I leave the house sometime around 6:00. Mom left for work an hour ago. This time of year is always the busiest for the hospital. Mostly kids being stupid and trying to skateboard on the fresh ice in the morning before it melts as the sun rises. Sometimes an occasional elderly person tries to go for a morning walk and has to come in due to a sudden case of Bronchitis. Mom worked long hours and we never saw her. Sometimes she would get home around 10 or 11. 

Dad doesn't leave for patrol for another 20 minutes or so. He had offered me a ride to school. I politely refused, but I could never bring myself to tell him why. One time back in 7th grade, he drove me to school. I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. But when we pulled up to the school, my mood suddenly changed when I saw June. She was sitting in front of the school with her group of friends. They were all on their phones playing with face filters and texting their crushes when she looked up. Naturally being the leader, her groupies copied. June snickered and whispered to her friends. Her fierce glaring eyes never leave mine. When I got out of the car and Dad had disappeared down the road, June yelled loud so everyone on the school lawn would hear.

“Look! The quiet girl got arrested! For what? Did you whisper someone to death?̈” The front lawn exploded with laughter. I turned red and quickly walked into the building to my first class. From then on I could never figure out what I had done something to upset her. Just like everyone else, I avoided her at all costs. She was only popular because of her ex best friend, Kayla. 

Kayla was the most liked girl in the school. She was really kind to every soul she met. Her friendly smile and beautiful long brunette hair made everyone fall in love with her. All of the kids in school wanted to be her friend and she loved it. She considered most, if not all, of the people in our school her friend. Kayla never wanted to be popular, just friendly. Her positive atmosphere made her the most popular girl in middle school. When she met June, she didn't care that she wasn't the nicest person. They instantly became best friends and were always together. June was suddenly also really popular. However, she continued to grow meaner and meaner by the day. This fact made Kayla uncomfortable and when she confronted June about it, June cast her aside and became the new most popular girl. People were still friends with Kayla, but she was no longer the center of attention. Everyone looked up to the mean girl and her fake friends. 

I suddenly feel my face getting hot and realize that I'm smiling like an idiot. I pull my hood over my head to hide my blushing hue. My long brown hair covers my screaming red cheeks. Quickly pushing the thought of Kayla away, I sit down at the end of the pier. The sun is hitting the bay just right. The pink and orange blend seamlessly into the dawn sky. The sleeping ships cast long shadows over the calm waters. I pull out my sketchbook and water colors and get to work, using the bay water as my base. With Haley Kiyoko playing through my headphones, I lose myself in my art. Time passes by in a blur. 

I'm listening to Girl in Red by the time my alarm goes off. I pack my stuff and head for school. My large hood covers the top portion of my face. I keep my head low as I walk through town, my hands shoved deep in my hoodie pockets. Not many people are at school yet, giving me enough time to slip into my first class undetected. I open the wide doors of the old building and brace myself for the day ahead.