Adopted

Chapter 37

On our way out of class at the bell, Mr. Clark asked me to stay behind for a minute. Paige said she'd wait outside for me. We'd compared schedules and she had Math next with me.

"Jessica, I've gone over your school file and your past academic record. I'm very impressed. I hope to see the same quality of work, if not better, in this class,"

"Thank you, Mr. Clark."

"I am also aware of your diagnosis and I wanted you to know that if ever you are unwell and unable to attend class just email me and I will send you the lessons you miss. If it seems it will be an extended absence, let me know and I'll make arrangements to help you either stay caught up or catch up."

"Okay. Thank you."

"I expect you'll be hearing that from all your teachers today, but just know, we mean it."

"Thank you, sir," I said.

I left the classroom and met up with Paige.

"What did he want?"

"Just to discuss my old academic records from my old school."

"Weird," Paige said.

The quiet boy, Joshua, came up to Paige and I.

"Jessica, hi. I'm Joshua. I just wanted to say, I'm adopted too. My parents aren't famous, but, yeah. They also adopted me as a baby, so, I don't know my biological parents. What class do you guys have now?" he said.

I laughed.

"Thanks, Joshua. We have Math. With..." I checked my schedule. "Mr. Berger."

"Me too. I know a shortcut," Joshua said. "My older brother went here and showed me. He's at Mulholland High."

"Lead on," I said.

The rest of the day went pretty much the same in each class. We introduced ourselves, discussed expectations and were handed our textbooks where applicable.

Paige and Joshua weren't in my music class, but Astrid was. She came and sat next to me.

"What do you play?" She asked.

"Piano. And guitar. Sort of," I said.

"Sort of?" She asked.

"Well, I just started learning it with my dad this summer and since he's still on tour, I haven't had any more lessons. Although I also tried the drums. I had a few lessons. But I suck at the drums."

Astrid laughed.

"Do you sing?" She asked.

"Not well, if you ask me. What do you play?" I asked.

"I sing and I play the trumpet and the violin," she said.

"Really?! I love the violin. I mean, the sound of the violin. I've never tried it."

"I've been playing since I was six. Are you going to try out for the school orchestra?" Astrid asked.

"I hadn't thought about it."

"You should. I mean, it's not like we'd be competing for the same seats, since we play different instruments. But I think it's be cool if you tried."

"I might," I said. "I also want to try out for the swim team and baseball."

"Me too! Well, the swim team. I'm hopeless at baseball," she laughed.

Class began and went much like the rest of the morning.

After class I had lunch. Astrid did too, and Paige and Joshua. The four of us met in the cafeteria. Joshua brought another boy with him, Kevin. The five of us got our lunches and found a table in the outside courtyard.

During lunch, we all exchanged phone numbers so we could text each other.

My day finished off with biology and PE. Kevin and Joshua were in my biology class and Astrid and Paige were both in my PE class.

When the bell rang at 2:30, the group of us headed to the front of the school. Paige and Joshua took the school bus, Astrid walked and Kevin was getting picked up by his mom.

I looked at the cars in the carpool lane looking for Pete's SUV. I didn't see it, but I wasn't worried.

"Hey! Little Urie!" I heard from the lane. I looked and saw Pete waving at me.

"That's not Sarah," Paige said.

"Obviously not," I laughed. That's Pete. Dad's friend."

"Dad's friend... you mean Pete Wentz?" Astrid said.

"Yeah. Mom's working, so Pete said he'd pick me up today. Dad can't, obviously."

"You know Pete Wentz..." Astrid said. She wasn't asking.

"I do. It's weird, right? You know how I said I was taking drum lessons?"

"Please don't tell me Andy Hurley is giving you lessons," Astrid said. "I will literally die if you tell me that."

"Oh. Don't do that. But no. Not Andy. Josh," I said.

"I can't play the drums. I certainly can't teach them," Joshua grinned.

"Not you, Josh Dun."

"For the love of god. You know Josh Dun?"

"Yeah. And Tyler. And Patrick Stump."

"I knew you were someone worth getting to know," Paige joked. "Gotta go. My bus is going to leave without me. See you guys tomorrow!!"

"Bye Paige!" I called after her.

"Little Urie! Come on!" Pete called.

"Gotta go. See you guys tomorrow?" I said.

Astrid smirked and then nodded. Joshua smiled and we went our separate ways.

I climbed into Pete's car.

"How was your first day?" He asked. "Any homework?"

"Nope. Well, Mom has a bunch of homework," I said, pulling out the booklets of forms I'd collected over the course of the day.

Pete whistled.

"Wow. That's... a lot." He laughed.

"Looks like you made some friends," Pete said as he pulled out of the school driveway.

"I think so," I smiled.

"How were the rest of the kids? Once they found out your name?"

"They were cool. I didn't hear anything mean, anyway."

"Good. Because I am willing to beat up a 12-year-old for you."

"Thanks, but I don't think that will be necessary."

We pulled into the driveway of the house and I got out of Pete's car.

"Will you be alright on your own or do you want me to stay?"

"Up to you. Mom asked me to walk the dogs so I'm gonna do that and then I guess I'll just wait until she gets home."

"I'll walk the dogs with you," Pete said.

I went into the house and was immediately attacked by the pups. I got their leashes and poop bags and Pete and I walked the dogs. He asked about my teachers and what subjects I had this term, and how this school compared to Laurel Canyon.

Once we were back home, he gave me a hug and told me to call him if I needed anything before Mom got home. I took the dogs into the house and let them out into the backyard to run around some more.

I turned on the TV and watched a few shows while I had a snack and waited for Mom to come home.