Chapter 6

Arianna rolled over to see Kassidy sleeping peacefully but knew they had to get up because school would be starting soon since it started no later than 8 a.m. and it was nearly 6:30 a.m. They needed to be out the door to school no later than 7:15 a.m. to be at the school by 7:30 a.m. It was a strict schedule that she was used to in Michigan though she rode a bus to school, not walking. Arianna leaned over to Kassidy's ear to whisper.

"Kass, we need to get up and get motivated for school before my mom comes up the stairs. We need to get ready to go."

Kassidy grumbled then stretched as Arianna got out of bed. Arianna grabbed Kassidy a uniform to wear and then it dawned on her that they had no way to make Kassidy's hair beautiful for the school day, it was a mess, she felt so bad.

"I have no way of taking care of your hair before school and we have to leave soon." Arianna said, freaking out.

"It's no biggie, I will have one of the girls in the dorms help me, they always do anyhow knowing how much my dad rushes me in the morning. It seems you are excited to go to your new school?" Kassidy asked while giggling.

"Well, since my mom wants my rebellious side to stop, I might as well get excited on meeting the new crowd and teachers along with the principal. I hope no one is offended by a white girl attending this school?" Arianna asked with her nerves settling in.

"Well, you won't be the only one as we have about a dozen white girls in the community itself and even with a mostly African American population. We do get along very well." Kassidy reassured Arianna.

Arianna got a nervous feeling and her hands started trembling with shakes that made her wonder if she could do this. It's bad enough that they are wearing uniforms in the winter. Arianna wanted to go back to Michigan to be able to wear normal winter clothes to school and have her friends back.

"Arianna, are you okay?" Kassidy asked.

"No, I don't want to be here. I am so nervous, I am shaking, and I think I am starting to have anxiety over being in a new school." Arianna replied with her voice cracking.

Arianna watched as Kassidy came over and hugged her, also running her hands through Arianna's hair to calm her down. Arianna couldn't believe that they were touching let alone be a help to one another.

"It'll be okay, I am right here with you. I will be with you throughout the day." Kassidy whispered.

Arianna took a deep breath as both girls released the hug then finished getting ready for school. Grabbing her backpack following Kassidy downstairs seeing that Lisa is up and having coffee.

"I was hoping they would close the private ones since they have closed all public in the area." Lisa said while sipping coffee.

"Mrs. Kirkland, I have lived in the state long enough to know that no matter how bad the storms get, we are to go and we are usually stuck in our dorms since classes will be shut down. We are only walking to the school and I will make sure we both make it safely. Arianna can call home once she reaches the dorm." Kassidy explained to reassure Lisa.

Kassidy pulled Arianna's hand to head outside.

"Did you grab your duffle bag full of clothes and personal products? Because we won't be coming home for about another week or two for Thanksgiving. It is important you have everything that is needed for your dorm." Kassidy asked Arianna as the wind blew through the chilled air.

"Shit! No, I was so exhausted from bringing everything inside that I didn't pack anything for the dorm and I need my art kits too, not unless the school provides for it? I have special pencils and such." Arianna replied with a rush of words spewing out in a panic.

"Go back in and grab everything and anything you need including your art kits, I am the same way which is why mine is always in my backpack all the time. Luckily, we aren't running too far behind, we will make it and they don't lock the doors until 9am once all students arrive. They will also be running attendance in the hallways." Kassidy explained then watched Arianna head inside once more.

Kassidy wanted to start walking but decided to wait on Arianna just to be on the safe side. Just as Kassidy was about to sit down, she heard Arianna rush down the stairs, into the kitchen to give her mom possibly a hug, and then she came through the door with a smile. That is when they walked in silent towards the school with no idea what to speak of besides maybe their creativity of art.

"What do you draw?" Kassidy asked.

"Oh, mostly friends from my home or someone that I am close with. My mom doesn't know this but I did have a girlfriend back in Michigan." Arianna replied without missing a beat. "I do miss her, I had to end it with her because of the divorce."

As they continued walking towards the school, Arianna saw how beautiful the snow looked on each path that they took and wished that she became a photographer instead but loved being an artist for drawing her own people and imaginary friends. She was hoping this school offers her a way to earn a goal for heading into college by next year to go into a more advanced art class. She wanted to ask Kassidy but didn't want to be asking too many questions.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Arriving on the campus to see this massive brick building and confused where the dorms would be but then she noticed next door is the actual school building that is much bigger than the dorms. Arianna couldn't understand why it was set up that way. She thought they would be together like most schools that are like colleges. She could only shake her head and hope for the best that is yet to come.