A New Beginning (Second Chance #1) (7 page)

The next morning Karla and Leslie were in the kitchen when Leslie’s phone alerted her that an email came in. When she opened it she saw it was from the school. “Karla, your school schedule and supplies list just came through. Why don’t you go get ready while I print this? We’re going to have so much fun shopping.”

              Leslie was waiting by the door half an hour later when Karla walked down the stairs. “Ready to go?” She asked as Karla approached her.

              “Yes. I’m ready. Can I see my class schedule please?”

              “Sure. You can look at it in the car on the way to the mall. I’m thinking you need a whole new wardrobe for school. Then we’ll go get your school supplies. What do you think?”

              “Sounds good. I don’t know about a whole new wardrobe though. I think I only need a few new outfits. I have all of those clothes you bought me a couple of weeks ago. I haven’t worn most of those outfits but once.”

              “Nonsense.” Leslie said as she unlocked the car and they got in. “I want you to have enough clothes for the first semester, no matter what comes up. Come on Karla. Please just let me do this for you.”

              Karla sighed softly. Leslie and Andrew had done so much for her and she knew she could give Leslie this little bit in return. “Okay. We’ll get me a whole new wardrobe. Now, can I look at my schedule please? I want to see what classes I’m going to be taking.”

              Leslie handed Karla the schedule and school list. She looked at her schedule and frowned. Advanced Algebra, Advanced U.S. History, Advanced Literature and Physical Education. “Only four classes?” She asked confused.

              “Yes. You’re on what they call block scheduling. You have four classes this semester and four different classes next semester.”

              “Oh, makes sense I guess.” Karla turned and looked silently out the window. “Leslie, I’m scared. What if I don’t make any friends? What if I don’t fit in?”

              “Oh honey. I think that’s a fear all kids have going into high school. High school is a scary place and you haven’t had a stable school life since second grade. I can completely understand your fears, but I also know that you are a likeable young lady and you have a big heart. You’ll make friends.” She pulled the car into a parking spot and stopped. “Now, let’s get you some outfits that’ll help you feel more confident. I’m ready to shop.”

              Karla got out of the car and smiled at Leslie. She wanted to believe Leslie was right, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that everything was going to go horribly wrong come Monday morning.

              When they entered the clothing store Leslie immediately went to the juniors department and started pulling clothes from the racks. Karla rolled her eyes at Leslie’s enthusiasm before she walked over to her and started looking through the racks and tables of shirts; this is going to be a long day, she thought to herself.

****

Sunday night, after Karla had showered and was in bed, she lay awake and thought about what would happen the next morning. She knew Leslie was going to take her to school, she also knew Leslie wanted to walk her in. What she wasn’t sure of was her feelings about that. She had grown to love Leslie and Andrew, but she didn’t trust all of this happiness to last.

She had another Skype conversation set up for tomorrow afternoon with Manuel and Kiara and she hoped it went as well as the first one. She’d have a lot to tell them about school tomorrow and she was anxious to see their faces again.

As she fell asleep she pictured Manuel’s and Kiara’s faces and wondered what their father looked like.

              When Karla’s alarm clock sounded the next morning she laid in bed for a few minutes and remembered the dream she’d had. She was walking along a beach with Kiara and Manuel. It was a bright, sunny day and they were just walking and talking, like they’d been together forever.

              Karla sighed and rolled out of bed. She took a quick shower then walked to her closet to choose an outfit for her first day of high school. When someone knocked on her door she knew it was Leslie so she said, “Come in Leslie. I need your help picking out something to wear.”

              Leslie walked in with a smile on her face and went straight to the closet. She pulled out a black and pink tunic and black capris with pink vertical pencil stripes. Then she went to the shoe rack and took out a pair of black sandals. “When you picked this out the other day I thought it’d be perfect for the first day. I hope you agree.”

              “I do agree. Thank you, it’s perfect.”

              “Go get dressed then come down to breakfast. Andrew and I have a surprise for you.”

              “Okay. I’ll be right down.” Karla said as she walked into the bathroom attached to her bedroom and closed the door.

