The road to our new home was almost forest like. Tree’s as far as the eye can see, houses were spread out with a large range of acreage. I was so preoccupied looking out of the window at everything else that I didn’t realize we were finally at our destination until I felt the motion of the van turning left. We got off the main asphalt road onto a loose gravel path. About 500 yards down the way was a beautiful two story home with lots of windows, a wrap-around porch and a small bird bath near the western end of the lawn. The house was a very light cream color with a burgundy trim and dark grey roof. We came to a stop and before my dad could even turn off the car, he opened his door to get out, snatching the keys out of the ignition. My mother hurried around the van and met my dad to join him in his joyfulness. I slowly opened the sliding door to the van and walked out. It was actually a beautiful house. Much better than the apartment we lived in for six years in Fresno.
“What do you think, Joey?” my dad asked me
“It’s perfect.” I said with a smile
“I want to give him the tour.” My mother said with her hand out automatically wanting the keys
“Okay, I’ll unload the van.” He said as he kissed her on the temple
My mother latched onto my arm and dragged me to the front door. We walked up the three steps to the patio which gave a slight creek and she jingled through the keys to find the one for the house. As the door opened, the first thing I noticed was the huge fireplace in the large open living room. It flowed right into the kitchen that had an island. My mom let go of me, walked near the center of the room and with a smile gave a small spin to observe the new place. She looked like she was replicating a scene from The Sound of Music. The floors were hardwood, crown molding lined the ceiling, large windows and a beautiful spiral stair case that lead up to the second floor. The first floor contained a formal dining room, powder room, laundry room and a guest bedroom or office. There were two French doors next to the kitchen that led out to the back of the wrap-around porch, the back yard was magnificent with a small man made creek and what looked like a custom shed to match the house. I continued my way upstairs as my mother glorified the kitchen. The first room to the left was a small bedroom, possibly a nursery at one point. The next door on my right was a large bathroom, most likely mine. Right next to that was a large bedroom with two corner windows overlooking the forest and a small peak of the town; we were on a large hill of course. Across from my room was what looked like a linen closet? At the end of the hall was the master bedroom with two walk in closets and a master suite which included a bathtub with jets, a full glass shower with rainfall showerhead and double vanity. It must have just been recently renovated. It looks like something right out of a HGTV show.
We spent the rest of the day unloading, unpacking and organizing. The moving truck and my dad’s Jeep arrived two hours after we did. My mother is a moving machine. She will literally work on unpacking and organizing until everything is done. The last time we moved, everything was done in 32 hours. In just under two days, it looked like we had been settled in our place and lived there for a while. By the time I knew it, that’s exactly happened.
After three days, my mother had put our place together; yes there were some things that my family needed to purchase to fill up the house since we were moving from a two bedroom apartment of a thousand square feet. Our family had a week off to get settled before they had to start working, which meant, I had to start school as well. I wasn’t excited since I was starting the middle of the school year. Cliques had been formed, friends bonded, bullies bullying. My mother was going to be the new art teacher for the school and my dad was going to teach Biology.
The time had finally arrived…Judgment Day. It was Monday morning and my mom, dad and I were driving to the school. It was about twenty five minutes from our house closer to town. Driving up to the school, I noticed it was an outdoor campus and on the side of a large building, which I guess is the gym, had a mural of a sea lion with a football helmet on. Above it in bold green and orange letters read, “Home of the Depoe Bay High School Sea Lions”. That’s intimidating I guess? I came to find out later that the rival high school mascot was The Pelicans. My parents parked in the faculty parking area and I stepped out of the car first. The early morning fog was beginning to lift and I could see that beyond that another set of grey clouds were rolling in. A woman with a clipboard was walking towards me, she had a stern smile upon her face, her dark brown hair with glimmers of silver in it, wrapped in a tight large bun near the crown of her head. She was wearing a navy blue blazer and matching business skirt along with black pumps. She stuck out her hand as she got closer and finally met my hand.
“Hello Joey, nice to finally meet you. I’m principle Hawkins and welcome to Depoe Bay High School.” She said crinkling her eyes. She glanced down at her clipboard, pulled a pen from her front blazer pocket, clicked it and made a quick gesture in the design of a checkmark on the board.
“Nice to meet you as well Principle Hawkins.” I said with a crooked smile
She acknowledged me and continued towards my parents.
