Marty walked through the doorway with his head down and eyes on the floor, his hands shoved in his pockets.  Jess watched him turn and walk towards the back of the room, willing him to look up and see her, but he didn't.  The dark haired girl caught her eye as he walked past, perhaps thinking Jess was looking at her, and gave her a small smile.  Jess smiled back and then faced forward, trying to decide what to do.  She had an overwhelming urge to turn around.  She wanted to see him, and she wanted him to see her, to know she was there.  She wondered if now that he was seated, he'd spotted her.

A man in a black suit walked in and peered around the room, giving stern looks at the students who were talking loudly until they quieted before sitting at the desk.  Then a crackling noise came from a round speaker set in the wall next to the clock and after some fumbling, Principal Petersen's voice began welcoming the students to another school year. 

While he read through a list of announcements about different sports and clubs, Jess turned her head as far as she could without moving her body, trying to find Marty, but she only saw other students who were all staring at her curiously.  Facing forward, she could feel her face flush.  

The secretary she'd seen in the office walked in the classroom and handed the teacher papers, saying, "New class lists, Mr. Miller."

"Oh?" he said, squinting back and forth between two sheets she'd handed him.

"We had a late enrollee."

"Oh, alright," he said, laying them on the desk.

When Principal Petersen finally finished, the teacher cleared his throat and everyone looked at him expectantly. 

"I'm Mr. Miller, your homeroom teacher," he said loudly.  "Some of you may also have me for social studies.  As I read your names, please answer."

Jess smiled as she realized that if Marty didn't know they were in the same homeroom yet, he would when her name was read.

"Sharon Allen."

"Here," said the dark haired girl sitting next to her.  Jess looked over and they smiled at each other.

"Robert Baker."

"Here," said a boy in the front row.

"Jessica – Blackwell?" Mr. Miller said hesitantly, looking up with surprise.  It had been quiet in the room already, but it suddenly seemed much quieter, as if everyone had stopped breathing.

"Here," Jess said, raising her hand slightly, and then let it drop as every single student except Janet turned to stare at her.  Even Sharon scrutinized her, looking confused, and Jess gave her a reassuring smile. 

"I wasn't aware there was more than one Blackwell attending this school," Mr. Miller said levelly, getting her attention.  "Are you related to Doug Blackwell?"

"Yes, sir.  He's my cousin," Jess replied, and there was a tightening in his expression.

"I see," he said quietly.  His eyes dropped down to the other class list lying on his desk before he focused on the one in his hand and Jess felt a sinking feeling in her stomach.  She now knew she was in his social studies class, and he wasn't happy about it. 

"Louise Brooks," he continued. 

Jess turned to Sharon, hoping to connect with someone sympathetic, but Sharon faced straight ahead with her mouth set in a firm line, refusing to look at her. 

"Martin Cappellini."

"Here." 

Jess's heart skipped a beat, hearing Marty's familiar voice behind her.  Martin Cappellini. He's Italian, she thought, and smiled to herself.  She'd never known that about him.  She repeated his name, rolling it over in her mind while the teacher read through the rest of the class list.  By time he'd said, "Janet White," Janet barely got out her 'here' before the bell rang.  Jess stood and turned to the back of the room, hoping to see Marty. 

"Come on, Jess.  We've got English next," Janet said.  All the students had risen by now and Jess was too short to see over the ones in front of her.  Feeling disappointed, she followed Janet out of the room. 

After a quick look at the class schedule on her index card, Janet set off down the hallway to find their next classroom.  When they entered, a short middle aged woman in a dark blue dress was writing on the black board.  Jess followed Janet to a seat in the middle of the room again.  This time, she kept her eyes glued on the doorway, hoping to see Marty, but when the bell rang and the teacher closed the door, she knew he wasn't in this class with her.

"Quiet everyone," she commanded as she walked to the front of her desk, and the students stopped talking and faced forward.  "I'm Mrs. Landers and this is English I.  We'll start with attendance and then I'll discuss my expectations for this class."  She picked up a sheet of paper and adjusted her reading glasses.

"Sharon Allen."

"Here."  Jess didn't bother turning to find her.

"Jessica – Jessica Blackwell?"  Jess's heart sank seeing the shocked look in Mrs. Landers's eyes.

"Here," she said, while a good number of students turned to stare at her.  The ones who'd been in her homeroom didn't bother.

"Are you one of the Blackwell's of Blackwell Iron and Mining?" Mrs. Landers asked breathlessly.

"Yes, ma'am," Jess replied, barely able to meet the woman's eyes.  "My uncle owns the company."

