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Chapter Two

“Niyah, I hope you are up because I don’t want to be late.” I heard my mom yell from the other side of the bedroom door.

“Yeah, I’m up.” I lied; pulling the covers from over my head.

“Hurry up.”

After finding the power to stand, I dragged myself to the bathroom to shower and dress for the day.

In a hurry, I picked up the first outfit I found.

A tan button-down blouse, a pair of high waist jeans, and my tan moccasins that offered me some comfort.

I grabbed my small makeup bag along with a few hair products. Pulling myself up to the mirror, I began applying eye liner and mascara; a few simple makeup additions before I pulled my curling hair into a messy bun.

Finally, I was done and ready to go.

Grabbing my bag from my desk chair, I ran down stairs.

“You got five minutes.” My mother tapped the face of her watch before she picked up her car keys. “I’m starting the car.”

"You got five minutes." I mocked after she was safely out the door.

I ran into the kitchen. Keeping things light, I decided to pick up a quick breakfast; a granola bar and bottle of orange juice. I knew the luxurious hot breakfast was out of the question.

******

It only took a few moments to get to the school from our house.

Screeching to a halt, my mother pulled up in front of the three story building.

My new High School.

"Will you be okay from here?" My mom asked as she turned down the radio.

I could tell that she was in a rush. With her eyes shifting toward the clock, I knew she was running behind for work.

"Okay if I say no, will you take me back home?" I tested.

"Let me think… no.”

"Then I'm fine." Unbuckling my seat belt, I reached for the door handle.

"Once you get in, head for the main office to get your schedule." My mother yelled from the open passenger window. "I’ll pick you up around two-thirty okay?"

"Gotcha." I waved to her; a tense smile on my face as I hoped she would hurry and pull off.

I turned to my prison. If my previous high school wasn’t already a struggle, I knew this new place was going to be a serious problem.

I just had to get it done.

I walked into the school. With school already in progress, I was able to get first glance of the empty halls.

It was a great school. Clean and neat; its décor untouched by rebellious students who were determined to ruin it. It was a huge place; a beautiful standing structure that did not smell.

Using a few signs for guidance, I followed them until I reached the school’s main registration office.

“Hi. What can I do for you?” The receptionist offered a bright smile.

Was it possible to look that damn happy in the morning?

"Um yeah, I'm Aniyah Ross, I'm new here." I looked around. There was another receptionist in office. She peaked up from her small glasses for one split moment before she turned toward her computer screen. There was young girl. A female who I assume was a student. She was sitting in one of the chairs; her arms crossed over her chest as she blew into her bubble gum until it popped.

“Oh Yes.” The receptionist squealed with excitement. “I’m Anna by the way. I have your class schedule right here. We gave you three honor classes. We based it on your transcript that was sent over to us from your previous school. Are you okay with that?”

“Yes, that will be great I guess.”

I looked over my schedule. It was the typical honor classes. I was never fond of the work however I always thought those classes would look great on my college application.

"If you want, you can have a seat right there-." She gestured toward the row of seats that were lined up against the side way. “And I can have someone give you a small tour of the grounds-“

“I can show her?” The school student who was sitting by volunteered.

“No.” Anna quickly denied the request. “The principal will be with you shortly Ms. Hall.”

“But who knows this school better than me?” She grinned. “And besides, you don’t want her to sit here and wait for the next available student to get done class, do you?”

The receptionist offered a questioning look before her face softened.

“Fine.” She sighed with defeat. “Show her to her class and you come right back here.”

“Yes ma’am.” She saluted playfully. “Let’s go. My wonderland tour awaits.”

She opened the office door before she walked out; I followed behind her…

It’s great to get out of that prison box.” She laughed. “Can I see your schedule?”

“Sure.” I pulled the folded piece of paper from my pocket before I handed it to her.

She looked over the sheet of paper.

“So it says you have English in room 209 then history in room 215. So that limits the chances of getting lost.” She confirmed as we walked down the hallway. “Then it says you have lunch, which is the same time as me so you may okay. So after your history class, we can meet back in front of the main office and we can go from there. Cool?”

“Sounds like a plan.” I smiled; slightly happy that I did not have to spend my lunch alone while students enjoyed their time with others.

“Cool. See you.” She turned away, waving carelessly as she began walking down the hall toward the main office.

I turned toward the door.

Mustering up a hold of courage, I opened the classroom door.

Things became uncomfortable. The various eyes on me alone left an unsettling feeling in me.

“Hi, can I help you?” The teacher ceased his lecture to address me.

"Yes, I'm Aniyah Ross, I have this class for honors English."

“Yes. I was expecting you. I’m Mr. Clearman.”

He reached into his desk before he pulled a sheet of paper from his file.

“Okay students. Please partner up and go over the first three pages of your textbook.”

The overbearing eyes quickly turned away.

“Here is a rubric of the things we will be reviewing for the remainder of this year in this class and also the few things you have missed. Don’t worry, you haven’t missed a lot.” He assured me as he handed me the sheets of paper. “You can have a seat anywhere that is available.”

