It was about 05:30 AM when my alarm went off and made me lug my still very tired self out of bed just to get ready for this very dreadful day. I got out of bed and waked to my bathroom while rubbing my face and yawning. I turned to the mirror and was socked by the way I look. I know I just woke up and I look like too but that's not what the problem is. It is my buzzed hair. I didn't want those thoughts of fitting in bother me this early in the morning. I just gave my self a once over "Just be yourself. No harm in that". I got my phone and then started to play "who says by Selena Gomez" and then set the shower to the shower to the perfect temperature and got in. After taking my shower I rapped the towel around my body and went back to my room. I looked at my wardrobe handle where I hung the school uniform last night. I rolled my eyes while thinking "Do I really need to ware this ugly uniform". "Well I have to". I took the clothes and placed them on my bed and started to get dressed. I started with the green button up collar shirt and then the brown knee length skirt. "Damn I have to this shirt into this skirt too." I sat on my bed and then put on the dark my brown socks with 2 green stripes on them and then my black grasshopper shows. I then grabbed my backpack and went to the kitchen.
"Good morning mom good morning dad"
"Mornings" said the both of them
My mom came out from behind the counter and gave me a hug and then placed a kiss on my forehead.
"So how did you sleep Sapphire?"
"It doesn't feel like I slept one bit, Mom."
"Did you go to bed early Sapphire?" my dad asked
"I went to bed at 8, Dad. So I think I got more the eight hour of sleep in Dad."
"Well grab a plate and eat while I check on your sisters. They take way to long to get ready in the mornings". My mom says while handing me breakfast and leaves the kitchen to check on my sisters.
"So how do you feel today Sapphire?"
"I feel okay dad. I am just a little nervous that's all."
"Just remember Lylah. It's always better to be yourself then turn yourself into someone even you don't recognize."
I finish eating breakfast and then went to my bathroom to just brush my teeth. When I got back to the kitchen I looked up at the clock and the time read 06:10. My father then stood up and said
"I am going to the bathroom. You girls should be ready to leave by 06:30."
"Girls, lets go outside to quickly take a few photos for me to post on Facebook of your first day of the new school year."
"Mom you're not serious?" my sisters and I said together
"Yes. I am serious. Now let's go outside and take a few photos"
My mom went outside and so followed my sisters and I. my mom gave us a verity of poses to stand in. luckily we could have a little fun and do weird poses while taking photos. We tried making the best of this day and tried to avoid thinking of what this day might have in store for us
After a few minutes my dad came out. "Are you girls ready to kick butt and be awesome?"
I answered my dad as enthusiastically as possible while putting me backpack in the trunk of my dad's car. I held the trunk open for sisters to put in their backpacks. When I climbed in the car, turned on the radio and the song "The greatest show" from the film The Greatest Showman starts to play. The drive was the same as usual; the singing, the joking and the laughing but it all came to an end when my dad stopped at my sister's school. My father and I greeted my sister and wished them a good day as the walked into school. Then next stop was mine. My dad slowly approaches the corner to turn to my school and I suddenly feel this pit in my stomach. I know it's just me being nervous and I know why. I know I would be the odd girl with the buzzed hair. I know that I won't make friend that easily because all of these kids grew up with each other since pre-school. My father brings the car to stop and turns off the car. My father then turned to me and asked
"Sapphire, would you like me to help you get situated and help you get all of your stuff?"
"Yes Dad that would be amazing. I really do appreciate it dad."
"Now let's got your stuff out of the trunk and get you in that school so that you can kick ass"
I got out of the car and walk to the trunk of the car. My dad was already there waiting for me. He opened the trunk for me so that I could take out my backpack. I put my backpack on and sarcastically said. "Holy cow. This thing is heavy". My dad let out a little chuckle and then closed the trunk. While walking to the administrations office I started to feel more nervous and my father then placed his hand on my shoulder. I turned to my father and give him a nervous smile. My father gave me a reassuring smile in returned and we continued walk to the office. As we enter the office we see that it is full of children getting checked in and other children showing the rest around. We head to the main desk and my father greets the secretary.