"Oh," she said, nearly staggering back against her desk as if she needed help standing.  She focused on the sheet of paper, her hand trembling slightly and then cleared her throat before she continued reading names. 

Seeing her so rattled, Jess wondered if she'd had a run in with Uncle Jonathon while Doug was in her class.  Did all the teachers in the school hate him or fear him?  She concentrated on her clasped hands on her desk to avoid looking at the teacher, and began to wonder if staying home with a tutor would have been better after all.  She'd thought once she left home, she'd finally have some freedom, but it was clear there was no escaping her uncle's looming shadow.

When the bell rang, she felt nervous, dreading what her next teacher's reaction was going to be, but then Janet said, "Social studies is next," and relief washed through her.  At least Mr. Miller already knew she was in his class.  Picking up her textbook and a battered copy of Romeo and Juliet, she walked with Janet back to their homeroom. 

Once they sat in the same seats they'd sat in before, she watched the door with hope, and then she slumped with relief.  He was there.  This time Marty's brown eyes came up and held hers for a breathless moment before he turned and headed to the back of the room.  She watched him for as long as she dared without being obvious.  He'd washed his battered jeans, but they still showed smudges of grime.  She'd never seen his striped t-shirt before.  It was too big on him, but at least it wasn't as tattered as the ones he'd worn over the summer.

As soon as the bell rang, Mr. Miller began taking attendance.  Jess's name was the first one and she was grateful to be spared any reaction.  Nor by did any of the students look at her.  Word seemed to have reached everyone that Doug's cousin was now attending school with them.  Then he said Marty's name and Jess smiled, hearing his familiar voice again.  It seemed class was over far too quickly.  When she stood, she tried to find Marty in the back of the room, but wasn't quick enough to beat the taller students who stood between them. 

"Come on, Jess," Janet said.  "We've got to find Patty so she can take you to P.E."

"Okay," Jess said dispiritedly, following her out.

They located her almost right away and the two of them walked down another hallway to the gymnasium.  Sitting on the bleachers with twenty other girls, she waited nervously while the teacher stood in front of them holding a clipboard.  She was tall and athletic looking, dressed in a no nonsense skirt, top, and white tennis shoes.  Next to her, was an open canvas bin on wheels.  

As soon as the bell rang, she ordered, "Quiet ladies," in a loud rich voice that echoed through the gym.  Once the girls had settled down, she said, "I'm Miss Gillis.  Welcome to your physical education class."  Jess sat up straighter with excitement, hearing the woman's accent.  "You'll be learning about how to stay healthy in this class, not just through physical exercise, but you'll also learn about healthy eating and how to take care of your bodies."  She was from the East Coast, Jess was sure of it.  Possibly New Jersey, or even New York City. 

"While you're in this class, you'll be wearing these," she said reaching into the bin and pulling out a white button down shirt.  After holding it up, she reached in and pulled out a pair of white cotton shorts.  When she held them up, the girls groaned loudly.  They were hideous, looking like old fashioned bloomers.

"Do we really have to wear those?" Patty whined next to Jess.

"Yes, you do," Miss Gillis replied sternly, and lifted her clipboard.  "Now please be quiet while I read your names." 

"I hope no boys see us," Patty muttered under her breath.  Jess was thinking the exact same thing, and then she heard her name being called. 

"Here," she said, studying Miss Gillis's reaction.  So far, she seemed merely surprised.

"Are you related to –?"

"Doug Blackwell is my cousin," Jess said quickly, wanting to get it over with.

"That's wonderful!" the teacher exclaimed excitedly, and Jess immediately felt better.  Finally, she had a teacher that wasn't unhappy to have her.  "Are you planning on playing any sports?"

"I'm – not sure," Jess replied, surprised by the question.  She was so much smaller than the other girls, she didn't understand why the teacher would want her.  She'd be terrible at just about anything.

"Doug is such a good athlete!" Miss Gillis gushed.  "No matter what he plays – and his father is a terrific supporter.  Whenever the team needs something, he makes sure they have it."  Jess felt her face flush while the teacher looked at her eagerly.

"I haven't decided yet."

"I hope you'll consider it.  We'd love to have you!" she insisted with a wide smile.

"Yes, ma'am," Jess replied quietly, slumping in her seat when the teacher resumed calling out names. 

Once attendance was finished, Miss Gillis had the girls paw through the bin to choose their uniforms.  Jess let the other girls fight over the clothes and when someone cast off something as too small, she took it in the hopes it would be small enough for her. By the end of the class she had a too large gym outfit and a headache. 

