“BBBBBRRRRINNNNNNGGGGG” my alarm clock rings.
I turn over and shut the pesky thing off.
Hi. I’m Orando Yoshida, and today is my first day of high school. No, I’m not a first year. In fact, I’m in my last year. This is actually my first day of school since I was in grade school. Yeah, it’s kind of an embarrassing story. I was bullied a lot in grade school due to several different reasons. My social skills are poor, I’m a cry baby, and my name sounds funny. After being called fish boy for two years and being socially and physically abused by my classmates I decided to beg my mother to home school me…. And she did! I thought it would be temporary, but I ended up getting too comfortable. I isolated myself for all these years with my only social interactions being with my family and library staff. A few years ago, I started therapy, I hated it at first but eventually got used to it. Therapy is the reason I’m starting public school again; it has taken me many years to prepare for this and I still can’t believe the day is here.
After stretching I manage to pull myself out of bed. I take a shower, brush my teeth, and put on my uniform. I sit down at my desk and take out my diary. Well, it’s more like a journal to help me sort my thoughts. I really hope I am making the right decision. Sometimes I wonder if I should have picked a different school. Maybe one closer to home or one with more or less people. I chose Pond High because my uncle and father went there, it is a small private all boys high school with a diverse selection of students. It was expensive, but it’s only for one year and I was able to win some scholarships to help with fees.
“Knock, knock” “Ora, breakfast?” My mother asks me through the door.
“I’m okay” I answered.
I know that if I eat before the long car ride, I will for sure get sick. I’m far too nervous to eat anything. I pick up my bags and carry them down the narrow staircase and down to my mom’s car.
“Excited?” my mother asks me.
“Scared…” I say tearing up. Yes, I’m still a cry baby and I still cannot control my emotions well.
My mom wipes my tears away and pinches my cheek, “stop that, it’s going to be fine.”
I sigh and rub my eyes, “I’m trying to stay positive.”
“Well, it’s almost time to go. Did you double check that you got everything?” she continues.
I think to myself for a minute and nod. We both climb into the car and set off on our way. By car the school is about three hours away with traffic. It’s surrounded by forests and has a large pond next to it, hence the name, I guess.
“Make sure to message your sister about your first day, she’s worried for you.” My mom nags.
I prop my elbow onto the window seal and rest my head on my hand, “I will.”
I grew up mostly around females. My dad died a few months before I was born, grandparents died long ago, and my uncle was barely around. I have an older sister Ryui who is three years older than me, we are pretty close, especially since my mom works a lot and left me in her care most of the time. Pond High is an all-male school, including staff, and I will be living here for the entire year. Well I will get to go home on holidays but for the most part I will be stuck there. This is terrifying. What if my roommates are mean or weird or sloppy? I guess I can always request a room change, but I image that is hard to get. My hands and feet have started to sweat and my stomach hurts. I clench my teeth and close my eyes and try to think about nothing.
Before I knew it, I had dozed off until we had arrived.
“Ora…Oran…Orando!” My mom shouts shaking me lightly.
I gasp “So-Sorry!”
“We’re here now.” My mom says as she steps out of the car.
I climb out of the car and look up at the tall iron gates. The bars are black with a decorated engraved center piece on top with an owl’s head sculpture. Apparently, there are many of those types of owls around here, so the school decided to make it their mascot. My mom speaks clearly into the speaker and the gates start to slowly open, letting us inside.
“I don’t feel so well…” I say as I rub my face.
My mom nudges my shoulder and grabs my hand, “well it’s too late to go back now!”
I gulp as we walk through the gates and to the front office. In the office we ask to see the principle then we are led to his office.
I knock on the door lightly, “Excuse me, It’s Oran Yoshida. I’m a new student.”
“Come on inside.” A deep voice answers from inside.
I open the door and enter the office with my mom following behind. The man sits at a desk with a computer in front of his face, clearly preoccupied.
“Sorry, I’ve been quite busy lately. Welcome to Pond High! I’m principle Takagi, nice to meet you”
I bow my head, afraid to look him in the eyes “Nice to meet you, I’m Oran Y... Yoshida”
He bends over behind his desk and slams a heavy package on the desk with a loud “thump” that makes me flinch.
“These are your school uniforms you got ordered and tailored. Inside is also your textbooks, student ID card, cafeteria schedule, class schedule, dorm rules, dorm key on top and a map of the school.” The principle smiles.
“T-Thank you!” I say as I try to lift the box but fail to do so, “Maybe I will come back for the box”.
“That’s fine, go ahead and get settled into your dorm and come back for the box later!” he smiles again, “I circled where your dorm is on the map, it is easy to get to just across from this building. If you have no further questions, I hate to cut it short, but I have a meeting to attend to.”
“No, no! Go ahead, I’m fine.” I nervously smile as I know internally, I am totally not fine at all.
My mom and I exit the office and the front desk hold my box for me to pick up later. I pick out the things I need right now and leave the heavy things behind. I follow my mom back to the car where I get my luggage and give my mom one last big hug goodbye. My eyes tear up, but I wipe my tears before my mom can see.
“You’ll be home in no time for holidays!” my mom says as she pinches my cheek.
“I know, but it just feels strange.” I laugh.
“Go on now, you have a lot of unpacking to do!” she smiles and ruffles my hair.
“Goodbye…”
I follow the sidewalk until the reach dorm building A. I gasp as I look up at the building that is a mixture of old and new architecture. I use my key to open the hall and walk down the long hall to my dorm. My appointment with principle Takagi was scheduled so that I would go to my dorm after lunch time so that I would have time to settle in before my dorm mates come back. Unluckily we arrived kind of early and he cut my appointment short, so I think it is almost lunch time.
“DING DONG DANG DONG” an unfamiliar bell chime.
Oh no…It’s probably lunch time. I check the cafeteria schedule and surely it is. I grunt as I shove the key into the lock and try to open the door. I jiggle the handle, but the door seemed jammed, I can’t get in. Panic starts to set in, and I start to sweat, and my mouth goes dry. After several minutes of looking around and trying again I feel a light poke on my shoulder.
“Eh?” I say under my breath as I turn around.
My eyes grow wide as I met with two unfamiliar boys. One is tall, pale, with strong eyes. The other, oddly short, pale, and large innocent eyes.
“Move, I can unlock it.” The taller one grunts as he shows me his key.
“Hiiii!” The other giggles and waves.
I quickly move out of the way nearly tripping over my things and wave to the smaller guy.
Well, I guess these are my roommates. I didn’t think I would be meeting them this soon!
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