Here we are.

After being dragged out of bed, thrown around like a ragdoll, and riding in a dumpster, I’m finally at school.  I don’t even need a watch to know I still have time before class.  As I walked down the hill, I noticed a few students by their cars, looking at me with puzzled faces.

“Don’t mind me.  Just park my hotrod out in the back.  Keeping it hidden in the woods, you know what I mean.”

While I didn’t get the chance to see their faces once I entered the building, I knew they were gossiping about my aura.

Walking down the hallways, I noticed there weren’t many people lingering.  But that didn’t mean it was peaceful.  Looking around, I saw the stereotypical high school kids causing chaos or socializing.

There was a group of Jocks: guys with barely any manners, but a lot of strength.  They created trouble for little to no reason.  Next were the Popular Kids: they had all the latest fashion, tech, jewelry, and one huge egotistical problem.  Then there were the Goths: always dressed in black, sighing half the time, and acting dead inside.  Finally, the Nerds: kids who excel at schoolwork, talk about graphic novels and popular films, and always get picked on by the jocks.

Everyone else in the hallways just looked normal or more average-looking in a way.

Before I headed off to class, I had to put all my junk away into my locker first.  Whatever it was.  Reaching into my backpack, I took out the school schedule sheet.  Locker-C123. I had to go a long distance to the C-section, but luckily, I managed to find it.  However, the locker was not in great shape.

It was covered in dents, with rust spreading from top to bottom.  Graffiti art in red and black ink covered it.  It smelled like onions, rotten eggs, and wet farts blended.

It’s better than nothing, I suppose, and I still have time on my side, so that everything will work out in the end.

Never mind, then.  Nothing is better than being late on the first day.  RIGHT?

After taking a heavy sigh, I turned back to the locker.  My hands twisted the lock to the right combination, but the handle wouldn’t budge.  I tried pulling it over and over again, and nothing happened.

“Come on, why isn’t it opening?” I tried again and again, using all my strength.  The locker remained closed.  I even banged my head against it seven times.  Nothing happened.  Then I heard students giggling as they passed by.

From feeling the amount of frustration building up, I heard the faint sound of a hiss coming from behind me.  When I sensed the feeling of the monster snake waking up, I knew I was done for.  The day would soon turn into a chaotic mess, and I would have to move away again.

After several failed tries, I give up and slump from my knees onto the hallway floor, defeated.  The hallway is now empty, everyone else having gone to their classrooms.  Feeling isolated, I realize asking for help is out of the question right now.

Boldly, through the rows of lockers, I saw someone coming toward me.  It was a guy in brown pants and an orange jacket.  He carried a dark crossbag and listened to what I thought was rock music.

“Hey!  What are you doing sitting out here?  Are you skipping class, too?”

Swiftly, I stood up to deny skipping class and pointed at my locker.  “What?  Oh, no, no, no   I’ve just been trying to get this to open for the longest time.  I have no idea why it stuck shut.” He moved closer to the locker.

I watched him lift his leg backward for a moment and deliver a heavy kick to the metal storage with a click sound following behind it.  The locker slowly creaks open afterward.

“Thanks.  What’s your name?” I asked as I put my bag away and turned to face him.  “Name’s Sid.  I don’t think I’ve seen you before.  Are you new?” “Yeah, I am.  It’s Abraham.” “Abraham?  Mind if I call you Abe?  It’s easier for me to remember and wicked cool.” I nodded and tried to keep up with him as he walked off.

“So, Sid, why are you skipping class again?  I could get you a pass and say you were helping me open my locker.” Sid looked back with a sly smile and kept speed walking.

“Well, I would go to class, but one of the teachers I have doesn’t like me, and I don’t feel like dealing with him in gy  . Let’s say he and I don’t get along very well.”

Following behind, I wondered what kind of teacher could be so bad that someone would want to skip.  Then again, maybe it’s more Sid wishing to get away from school.  After walking for a while, I thought about turning back to class.  After all, I had to get on with my day.

Right as I turned around, I heard someone shouting angrily from down the hall, and then I saw a large teacher approaching us with his pale, clenched fist in a state of rage.

“Sid Young!  Stop your walking and come here, right this instant!” The teacher yelled at the top of his lungs.  Sid turned around, annoyed.  “Give me that look all you want, but I will not have you roam these hallways doing whatever you please.”

As the teacher stared Sid down like a mad dog staring at a squirrel, he turned his pale red face towards me.  “And You!  Are you trying to skip out on class with this troublemaker?”  I shook my head swiftly and backed up from his toxic breath.  “No, sir, we just weren’t dodging our classes.  Sid here, had to help me open my locker.  It was jammed in.” “Oh, really?  Is that a fact?” He said in a mocking tone before lifting me by the end of my shirt.  “Well, I don’t believe it!  You and this mischief-rat better get to class, or I’m making sure both of you have detention for three whole weeks.  Understand?”

“What in the world was that?” he asked, his anger mixed with confusion.  “That was just the notifications on my phone.   It’s set to snake noises.” “Right.  Well, get to class.”

Once my feet were touching the ground again, I saw the teacher stomping away out of my sight.  Then, an amused chuckle came from Sid as he patted me on the shoulders.

“Great job.  You managed to survive the wrath of Mr. Koltan.  Most people don’t get off with a warning from him.  But let’s go off to class, which, speaking of, what class do you have?”

As we started walking down the hallways, I handed him my schedule sheet and watched as a grin spread across his face.  “Oh boy, do I have some good news for you.  Looks like we will be in the same gym class, so that means I get to show you the ropes around here.”

I think school life has been smooth sailing so far.  At least for the first evening, that is.  Although I was late, there may have been some rough waves, but now things are looking up.  I have to hope no serpents come out of the water to ruin it all.