Excitement Over… 14B

Finally, high school. Holloway High school. After years of hearing about it and it's students and the tour she had, she was finally here. High school. To learn high school things- well in her mind she was looking around like Belle in the Beast's library with complete awe but not now. Not here. Here she went to her new locker and passed other kids who were excited to see their friends and talked about their summer breaks like they hadn't seen each other in months. Well she's seen Aida and they'd talked and in fact Aida was already in school and probably looking around the lunch bar. Everyone goes to the lunch bar. Other than the fact that half the kids that walked past her were freshmen like her. There was nothing to it.

"I like your outfit."

Boom! Score one for Peggy Wade. She smiled at the girl who just gave her a compliment. "Thank you." She dumped her books in her locker and took out her phone and sent a text to Aida. Not to brag. Of course she's her mother's daughter so fashion is her thing. But being alone in the first ten minutes of high school wasn't… did it matter? It probably will. The bell rang. It didn't apparently.

"Cute skirt." A girl stopped beside her.

"Thank you." She smiled again, hiding her urge to squeal.

"Are you going to umm… Math I think. Wait, sorry, are you new too? Cause-"

"I am. And I'm heading there. We could go together." She offered. Too excited not to.

"Great cause I lost my school schedule and I was told I wouldn't get one till after my first class. Which I happen to remember the subject; but not the way there."

"It's okay. I'm Peggy." They started to walk. How amazing. Less than ten minutes in, possible new friend.

"Blake."

Classes are classes anywhere. Of course they were learning new things. Lunch came around soon and she was at the lunch bar introducing Blake to Aida and Jenny. All four sat at a table chosen by Aida talking about their arrivals in the morning. Their group conversation was interrupted when a sophomore girl stormed their table.

"Which of you is Tanner's sister?" The girl asked with eyes that needed answers?

"Tanner?" Peggy asked.

"The whole school is talking about Tanner's sister being here. Is she at this table?"

"Tanner didn't tell you?" Peggy asked, looking from Aida to Jenny and to Blake who didn't get why the other girls looked like they knew something she didn't.

"If he did, I wouldn't be looking for her."

Peggy tilted her head and shrugged. "I don't know what to tell you."

"Did you ask him?" Aida joined in the game? "I heard he's one of the hottest guys in school. Is he here?"

"Yeah he is. Of course. You know what? Never mind." She walked away.

Peggy and Aida laughed. "Why didn't you tell her?" Jenny asked. Having enjoyed the game but didn't understand the point of it.

"Let Tanner's sister remain a mystery for now. Until she reveals herself. Think Great Gatsby. When curiosity is at its peak." Aida explained.

"Unless Abby ruins it."

"Abby can't stand her, much less take the time to point her out." Aida pointed out.

"Do you all know Tanner's sister?" Blake looked from one girl to the other.

"Yeah." They all chorused with smiles.

Steph smiled at her patient, a warm assuring caring smile that did what it was supposed to do, convince the man before her that he would be alright. He nodded like she'd said the words she hadn't and was immediately helped to his feet and guided out of Steph's office by a nurse. The next patient was brought in right after. Steph looked at the time on her phone. Any minute now the children will be back home. She hoped Peggy had a day like she'd imagined she would.

Peggy's car stopped in front of the house. Tanner was a few minutes behind. She hadn't yet got out of the car when she fished out her phone and called Shane. "Do you have a minute?"

"I'm literally walking to my next class. Three days isn't until tomorrow. How was school?"

"If you're asking, does it mean you can talk?" She got out of the car

"Yeah."

"School wasn't what I thought it would be."

"Shocker."

"It was like school except I saw new faces and I made a new friend. Blake."

"Blake?"

"She." She got in the house. Hit with the aroma of lunch. Late lunch. It was almost 4pm. Instead of going to her room, she went to the living room, dumped her bag on the table and sat on the chair beside it. "She complimented on my skirt…" talking about classes that were just classes and where her locker was. Giving detailed descriptions that gave her an idea for an art work.

Tanner was back. Her lively chattering the clue he needed to know she was talking to Shane. Plus, everyone else she could call was with her in school. If they weren't, they'd be informed later in the night. Not immediately. "Shane!" Tanner called. Peggy looked over her shoulder as he dumped his bag. "Put it on speaker Pegs."

She did and kept talking. "So like everyone kept coming up to me and asking if I was Tanner Wade's sister."

"Oh that." Tanner scoffed.

"Have they never seen you before?"

"Have they ever seen you?" Tanner answered. "I just told them to go check and she wouldn't tell anyone."

"It was so weird and random and then I just went with the mystery."

"Yeah. Trip told some of the girls later that they should look for a girl with blonde hair. I'm looking forward to that. It's fun watching them."

"Clearly. What if Abby spills?"

"She won't. I told her not to. It's taken quite the dramatic turn. When you finally tell everyone who you are, you better not be underwhelming. Cause interests are piqued. Don't milk it."

"Yeah whatever." She waved her hand. "I'm establishing myself as the girl with the cute outfits. I'll make a name for myself."

"As you should."

Tanner rolled his eyes. "There are a lot of cutely outfitted girls Pegs."

"Don't tell me how to live my school life. You don't see me telling you what to do."

"I'm just giving you advice."

"Guys, I gotta go. Later."

"Wait! Wait! wait!!! Can we still talk tomorrow?""SorryPegs." He chuckled before ending the call.

"Ouch!" Tanner exclaimed dramatically, grabbed his bag and went for the kitchen. "Benny! Hungry!" He grunted.