Page 6

I head into the kitchen and swing open the fridge, looking for something quick to eat. My mom is already on shift at the hospital. She's worked endless hours ever since my dad walked out a few years ago. We moved into this house a little over a year ago, forcing me to transfer high schools. I never complain, my mom has been through enough, and I actually really like it here, with my best friend and teammate only next door. I take a few bites of an apple before tossing it into the trash, the nerves of today's practice suppressing my appetite.

I grab my black Jansport backpack, sling it over one shoulder, and head out the door. Leaning against the hood of my car, I wait for Cooper and his sister Camille to come out so I can drive us all to school. It’s Cami’s first day of high school, so I'm sure she is running a little behind schedule.

The front door swings open at the Bensons’ house, and Cooper flies out, leaving his sister in the doorway.

“Mom, that's enough,” she whines as her mother smothers her in hugs and kisses. I can't help but smile at them.

Cami walks towards the car with her head down, long brown hair covering her face. Probably feeling nervous and embarrassed by her mom. She has her clarinet case in one hand and her backpack slung high around her shoulders.

“Hi Drew!” Mrs. Benson waves at me from the front door. She is such a nice lady, and she instantly took me in as her own when we moved in next door, befriending my mom and baking us cookies.

“Good morning, Mrs. Benson.” I wave back.

“Have a great day, kids!” She calls one last time before shutting the front door behind her.

“Here, let me get that for you,” I say, grabbing Camille's clarinet so she can crawl into the backseat.

“Thank you.” She whispers so quietly I almost miss it. She looks up at me for a split second, and my heart does a little squeeze. I've never noticed how blue her eyes are. She always keeps her head down and her eyes hidden behind her black-rimmed glasses. I give her a soft smile and shut the door for her.

Cooper is already settled into the passenger seat by the time I hop in and start the engine, driving us toward the high school.

“Dude, are you so excited for practice later?” Cooper asks, throwing his phone in the cup holder. “Coach says we have a seriously strong roster this year.”

“Yeah, man, I'm hyped. It’s going to be a great season.” I say. My eyes drift to the rearview mirror, checking on Cami. She’s staring out the window, her small hands rubbing together nervously in her lap. I can see the anxiety written all over her.

We pull into the school parking lot, which is already bursting with teenagers. The second we step out of the car, we get ambushed by guys from the team and a few of their girlfriends, all shouting and trading high-fives with us. I try to look over the crowd of shoulders, searching for where Camille went. Finally, I spot her a few paces ahead, adjusting the heavy straps of her backpack.

“Hey Cami!” I shout, jogging her way and leaving my group of friends behind me. She spins, looking up at me, big blue eyes wide. “Do you need help finding your classes?”

Cooper comes up behind us. “She went to Freshman Orientation, I think she knows where to go.” He says, eyes glued to his phone.

“Yeah, uh, I think I'm good. Thank you, though.” She whispers, pushing her glasses up, grabbing her clarinet, and walking off toward the freshman building. I watch her walk away all alone, and a sharp ache zips through my chest.

“Dude,” I smack Cooper across the chest.

“Ouch, what was that for?” He complains, rubbing the spot I just hit.

“It’s your sister's first day of high school, can you be a little more mindful? What if she needs something?” I say, low and irritated.

“Chill, I told her to text me if she needs anything, she will be fine.” He says as the five-minute warning bell chimes over the loudspeaker.

The day passes by in a blur. During every single passing period, I keep my eyes open, searching the jam-packed hallways for a glimpse of Cami just to see how she’s holding up. No luck. If I knew what her schedule looked like, that would be a big help, but I'm in the dark. I even look for her during lunch, but the school splits the lunch hour. Most first-year students have A-lunch, while upper-level students have B-lunch. I carry a knot of nerves in my stomach all afternoon, wondering if she’s sitting alone or having a hard time adjusting.

The final bell rings, school is over. I spot Cooper up ahead in the hallway, navigating the crowd toward the gym locker room to change for our first practice.

“Hey Coop, wait up!” I shout, catching up to him.

“Hey man!” He says. “How was your first day?”

Cooper and I only have one class together in the morning, but luckily we share the same lunch hour.

“It was good. Hey, have you heard from your sister?” I try to sound completely casual as I catch my breath.

His brows crease. “No, why?”

“No reason, just wondering how her first day went.”

“Well, she didn't text me, so I assume it was fine. She has marching band practice right now, so I'm sure we’ll run into her.” He says, pushing open the locker room doors.