"Good morning. I am here to get my daughter settled into her first day." my dad talks to the secretary
"Good morning sir. What is the young lady's name and the grade that she is about to start."
My father looks to me as a signal to talk to her
"My name is Sapphire Nightshade and I will be starting the 11th grade this year"
She then turns to her left and starts to go through a whole bunch of folders and drawers. She finally finds everything she need and turns back to me. She then put a few different papers into a stack and hands them to me and said
"Now darling. The first page is the list of the subjects you chose and the teachers that will be teaching them. Then second page is the map of the school so that you don't get lost and the last two pages are just the schools rules and emergency numbers.
I looked at her wide eyes amazed that this much care is put into the students and said.
"Thank you so much miss …"
"Miss Fiona" she said while winking
She then called out to one of the other children still in the office
"Hey Allison do you mind showing Sapphire here to the square. The bell is going to ring in ten minutes and the class sorting is going to happen."
The girl named Allison walks closer to Miss Fiona's desk and gives me a big smile. I turn to my father to give him a hug goodbye and a kiss on his cheek. I place my bag back on my back, turned to my father and waved to him one more time before following Allison to the square. I didn't want to be the weird quite kid, so I started to make a conversation with the girl
"Hey my name is Sapphire and you must be Allison?"
"You betcha. In what grade are you this year?"
"Ill be in the 11th grade this year and you?"
"That's amazing I am also in the 11th grade maybe we're in the same class."
"That would be nice. So what is the class sorting?"
"Well it's just basically the teachers sorting us into 3 different classes based on the subjects we take to make it easier to teach us"
As we approach the square the sound of hundreds of students drone closer and closer up until we are standing along side them. I didn't think that there where so many students attending this school when comparing it to my old school. In my old school we were a total of 350 students and had 26 seniors. Here we are over 900 students with a total of 80 seniors. It makes me think that maybe I will go unnoticed. This is a good thing by the way. In my previous school I got bullied for every detail of myself. I had short hair, where all the other girls had medium to long hair. My length, because I am one of the tallest girls around. My shoe size because I have big feet and the fact that I am bisexual. As soon as Allison and I got to the square she led me to stand with her and a group of her friends. I put on a welcoming smile and gave a wave hello to everyone around me. I soon started to feel everyone around me staring at me. I see a girl with freckles all over her body start to open her mouth.
Then suddenly the loud ringing of the bell filled the school grounds. Everyone got quite and stood in a single file line behind one another. The children lined up in front of the letters on the ground indicating the grade that they are in. Allison gave a step back gesturing to the space in front of her for me to stand in. I give her a warm smile and step into the empty spot. In front of us was this little brick podium with an engraved plate on that read "sponsored by the senior class of 2018". After a few seconds a short, old, bald and very round man walked out from the office and in behind the podium. He readjusts his glasses and then clears his through and speaks.
"Welcome new students and welcome back to our older students. I am your principal Mr Michael Stilinski and Welcome to Luminaria High school. As we start the new school new school year we create new bonds and get to know people that you never thought you would meet. This is the year you learn who you are and what you are capable of. This is the year to explore new possibilities and become better versions of ourselves. Now that all is said I would like all the students to move to the hall to be sorted into you're classes"
I don't know if it was the speech or just me just being paranoid but it sounded like there was more to the principal's speech then he led on. I didn't want to dwell much on what he had said but what ever it was it was really moving. I pulled myself back to reality and then realised that it was our grades turn to enter the hall to get sorted. Whilst entering the hall I see rows and rows of chairs and the students standing behind each chair. We all stood standing up until the principal gave us the signal to get seated. He then explains to us that he will call out the class and when he calls us by our surnames that is the class we are assigned to. Then when he is done calling out our names for each class we should head to our home rooms
After a good thirty minute wait the principal finally called our grade. He called for the first class and I listened to every surname called. When the principle finally got to the letter N he called out my surname but then added the name jack. He then called out my surname again and then added my name. After calling out all the students we got up and head to our homeroom where I also realized that Allison was with me in the same class. As I got settled into my seat our homeroom teacher enters the class room and introduces herself. "Good morning students. Some of youalready know who I am but my name is Mrs Kathrin. I will not only be your homeroom teacher this year but some of you will also be attending my consumer's bio class and also my tourism class. You all can continue in a quite inside voice up until the bell rings where you will be heading to your first class of the day." I try to look busy by looking at my roster hoping that no one tries to talk to me. I gave a look around to see all my other classmates talking amongst themselves. When I suddenly felt a tap on my back. I turned around to see the freckled girl from earlier and Allison sitting next to her.
