Anywhere But Here Read Free

History, Calculus, American Lit, Chem II, Spanish, and Study Hall.  I’d already met my other credit requirements back home – even though I don’t know how I’d managed my first grading period.  I hardly remembered it.
    “Your locker number and combination is on the top of your schedule.  Since you’re a senior, your locker is located on the first floor.  Would you like me to help you find it?”
    “I can manage,” I said, uttering the same words I’d muttered faithfully at least three times a day for the past five and a half months.  “Um, better go now.”
    I quickly located my locker and spun the combination lock before carefully landing on each number.   When it didn't open on the first try, I kicked the bottom of the door and, ignoring the startled looks and the snickering behind me, tried again.  When the handle finally gave, I ripped the door open so I could deposit my coat.  The anger-demon decided to stick around to check out the school and who was I to argue?
    I consulted my schedul e, groaning when I realized that I had Calculus first.  I should have opted out of math at the beginning of the year - I wasn't hell bent on attending college anyway.
    "Dude, look - it's Franki's niece of the orange room," called a voice I recognized as 'Rad' Boy – I couldn’t remember his name. With a wince, I tried to desperately blend in with the walls but to no avail.  "Hang on."
    I sighed while the anger-demon on my shoulder jumped up and down in glee.   I didn't turn to face ‘Rad’ Boy or give him an encouraging smile - just stood there and allowed him to catch up with me.
    "Hey, how's your first day?" he asked.
    I craned my neck to glance at him – I hadn’t paid much attention to his height when I’d first met him - and noticed the merriment in his eyes.  "Seeing as it's just started, I don't really know yet.  How about you ask me when the day is over?"
    "Whoa, someone's got a chip on their shoulder," 'Rad' Boy's companion chortled.   I rolled my eyes.  "Do you suppose it's PMS or something equally gross?"
    Spinning on my heel, I jabbed a finger in his face – it was a tad easier since he wasn’t quite as tall and skinny as ‘Rad’ Boy.  "Just because a girl is in a bad mood doesn't necessarily mean she's on her period, got it skater boy?"
    He held up his hands and backed away.   "Gotcha."
    "Listen," 'Rad' Boy said, stepping between me and his companion.   "We're just trying to make nice with you - you know, like friends."
    "I don't need any friends," I grumbled, narrowing my eyes.   "Not at all."
    "So you say now," he said, seriousness flickering through his eyes.   He was kind of cute in that skater-boy-screw-society way with shoulder length dirty blond hair and captivating green eyes.  Even though he was tall and lanky he had a slight build, unlike his companion who was a head shorter and a little meatier. "We like Franki - she's cool and since you're related we like you, too, even if you are rude.  I'm Damon and he's Shane.  If you need something, give us a holler."  Giving me a final salute, he strolled casually down the hall.
    I watched them, a little perplexed, and fought a smile while the anger-demon fumed at not being able to control the situation.   I shrugged, nearly knocking him loose, and began searching for my first hour classroom.
    Many heads turned as I approached the teacher's desk, Mr. Herman Mayer, and introduced myself.   He was an older man with a receding hairline and a friendly enough smile.  I stood stoically as he explained where we were in the book and that I would be excused from the quiz at the end of the week.  I nodded, took the textbook, and sat at the desk he'd indicated near the back of the room.
    Although I had only attended one high school prior to Dunewood, I had once been a typical teenager and met quite a few people online so I was very much aware how high schools were similar - especially in the clique department.   Of course, there weren't