A New Beginning

Chapter 1 - Charlotte

The alarm clock sound rang inside my head. It was 6:30 on a Friday morning. I stretched my arms out and yawned. I changed into my totally ugly school uniform. The faculty of the school said that rolled skirts weren't allowed, but I did that anyway. I didn't care about that stupid rule at the time. My friends and I thought that it would be a long-lasting fad for sure. I fixed my hair into a messy, high bun with a velvet pink scrunchie. After much hair-squeezing and redoing, I finally walked from my bathroom to the kitchen. I looked around the pantry, but I wasn't craving anything. Eggs would make a huge mess and stink up the house. Cereal was for babies. I'm pretty sure I skipped breakfast that morning.
I sat at the table and waited for Caleb, my younger brother, to come out of his room for breakfast. While I wait, I usually check all of my social media feeds (mainly SnapChat, TikTok, and Instagram) to catch up on all gossip that occurred during the night. At 6:45, Caleb finally opened his bedroom door and walked over to he kitchen. He ate some breakfast, and then he, my dad, and I walked out of the door to drop my brother and I off at school for 8:00.

I walked in the school gym feeling somewhat off. I sat down with my friends who were already sitting on the floor. I looked at Kate, my closest friend, with a slow-dragging smile. "So, Kate, what happened with you and Keith last night after the basketball game?"
Kate's face turned red like a tomato. "Uh, I uh... might've... you know... had my first kiss outside the gym. Wait, how did you find out about that?"
I shrugged. My friends and I burst into an excited scream. Kate and I were the only girls who had a "boyfriend" in the grade, but Kate and Keith were the real deal. They did almost everything together. They even said the "L-word" to each other all the time. Grant and I were cool, and we talked and all, but it just didn't seem right. He liked me and probably still likes me from afar, but I was having some "moving on" vibes. I had always wished that I had someone like Keith, someone who knows how to make a commitment with a relationship, but my type.

My friends and I went out to recess after lunch. I sat on the bench with my friends sitting around me in a circle. I watched Grant walk out with his friends. I had thought for sure that he was going to play a game, like soccer or football. Just after having that very thought, he turns over to find me and starts walking over to where I'm sitting with my friends.
"Hey guys," Grant said, looking at all of us. "Charlotte, can I talk to you for a sec.?"
I looked at Rachel and Kate, shrugged, and nodded. I stood up and walked over to Grant. Then we set off.
"What's up?" I asked, "I thought for sure that you were going to play soccer like you always do."
"I wanted to ask you something," Grant replied.
"Which is...?" I was confused. C'mon, Charlotte, think! What would your boyfriend ask you about? "Well?" I asked.
"You've always talked about going to see Frozen 2, so I was wondering if you wanted to go see that possibly tonight... if you're not busy." Grant stared at me as if he were hoping that I'd say "yes."
"Well, I don't think I'm busy, but I'll have to check with my mom as soon as I get on the bus." I answered. I didn't not want to hang out with him. He's pretty nice. I decided that if tonight goes well, then I'll go into yet another "wait and see" state of mind. If it doesn't go well, I'll end things on Monday. Easy peasy.