Читать книгу Straight From The Onion Vine Book 1 Between - Jody Scottsmith - Страница 4

Kara got a break on the first day. Mom wasn’t working and gave her a ride to school. They offered to pick up Annie, but she wanted to take the bus. When Kara got out of the car and faced Lakewood High, she never felt more alone.

She slowly walked up the sidewalk. “This is the day I’ve waited for … yeah, right!” She said with more dread than excitement.

The drab gray building got even bigger as she stepped through the doors. “I feel like I’ve just been swallowed up,” she thought, missing Annie more by the minute.

The lobby was crowded with students standing in groups talking and laughing, like they did this everyday. She heard someone ask for directions and another for a class schedule.

“Why don’t they give us a map of this place?” She said, trying not to feel overwhelmed.

Kara focused on two sets of doors leading to the classrooms. She could hear Annie’s directions to go through the lobby and turn right. Then down the hall on the left. She passed more students standing in the hallway.

“They look so … what’s that French word Annie used?” She thought as she walked by, “Something like ‘non-chalant’. Maybe I’ll be like that next year.”

Kara stopped and double-checked the room number with the one on her schedule. Convinced this was her homeroom, she walked in and picked out a desk not too close, and not too far from the front. For something to do, she looked in her backpack to be sure she had everything. Someone cleared their throat and Kara looked up to see who it was.

She raised a hand and said ‘hi’ to Neil. He smiled and took the seat

next to her. They had known each other since fourth grade.

“Hi, Kara; this is a lot bigger than Northfield!”

“Sure is,” she agreed, “I can’t wait for today to be over.”

Neil looked on the floor around him before realizing his backpack was still on his shoulder. Kara pretended not to notice. Good to know she wasn’t the only nervous one.

“What’s your first class?” He asked, taking out his class schedule. “English in room 304.”

“Me too; maybe we can find it together.”

“Good! At least I’ll make ONE class today!”

They traded smiles before the bell rang. Neil was a ‘techie’ and her best subject was English. That would be the only class they’d have together.

Mr. Johnson got up from his desk and looked over his glasses at everyone. He said their names from a list and wrote them on a desk map. Kara noticed the human skeleton hanging in front of the dry-erase board. There was also a big flip chart with pictures of body parts, only in much more detail than health class. “He teaches science and biology,” she thought, waiting for him to speak.

“These will be your seats for the whole year, unless there’s a problem,” he warned, giving them a ‘don’t you dare’ look. Morning announcements began and Kara listened for cross-country sign-ups. After writing down the time and place, she relaxed a little. Kara lifted her braid and tossed it behind her shoulder, remembering what Annie said.

“So no one’s going to like me because my hair’s in a braid,” she told herself. “Annie’s never gotten a headache running 5K with her hair in a ponytail.” An afternoon run was sounding better and better.

Neil waited for her after homeroom bell. They easily found the stairs to third floor and English.

He slowed before walking in the room and she did the same. “I didn’t see you on the bus. Want some company on the way home?”

“Mom gave me a ride,” she explained. “I have to sign up for cross country. No telling how long that’ll take.”

“Ok,” Neil said, giving a little nod.

The classroom was filling and everyone rushed for their seats as the final bell rang. Kara could hear Annie…sign up for cross-country instead of walking home with a boy? She would never hear the end of it.

After school, she followed signs to the gym and sat down on the bleachers. Mr. Rodriguez passed around a clip board for everyone to sign. He talked about their first run this Saturday. A 5K would quickly weed out the runners who weren’t in condition. When he said they could go, Kara was relieved the day was over.

She was starving and couldn’t wait to get home. She made a Kraft Singles sandwich and took a bite, unzipping her back pack at the same time. She didn’t need to see who it was after the usual knock.

“It’s just me,” Annie said, putting up a hand in a ‘stop’ motion. “Wait, don’t eat anything!”

She took another bite before Annie grabbed the sandwich and put it in the fridge. Kara gave her a ‘what now’ look and took out some homework. She did notice Annie had on a different tank top. That had to mean something.

“You’re coming with me…to The Onion,” she said, leaning against the fridge. “We can get something there.”

“I have way too much…”

From the way Annie crossed her arms Kara knew she wouldn’t win, but she could try. There were SOME advantages to not having classes with your best friend.

“I have a paper to write for English.”

“It’s not due for a week…I checked. Just do something with your hair first.”

Kara put her notebook down. “I’m wiped, really. Go without me.”

“Can’t; we’re best friends…remember? Besides, this is the only way to get you there. Last minute like this, before you have a chance to think.” Kara’s silence gave Annie the go ahead to continue. “Was today it as bad as you thought?”

“Plenty…for me,” Kara informed, aware she was losing ground.

“It’ll be so crowded no one will notice us.”

“So what’s the point in going?” Kara questioned.

“Ok you’ve got me on that one,” Annie surrendered. “I’ll go by myself.”

She sounded so pathetic; Kara headed for the bathroom to ‘do something’ with her hair.

“Anything’s better that that braid,” Annie critiqued, “even a ponytail.” Kara undid it and used a scrunchie to fashion a loose ponytail. They were on their way.

The Onion’s real name is The Student Union. From there is was shortened to The UNion and finally The Onion. Run by the town, it is THE place for high school students to go after school and on weekends. Annie’s talked about nothing else for years.

She left Mom a note and they headed down the street. “I can only stay an hour,” Kara finalized, “then I’m leaving…with or without you.” She could take almost anything that long. Her jitters got worse the closer they got to The Onion.