"Hi my Name is Elinor. Do you mind if I ask you a question?"
I saw Allison look at Elinor like she told Elinor not to ask anything and I knew where this was going to go but maybe this time it would be different. "Hi my name is Sapphire. Yeah go ahead. Ask away."
"Sorry if this seems a little insensitive but why do you have buzzed hair?"
I forced a smile while trying not to get upset by the fact that this was a question that almost everyone asked me. "Well I don't have cancer if that's what you mean. I shaved off all of my hair because I just wanted to".
I knew she wasn't done asking questions so I stayed turned looking at her. She took this as a signal to ask more.
"Don't you miss your long hair?"
"I didn't have long hair before I shaved it off"
"How long was you're before you shaved it?"
"My hair was just above my collar. The last time I had long hair was when I was 13 and I had it cut into a bob with an under cut"
"Why did you cut it so short when you where younger?"
"Well I have very thick hair that always got tangled or caused my head to hurt and in the summer why head would sweat. Then the sweat would drip down my face and it would cause a major breakout."
"Oh. I didn't know it was that bad but didn't you use creams or cleansers?"
"I had tried everything. So that is why I chose to have shorter hair because it would solve more then one problem."
"That is true. So where are you from Sapphire?"
"I am originally from Salem but moved to Jasper falls in 2012 and then moved to Lumina Heights in October of last year. How about you two?"
Elinor spoke first "You moved around a lot it seems. I was born in Salem but I grew up here in Lumina Heights"
Then Allison spoke. "I moved from Brooklyn to Lumina Heights in December of 2018 and started school here in January of 2019."
I then asked. "Well that's cool. What classes are you guys taking? Maybe we the same classes"
"I have English, French, Math literacy, Tourism, Consumers Bio, Computer Application Technology and Science. How about you?" Elinor said.
Then Alison spoke. "Well we almost have the same I just have AP Math, Biology, Economics where you guys have the others"
"Do you do any sports? If so then we would be spending a lot of time together" Elinor the asked
I was almost taken aback by her question but answered truthfully not caring of what they might think. "I don't really do sports. I never really had a passion for female basketball or Field hockey. I really have a passion for baseball but the schools around here think that baseball isn't a sport for women and should be played by boys and men. Besides I am like to read more then to playing sports."
"Oh. Well that's still cool. Then we can cheer each other on academically" they said almost like finishing each others sentences
"That would be amazing. So what is our first class.?"
Elinor looks down at her roster in front of her. "We have French first. So you can follow us then you don't really need the map"
"That would be so nice of you guys. Thank you." I replied
I turned back around and took my roster that was on my table and place it in my folder and placed it back in my bag. A few a seconds, the bel rang for our first class. The bell made every stand up and rush out of class not really allowing anyone to exit properly. I waited for Elinor and Allison to walk ahead of me so that it would be easier to follow then to French.
When we got to the class we waited in two single file lines. The boys on one side and girls on the other side. After all of the previous student had exited the class the teacher soon followed. A tall, lean, short haired woman in her late 50's, and with a stern expression stood in front of us. She then spoke with a stern voice. "Good morning. When I call out our last name, you enter the class and start taking the seats from the door until the back and from the back of the next row until the front seat and so on." All of us at once said yes Miss and entered the class as she called out to us. I got placed in the last row of the class near the windows. With the same tall blond boy named Jack Nightshade from earlier placed in front of me and shorter boy named Raiz Sadik. After all of the students have been placed, the teacher entered and said. "Good now that we have that sorted. I am Mrs Hellbrum. I will be your French teachers for the next two years. The way I have placed you is the way you will be seated for the rest of the year or until I decide I am going to move you to a different spot. You may now be seated."