              After she was dressed she brushed her waist-length hair and braided it before heading downstairs. When she walked into the kitchen there was a stack of pancakes and a plate of bacon on the table. She smiled and sat down in her chair at the table as Leslie sat a glass of milk beside her plate.

              As they started eating Leslie looked at Karla. “Karla, I’m going to be taking you to school today, but tomorrow, if you want, you can ride the school bus.”

              “That’s awesome. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!”

              “You’re welcome.” Leslie responded with a huge smile. “We have something else for you.”

              Andrew walked over to her and placed a cell phone in front of her. “I went yesterday and added you to our plan. You have unlimited talk and text. Now you do have limited data, but as long as you keep it connected to the Wi-Fi here when you’re home there shouldn’t be a problem. We wanted you to have a way to immediately contact us if you needed us, but we also wanted you to be able to communicate with your brother and sister, and the friends you’ll make today. I went with an iPhone, like mine and Leslie’s, because we both know how to use them and can show you. Finish your breakfast and I’ll show you how it works.”

              “You two are the best. Thank you so much for everything.” Karla said and started eating vigorously.

              After they’d finished breakfast Andrew sat at the bar with Karla and showed her how to work her phone as Leslie loaded the dishwasher. Karla figured out the phone really fast and headed upstairs. Once upstairs she sent an email with her new phone number to Manuel then she brushed her teeth and grabbed her stuff for school. By the time she came back down Leslie was ready to go. She walked out the front door with a smile on her face.

              When they pulled in at the school Leslie joined the line of parents dropping their kids off. A smile lit up Karla’s face as she looked at Leslie. “Thank you.”

              “You’re welcome honey. I decided that you can handle this on your own and that if you needed my help you would have asked for it. Have a great day and call me or Andrew if you need us.”

              “I will. I promise.” She answered with a smile as Leslie stopped in front of the school. Karla leaned over and kissed Leslie’s cheek before she got out of the car and walked into the building.

              Karla was slightly overwhelmed by the sheer size of the school as she walked around to find her first class. She spotted Mrs. Wright standing in the hall and asked her for help finding her class. When Mrs. Wright directed her in the right direction she quickly found her classroom. She paused at the door then walked in with an air of confidence that she did not feel and sat down in an empty desk in the middle of the room.

              The girl at the desk on her left looked at her and smiled. “Hi. I’m Rylee McNabb. What’s your name?”

              She looked at the girl for a second, taking in her straight red hair, aqua colored eyes and small build, before she answered. “My name’s Karla Hall.” Before she could say anything else the older woman she’d seen at registration walked in and shut the classroom door.

              “Good morning freshmen and welcome to Advanced Algebra 1. My name is Mrs. Dobbs. This is going to be a great year.”

Karla looked back at Rylee, who rolled her eyes and pulled out a note book and a pencil. Karla did the same as Mrs. Dobbs started writing math problems on the white board. This was going to be a great year Karla thought to herself.

When the bell rang signaling class was over Karla gathered her stuff. Rylee looked at her and asked, “So what’s your next class?”

              “Advanced U.S. History. What’s yours?”

              “The same. Want to walk together? My friends Callie and Conner are in there with us too. They’re twins and I’ve known them since second grade. They’re cool. Awesome outfit by the way. I love pink, but I can’t wear it because of my red hair. You, however, look awesome in pink.”

              “Thanks. I have a green shirt just like this at home that I bet would look awesome on you.” Karla liked Rylee, but was nervous about meeting her friends. “What’s the rest of your schedule like?”

              “I would love to look through your closet sometime.” Rylee said with a smile. “I have Advanced Lit and P.E. for my last two classes. What about you?”

              “Looks like we’re in all our classes together. That’s awesome. What about your friends? Do you know what they have?”

              “I don’t know, but there they are; why don’t you ask them?”

              Karla was a little nervous, but hid it well as she approached them. She looked up and met a pair of the bluest eyes she’d ever seen.

