In both run-ins during summer, he was so friendly and open towards me. There was this confidence about him like he owned the place without even trying. It’s kind of annoying, but also kinda impressive to see him take command of any social setting he’s in.
And now, seeing him in his element, it’s like he’s a different person on another level with an outer shell that’s warm and charismatic. It’s a revelation, and for the first time, I actually see Tyler Westman, the golden boy who lights up rooms and… can get any girl he wants. He’s tall and confident, his smile genuine as he interacts with his friends and passersby who stop to say hi.
A pang of unfamiliar feelings settles into my chest. It’s not jealousy, nor is it envy. I can’t exactly pinpoint what it is, actually.
“Ignore him,” Priya waves a hand in Grant’s direction. “Changing subjects, how’s your first day?”
I start playing with my noodles, which makes Alli move the container closer to her so she can take more bites.
“It’s going well, the campus is big but I’m able to navigate around.”
“Have you joined any clubs or activities yet?” Alli says, mouth full of noodles, enough to where you can see a few strands hanging out of her mouth.
I hand Alli a napkin to cover her mouth and shake my head. “Not yet, I’ll find something soon. I’m not sure what I want to do yet.”
Alli pushes the container back to me, letting me finish up the rest of our lunch. “Isn’t that number three on your list?”
Grant perks up. “List? Like an agenda or something?”
I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “Yeah. I have a list of things I want to accomplish for my senior year. I’ve been deprived of a lot of young adolescents’ things, so my goal is to get them done by the time we graduate.”
“Oh my gosh, I fucking live for lists and goals,” Priya states, grinning ear to ear. “You let me know how I can help.”
I grab my journal from my backpack and flip through the pages to find my list of goals. My journal is a bit raggedy, with the bind barely holding on, but I’ve had this journal since I was twelve when I practically begged my dad to buy it for me at Daiso. I find the page and slide it towards Priya and Grant. “It’s nothing extraordinary.”
Serena’s senior bucket list
1.Go to a Friday night game
2.Make new friends
3.Join a club or extracurricular activity
4.Go to high school parties
5.Watch the sunrise
Grant nods in approval. “Good list, I think we can get most of these done by the end of semester.”
“I agree.” Priya hands me my journal back. “I mean, you have already accomplished the second one.”
I laugh in agreement and relief. I thought the second one would be kind of difficult to accomplish. Given my track record with friendships, I wasn’t sure when this would happen. I grab a pen from my bag and strike a line to signify completing one goal. “Make new friends, done.”
Chapter 8
Serena
The first weeks of school finish in a blink of an eye, each day a blur of classes, assignments, and hurried conversations. It’s safe to say I handled my first two weeks back in public school well. Assignments are a breeze. I have great friends. I aced my pop quiz in AP Trigonometry the other day too. Life is fabulous.
I’m sitting in AP Environmental Science, watching a lecture by a world-renowned environmentalist that Mr. Cabello threw on. The lecture issothrilling but I’mslowlyzoning out.
“Serena, could you come to my desk?” Mr. Cabello says.
He greets me with an inviting smile once I walk up to his desk. “Serena,” He begins scribbling down on the paper, “You’re wanted in the guidance counselor’s office.” He tears off the paper and hands it over to me. “Take your things with you as well.”
In minutes, I’m entering the guidance counselor quarters, as most students call it. It’s a huge office space, with mini offices attached to the halls, each specific to different grade-level counselors. It’s the block before lunch starts, so there are only afew students around. I greet the student office worker whose desk sits to the left of the front door and hand her my hall pass. “I’m here to see Ms. Vaughn.”
The student takes my hall pass and juts her chin to the waiting area. “Cool, I’ll let her know you’re here. Take a seat and she’ll come grab you.”