“Marie, Joseph. It’s nice to see you again. So glad you are finally here and a part of our team.” She said hugging them as if they were lifelong friends
“Sandra, Hi!” my mom said squeezing her back
“If you will please follow me, I’ll show you, Joey, where your first period class is and I’ll take your parents to their classrooms. Here’s a map of the school that might help you out.” She said handing me the paper which she highlighted every class of mine.
As we began walking down the busy hall of screaming teens, cell phones beeping, cliques clicking, gossip and running, I began to feel the eyes upon me. I could only imagine what they were thinking or saying; who is he? Why is he walking with his parents and the principle? He’s brown. I couldn’t think about it anymore. As we passed the quad of the campus, a girl came in a haste to greet the principle.
“Good Morning Principle Hawkins.” She said with a smile.
The girl was about half a foot shorter than me. She had on fitted jeans with what looked like wedge boots. She had a pink and white stripped top on and brown leather jacket. Her hair was a dirty blonde, wavy, possible from curling. Her makeup was simple and light as she had a natural beauty about her.
“Good morning Natalie.” She smiled, and before the girl could respond, principle Hawkins continued, “And yes, I read your email regarding your suggestions for the theme of the Prom. I’ll consider it and get back to you and the rest of the student body.”
“Thanks.” She said, I thought she was about to trot off, but she stayed and stuck her hand out in a jolt, “Hi, I’m Natalie.”
“Hi, I’m Joey.” I said shaking her hand
“Oh, I’m sorry, how rude of me.” Principle Hawkins said, “Joey is starting school today, and these are his parents and new teachers. Mrs. Ramirez will be teaching Art II and Mr. Ramirez will be teaching Biology I”
“Totally awesome to meet you! I’m taking Biology this semester. My brother is taking Art II.” She said engaging my parents
“Natalie, you have Algebra II for your first period right? With Mrs. Keller?” asked the principle
“Yes!” she said with perkiness
“Would you mind guiding Joey here to his first period, it seems you two are in the same class.”
“No problem Principle Hawkins.” She turned on her heel and waited for me to step with her
We began walking down the rest of the hall. I looked back to catch my parents waving at me as if I were a five year old entering kindergarten for the first time. I quickly turned my head in embarrassment but I also felt scared and their waves felt warm and loving.
“So, Joe.” Began Natalie, “How did you end up here in Depoe Bay? Where are you from anyways?” she asked curiously
“I’m from Fresno, California. Was born and raised there. We moved here because the teaching positions in California are become more and more scarce.”
“Wait what?” She interrupted, “Fresno? Never heard of it. And I can’t believe your parents came all the way to Oregon just for a job. Must be pretty bad where you are from.” She said
“It was getting pretty bad. My parents picked this place because they drove through here by accident trying to get to Seattle and they just loved the small coastal town feel of it I guess.”
“Well, it’s not so bad. Everyone is pretty cool and friendly.” She said
We eventually had to turn a corner and headed down a smaller corridor that housed what looked like about three to four classrooms.
“That’s it. Room 107. Algebra II. Hey, let me see your schedule. I wonder if we have any other classes together?” she snatched my class schedule from me, “We have gym together, 5th period. That’s about it. You do have your mom’s class with my brother though. It looks like you also have history and English together as well.” She said
“Oh, that’s cool. So are you and your brother twins?” I asked
“No.” she laughed, “Why would you think that?”
“Because we all have the same teachers and class levels.” I said annoyed
“Oh, no I’m 16, my brother is 18.” She smiled
“How does that work?” I was confused
“I jumped a grade…and…well, he fell back a grade. He wasn’t too happy about it, but it is what it is. I take it you are 17 right?” she asked
“Yeah. I turn 18 in May.”
“Oh, May what?” she asked curious
“May 9.”
“Right before Prom. That’s awesome. You better pick a girl quick, slim pickings here my friend. You only have four months.” She laughed
“Any recommendations?” I asked with a smirk
“Not yet, don’t know your type. What kind of girls are you into? Well wait a minute. Are you even into girls?” she asked with a straight face
“What? Yes! Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?” I asked with offense
“Hey, relax.” She giggled, “Nothing wrong with that. These days, it’s more common.”
“Really? How common? Are there gay students in this school?” I asked
“You would be surprised.” She said
As the clock reached for 8:00am, we headed inside the class room as Natalie introduced me to Mrs. Keller. She had mercy on me and let me sit next to Natalie in the third row. Fortunately there was an empty seat next to her. The bell rang and the students began to pour in one by one. The nerds at first, eager to learn and collect more knowledge and expand their brain cells. Next a small group of Goth’s walked in, almost floating like the spirit world they lived in. Next the cheerleaders and jocks came in.