Without hesitation we all sit down in silence. I look around to see some students taking her seriously and others who would be whiling to test her limits. Mrs Hellbrum walked to her desk and picked up a stack of papers. She divided the large stack into smaller sections based on how many students were in each row. She then handed a section to each student in the front row and told them to take one and pass the rest to the back. She waited till every student had their stack of papers. "Today I am going to take it easy but if you would please look at the pages in front you. You will see the curriculum that we have laid out for the year. I do not plan on getting behind on any work. So if you do not understand something, please come to me and ask for help. I promise I won't bite. On another note I want each student, one by one to come collect a textbook and two note books. After collecting you may return to your seats and carry on. You may speak in a soft inside voice and please do try not to get on my bad side this early on in the semester."
After 30 minutes the bell rang and it was time for my next class which was Math Lit. with Mr Duncan. I followed Elinor to his class. It was the same routine as before. Before entering we waited for the other students to exit before we entered. As we enter his class, the tall and very lean teacher stood by his desk cleaning his glasses as we entered his classroom. He cleared his throat and then spoke. "Good morning guys and girls. We won't be doing any work today. You guys can sit where ever you want as long as you don't disrupt my class whilst I am teaching. After you have found your seats. I want you guys to please come collect your text books and note book. Then you guys can just take it easy."
The next two classes that followed where Consumers bio with Miss Kathrin and English with Mrs Thom who. Both of the teachers did the same as Mrs Duncan But both Mrs Kathrin and Mrs Tomb noticed that I was a new addition to the school. They had asked me where I was from and wished me all the best. The bell then rang for free period. It was more like 1st lunch then a free period. As we left English and followed Allison to the next class, which was science. As I enters the classroom and placed down my bag the bel rung again. I turned to Allison and gave her a confused look. Where she then cleared my confusion.
"I know its confusing but its lunch now. We have for classes then lunch, then four classes and lunch again then two classes then we go home. Now the bell that rings twice with a 5 min delay is so that we can get our backpack to our next class without having to walk all the way here with the backpack."
I replied "That is something I am going to need to get used to"
She interlocked her arm around mine and said with a smile. "Not when you've got me. Now let's go outside. You're sitting with me and my group."
I struggle to keep up with her as she almost literally drags me outside. While walking to where her group sits she tries to explain that there are two seniors, a few freshman and some of the other sophomores in our class in the group. I couldn't help but constantly fix my shirt and skirt. When stopped by a groups of students near Mrs Kathrin's class. Allison then spoke to the group. "Hey guys this is sapphire. She is new kid in my class and I really like her vibe." I scanned through the group to try and read then to see if they where whiling to join their group. All thoughts left my mind when I looked at one of the seniors. He was tall with a muscular build. He had what looked like hair made of soft strands of gold, Eyes bluer and brighter than a cloudless sky in the middle of the ocean, His smile warmer then any other that I've ever seen. I felt very drawn to him, like it felt like it wasn't something I could get used to but something I've always wanted.
I snapped myself back to reality not wanting to look weird for starring at him although I think he noticed that I was staring at him. The one freshman introduced herself as Bella. She was about 5ft tall and had long chocolate brown hair that was tied up in a ponytail. The other freshman introduced herself as Jessica. She was a little taller and had a bigger build then Bella. She had long blond hair that reached to the end of her back whilst in ponytail. The other two students that are with me in class are Clyde and Clint. Then the other senior introduced herself as Skyler. She had short black hair with a under cut that was put in a small bun. They then gestured for to sit down but when I did. I noticed that he was gone.
I looked around trying not to make it obvious that I was looking for him. There was just some thing about him that felt different. I just don't know if it's a good or a bad thing yet. What I do know is that what ever I felt was strong. Like a force pulling me towards him and I have the feeling that Jessica and Bella feels it too. What ever I was feeling was either going to be my downfall or my success.
