1: The Jungle we call High School

Emery's view

Once again, I have to go through another first day of school; at least it's my last. I've never really understood the people who say the four years of high school are going to be some of the best years of your life. Honestly, high school hasn't been that great for me, it's more like a roller coaster of highs and lows.

School has always been a challenge for me, even kindergarten was pretty rough since I couldn't get myself to sit still or pay attention long enough to color in the lines. What a relief it was to find out a few years later that I had ADHD, everything after that made sense. You don't know the weight that was lifted of off my shoulders to realize that I couldn't help being an impatient little brat that could never pay attention, it was just how my brain worked.

Even though learning I had a mental disorder was enlightening, it did not by any means help me reduce a single one of my insecurities. In fact, I became more insecure about myself because now I knew I was very different from all the other kids growing up.

I started taking behavioral therapy over the summer before entering high school to prepare myself for an active year. However, that first year went downhill that first day of school when I learned I was attracted to both genders. Not only was I known as a shy kid, but also one that was incredibly flustered and unable to talk to anyone because I couldn't stop blushing and stuttering. If it weren't for my two best friends, Clare and Jordie, I probably would have dropped out of high school, or most likely been home schooled.

So, just as I'm walking up the steps to the entrance of my high school, I heard shouting,

"EMERY!!!"

I turn around to see Clare run up to give me a bone crushing hug, which made me squeak out an oww. She immediately lets go and apologized for hugging my bad shoulder, but I reassured her it was fine.

"Jeez, Clare calm yourself with the hugs," chuckled Jordie as he walked up to us and wrapped his arms over our shoulders.

Jordie was the muscular and super friendly guy that every girl lusted after, I would probably have a crush on him too if we had not been friends for such a long time. I swear if Jordie wasn't so modest he could even be a model with his sharp jawline and sparkling blue eyes. I have to admit it's funny seeing all the girls trying to flirt with him, but it's even better to see every girl's face drop when Jordie explains how gay he is. Some of the girls just can't seem to get the hint though because they still try flirting with him.

"We'll it's not my fault I'm an overly touchy person, plus I forgot about your shoulder Emery. I'm really sorry," replied Clare with a sincere expression.

Clare is a sweet girl, but she loves to talk. She's pretty and smart, and has a good sense of humor.  I've known her forever and she's like my sister.

"No worries," I said. "Come on guys, I don't want to be late, plus I want to see if we have classes together."

Jordie lets go of Clare and rests his arm on my head as we walk through the hallway, I push his hand off, but he keeps putting it back on my head. I'm really short compared to him and Clare, so they have a habit of always using my head as I resting stand.

We find out that we have half of our classes together, which is a bummer because I was hoping to have at least one of them with me in every class, but I got my hopes up.

My first period was AP chemistry which is horrible because I suck at it and neither Clare nor Jordie are in my class. Plus, it's too early to pay attention to lectures about molecular forces of attraction and viscosity and stoichiometry.

I enter the class and make my way to the back and sit as the teacher starts role call, I'm so zoned out I almost didn't hear my name. That's pretty normal for me though, I love spacing out and daydreaming about doing anything but being in school.

A few minutes after the bell rings the door is slammed open and in barges a girl huffing, trying to catch her breath. She notices that everyone is staring at her and she quickly excuses herself and speed walks over to talk with the teacher. However, I'm too preoccupied with my thoughts to pay attention to the new girl and the teacher introduces her to the class.

Mrs. Patrick's, the teacher, says, "Ok dear, you can go sit next to Emery over there in the back."

Obviously, I'm so wrapped up in my own head that I don't hear a single word the teacher or the girl has said so I impulsively ask, "What?"

"Emery please pay attention," says Mrs. Patrick's as she turns to the new girl that I've never seen go here before, "Gracen, go ahead and take a seat."

As the girl makes her way next to me I can't help but be mesmerized by how beautiful she is. She has light brown Auburn hair and the prettiest light green eyes that sparkle beautifully as the sunlight beams on her. She literally looks like a model. I have to mentally kick myself to stop staring as she sits next to me.

"Hello, nice to meet you," she politely says.

It took me a while to register she was talking to me before I could respond.

"...Heyyy. Umm.. How's it... How's it going?"

I seriously hate myself. I can't even form sentences without stuttering, I'm so weird and she probably thinks that too.

Gracen just giggles and says fine. Then the teacher starts the class and I can't help but look over at Gracen, she's just really pretty and I can't help but blush. Again I'm so spaced out, I don't hear the teacher saying we have a project already with the person siting next to us.

I literally had a oh sh*t moment. Me...., in group projects... Oh heck no.....that's such a bad idea... great school is going to suck so much. Then it occurred I was paired with Gracen, how the heck am I supposed to do a project with a girl that makes me even more nervous than I already am.

Well this first semester is already going to be tough, I already know it.

(Side note: picture up above is supposed to be Emery)