              “Callie, Conner, this is Karla Hall. Karla, this is Callie and Conner Newberry.”

              Karla looked from Callie to Conner and noticed the strong similarities between their faces. They wore matching smiles and both had a mischievous sparkle in their deep, sapphire colored eyes.

              “Hello Karla. You must be new to the area because we know all of the smart kids.” Callie said with a smile.

              “I just moved here a couple of months ago. Who’d you know I was one of the smart kids?”

              “Well,” Conner started. “If you are in this class you have to be one of the smart kids. No one would survive advanced classes if they weren’t smart.”

              “Good point.” Karla said with a shy smile. “Rylee said you have all known each other since second grade.”

              As they walked into the classroom and claimed four seats together Callie answered. “We have. Conner and I moved here from Atlanta when our dad was transferred. He’s a doctor and took a position as a chief resident here in Nashville. Since then we’ve been Tennesseans.”

              “I..umm..moved around a lot with my mom. Since moving here I’ve found where I’m meant to be so I guess I’m a Tennessean now too.” Karla reached into her backpack and took out a notebook and pencil as the bell rang, signaling the start of class and the end of conversation.

              Mr. Hobbs, the History teacher talked for the entire ninety minutes. Karla took so many notes her hand was cramping by the end of class. As the dismissal bell rang Karla stuffed her notebook into her backpack and headed to the cafeteria with Rylee, Callie and Conner. She hoped there wouldn’t be any awkward questions during lunch.

              Karla was relieved when the conversation turned to classes during lunch. Callie and Conner had Lit and P.E. with her and Rylee. Karla caught herself staring at Conner a lot and was slightly uneasy with this. She’d never felt as drawn to someone as she was him.

              “Karla? Are you with us?” She heard Rylee ask and she looked up.

              “Yeah, sorry. I’m here. What’s up?”

              “I asked if you all wanted to get together tomorrow night to work on the History project that’s due next week. He did say we could work in groups of four.”

              “Oh, yeah. I’ll have to make sure it’s okay, but it shouldn’t be a problem. Where would you all want to meet?”

              “Whose parents will be okay with us getting together at their house?” Rylee asked.

              “Our parents should be okay with it. I’ll call them really quick.” Conner responded. Karla knew Andrew and Leslie would be okay with it, and as much as she’d grown to love them, she just wasn’t ready to share her story with her new found friends.

              While she was lost in thought Conner ended his call. “No go ladies. Mom and Dad are having a dinner party at the house for Kelsey and her fiancé, Jason. Karla, Kelsey is our older sister and she just recently got engaged. We aren’t expected to be there so if anyone else’s parents are cool with it we can go there.”

              “I’ll call my mom. She may be able to let us study there.”

              As Rylee called her mom Karla sent Leslie a text explaining to her what was going on. When Rylee hung up Karla’s phone signaled her answer coming in. When she checked it Leslie had said that they could all meet there to study. Karla took a deep breath as Rylee looked up at them. “Mom said no because she has clients coming for dinner tomorrow night. Karla, any ideas?”

              “Yeah. We can meet at my house. I do need to tell all of you something first though.”

              “Hold that thought Karla. It’s time for Lit class. You all ready?” Rylee asked just as the lunch bell rang.

              “Yep” Callie responded with a smile.

              “Not really, but it may be fun with Karla there.” Conner said with a wink and a smile.

              “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” Karla answered with a nervous laugh. As they walked out of the cafeteria Karla wondered if Conner was being serious or just joking around.

              When they got to class Karla claimed a desk in the middle of the room and Conner sat at the desk beside her. Rylee took the desk in front of her, turned as she sat down and cast a knowing smile at her before turning back around and taking a notebook and pencil out.

              Karla couldn’t ask her about the look because the teacher, Mrs. Owens, walked in and class began. By the end of class Karla had forgotten about the look. The first book they were reading was one of her favorites,
Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen.

              The rest of the day was uneventful and passed quietly. When the final bell rang Karla said bye to Rylee, Callie and Conner and headed to Leslie’s car. She’d had a great first day of high school.