"Honey, I have some news. Good or bad, you are going to have to do it, I am sorry. You need to learn how to read, write, do math, science, history, language arts and all of those other subjects correctly. You can't just rely on me to teach you those subjects that I barely even know."
"No, mom. Not school. It is torcher. Mean teachers, boys, friends, homework, grades. I can't do it. I just can't!"
"Well, today is the first day. I have some clothes for you that don't look horrible. And remember, try to get money out of people. Be secret. Don't let anyone notice you are taking money. My account is low, and I don't know how much longer we will be able to have our house, ok. Remember that. But most importantly, remember that everything will be ok, Carter. Even if we can't afford our house and end up on the streets, everything will be ok."
"Ok, mom. And just so you know, I will never give up on trying to make us live a happy life. And think on the bright side, maybe Uncle Marty will be able to let us stay at his house for a while, ok?"
"Oh, I love you, sweetie. I don't know how I could live with a different daughter. Anyway, here are your clothes. Change and be back down in 5. I am driving you to school."
That was a drama act. I mean, it is hard enough having to steal and beg from people telling them you are going to lose your house. On top of that, my mom is giving me school. Something that I haven't been to since the third grade, something I suck at and something that is bound to make me messed up. Well, I guess I have to. All I ever want for my mom is joy and happiness because she works so hard for me. So, I will do what she wants.
I slipped on my high waist light wash jeans and crop top t-shirt my mom gave me to "fit in", but it still looked like I bought it from a thrift store. The crop top was faded and there was thread hanging loosely at the ends, and for the jeans, they were ripped, which actually was stylish. Overall, my outfit looked pretty decent. My mom was an angel. She went to all this work for me to fit in, even though she probably couldn't afford it and had a million other things she had to do.
I went downstairs and my mom was toasting a bagel.
"That looks amazing, mom. Thank you so much."
"Thanks, sweetie, anytime. Here you go. Now get in the car, I already packed your lunch. Time to go to school! Aren't you just so excited!"
"No. Remember. Exciting for you, horror for me."
"Don't act like that, Carter Jane. It will be very fun!"
"Eh, if you say so."
Soon enough, we arrived at school. The whole time in the car, I was regretting to have to go through this moment, but it came.
"Bye, mom. I love you!"
"Bye, sweetie!"
I saw a tear drop down her face. She cared about me a lot. She is probably also extremely happy that I was going to an actual high school.
As I entered the school, I felt as nervous as heck. What if I didn't make any friends? What if I got bullied? What if the teachers hated me? What if the classes were too hard? Ugh. Life. I might as well go to the library until the bell rings because I don't have any friends to hang out with.
I walked into the library, and the first thing I noticed was that everyone was super loud. But it was a library! It was supposed to be quiet! Is this what high school is like? And the second thing that I noticed was that there were only two spots left in two different tables of four. If I didn't want to sit next to three random strangers, I was better off sitting on the floor. But didn't I want to socialize? Whatever Carter! Just ask to sit with some random strangers! They don't know you! It is no big deal if you make a fool out of yourself. (Says my prep talk voice inside my head.)
"Excuse me, may I sit by you guys, there are no seats left except one."
"Yeah, sure." Said a girl with a big smile spread across her face.
For a couple moments, there was an awkward silence, but then I couldn't take it anymore so I decide to ask them their names.
"So, what are your guys names?" I asked anxiously.
"I'm Hayley." Said the one with the hip style.
"I'm Jasmine." Said the girl with a plain lavender shirt.
"And I'm Rose." Said the one with the black skater skirt.
"Well, hi! Nice to meet you guys! I'm Carter, and I'm pretty lost. I have never been to an actual high school before, so forgive me if I appear to you as mentally insane, which I totally am not."
"Thank you! Someone who feels my pain! I haven't been to a real high school in America either! I am completely lost too!" Said Jasmine.
"Hey, look on the bright side. You still have been to a high school in a different country! So, what's your story?"
"Lived in India my whole life, but suddenly a one summer transition from India to America pops up. Pretty hectic if you ask me."
"Yeah. Wow.
"Rose and Hayley are helping me adjust. Do you want to join in our little group?"
"That would be awesome! I need it like so bad."
"Wait!" Rose said. "What are your classes?"
"Huh? Oh, it is in my backpack. Let's compare schedules."
"We got some of the same classes, at least!" Jasmine said.
"Ring, ring!"
"Bye, guys! Let's meet at the shady tree to eat together at lunch, ok?"
Then we all disappeared in opposite directions going to different classrooms. This high school year wasn't going to be as bad as I thought!