First day of senior school, new country, new town, new school, new friends.

Looking out the window on September 30th, watching the leaves start to fall to the ground. The bright orange and yellow colors of the leaves mix with the lush green colour of the grass that has begun to go yellow after an intense summer. I'm arriving in Cherry Hill now, the suburb that holds my new school, New Jersey School Of Music. I am a little late beginning my autumn term but I don't mind, as long as I am playing music I am happy.

We turn onto Union street and my eyes widen, towering three feet above the dull yellow school bus are rows upon rows of blossoming cherry trees. the street is filled with light pink flowers and lush green leaves that had just begun to turn yellow. we continue driving under the trees that sway slightly in the warm autumn breeze. I just have to take a photo. I grab my camera and stand up, I point it out the drivers window and get a perfect shot of the sunlight coming through the small gaps between the trees. I turn around and try to take another shot when the bus comes to a sharp stop. I stumble backwards as I grab for the back of my seat, Oh no... My knees give way and I fall to the ground with a loud grunt. Why have I been so clumsy lately? I pick myself up, snatch up my bag and take off to the front of the bus. Hopefully no one saw that, I thought to myself. I really need to make a good impression at this school. 

FLASHBACK: Walking through the halls, trying to get to my locker. Fumbling for my key to the door, screams of panic, alarms and silent prayers. CAN'T BREATHE.

I walk through the strong iron gates covered in green vines with tiny purple flowers that are asking for their photo to be taken, but there is no time, I have to report to the office and sort out my timetable.

I reach the office and meet my first pure American. 

"Hi" I say slowly, stepping through the old wooden door that leads to the school reception. 

"Oh Hey", says a young lady behind a stack of loose papers and open files, "you must be Alenna" says the american, trying to spot me through all the piles of paper. 

"That would be right" I say sidestepping a pile of old looking books that are stacked on the floor. I hold out my hand so she could shake it, but instead of shaking it she grabs it and slaps me on the back.

 "Oh" I say startled, looking around to see if anyone saw what she did. 

"Sorry. Did I do something?" The American asks, looking confused. 

"No," I reply. "It's just that I've never shaken anyone's hand like that before". 

"Oh that's right, I forgot that you are Australian. I'm Amy by the way. I work here 3 days a week and the other two days Kathryn the slob is here, trying to make a mess" Amy laughs a serious laugh as she chews gum and picks up a file off the ground labeled 'newbies'. 

"We do things differently in America, but personally I think we are better". Amy opens the file labeled 'Newbies' and hands an A5 piece of paper to me, I take it and turn it over and read Newbies' elective sheet. 

"I thought I was meant to be receiving my timetable today," I say, confused. 

"Well I can't make up a timetable unless I know what subjects you want to do, unless you are planning to study 24/7 and take all of them. Trust me, if you do that, you will be smart but boring, so if you are considering taking on everything, then good luck to you." With that she turns back and disappears behind her overcrowded desk that is really being used as a dumping ground. 

Feeling embarrassed, I turn and look for a place to sit. How can I be so stupid? I say to myself. I know I need to make a good impression to fit in here but I can't help being a master at asking stupid questions. I'll have to research american schooling when I get home. 

I spot a place to sit on the floor, among all the stacks of papers and books. I take out a pen and sit down. OK... Now, what should I choose? It read:

Newbies Elective sheet:

By entry only

Extension music - Vocal

Extension music - Instruments

Extension music - sound desk

OK. Well, I got in by singing and playing the guitar, so I am one of the few students taking two extension music classes, so I guess I highlight both. Now onto the electives:

Choose minimum of 3:

English

Standard

Extension

Double

No

History

Standard

Extension

Double

No

Geography

Standard

Extension

Double

No

Science

Standard

Extension

Double

No

Mathematics

Standard

Extension

Double

No

Scripture

Standard

Extension

Double

No

English, yes. History.... no, I haven't learnt much about American history. Geography, yes. Science, I should take it, as well as math. Hmm. I'll take scripture. Now onto subjects that could help me make it into my career...

Career

Extra: Main Music, Sound desk and Wood Tech.

OK. The first two should help me with my music and the last one can help me make instruments, hopefully.

I read over my choices one more time before I get up and walk through the piles of paper, trying so hard not to knock any over.

"I'm done" I say handing my sheet to her. 

"Well, Well ,Well," she says as she looks over my choices, "It seems like I was wrong about you. You don't want to waste your time in school." 

She turns back to her computer with a smirk and continues typing.

"So, when will I get my timetable?" I ask.

"You are really keen for that timetable aren't you?" She asks, rolling her eyes. "The principal will be here to see you in 10 minutes, so, if you are quiet and sensible, I will do it while you are dying of boredom in there." She replies sarcastically as if I were a child. I turn and look for my spot between the papers and sit down. Great. Now I have been labeled as a childish geek and I haven't even met any of my peers.

"Alenna?" Questions a voice from behind me. 

I stand up, turn around and gasp. standing behind me is an average sized man with a strong build, glossy black hair and greeny-blue eyes. He is wearing jeans and a yellow shirt that has a picture of an orange and green tie on it and holds a light yellow folder with my name written on it in blue cursive writing.

"Yes?" I say, stepping towards him.

"Good. Sorry I'm late," he says, holding out his hand. "I'm Mr. Chase, the principal here, but you can just call me Mr. C"

"I'm so glad to be here" I say, reaching his hand. Should I shake or slap? I ask myself. I reach his hand and slap him on the back.

"Ha ha," he laughs. "I have never had a student shake my hand that way before. It must be an Australian thing." 

I turn to see Amy trying so hard not to laugh. I stare at her. Why would she hate me already? I question myself.

"Everything alright Amy?" Asks Mr.C

"Yes. I was just laughing at a photo sent by another teacher of her baby," she replies, trying to look innocent.

"OK then. Lets go into my office," says Mr. C, turning to me. 

At that I stick out my chin and turn around to follow him into his office.