"Excited for your first day?"
"Excited for yours?"
"Hey, mine inst until next week"

"You're so old!" My mother gasps, looking me up and down as I get ready to leave.
"And that makes you...? Hm?" I stick my tounge out.
My mother pulls out her phone and starts taking pictures of me from multiple angles as I pour my cereal at the counter, reaching out and scratching the top of Scales head as she lounges on the counter top.
"What is wrong with you?" I ask, glancing to my right to see her still taking pictures of me.
She begins to fake cry and takes a step closer, "my baby is a senior."
"Uh huh, and Clyde and I are going to be late if I don't get to leave soon," I roll my eyes.
"You're so grown up," my mother takes more pictures as I turn around, jamming spoonfuls of cereal into my mouth.
"Why?" I stand there staring at her, straight faced and blinking, between bites.

"Get in!" I call to Clyde as I reach my car in the driveway.
Clyde had just walked out of his house, "coming!" He calls, beginning to fast walk.
Once we're both in and buckled I put the car in reverse and we back out of the driveway.

"First day picture," I lean over to Clyde with my camera open on my phone, taking a picture of the two of us holding up our coffee as we sit in my car in the parking lit before going in.
I send the picture to him, my mother, and my group chat with Ash, Jake, and Zack.

"Its been ages!" Rider cries as he fake collapses onto Clyde and I when we walk into the commons.
"We saw you two days ago at the café," I laugh.
"Unimportant," Rider waves a hand, "now, follow me."
Clyde and I glance to each other, raising our eyebrows and shrugging as we follow.
"I'd like to introduce you to some people," Rider says, a hint of a brittish accent starting.
I see Ashley roll her eyes as Rider begins to speak again.
"We have Dutchess' Amelia and Ashley, Duke's Parker and Max, Prince Tristan, and of course, myself, Kind Rider," Rider says.
"Of what country?" I ask, holding back laughter.
Rider hesitates, "Katellavia-"
"Great mash up of the schools name and any country from a hallmark movie," Clyde compliments.
"So what are we?" I glance to Clyde.
"Well obviously this is Prince Clyde," Rider motions to Clyde, "and you of course are-" He hesitates, "I don't know. A princess or something? You're practically his sister," Rider shrugs.
"Your lady should probably be your queen by the way," Clyde scoffs.
Rider nods, reaching out for Amelia's hand as she giggles, "of course she will be- the coronation is at lunch."
"You're phycotic," Ashley shakes her head.
"Thats what my therapist tells me every day," Rider shrugs, "I've got no idea what he means."
The group bursts out laughing, I can see Ashley's eyes sparkle, though she keeps her laughter in. Sometimes I wonder how she fits into this group, but at times like these I know she belongs here.
We talk for a few moments longer before I step away to put my violin away before the morning assembly.
Once my violin is put away I rejoin my friends in the commons and we talk until the bell rings.

"Welcome in students and staff," the Principal says with the microphone as he stands in the center of the gym, "and welcome to the 2022-2023 school year."