For the whole entirely of lunch the group and I got to know each other better. I learned that Skyler and the other senior are really close friends but people confuse then for a couple but they don't see each other that way. That Clint and Clyde are childhood friend but are more like brothers to each other. Allison pulled me aside and told me that the only reason the freshmen are here because they are obsessed with the other senior and that Skyler finds it amusing.
"Okay but not to be weird or anything, what is his name." I asked Allison.
"It's not weird. His name is Jasper Blackwood but where is he by the way." Allison said.
"I think he left, because he was gone when I sat down." I replied.
"That is the way he is sometime. He is very free spirited plus I think he is at the cafeteria. They have these off brand snack chips that he is obsessed with." Allison said irritated
"Oh okay. Why is it that those two are so obsessed with Jasper?" I said while trying not to sound too curious.
"When I got here they were already following him around like lost puppies. Then Skyler invited me to the group. Where she explained that they have this huge crush on him and they are hoping that he notices one of them and dates them." She said in a mocking tone while trying not to laugh.
"Its not really uncommon for senior boys to try and date freshman girls around here." I said
"That is true but it is still creepy trying to chase after an older guy when he's not interested and in a relationship." Allison said. Looking obviously mad
"That's a fair point. So I am guessing from what I could gather is, that you two are dating and having them around makes you pissed but they are part of the group so it would cause problems if you where to make you're displeasure known?". I said turning towards her.
"How did you even know that? Everyone always assumes that Jasper and Skyler are dating but things between him and I are a little complicated."
"I call it my superpower. I think its just because I like to read people." I said shrugging and giving Allison a little nudge. She then nudged me back and said while giving me a wink. "I think that is one hell of a gift don't you think"
The bell then rings indicating the end of lunch. I stand up dusting off the back of my skirt and readjusting my socks back to my knees. I then turned to Allison sticking out my hand as a signal for me to help her up. She took my hand I pulled her up. I waited for her while she too dusted off herself and readjusted her socks. She gives me a little tap on my shoulder and we headed back to class. My next few classes were Science with Miss Finch, CAT with Mrs Taliah, and Tourism with Miss Kathrin. Where all we did was collect our text book and didn't do any work.
The bell then rang for second lunch. I left Tourism and then walked backed back to my second math class of the day. When I got to the classroom I place my bag on my desk and took out my water bottle and some snacks I had packed in this morning. I hear all the other students entering as I closed up my bag. The second bell then rung and everybody rushed out. I waited my turn because I didn't want to get bumped and pushed just trying to get out of the class. When I was about to leave the classroom Clyde called out to me. I stopped waiting for Clyde to catch up and Clint wasn't far behind. When they caught up they let me walk out first and they where soon to follow.
Clint then asked. "So Sapphire how are you liking the school far."
"I am finding it very welcoming. The students and teachers are very nice, well some of them are. Its something new for me but I could get used to it." I said while giving a small smile.
"So Sapphire are you coming to welcoming dance tonight?" Clyde asked. With a goofy smile while he's scratching his head.
"I didn't know that there was a dance tonight. I'll just have to ask my parents but I don't think it would be a problem. Why do you ask." I said while looking at Clyde and giving him a soft smile.
He started to blush and looked down as he spoke. "No reason. I just wanted to know if you are coming since the whole class is going to be here. It will start around about 5pm"
"I'll see if I can make it but if I do you two have to save me a dance. Does that sound like a deal." I said giving them each a little nudge.
"It's a deal." Said Clyde and Clint simultaneously. I just looked at the both of them and let out a little chuckle and continued walking to the rest of the group.
As we approached the others I noticed that Jasper wasn't there. I assumed that he was just doing his own thing again or at the cafeteria like Allison said before. I greeted everyone as I sat down and saw everyone was busy on their phones. I then took out my phone and checked my messages. Most of the messages where just my family members wishing me good first day. As I scrolled down the list to what other messages I had received. I see a message from a number pop up that I don't recognize with no visible profile picture. I then tapped on the number to reveal the message that was sent and it read.
"You have to come to the dance tonight."