Allison’s First Day of Jr. High

by Elaine Littau, Author of “Nan’s Journey”

Allison Cartwright stood in front of the steps looming up to the entrance of the school building. The janitor opened the door smiling up at her.  Allison realized that she was taller than the first adult she saw at her new school. She didn’t realize that the old man was stooped and twisted from his age.  Great, I’m “King Kong” here too!  She went to the office to get her locker assignment and class schedule .  

 The hallways were beginning to fill as she headed to class. A group of girls stood in the corner next to the bathroom. “Look, there is one of the sixth grader babies.” A girl said. The rest of the girls giggled. An eight-grade boy passed them and smirked saying, “Look who’s talking. You little mop heads were sixth-graders last year!”

He sauntered over to Allison. “Don’t let the snob patrol get to you.” He smiled and disappeared into the next hall leaving Allison to mull over his advice. She definitely was not excited about being in the youngest class at the Jr. High School. She felt like a misfit. The bell rang and in a flurry the students ran into their classes.

“I am Mrs. Hopkins. You may sit where you are today, but tomorrow you will have assigned seating. “   Mrs. Hopkins took the roll. “Answer in the affirmative when I call your name.”

 “Marie Cartwright?”

Allison blushed. “I am called Allison.”

“It says ‘Marie’ on your transcript.”

“Yes, my name is Marie Allison Cartwright, but I am called Allison.” Her voice shook as a few girls giggled in the back of the room.

“So, Allison Cartwright, are you present?”

One down, all the rest of my classes to go!  

Finally, the morning was over.  She entered the cafeteria and located Samantha, a friend from last year.

“I can’t believe we are not in any classes together!” Samantha cried pushing her bangs to the side of her hair. “I am growing my bangs out. Nicole says they are ‘so yesterday’.”

“ …Who’s Nicole?” Allison asked.

“…the most popular girl in sixth grade! Everyone talks about her. She gets texts from everybody and has a zillion friends and if she likes you she invites you to a sleepover.”

“My parents won’t let me have a cell phone do you have one?” Allison frowned.

“Not yet, but you have to have one! Tell your mom that you need one for school.”

After lunch Allison went to the choir room. Nicole and her friends stood behind her. She heard Nicole talk about Gretchen.

“Gretchen is boy crazy…already been kissed and probably more than that!” Nicole informed.

“Seriously…?” The girls gasped.

“You know that she has to do well in athletics or else she would be a ‘nobody’ in school.”

Allison held her breath. The things Nicole was saying were a lies.  She should turn around and set the record straight, but she was afraid.

After the last class Allison slipped into her mom’s car. “This is tougher than I thought it would be.”

“Volleyball…?” Mom asked.

“…Making friends, doing the right thing…everything!”  

 Allison went into her room dumping her books on her bed. Mother knocked on her door. “Allie, can we talk?”

“Come in, Mom.” Allison sat cross-legged on her bed.

“Today was a hard day for you.”

“Massive…!”

 “I don’t want you to change you into a clone of someone else. I’m glad you are friends with Samantha and Gretchen.  You kids from the church youth group need to stick together. It is easier to hold onto your beliefs when you have others around to back you up. You know that you can ask me anything.” Mom smiled.

“Can I get a cell phone?” Allison smiled.

“We’ll see.”  

“Thanks Mom.”