New Beginning
I was already awake when the alarm on my phone went off. I reached over and turned it off before it could make a second sound. I sat up and looked around the bedroom. My bedroom was small. Very small, actually. Before I moved in, it hadn’t even been a bedroom. It had been a stockroom. A place where Aunt Claire kept old boxes, extra blankets, Christmas decorations, and things everyone had forgotten existed.
But when Mom asked Aunt Claire if I could stay with them once she was gone, she immediately decided that I needed a proper room. So the stockroom disappeared.
Aunt Claire cleaned everything out, scrubbed the walls, replaced the old shelves, and had the room painted. Baby pink. My favorite color. When I first saw it, I honestly thought she was joking.
“Aunt Claire, you didn’t have to do all this.”
She had simply smiled. Of course I did. You’re family.”
The room wasn’t big enough for a huge bed or fancy furniture. It had a single bed pushed against one wall, a small bedside table, a little desk where I could study, and a narrow closet for my clothes. There wasn’t much space to move around. But somehow, it felt perfect. My aunt had added little touches everywhere. A soft pink blanket. Pink curtains. A small lamp on the desk. Even a tiny vase with artificial flowers.
It wasn’t luxurious. But it was mine. And that meant more to me than anything expensive ever could.
I got out of bed and walked toward the mirror. My new school uniform was hanging neatly beside the closet. I put it on, buttoned my blouse, and fixed my skirt. Nothing fancy. That was usually how I dressed. Simple. Comfortable. Practical.
I wasn’t the type to spend an hour deciding which accessories matched my outfit or worrying about whether my shoes were the newest style. I brushed my long hair and tied it into a simple ponytail. I reached for my small earrings and put them on.
My mother would probably be awake by now if she were still home. But she was not. She had left a week ago for her new job aboard a passenger cruise ship. She was a nurse, and this time, she had accepted a six-month contract. Six months. It sounded like a long time. But somehow, I was not as worried as I thought I’d be. Mom had asked me several times if I was okay with staying here.
“You can tell me if you don’t want to,” she had said before leaving.
I had smiled. “Mom, it’s Aunt Claire. I’ve practically spent half my childhood in their house.”
That was true. Holidays, summer vacations, Christmas, birthdays—Aunt Claire’s house had always been my second home. So, when Mom told me she had to work on the ship, staying here did not feel like a sacrifice. It felt comfortable.
Besides, Mom would send money for my allowance and living expenses to Aunt Claire while she was away. Everything had been planned. The only thing left was surviving my new school.
I checked my reflection one last time. Okay, Lexie. I picked up my bag. “You’ve got this.”
A knock sounded on my bedroom door. Before I could answer, another knock followed.
“Lexie?” I smiled and replied, “Come in. The door opened, and Chris stuck his head inside.
He was already dressed in his school uniform, his hair still slightly messy. He looked at me. Then at the clock. Then back at me.
“Wow.” He spoke.
“What?” I asked.
“You’re actually ready.”
I frowned. “What did you expect?”
“I don’t know. Panic? Tears? You, hiding under the bed?”
“I rolled my eyes and said, “You’re dramatic”.
He grinned. “Mom said breakfast is ready.”
“I’ll be down in a minute.” He did not move. I looked at him. “What? I asked.
He leaned against the doorframe. “Are you nervous?”
“A little, I said.
“Don’t be.” He shrugged and added, “You have me.”
I laughed. That is exactly why I’m nervous.”
He put a hand over his heart. “Wow. First day and already hurting my feelings.”
“You’ll survive.” He stepped aside. “Come on. Matthew is already eating your share.”
“My share?” I gasped.
“He says you don’t need that much because you’re tall.”
“Matthew said that?” Chris nodded seriously.
“Then he ate two pancakes.”
I laughed. “That little traitor.” I went out and closed the door.
He started walking down the hallway, then suddenly turned back. “Today, I’m giving you the official Brookshire Academy tour.”
I raised an eyebrow. “The official tour?” I asked.
“Yes.” He pointed proudly at himself. “I’m your guide.”
I laughed. “Okay. Since I am new and I do not want to get lost on my first day, I guess I could use a guide.”
“Good decision.” He started walking again, and I followed beside him.
“Just so you know, since you transferred in late, you might have missed some of the club and organization sign-ups.”
“Oh. I said, not interestedly.
“Most of them usually accept new members at the beginning of the school year. But perhaps, some might let you join. You can always ask.” Chris said while walking down the stairs.
I nodded. “I’ll think about it.”
“Good. You should get involved eventually. It’ll help you meet people.”
I nodded again but did not answer. He gave me a suspicious look. “That looks like your way of saying no.” Chris stopped and stared at her.
“I said I’ll see,” I replied, hoping to drop the subject.
“Which means no.” He insisted.
I just shrugged and said, “You know me too well.”
“Unfortunately, yes.” He continued walking, and I followed him to the dining area.
Aunt Claire, Uncle Daniel, and Matthew were already at the table, eating pancakes and eggs. The moment Aunt Claire saw me, she smiled.
“Good morning, sweetheart! Come, sit down. I made you breakfast.” She quickly placed a plate in front of me, piling it with pancakes and eggs.
“Thank you, Aunt Claire. I said, smiling.
“You need to eat properly,” she said, giving me an affectionate look. “You’re too thin.”
Chris chuckled from across the table. Aunt Claire ignored him. Uncle Daniel looked at Chris. “And you, make sure you take care of your cousin at school.” He said pointedly to Chris.
Chris sighed. “I know, Dad.”
“Good, said Uncle Daniel
Aunt Claire smiled at me. “Don’t worry, Lexie. You will get used to everything. And remember, this is your home too.”
I smiled. “I know. Thank you.”
She suddenly looked at the clock. “Oh! You two better hurry or you’ll be late.”
Chris stood up and grabbed his bag and said, “Come on, newbie.”
I picked up mine and stood. “Bye, Aunt Claire. Bye, Uncle Daniel. Bye, Matthew.”
“Bye, Lexie!” Matthew called.
As we stepped outside, Chris looked at me. “Ready? he asked.
I took a deep breath and said, “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
He grinned. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you. He promised”
And together, we headed toward Brookshire Academy.
