite classes and it flew by way too quickly.

The last two classes, drag on and finally school was out. I took a deep breath and slumped my shoulders as I let out a sigh with relief. I'm happy I didn't embarrass myself again.

I head towards the bus and Raven comes up behind me with a gleaming smile. "I'm so excited for you to come over today."

I head to her bus and we quickly find a seat just in time before the bus pulls out. I feel shaky as I realize that Scott will be there since they are siblings.