Comfortably Numb

Chapter 6: New Friends, again?

Then I take my hair out of the towel, and brush it through. Thankfully, my hair was pretty much dry, so I left it hang down. My hair was very important to me, as crazy as that sounds. I spent years trying to grow it out, and now it's about three-fourths down my back, and I love it. It's nice and wavy, but not too wavy.

Looking for shoes, I put on some black sandals, but didn't like them with the clothes. Finally I chose some nude flats, with little rhinestones on the toe part. Oo, I'm looking classy today.

I get out my old backpack I had from last year, which is a baby blue draw string, with white lace that covers the pockets. I love this thing. It could honestly carry anything in the world and not even be heavy. I get out an old binder that I never used, pencils, erasers, pens, notebook paper, folders, and notebooks, and put it all in there. Don't ask my why I have all this stuff, I don't know.

Grabbing my phone, I see that it's 7:20. School doesn't start until eight, but Mom says it's at least a 15 minute drive. I turn off all the lights in my room, and head out to the kitchen. Mom is busy in her room getting ready for work, so I grab myself a bowl of Cheerios. Filling the bowl with the cereal and milk, I put a little sugar in it too. Okay, a little? No, I put a whole spoonful. Don't judge me.

I eat the food, and when I'm finished, it's 7:42. Okay, we have to leave! I sat the bowl in the sink, and go to Mom's room. I find her in her work uniform, which is a white and red striped dress, and black belt around the waist. Since it's a retro diner, she wears black eyeliner and red lipstick. I think she looks super cute.

"Hey, Mom. Are you almost ready?" I say, hoping she is.

"Yeah, let's go!" She says, and I gather my things, and we head out.

The new school is bigger than mine, and I see a lot of kids hanging out on the front yard. My stomach turns, and I swallow hard. Well, let's do this.

"Have a good day, honey! I love you," Mom says.

"Have a good day at work, Mom. I love you too," With a kiss on her cheek, I open the door and step out.  

Prepare yourself, Grayson. This will be fine.

I walk to the doors, my backpack hung loose on my shoulders. I see some eyes on me, but I know it's only because I'm new.

I go into the front doors, and into the main office to get my new schedule. A middle age lady with brown hair sits at the desk, a pair of white glasses perched on her nose. Her light colored eyes look at me, and she gives me a kind smile.

"Hello there, are you Miss Grayson Anthony?" Her voice is very chirpy, and she reminds me of a bird.

"Yes, that would be me. May I have my schedule, please?" I say in my most polite voice.

"Well, welcome! Sure thing, sweetheart. Just a moment." She says, walking over to a filing cabinet. She pulls one of the top drawers open, and her frail fingers skim through the names. She pulls out a packet of paper, and comes back to me.

"Here you are. This includes your schedule, map of the school, and even a calendar for future school events." She says, handing the papers to me. "Oh, by the way, my name is Mrs. Gregory." She says, smiling. I say thank you, and head out of the main office.

I overhear two people talking to the left of me, and I turn my head to see who it is. I see a tall man, with grey hair and a strangely shaped nose talking to a tall girl with wild, black curly hair. I recognize her though; she's the girl from outside the record store.

"Listen, Ashley, you brought this upon yourself," The man tells her, and she crosses her arms in defense.

"How did I bring this upon myself?! I haven't done a thing," She says, in a matter of fact tone.