Chapter Four
It’s Emily’s first day at a new school. I’m sure we can all relate to the butterfly feelings she must have going someplace she’s never been before. Hopefully, she makes some friends. Wonder if she’ll meet the ‘bad’ boys of the school. Hmmm....
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Emily woke up and looked at the clock. It was almost seven. She threw her blanket off and silently cursed at her auntie for letting her sleep in late.
This isn’t good. I have to get ready for my first day at West Lakes, and now I’m rushed.
She grabbed the new outfit they’d bought last night at the mall and ran to the shower. She had thirty minutes to get showered and ready. High school at West Lakes didn’t start until nine, and they got out at three in the afternoon. Which kind of worked out since those were the hours Aunt Maureen usually worked. She would be able to drop off and pick up, which meant no bus riding. YAY.
With her stomach flip-flopping around, Emily tried the deep breathing techniques she learned at some yoga place she had gone to once or twice with her aunt But, after about two minutes, she gave up.
I know it’s just nerves, and I should be used to the new school feeling, especially after having to do this twice a year because Auntie’s work is constantly changing. But every time the first day rolls around, I still have butterflies in the belly.
She put on the clothes that were picked out the night before, blow-dried her hair, and then styled it. She never knew what to do with her hair or the latest style at a new school, so she let it go naturally into its waves. Makeup was easy. A tad of mascara made her brown eyes a little darker, some lip gloss to have some shine, and that was about it on getting ready. After looking in the mirror for the hundredth time, she went downstairs to find Aunt Maureen in the kitchen.
“Oh, let me get you something to eat before we head out to the school,” Auntie took down the cereal box.
As much as Emily loved cinnamon toast crunch, if she were to eat right now, she’d probably puke everywhere. “Nah. I’m still full from our dinner yesterday.” They’d gone to an extensive buffet after the mall trip, and Emily was surprised she could still fit into her clothes after how much she had eaten.
Auntie put the cereal box away and gushed over Em’s appearance. “Oh my gosh! Those new clothes look wonderful, Em.”
Aunt Maureen had a great sense of style when it came to clothes. No, let’s change that; she had a superb sense of style when it came to everything. I, on the other hand, couldn’t match something to save my life.
Thanks to her aunt’s taste in clothing, Emily was dressed in an outfit that she didn’t feel too self-conscious. It was basic skinny jeans and a tight cream-colored shirt with a bit of lace at the neckline.
“That color makes your eyes and hair appear so much darker. So mysterious,” Auntie told Emily as she fixed the tiny bow on the front of the shirt.
“Well, I guess I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” Emily finished putting on her outfit’s matching sandals.
Aunt Maureen sighed. “I know you think this will be difficult, but West Lakes is an excellent school. We have you already signed up for almost all the honors courses they have to offer.”
“Yeah, but sometimes starting over is difficult” Emily picked her backpack and headed toward the front door.
“I’m really sorry, Em. Work has me moving around so much. I do this to make things better for us and to keep you safe,” Aunt Maureen mumbled the last part, so
Emily wasn’t sure if she heard her right or what her aunt could have actually meant.
