Same Old Sky | Chapter Three

I sat through the Creative Writing class while Mrs. Etheridge copied down the homework assignment.

"Today's Assignment.." she spoke as she wrote it on the board. "Is to write a two to three paragraph essay about yourself or a friend"

Amanda could probably manage seven or eight paragraphs .. at least, about herself.

I scribbled the assignment into my special ENDURE notebook and shoved it into my backpack, slid the pen through my hair, stood up, and left.

Trisha and Ali came up behind me, and Trisha directed me towards the secretary's office.

We were desperately hoping that I'd be rooming with them, because Amanda was moving out to room with her new best friend .. who would be getting a four person room all to themselves.

The three of us walked into Ms. Alice Trunavat's office.

"Excuse me, my name is Samantha Caroline May Finch and I was wondering if you could tell me where I'll be rooming?" I said with as much non-excitment as I could muster. I had just noticed that today was friday, and all classes were over.

Ali, Trisha and I crossed our fingers.

"You'll be taking Amanda Etheridge's old place in room 17. You'll be rooming with Rebecca Alison Anderson and Trisha Lori Hawlin. She studied the computer screen and then looked at me, Ali, and Trisha, who were happy absolutely beyond measure.

"Yes, the same Alison and Trisha who you are standing with. Congratulations, girls, I hope you become wonderful friends." She said, unable to hide her own satisfaction. She pulled open her top right drawer and gave us each a Yorkie.

"Have a nice friday, Samantha Caroline" she said as she handed me my yorkie.

"Um.. Just call me Sam" I said. Accepting the candy.

"All right, Sam! Have a nice .. Friday .." she trailed off and I could've sworn that she noticed my ears. I smiled again and turned, grabbing Ali and Trisha's arms.

Once we got to our room, I found my bag placed at the foot of the bed and flowers on my bedside table.

"Flowers?" I said doubtfully?

"Probably left over from Amanda. My advice, throw 'em out" said Ali.

I leaned out the window inbetween my and Trisha's bed and threw the flowers out. I could have sworn someone yelped like I'd hit them, but I'm not sure.

Then I turned and began unpacking the things from my bag. I pulled out a pair of jeans and a tshirt and looked sadly at them

"You know you can where whatever you want once Friday's classes are over and it's officially the weekend" said Ali, appearing behind me in cutoff shorts and a tank top.

"Thank goodness" I groaned and pulled on the jeans. I looked down at them, then changed my mind and put on some shorts (that used to be jeans ; I can't live without my jeans) then I tugged the tshirt over my head and stood in front of the mirror, braiding my hair into pigtails.

Ali and Trisha both watched me as I fixed my hair.

"Will you braid our hair like that?" Trisha asked.

"Sure" I laughed. When I was done braiding my hair, I jammed a beige newsboy cap on top of the brunette braids and turned to Ali and Trisha.

"Who's first?"

"Trisha!" giggled Ali. "I have to brush mine first."

Trisha sat down and pulled the ponytail out of her black hair.

I set to work while we chattered on about nonsense, Mrs. Etheridge, Amanda, and classes, until Trisha started to completely monopolize the conversation, telling me about the dock that we were about to go to.

Finally I finished and Ali sat down. Her hair had to be at least four inches shorter than Trisha's, and I was done a lot faster. I'm pretty sure both of us were a little worn out by Trisha's talking, so we just sat in silence while Trisha scribbled down the day's events in her diary.

Then we stood up. I snatched a soccer ball from my suitcase and shoved the bag under the bed.

"Beat you downstairs!" I said loudly, and galloped down the three sets of stairs.