“That’s Nick.” Natalie said with a grotesque face, “I was hoping he was out sick today.”
She was giving the stink eye to a tall guy, brown hair, smooth skin, green eyes, an ear piercing. He wore a green letterman jacket with orange DBHS letters on the right chest area. He had on jeans and some white sneakers that were so clean, they looked new. He glanced over just as I was analyzing him, however I think he noticed Natalie before he did me.
He walked over to his seat, which so happened to be a row behind us. He sat in a desk directly behind Natalie. As he squatted into his chair he leaned close to Natalie’s ear and whispered, “Good morning.” With a deep smooth voice.
“Not anymore.” She whispered
“Who is your friend? Not my replacement right?” he said with a stern voice
“Nick,” she said spinning around in her chair, “you need to not worry about my friends.”
“As long as he’s not your boyfriend.” He said glaring at me
I didn’t look at him, but from the corner of my eye, I could feel the stare.
“It shouldn’t matter.” Natalie said calmly turning back around, “How’s Stephanie? Your girlfriend at South Bay High?”
He gave a small grunt and leaned back in his seat, almost defeated.
“Don’t you pay any mind to him, Joey. He thinks he’s mister tough guy because he’s on the football team.” Said Natalie
“I can drop any one of these guys in here.” He said shamelessly, “Especially you, pretty boy.” He said towards me
“I’m sure my brother wouldn’t like you talking to me or my friend like this. So back off, asshole.” She said with an intensity in her voice
“Relax, I’m just fucking with you.” He said laughing
“That’s as much of that you’ll get from me in a lifetime.” She said in a low voice
I was stunned. Stunned at the fact that on my first day, within the first 20 minutes of my arrival at school, I was already picked on, I made a friend, my parents embarrassed me and what shocked me the most, was to hear Natalie curse.
After class, we headed back down to the main hall. We were going in the same direction, however she was going to English and I was heading towards Art.
“He’s right you know.” Natalie said out of nowhere
“Who?” I asked without a clue
“Nick. You are.” She smiled
“What? I’m what?” I asked with confusion and fright
“A pretty boy. With your looks, you’ll get a girlfriend in no time.” She said nudging me and then taking a right towards her class
A pretty boy? Me? I mean, I guess I was. Nobody ever called me that back home. To be called that here was a huge compliment because I felt the people of this town were beautiful as it is. I knew I wasn’t ugly. I’m 5’9, lean and toned body, tanned skin, strong calves, a nice chest. I didn’t have facial hair just yet, but I had black hair, in a fauxhawk, brown eyes and a nice smile, which was complimented by my dimples. Natalie was right, I never had a problem with girls, I was just picky. I liked to flirt too much, or…maybe. I don’t know. I just didn’t find the right one.
I headed towards my mom’s classroom and walked in to find a large work room with ten large tables. Each table seemed to sit two people. My mother walked towards the door and welcomed me to her class as if I were a stranger. Was she as embarrassed of me as I was of this situation? No. I think she was just trying to be courteous to my social life.
“Mom.” I said rolling my eyes, “How was your first class?” I asked
“It went really good. I’m going to like this school. The kids are much more enthusiastic about art here.” She said as she walked away to greet another student who walked in, she quickly came back to show me to my seat. “You will sit here and share this work station with your partner.”
My mom headed back to the door to greet more students. I got myself situated, not paying attention to someone next to me, I saw a shadow and I quickly looked up startled.
“Oh, sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.” He said
“Oh, no, you didn’t.” I lied, “Am I in your way?” I asked
“No, not at all. I thought you needed help with something. I was going to lend you a hand.” He said generously
“Oh thanks, I’m okay. I’m just looking for my sketchpad.”
“I’m Cameron Harris by the way.” He shook my hand
“Ramirez, Joey Ramirez.” I said stupidly
“Very James Bond of you.” He laughed
“I don’t know why I said my name like that.” I stuttered
“No, it was cool. I liked it.” He smiled
“So it looks like we’re partners?” I asked
“Yea.” He tilted his head with a smile, “Looks like it.”
© 2015 Copyright J.M. Casas Jr. Royalty Novels / True Love Saga. All Rights Reserved.
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