More than grateful it was lunch time, she followed Patty to a smaller gym that had been set up as a lunchroom.  They found Janet at one of long tables and were soon joined by other girls, all friends of Janet and Patty.  Janet introduced her to everyone, but there were too many of them to bother remembering names.  Hoping her headache would go away soon, she pulled out her sandwich and unwrapped the wax paper while girls chatted around her. 

Just as she was about to take a bite out of it, she saw Marty.  Watching him walk along the outside wall under a line of high multi-paned windows, she wished more than anything she could ditch the girls and follow him.  After the rocky first half of the day, she just wanted to sit somewhere quiet and be alone with him.  Then she realized his hands were in his pockets.  Where was his paper sack, she wondered suddenly.  Did he not have a lunch today?

"Jess, why are you looking at that boy?" Patty asked loudly.

"What boy?" Janet asked, looking over just as Marty pushed open a door and left the building.  "Eww.  No, Jess," she said, turning to her.  "Stay away from him.  There's something wrong with him."

"What do you mean there's something wrong with him?" Jess asked loudly, barely able to hide her anger.

"For one thing, he doesn't bathe," Patty said offhandedly.  "And he doesn't talk."

"He does too!" Jess snapped.  Then she noticed all the girls at the table were staring at her, and she knew she'd made a mistake.

"When did you hear him talk?" Janet asked, not realizing Jess had replied to both.

"Uh, when the teacher took attendance," Jess said casually, hoping to contain the damage.  Patty snorted.

"And that's all you'll hear him say.  He's not even supposed to be in our grade.  They made him repeat second grade."

"He's bad news, Jess," interrupted another girl, Cheryl, or maybe Carol, Jess couldn't remember.  "He's dangerous."  Just as Jess opened her mouth to tell her to stop saying such terrible things about Marty, Janet spoke up. 

"He gets in fights all the time.  Last year he beat up Bobby Baker so bad he had to get stitches."  Jess closed her mouth, taken aback.  Had Marty really hurt someone that badly?

"That's right," Patty added solemnly.  "He got kicked out of school three weeks early for that."

"I say Bobby had it coming to him," muttered a girl with red curls.  Was she the one named Louise?  Jess remembered her from a few of her classes. 

"What?" the other girls chorused with shock.

"How can you say that?" Patty demanded.

"Because I saw the whole thing," the girl replied, lifting her chin defiantly.  "Bobby had been shooting spit balls at him all through Mr. Granger's class.  You know Mr. Granger always made that boy, Marty sit in the front row.  Anyway, when class was over, Marty told Bobby not to do it again, and Bobby said, 'Why don't you make me,' and then he called him a bad word that I can't repeat."  She blushed heavily at the memory, and Jess fought the urge to go over and hug her for coming to Marty's defense.

"That still doesn't make it okay, Louise," another girl said cattily.  Louise shrugged her shoulders angrily without replying and picked up her sandwich. 

"Let's not talk about that anymore," Patty said, turning to Jess with a smile.  "Tell us what it's like living with Doug."

"It's okay – I guess," Jess said with bewilderment.

"Only okay!" Patty exclaimed.  "Are you kidding?  Just look at him!" she demanded, turning in her seat, and all of them looked with her.

Doug was seated across the room, surrounded by older teens who were crowded at the table.  The ones who couldn't fit were sitting on the bench seat of the next table, facing him.  Donna was seated next to him, looking at him adoringly as he talked animatedly, using a lot of hand gestures.  Whatever he was saying must have been funny, because there were gales of laughter every so often. 

"I can't believe living with him could ever be just okay," sighed the Cheryl-Carol girl, and Jess looked at her with shock.

"Doug's a nice guy, and everything, but he's my cousin, you know?" she said loudly.  Some of the girls looked at her as if she'd just grown a second head.

"I wish he was my cousin," moaned Patty, still watching Doug.

"Me too," echoed several other girls.

Jess met Louise's eyes across the table.  She shook her head then rolled her eyes dramatically, making Jess laugh.

"What?" Patty asked.

"Nothing," Jess said, hiding a smile while she pretended to be busy looking for cookies in her paper sack.

"Oh, no!  Look at Chuck!" someone said, and Jess looked up sharply. 

Thank goodness he was nowhere near them, but he looked terrible as he walked slightly stooped, his face puffy and bruised with medical tape crisscrossed across his swollen nose.  He went to a table that was already occupied by three freshman boys.  Looming over them, he snarled something and they quickly gathered their things and vacated the table, leaving it for him to sit at alone.  Seeing him again made Jess sick to her stomach, and she turned around, grateful she was already sitting with her back to him.

