Solo Read Free

but I knew they'd strike when I least expected it. Today of all days, I didn't want an attack. The dreary weather didn't help matters.
     Although it was probably all in my head, my California tan seemed to have faded. My light emerald eyes that usually had a faint bluish cast now looked dull grey-green.
    As I slipped on my favorite jeans, I noticed a rippling row of clouds out the window—perfect weather for a bad hair day. I pulled my sun-streaked brown wavy locks into a headband.
    "Eliana, are you up?" Mom yelled.
    "Yeah, I'm up." I hurried down the stairs. The last thing I wanted was to be tardy on my first day of school.
    "Breakfast is ready!" She sounded enthusiastic.
    "I'm not really hungry. Can't I just eat a breakfast bar on my way?"
    "I would prefer that you sit and eat a real meal. It's your first day at a new school; you need your energy."
    Sighing heavily, I sat down and inhaled my toast and scrambled eggs. My mind wandered and I thought about my friends. If I were back in California, Kelly would be outside honking so we could get an early start for a day of sun and fun at the beach. It was Spring Break in California.
    Now I was stuck in Myrtle Creek with a disgusting overcast day and flying solo to school. I tried to keep my composure. Since I was already running late, reapplying my make-up wasn't an option at this point. My tears would have to wait, too. I planned to call Kelly after school and find out all the details about the beach.
    The drive to school took forever. I got lost a few times and had to back track. Every once in a while I drove past the rancid odor of a cow or pig farm. Who needs coffee when you have the smell of fresh cow pies in the morning to wake you up?
    When I drove into the school parking lot, it was like I'd entered a used car lot that specialized in pickup trucks. Butterflies swarmed in my stomach when I pulled my little pastel blue Volkswagen bug between two Monster Trucks. Here goes nothing.
    I felt a strong wave of nausea and took a controlled deep breath to calm my nerves. Fortifying myself, I walked toward the building. I had no idea what to expect from the kids here. Most of them had grown up together. I was the outsider.
     The bell rang as I entered the office. "Great, I knew I would be late," I muttered.
    A secretary, different from the one the day before, stood behind the counter. The petite older lady pushed up the rim of her glasses as she gave me a welcoming, almost sympathetic, smile. "You must be Eliana Davis. Welcome to South Umpqua High School."
    I couldn't help but notice the line of bright magenta lipstick across her two front teeth. It was so distracting I couldn't remember what I was going to say. "Thanks. Sorry I'm late. I had a few issues with the directions."
    "Yes, it can be a little tricky with some of these roads. Just don't make a habit of it. That excuse only works on your first day." The secretary laughed and rifled through a pile of papers, still oblivious to her pink teeth. "Oh, well, here's your schedule. Your first class is Geometry in room 116. It's down the hall on the left."
    I took my schedule and started down the hall. My new dilemma was whether I wanted to sit in front and look smart, or in the back to look like I really didn't care. When I walked in the classroom, it didn't matter, because all the desks except one in the back were taken. The teacher stopped in the middle of his lecture to hand me a textbook.
    "Welcome to Geometry. I'm Mr. Donaldson. Here's your textbook. Please take your seat." He motioned toward the one empty desk.
    "Thank you." I walked to the back of the room and everyone gawked at me. I felt like a new attraction at the zoo. I noticed the bubbly, blonde, blue-eyed girl sitting next to my desk.
    "Hi, I'm Casey Douglas. If you need any help, just let me know?" she whispered.
    I grinned shyly and opened my textbook. "Thanks."
    "So do you know anyone here at school?" Casey asked.
    I shook my head. "Not really. Sammy Alvarez gave