{ Kaylen Clark }

I sat on my new bed dumbfounded. Music pushed through my headphones, but I wasn't paying attention, my focus was nonexistent at this moment in time. We had moved, so suddenly, without a single word. We moved to California for no known reason. My fan blew my usually neat hair out of place, but I didn't mind. Nothing about this situation was normal, so what was the point in keeping my hair the same? California was so fucking hot, how were people walking around in jackets?

"Hi sweetie, how's it goin'?" My dad knocked on my door before opening it. "Oh, you're not unpacked yet?" He looked around the room at the boxes randomly scattered in corners and the single fan right next to me. "Yeah, I guess I'm still getting used to California." I responded

"Alright, not sure what that has to do with unpacking, but whatever. Want some help?" He asked, now in my room.

"You wanna bring my dresser up?" I looked at him hopefully. "Oh hell no. Tell you what, I'll help you bring it up."

"Fine, as long as we're done by 12, I have my first day of school tomorrow." I squirmed at the thought of my first day of school, it was the middle of the year and everyone already had their friend groups by now. "Uh, sweetie, It's..." He looked down at his phone, "One in the morning."

"Oh sh- oot, dad! Alright, love you goodnight" I pushed him out of my room so I could go to bed. "Yeah, shoot, uh huh. Love you goodnight, I'll wake you up before I leave!"

I turned the lights off, got into bed, and pulled out my phone.

ME: ariiiiii are you asleep?

WIFEY 💍😩: its 2 baby like yes im asleep

ME: ugh you didnt say goodnight 🥺

WIFEY 💍😩: sorryyyyy

WIFEY 💍😩: do you want me to stay up with you

ME: no i was just gonna say love you goodnight

WIFEY 💍😩: goodnight love you

•—•

"Hey, Kaylen, I'm leaving for work now, okay? School starts soon I think, I don't know though." My eyes shot open at the mention of school. "Dad, what time is it?"

"Relax, it's only 7. I finally got milk this morning, so do whatever you want with that, I'd recommend cereal, but you know." He rambled. "I mean, I can't cook so yeah, probably cereal. Thank you for the milk, love you bye." I pulled him into a hug and he left. Once I heard the front door lock, I got up and took a shower. After I got dressed, I headed to the kitchen, cereal it is. I checked my phone while I was eating. There was a text from my girlfriend, Ariana. It was from half a hour ago.

WIFEY 💍😩: kay im going to school now its probably like 7 there so you might not be up but have an amazing first day at school theyre gonna love you

WIFEY 💍😩: call me when youre out?

ME: you got it ;)

By the time I was done it was 7:41, so I put the bowl in the skink, my keys in my pocket and left. The walk was peaceful, the trees swayed in the gentle winds and clouds dotted the sky. The streets were empty apart from the occasional car, but the walk was cut short.

The daunting sight of my new school seemed to stand like a wall, blocking the sun and the breeze and throwing me into a sudden state of anxiety. A few kids sat with their friends out front, but most of them were inside. I took a deep breath and searched my pocket for the paper with my classes on it. Just as I took my first step in, clutching the pink paper in my hands, the bell rang and all the kids said bye to each other. Everyone scattered and soon the schoolyard was empty. Oh shit, right my first class. "F3..." I mumbled to myself.

"F3?" A voice behind me asked. I turned around and was met with a girl a little taller than me with shoulder length wavy brown hair that perfectly framed her face. "F3..." I breathed. "Yeah, F3," She gave me a weird look and continued, "Are you new?"