"Is it true Doug punched him because he tried to make out with you?"  Jess looked at the girl who'd asked the question with horror as a hush fell over the table. 

How did she know that?  She quickly studied the other girls at the table, and from the looks in their eyes, she knew they'd all heard something about what happened.  While her face flamed with embarrassment and shame, she desperately tried to think what she should do.  She didn't want to talk about happened, but she had no idea what else she could say.

"Leave her alone about it!" Janet snapped angrily, and much to Jess's relief, everyone turned their attention to her.  "Chuck's always been a stupid jerk.  He needed someone to knock some sense into him."

At that moment, a group of freshman boys passed the table, making the girls forget all about the conversation.  They immediately huddled together and began debating which one was the most handsome.

"Thanks," Jess whispered gratefully to Janet.

"It's okay," she said quietly just as the bell rang.  With a sigh, Jess gathered her trash, and then stood with her textbooks and gym uniform, wondering what awaited her now. 

The next class was science with both girls, but no Marty.  Jess waited with dread while the teacher, Mr. Schaffer, took attendance.  When he read her name and she answered, 'here', he glanced at her before he went on to the next student, and she breathed a sigh of relief.  Perhaps the teachers, like the students, now knew she was in the school.  Once attendance was over, he passed out textbooks.

"While you are in my class, there will be no monkey business!" he barked commandingly.  "At times, we will be doing dangerous experiments, working with open flames, handling deadly chemicals.  I expect you to follow the rules and carry out my instructions to - the - letter!  All assignments will be completed and turned in on time!  There will be no exceptions!  I don't care who your parents are!" 

Hearing the stern tone in his voice when he said the last part, Jess looked up to see him glaring at her and she quickly dropped her eyes.  With her stomach twisting in knots, Jess kept her head down while he continued with his lecture on safety rules during the rest of the class, not wanting to know if any more of his offhand comments were directed at her.  When the bell rang, she quickly gathered her things and jumped out of her seat, not wanting to be in there a moment longer.

Patty took her to their math class, and when she walked in the room, she saw Marty seated at the back of the room.  Their eyes met briefly before he leaned over his desk and opened a book, pretending to read.  She wanted to go sit next to him, but it wasn't an option with Patty there.  Reluctantly choosing a desk next to her, she faced forward and studied the older male teacher, wondering what she could expect from him.  Would any of her teachers ever see her as herself and not the niece of Jonathon Blackwell?

Much to her surprise and relief, Mr. Taylor didn't react in any way to her name, nor did he make stern comments about making no exceptions.  In fact, he seemed like a quiet, mild mannered man, and Jess relaxed.  She felt hopeful about this class.  She'd always loved math.  And Marty was here.  That meant they'd get to do math homework together. 

This time when the bell rang, she took her time gathering her growing number of textbooks, hoping to time her exit so she could walk out with Marty.  As soon as he passed her, she stood and followed him. 

"Miss Blackwell," Mr. Taylor called out, and she reluctantly turned back, letting Marty go.

"Yes, sir?" she said when she reached his desk.

"If you need any help with your assignments, you'll come to me, won't you?"  She was dismayed by the concern in his eyes. 

"Mr. Taylor, you don't need to worr –."

"If you don't understand something, I'll explain it to you.  I'll take all the time you need," he insisted anxiously.

"Yes, sir.  I will," Jess replied, realizing he wasn't going to listen.

"Alright," he said with relief.  "You'd better go.  I don't want to make you late."

"Yes, sir," she said dispiritedly.  Both girls were waiting for her in the hall.  Jess looked around, but Marty was long gone.

"Home ec. is next," chirped Janet happily. 

"Hello, easy A," Patty laughed.  Jess didn't say anything and fell in step behind them.  It was the last class, she told herself.  The day was almost over.

Sitting at a table with Patty and Janet in a large room, surrounded by kitchen stations, Jess waited while the petite Mrs. O'Brien started attendance. 

After she'd called Jess's name, she smiled.  "It's nice to have you in the class," she said.  Jess was afraid she would say more, but she continued to the next name.

Even though it was one of the more mild responses Jess had gotten so far, it still made her uncomfortable to be singled out.  She looked around at the other girls, wishing she could be just an ordinary kid like they were.  When the final bell rang, Jess stood from her table, grateful the day was over.  It felt like her first day of school had lasted an entire week. 

