The Month of September

Chapter 4-The First Day of School (Part 1)

It took me a long time to create the picture for Ember's outfit on the side, so I hope you guys like it! -------->

Chapter 4-The First Day of School (Part 1)

My alarm rang at exactly seven o'clock so I'd have an hour to get ready for school. My blankets were warm and I wanted to stay in bed forever, but I knew it'd do no good to be late for my first day of school, especially since that would just draw more attention to myself. I quickly brushed my teeth, then realized that I stupidly hadn't planned an outfit last night. I didn't know when August would leave for school, so I grabbed the first things I could get my hands on. A few minutes later I was wearing a red crop top with a black high waisted skirt and a long sleeved denim jacket. I slipped my feet into a pair of black wedges and ran to August's room, grabbing my backpack from the corner of my room.

I rapped on the door two times. "August? Are you awake? What am I supposed to eat?"

I heard him roll over in his bed. "Eat anything you want," he said, or at least that's what I think he said. It sounded more like "Eat ay yao wa," but if he said something else I had an excuse that he told me I could eat whatever I wanted to.

I made my way downstairs and by seven thirty, I had a bowl of Lucky Charms in front of me. I licked my lips. What luck I had the last bowl of Lucky Charms. They were my favorite. After I had finished, I quickly washed the bowl and spoon and went back upstairs to see if August was awake yet. I didn't want him to make me late, since I didn't have a car to drive myself yet. Plus, I wasn't even sure where the school was. All Dad had told me was that Mom had enrolled me into the local high school and that I was supposed to be on my best behavior. "I told your Mom to send you right back here if you misbehave. She doesn't need any more problems on her shoulders," were his exact words. It was strange; he still seemed to care about her enough to take me back if I made a mess of things even though it seemed like he hated her. He had a good reason to be angry, though. He had seen my Mom having an affair with some other guy and immediately filed a divorce. Five years later my Dad met Stephanie and now they were getting married. I never did find out what happened to the guy my Mom was having an affair with.

August opened his door a second before I knocked. "Did you eat breakfast already?" he asked. His hair looked uncombed and he was wearing a light blue shirt that matched his eyes.

"Yeah," I replied. "So do I need gym clothes? I go to the front office for my schedule, right? Where is the front office? We're not going to be late, are we? I don't want to be late for my first day! Do you think we have any classes together? I wonder where my locker is going to be....oh no! I don't have a lock! Do you think my outfit is okay? What if people don't like me? Do I look like a zombie?" All my worries came spilling out and I realized just how nervous I was. I had a right to be; everyone probably knew each other from kindergarten and I would be the outsider.

"Umm...I'm sure you'll be fine," he said, walking around me and going downstairs.

"Seriously, August," I pressed, following him down the stairs, "Do I need anything specific for school? I only have the usual supplies and I need to know if I need a special ruler or ten colors of hi-lighters or something."

"No, not that I know of," he thought for a moment. "Actually, you do need a special pen for this one teacher," he snapped his fingers, "Mr. Mongan! Or else he's going to make you pay ten dollars to get it from him."

My jaw dropped. "He's crazy! No way am I going to pay ten dollars for a pen!" I exclaimed, momentarily forgetting my nervousness. Ten dollars for a special pen could get me at least four of my favorite Bic pens.

My anger was cut short when August laughed, then opened the cereal cupboard. "It was a joke, Ember, loosen up a bit." I glared at him. How dare he joke at a time like this! "Hey, where're the Lucky Charms?" he frowned. "I could've sworn I still had a little left...."