Chapter 3: A Late Start

School, the daily grind that most kids begrudgingly trudged through, was no different for Billy Carter. He had this unexplainable aversion to the place, a feeling he couldn't quite put his finger on. But amidst the drudgery of the classroom, there was one shining oasis—lunchtime, a brief escape from the school's tedium. And, weirdly enough, Billy was one of the few who actually savored the cafeteria cuisine.

Today, however, was anything but ordinary. It marked the beginning of his 9th-grade journey, his maiden voyage into freshman territory, in a brand-new state to boot. The buzz of nervous energy around him was palpable. To deny his jitters would be an outright fib, but the sheer absurdity of being late on day one dwarfed all other concerns.

As he sprinted through the school's imposing gates, a curious sensation washed over him. The day's heat, coupled with his anxiety, concocted a strange and unpleasant brew of discomfort. Each step seemed to amplify his unease, leaving his brow to sweat the small stuff.

Inside, the lady at the main office shot him an exasperated look. She sent him packing to the attendance office due to his unpardonable tardiness—a rarity so early in the school year. Perplexed and unsure of the office's location, Billy begrudgingly tagged along. He could feel her annoyance simmering just beneath the surface, resenting the chore of escorting him.

The attendance office sat in eerie silence until Billy's arrival. Every pair of eyes locked onto him. After explaining his tardiness, they directed him to a seat. He was informed that the principal would soon grace him with his presence.

Principal Louis, a figure exuding an air of authority, arrived on cue. The room's mood shifted upon his entrance, crackling with unspoken tension. He gestured for Billy to follow him, and together they embarked on the trek to the principal's sanctum.

Walking in step with Principal Louis, Billy's anxiety levels rocketed, causing his brow to sweat even more. Surprisingly, the principal was the one to break the silence. "Chill," he offered, a statement that caught Billy completely off guard. Principal Louis may have looked stern, but his words carried an unexpected touch of kindness.

Upon reaching the principal's office, they took their seats, and Principal Louis urged Billy to introduce himself.

"Why don't you introduce yourself, young man?" Principal Louis inquired.

Billy cleared his throat. "Oh, I'm Billy."

"Full name, please."

"Billy Carter, sir."

"Okay."

Principal Louis leaned forward, resting his hand on his forehead, a gesture that seemed to convey understanding. "Well, I go by Louis Edwards, but for you, it's Principal Louis, or just plain Principal."

"Yes, sir," Billy replied.

"I'm guessing this is your first rodeo at this school, right? Can you fill me in on why you've blessed us with your tardiness on your very first day?" Principal Louis asked, his gaze steady.

"Yes, sir, it's my first day, and I'm real sorry for showing up late. I got all worked up about school last night, and it messed with my sleep."

"I get it, but let's make today the last tardy episode, alright? We don't cut any slack for lateness here, and you'll be in lunch detention."

Billy nodded. "Alright, sir."

Principal Louis briefly stepped out to make a phone call, leaving Billy to stew in his own anticipation.

"I'm sending someone in to give you the grand tour," Principal Louis informed him. "And remember, your lunch detention starts tomorrow."

Billy felt somewhat relieved by Principal Louis's demeanor. It was hard to fathom why the folks in the attendance office had exuded such a different vibe. With a mix of curiosity and anxiety, he waited for the arrival of his school guide, the person who would steer him through the bewildering first week.

A girl entered Principal Louis's office, immediately capturing Billy's attention. "Genesis, what are you doing here? Where's Ben?" Principal Louis inquired.

"Ben's out today, so Ms. Schultz sent me instead," Genesis replied.

"Alright. Billy, meet Genesis, your guide for the week. If you have questions, she's your go-to."

"N-n-nice to meet you, Genesis. I'm Billy," Billy stuttered, feeling a wave of shyness wash over him.

"Hey there, Billy. Can I call you Bill? Let's be pals," Genesis greeted with a warm smile.

"Yeah, Bill's fine," Billy replied, his nerves slowly settling.

"Okay, Genesis, show him to his third-period class. Here's his schedule, Genesis. And, Genesis, thanks for stepping in," Principal Louis said.

"No worries, Mr. Louis," Genesis replied with a respectful nod.

"Ready, Bill? Let's roll," Genesis said, her smile putting him at ease.

"Yeah," Bill replied, following her as they embarked on a journey into the labyrinthine halls of the new school.