"I'm so glad that the school finished reconstruction! Now I can have my first day with you! Can we find our lockers together?" Logan asks

"I'd love to, but I got an email from the school that I've been assigned to be the guide to the new kid. I'm supposed to meet him by the arch. I'm sure that you will have no problem getting to your locker. You'll tower over everyone." I say

"True...See you later then, Mar!" He says, running inside eagerly.

I smile, seeing his blue beanie bounce on his head with each step, strands of his coral-orange hair swaying from beneath it. Classmates make way for the walking giant that is my brother, his guitar case slung over his shoulder. I smile, shaking my head and readjusting the straps of my backpack, walking over to the arch with the SilverStreams High crest, admiring the glittering blue and white with the symbol of a silver river.

"Maaaar! Marilyn! Heeey!" I hear a voice cheer as running footsteps get closer.

I smile, glancing over to see a familiar face quickly approaching. Her bright blue eyes were as cool as a lapis lazuli gem, her charming smile, her long wavy brown hair tied into a hopping ponytail, her loud cheerfulness...Yep, that's my bestie. Eager as always.

"Hey, Rosie. How ya doin'?" I ask

"Great! It's so good to see you again!" She cheers, hugging me.

"You do realize we've hung out over the summer, right?" I ask

"I know! I just love each time we get to spend together! And we're finally starting the sophomore year together!" She giggles with a bubbly laugh.

I smile wider at her.

"Whatever you say, Rosaline." I say, rolling my eyes.

She always makes a celebration for the smallest of things.

"Ooo! It looks like your flowers are about to bloom! They'll be so pretty!" She says

I smile, gently brushing the buds on my head.

"Only two this time and spaced out. Never had them on my head before...What do you think it means?" I ask

"Hmmm, I don't know. I've never had them here before." She says

"Where are yours?" I ask

"Hidden under my sleeves. Maybe I won't be bothered as much if people don't think there's a possible match." She says, then glances over.

She smiles wider, rocking from heel to toe with energy, full of excitement as always.

"Isn't that Logan's best friend talking to Raiden?" She asks

I glance over and smile. A medium-height, dark-dressed boy stands with his phone out. His vibrantly black dreadlocks dyed blue draped over his sepia-brown face.

"Yes, that's Kelvin. I guess he convinced his family to stop the homeschooling." I say

"You sound familiar with him. I've only heard of him from Flora." She says

"Of course. He's the best friend of my little brother and he basically lives with us at this point. He's pretty nice." I say

She hums, nodding.

"I've never seen Raiden so calm though." She says, pointing to the boy chatting with Kelvin.

I smile, feeling some relief to see that she is right. The pale, short boy I know to be constantly on edge stands there calmly and smiling. His orange eyes aren't zipping around cautiously as if something's about to jump out at him and he isn't yanking at his golden curls of hair or picking at the flowers growing along his wrists.

"Don't jinx it, Rosie. He puts up with enough and he will certainly be stressed when class starts." I say

"So, what are you doing out here? I thought your brother was certainly going to go in with you." She says

"I was assigned to be the new student's guide. They have the same schedule as me this year, aside from English and math classes since they're meant to be a freshman. I'm supposed to meet them here." I say

"Ah, okay. Sounds fun! See you at lunch!" She says, skipping inside.

Soon after she went inside, so did Kelvin and Raiden. I glance around, seeing my classmates chatting on their way inside. I check my phone. Where is that new student? I hear a screech and glance up to see two blue jays flying over my head. Huh, don't see those often by the school.

Ding ding ding!

"Excuse me, watch out! Pardon!"A voice shouts

I glance over, seeing a bike zip rapidly in turns to avoid crowds of classmates trudging their way to the entrance as slowly as they can. Then it screeches to a stop, the bell still echoing from ringing. A boy wearing shades of indigo grips the handles as he takes his helmet off, setting it in the bike's basket, and revealing wild red hair with yellow flowers filling it. He brushes his hair out of his face, revealing big amethyst eyes and round white freckles on his tan face. 

"Hello! Are you the classmate I was told to meet?" He asks, extending his hand.

"Yes, my name is Marilyn. Marilyn Seamore. And you are?" I ask

"Oh, right! I'm Hugo! Hugo Oaks! Nice to meet you!" He says

I shake his hand.

"Nice to meet you too. Do you have all your supplies packed? We're meant to have gym today." I ask

"Mhm. Do you know if we're going on the red ring with the blue grass field?" He asks, pointing to the football field.

"You mean the running track and football field?" I reply

"That's what it's called? Why is it blue?" He asks

"Yes, it's painted for our school colors. You've never seen one before?" I ask

"My uncle taught me for years but the information was very limited. And I only had books to read...without pictures. So no, I haven't seen one before." He says with a nervous smile.

Ah, homeschooled. He certainly has an interesting way of calling those things, but it is fitting for the track. Kind of odd though...

"Ah, I see. I dunno if that's the plan. We'll probably be setting up for the year with lockers and stuff. Let's get your bike secured first and get you to your locker, then homeroom." I say

We lock his bike to the rack, then he takes out his schedule and we find his locker. I show him how to unlock it and then guide him to his homeroom before going to mine.

It wasn't long until I was guiding him to the classrooms, pointing out what each wing was for and he gazed in awe at the arches and brick structure. The rooms follow a simple order where the 100s are on the first floor, 200s on the second, and so on. Then we make it to gym class and he gazes around in amazement.

"There's so many people!" He cheers

"Yep, students from each grade attend this class." I say

"Where are the locker rooms?"He asks

I point to the door and with a big smile, he takes my hand, starting to pull me with him. I ripped away before he could open the door.

"Aren't you coming?" He asks

"That's the boy's locker room. I go to the girl's locker room. You're on your own going there." I say

He nods after a moment, going inside. I go to my locker room, get my assigned locker, and sigh.

That new student certainly is....interesting.

TBC