Walking down the hallway behind Janet and Patty, she made a decision.

"Janet," she said, placing her hand on the girl's arm to stop her.  "I'll take my schedule back.  I know my way around now."

"Oh, okay," she replied with surprise, then retrieved the index card from inside one of her textbooks.  "But you know if you need any help –."

"Yeah, I know," Jess said, taking it from her.  "Thanks," she said to both of them and walked away, instantly feeling free.  She wasn't going to rely on them anymore.  From now on, she'd figure things out on her own.

When she stepped out into the afternoon sunlight, she saw the big black car parked at the curb and the incredibly welcome sight of Annie standing next to it.  Resisting the urge to run, she walked quickly, taking her in with astonishment.  As soon as she was close enough, she exclaimed, "Annie, you look beautiful!"

"Why, thank you, pumpkin," she said, beaming at the compliment.  "I guess you've never seen me in my normal clothes." 

Jess couldn't believe the transformation.  Instead of wearing her usual plain black maid's uniform, she was wearing a fitted forest green suit, the color bringing out the green in her hazel eyes.  Her hair had been swept up in a French twist and a matching hat was pinned on her head.  She was even wearing lipstick.  She looked so smart, Jess could easily imagine her walking down a Manhattan street.

"Have a good day?" Annie asked with a big smile.

"Yes," Jess lied, and gave her tight one armed hug while holding her many textbooks and gym uniform in her other arm.

 "Good!  Are you hungry for a snack?  We can go to a diner and then go shopping after that."

"Yes, ma'am!"

When they climbed in the back seat, Jess gratefully threw down her things and Annie immediately picked up the two piece gym uniform.

"Oh, my goodness!  Are they still using these?" she exclaimed, holding them up and examining them with disgust.  "I wore these same ones when I went to that school.  My mother had a terrible time keeping them white.  I suppose I'll have to ask her what she did.  I hope she still remembers," she added with a sigh.

"They're too big for me," Jess grumbled.

"Don't you worry about that, pumpkin," she said with a smile and patting her hand reassuringly.  "A few tucks here and there and they'll look like they were made for you."

Later when they got home with their purchases, she and Annie put away her new clothes and after Annie left to get dinner on the table, Jess stood in front of her open wardrobe.  Seeing her circle skirts, sweater sets, and new dresses on hangers made her feel better.  Even though the day had been rough, the worst was over and now they could get on with learning.  She'd always done well in school and hopefully all her teachers would see that.  In time, they'd get to know her for who she was rather than as Jonathon Blackwell's niece, she was sure of it. 

At dinner that night, while Uncle Jonathon was filling Doug's plate, he asked, "How was your first day of school?"

"It was fine," Doug said casually.

"And how about Jessica.  How did she do?" he asked, holding his hand out for her plate.

After she'd handed it over, she looked at Doug.  What was he going to say?  Except for first thing in the morning, he hadn't seen her at all.

"She did well," he said easily.  "She's already made some friends even."

What? Jess thought desperately.

"Oh?" Uncle Jonathon said sharply, giving her a stern look.  "Who are they?" he demanded.  She glanced at Doug and he gave her slight nod, encouraging her.

"Uh, well, Janet White," she said.

"Jeff's little sister," Doug added.

"And, uh, Patty Melleville."

"She's Jerry Melleville's little sister," Doug offered.

"The mayor's daughter," Uncle Jonathon said, sounding impressed as he eyed her appraisingly.  "You've done well.  I hope this is a sign of what I can expect from you for the rest of the year, Jessica."

"Yes, sir," she said quietly, as he handed her plate back to her.

Much to her relief, the conversation turned to the mining business. While she ate, she thought about tomorrow, and smiled.  She'd get to see Marty, not just at school, but afterwards at the cabin.  She couldn't wait to hang out with him and just relax. 

****

Whew!  This was a complicated chapter!  I don't think I've ever introduced so many characters at one time before.  I really hope all of you enjoyed reading about Jess's first day at school.  It wasn't exactly the kind of day she was expecting.  What do you make of her teacher's reactions?  You got some more insight into what Marty's experiences have been.  What do you think will happen as the year continues?  And he's Italian!  I'm dying to know what you think about all of it!

Thank you so much for reading!  If you liked this chapter, please consider giving it a vote!  The video is School Day by Chuck Berry.  I sometimes forget that before MTV, American Idol, and all the changes modern media has brought to music, that older adults made music that was loved by teens, and no one thought it was weird.

Dedicated to my Italian friend, evil_girl18, in honor of Marty's heritage.