'FIRST DAY OF JR. HIGH' (Survivor Challenge 14)

Having spent the summer in Italy with my uncle, I was having a hard time even thinking about getting back into the routine of school, much less starting jr. high for the first time. I had heard so many horror stories about the “greenhorns” being picked on. I just wasn’t up for being held hostage in my locker or getting a wedgie on the first day of school. I have always been rather outgoing, but am still apprehensive about what to expect at a new school with new kids. Since I can’t get out of going to school, I figure I might as well prepare for it as best as I can. The night before I laid out my best duds, since I have to look totally rad. I am not sure what the other kids wear so I am kind of worried about being dressed like the rest of the crowd. Of course, I have always done my own thing, but being the new kid in town I want to try to fit in at first. I went to sleep early so I would be well rested. I tossed and turned and had a dream that I got to school late and showed up nude. All of the kids were making fun of me and throwing things at me. Oh, boy this isn’t going well. Thank goodness it was just a dream. Beep, beep!!! The alarm wakes me up at 5:30am. I hope I am still dreaming. Surely it couldn’t be the first day of school. Yep, it sure is. I crawled out of bed and into the shower. I ate, got dressed, put on my makeup and flew out the door. I got to the bus stop and there were a few kids already there.  They didn’t talk much, just stared. I felt like a mouse in a room full of cats about to get ate alive.  I wanted to tell them to go fly a kite, but I held my temper back. The bus drops us off at Hillsville Jr. High. There were crowds of kids gathered outside waiting to go in and get the day started. We go to the gym and have an assembly. They give us our schedules and off we go to our classes. My first class is journalism.  I walk into the classroom and all of these geeks are staring at me. What the fudge is wrong? Do I have toilet paper hanging out of my pants? These people act as if they have never seen a human being before. I was nervous enough without feeling so unwelcome. They are all talking among themselves. They better not be talking about me or I will get a 55 gallon barrel of whoop ass after them. Oh, well, I just found a seat and sat down and tried to ignore them. My teacher’s name is Mr. Blankenship. He is such a hunk. How will I ever be able to concentrate on schoolwork with my heart racing all day?  I think I’m in love. The bell rings for lunch.  I walked into the cafeteria and everyone was in special groups. The first table was the preps, the second the band geeks, the third the skanks and the fourth the middle-of-the-road kids. At this point, I had no idea where I fit in, so I found an empty table and sat by myself. Maybe someone would take pity and sit with me. This lunch sucks. These turkey sandwiches must have been made back in the early 1900’s. I overhear some skank telling her friend that I must think that I am so cool in my new duds. Duh! Well, I do think that I look pretty cool. I didn’t spend my entire savings on new school clothes for nothing. The good thing is I heard one really cute guy tell his friend that he would like to ask me out. Now things are looking up. I can’t believe it, the first day of school and a food fight begins. Carrots are being thrown at the band geeks. Slices of are bread being thrown like Frisbees. This is too cool. A girl is trying to catch the bread Frisbee and she almost trips over me. She was very nice and apologized and introduced herself as Tracie. We got along well right away. Ironically we both have Algebra together. Tracie and I go to our Algebra class together. As we walk into the room, all I could see was guys. This is awesome. There are two girls and a classroom of guys. Didn’t they do a movie with that title? Our teacher’s name is Mrs. Pigg. Yes, I said that right, Mrs. Pigg. The guys were already snorting. Thank goodness Mrs. Pigg has a bit of a hearing problem. When she called the roll each guy would snort and then say “here”. I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants. I wanted to join in the snorting, but I held back, at least for now. Tracie and I could hear the guys talking about us. They were comparing us.  It is beginning to feel like a meat market in here, Pigg and all. After Algebra class Tracie and I head to P.E. At least I will be able to work off some of the day’s stress. We go change into our workout clothes. I feel uneasy about changing in front of new people.  These girls are so snobby. They are comparing who has the firmest butt. From what I see, they all could advertise for Jello. Muffy is talking about going to the Country Club this weekend with her boyfriend. I am surprised that she can even get a boyfriend with that big snout of hers. Sonya and Angela are planning a big party this weekend. Do you think they invited Tracie or me? No, of course not. We head off to the gymnasium for our workout. I swear I am beginning to feel like I am in the military. This teacher is so strict. Hump, two, three four she says. What the deal? I want to hump my foot right up her big rear. It is no surprise that her parents named her Georgie. The bell rings so Tracie and I go to our lockers to get the rest of our books before getting on the bus. Our principal Mr. Peters walks by and looks at us sternly. What is his problem? He acts like he has a corncob stuck up his butt. He stops. My heart is pounding. He asks if I am new. Duh, I want to say, but I reply yes, I am. I get an eerie feeling around him. Maybe it is that big mole on his forehead. I open my locker and out comes silly string.  The pranks are already starting. Tracie and I ride the same bus home. She gets off one block before me. We exchange phone numbers and plan to get together at my house tonight. I arrive home and crashed. What a day. I guess all in all it wasn’t too bad. I met a new friend, one that seems to be normal. Then again, when it comes to Jr. High, is anything normal? So, I guess I will go back tomorrow and see what waits my second day of Jr. High.This was wrote for Survivor Challenge 14. This was the challenge...It is your first day in a new school You decide what grade and what age How do you feel stepping into that classroom with all those eyes upon you all those eyes who know each other and speak behind your back silently while looking directly at you.... How does it feel to eat lunch alone? Wonder if you are dressed wrong Listening to conversations and whispers about you SHOW me how you feel I wanna see it. Written April 12th, 2002 © on Apr 12 2002 01:56 PM PST, Kathy D   0 • 10