“Thanks.” I looked around the room for an empty seat; finding the most comfortable in the far back corner.

I sat down.

I knew being the new student would be weird but I didn’t know how intense it would be.

I began pulling out my things; my attention completely oblivious in the beginning of the girl that waved to get my attention.

"Hi, I'm Keisha." A female's whisper caught my immediate attention.

Turning around, I was met with pair wide eyes that also greeted me with a smile.

Her voice was sweet, and light with a hint of a Spanish accent.

"Aniyah." I whispered my response.

"Cool." She smiled; her eyes shifting back toward the teacher who cleared his throat to regain our attention…

After class, I found my next classroom. History Honors.

I got there first.

My way of avoiding another late entrance that would attract the eyes of the other students.

Ms. Johnson, the History teacher, handed me my papers before I took a seat and waited for the second and final bell to ring.

This class seemed to end faster than the last.

After pack up my things, I walked out with the rest of the class.

“Hey?” I turned around.

"Oh hey?"

"Where are you heading now?" She walked with me.

"Well I'm supposed to have lunch now but I'm not sure where it-"

"GREAT! So do I.” She gestured for me to follow her. “We can go together.”

 I followed her into the cafeteria and over to a vacant table. Light music played over the intercoms. Students picked their seating before they headed toward the hot or cold tables.

“The best booth.” She informed me. “Right between the hot and cold tables.” 

I nodded; my eyes roaming over the various edible options that were offered before my stomach growled.

Shit.  

I hope she didn’t hear.

She smiled.

"If you want, you can go up and get you something to eat. The cafe makes hoagies, cheeseburgers, and other stuff at request." she assured.

A little embarrassed, I walked toward the line.

I picked out a wrap with a bag of chips and a soda before I returned to the table where Keisha waited.

"Um what happened to the 'main office' plan?" Someone questioned.

Turning my head, I came face to face with the girl I had met just earlier.

FUCK! What is her name?

"Sorry, I thought you were busy." I lied. "So I came down here with Keisha."

Her lips dropped to a frown before her eyes shifted toward Keisha.

"Stealing friends I see." The girl questioned.

"Whatever, come sit down." Keisha said, inching over for the girl to sit beside her.

"I'm Keira by the way." She finally offered me her name.

Good, I could not say 'girl' for the rest of the school year.

"Aniyah." I introduced myself for the sixth time today.

A smile on her, she dug into her pocket before she pulled her cellphone.

Weirdly as it might sound, I couldn't help but stare at Keira. She was absolutely gorgeous. She had this slim body that reminded me of a model and this full dark colored hair that flowed down to her waist. She also had this biker chick attitude and apparel that made her stand out from the rest. She wore black cut-up tight leg jeans, a black fitted t-shirt, and some black sneakers.

"So where are you from?" Keira questioned, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Huh? Oh I'm from Philadelphia."

"Oooooh a city girl huh?" She toyed, nudging Keisha with her elbow. "What made you move to our little place?"

"My mom had got a promotion which required her to move here. Well us."

"Oh, so how did your family take the sudden move? I mean, going from the lively city to something as small as here has to be a slap to the face.

"Well it’s just me and my mom." I confessed. "It would have been me and my whole family but… my dad had passed away last year and my brother..... He's.... Out living his life."

I had no idea where my brother Kareem was. In the beginning, he was great. Attending high school, dreaming of enrolling into college but suddenly things spiraled downhill. He became anti-social. Even rebellious toward not only me, but my mother as well.

He thought going out on his own was best.

It was weird. Not only did I lose my father, but I lost my brother as well.

"Hmm boys will be boys." Keira continued.

"Yeah." I jumped in.

A little discouraged about discussing this story, I pushed for a change in topic. Anything that would not involve my torn family.

"Soooo how old are you Aniyah?" Keira snuck a chip from Keisha’s bag.

"I'm 17, I turn 18 on Saturday.” It seemed to be the only thing that brought me some joy.

"Niceee. I turned 18 last month." Keira stated. "So what are you doing to celebrate?"

"Well, my mom and I might go out for dinner and a movie. Nothing special." I said, taking a bite of my hoagie.

After hearing my celebratory plans, she frowned.

Were my plans too dry?

"I'm going to take you out then." Keira said, crunching down on the second chip she managed to swipe out of my bag this time.

“Take me out?”

“Yeah.” She flagged. “Yeah we don’t know each other but let’s honest, who do you know here?”

No one.

"Okay.” I leaned forward. “Where?”

“Well, you have to bring in your 18th birthday right.” She pressed. “There’s a party on Saturday. It’s at a local establishment. Nothing too crazy but enough to put a smile on your face. Keisha and I were already in agreement to go but…a third?”

A party? Celebrating my birthday in a town I knew nothing about with people I also knew nothing about?

Stay in and watch movies with my mother.

Or get out. Experience life as I bring my celebration of another year?

"Okay.” I agreed without another thought. “I’m in.”

Keisha smiled.

Party it is.

It was set and final…

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