Credit: www.dreamstime.com
Nicolette hopped on the old big yellow for the first time once again. She didn’t bother taking a survey for possible seats to share with someone or even look for empty ones in the middle. Just sat herself down right behind the bus driver. She placed her side-saddle book bag on the empty space beside her. Of course, in 1973 no one thought to carry a bag for their books. Just wrapped them in paper bag book covers and a bungy cord. That’s if they even bothered with books at all. From her twelve-year old perspective, the only ambition that her peers had were playing spin the bottle in someone’s basement or smoking in the bathroom between periods. In fact, she could already smell someone’s morning high at the back of the bus.
She let out a heavy sigh. A new school away from the safety and innocence of her elementary years where her teachers encouraged her intellect and her small group of friends felt free to be themselves and not follow the crowd. But when Daddy lost his job, they were forced to sell their small house and move to the local trailer park on the other side of town. Momma said it would be temporary and as soon as Daddy landed on his feet, they would buy another house back in their old neighborhood. Yet Nicolette-a girl Daddy said was born with an old soul-knew the family had a long road ahead of them. Dixsville Junior High would be her school for the next few years. A place where they said the inmates ran the asylum. Where the rough kids went. The Dixsville Dump. Not like Janesville where class sizes were smaller and teachers were respected and rules were followed.
Without warning, her brief reverie was disrupted. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her bag being moved to the floor. In its place, sat a long-haired “greaser” wearing a thin black leather jacket, dungarees and black boots. Nicolette dared herself to look him in the eye. Surprisingly, he had a tender, sweet face and a welcoming smile. “Hey there, you must be the new girl. Name’s Joey. You look like one of those smart chicks. Don’t worry, Dixsville ain’t as bad as you think. We’ve got some great teachers who look out for kids like you and me.”
Nicolette looked at him in disbelief. What was talking about? Kids like him kept the teachers in line, didn’t they? And ate kids like her for lunch. As if to clear her confusion, Joey asked her, “So what do have first period?” All of Nicolette classes were Level 1-the courses for the geeks. “Geography with Mr. Fiske,” she replied. “Hey! Me too!” he answered. “In fact, all my classes are the Level 1’s this year. My dad said if I don’t get my act together and show some ‘potential’ (he said this word in a sneering tone) I would be shipped off to military school instead. No way I am giving up this (he tugged at his jacket) for those brass monkey suits.”
“HEY! MR. JOE SMARTY PANTS! COME BACK HERE AND HANG WITH US FOR THE REST OF THE RIDE! “Oh. Looks like my boys want me. What’s your name by way?” With a quick and still shy smile she answered, “Nicolette.”
When the ride ended, she stepped off the bus first. As she walked the long portico to the roughly worn brick building, Nicolette knew it was going to be a memorable year.
Kellie took us back to junior high with this one! I know I am dating myself…
#FWF Free Write Friday: Time & Place
Building A Life Of Hope 
You had me right there with her, experiencing those memories. I enjoyed reading your story today.
Thank you very much! Adolescence has many common threads for all of us, doesn’t it?
Yes it does, no matter where in the world we experience it.
Very riveting. I tried to think of the first day, but only could think of the experience as a whole. It was such a long time ago! LOL It was a fun time though.
Glad you liked the story Heidi. Like you, I only have memories of junior high as a whole. I tried to take a bit of my own experience and have that be the anchor for the piece. And seriously, it was that long ago! My junior high went from grades 7-9 at that time.
That´s a nice ending, I liked that. And a very good story and well written I might add. Back to highschool! I´m gonna do the prompt now.
I really wanted to end it on a positive note. It was a fun write for sure!
It´s always fun to write, and the idea of Free Write Fridays by kellie I think is great.
You’re right we had similar memories, didn’t we?! I didn’t mention the bus because that was a discovery I had never known…I learned real quick that I was not allowed to sit at the front of the bus…all the English sat at the back, it was the beginning of our quiet revolution in Quebec….who knew at 12!? I could almost hear the music playing at time too:)
Funny you should mention the music! I thought it might be included in the story because we always had the local rock station tuned in on those rides. “Blinded By the Light” by ELO comes to mind!
With our transistor radios we would sing along…boy I had and still have a bad voice…hehe
I chose this prompt because I thought it would be interesting to see the similarities in the experiences. Youth, especially the time around we begin Junior High, is really a huge transition for us all, physically and emotionally. We all just tend to handle it differently. And sometimes, we find a special person who helps us deal.
I loved this story. Reminded me of a girl who took me under her wing and helped me through my first day. 🙂
Thank you!
So true what you said about the special person. I wanted the character to be the opposite of Nicolette (at least on the surface) in order to avoid the “us against them” culture that is so pervasive in middle and high schools. Plus, Joey is really different from the rest of the kids whom he sees as his peers too.
I loved writing this story! 🙂