Only after being in school for a half an hour, I was called to the principal’s office. I wasn’t sure what I did or did not do, but I was about to find out. As I headed down the hall I stopped in front of the school’s trophy case that displayed every jock, cheerleader, and even the chess club’s trophies that had been won for our school. It wasn’t until that moment when I started to think how nice it would’ve been if I had actually won something for the school I was about to leave. I’ll be gone in a week and years from now nobody will even remember who I am.
Just as I turned the corner I see Mr. Riley, the principal, wave his hand while standing in the doorway of his office as if I didn’t know where it was. As I approached him he smiled at me and said, “Hello, Julia, please come in and take a seat,” while pointing to a chair that was across from his desk. My eyes followed him as he walked around his desk toward a tall black filing cabinet. With his back toward me he asked, “So Julia, how’s life been treating you?”
To be honest it took me a few seconds to answer him. I mean really, whose principal says, “How’s life been treating you,” to their student? Maybe he was trying to be hip. In any case, I was the less hip one. For some strange reason the words fumbled out of my mouth when I finally answered him back. I found myself staring at him, well actually his backside to be exact. Staring, not because I wondered what he wanted to talk to me about. No, I was staring because in my head I was thinking that I had never realized how cute he was, but within seconds I was telling myself,
“Gross, Julia. What’s wrong with you?”
While yelling at myself in my head, the filing cabinet drawer banged to a close which startled me and I jumped.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Julia. I didn’t mean to scare you,” Mr. Riley said with a calm tone in his voice.
“No, it’s my fault. I was in my own little world,” I said with a polite smile even though my heart was beating out of my chest.
“Well then, I’m sure you’re wondering why I called you to my office.”
“Sort of, I mean, did I do something wrong?” I asked while trying to not look guilty just in case.
Apparently he found my statement amusing. While chuckling he replied “
You
do something wrong, Julia? No, you’re one of my best students.”
I was shocked at what I had just heard. I didn’t even think he knew who I was until today. I could tell by the look on his face that he knew I was taken aback by what he had said. I was never good at hiding my expressions on my face. Anyone who knows me can read me like a book when it comes to stuff like that, especially my parents. I felt like I needed to say thank you for the compliment.
“I appreciate the kind words, Mr. Riley. It sure does mean a lot to me.”
“No need to thank me, Julia. You’re the one who deserves the recognition. It just shows me that you’re going to do something great in the world someday. You have a bright future ahead of you. I’m just sad I won’t be the one handing you you’re high school diploma in the next couple of years,” he said with a genuine look upon his face.
“Oh, so you know I’m leaving then?” I asked.
“Yes, this is why I called you to my office. Your mother called me this morning and informed me that you’ll be leaving in a week for New York. You must be excited. You’ll be going to the Big Apple. I’ve always wanted to go, but the wife doesn’t like big cities.”
“Yep, the Big Apple, lucky me,” I said with a little sarcastic tone.
“I take it you’re not thrilled to be going?”
“Can I be honest with you, Mr. Riley?”
“Sure, Julia,” he said with a sympathetic tone in his voice.
“When my parents first sprung this news on me, I wasn’t having it, but then I changed my mind for two reasons.” I paused for a few seconds to compose myself, and then continued. “First reason was because I knew no matter how much I fought my parents, I’d have to go. And secondly, when I realized that I wasn’t really leaving anything or anyone behind, I knew I wouldn’t be missed.” I told myself not to tear up, but I did.
I really didn’t want Mr. Riley to feel bad for me. I just needed to vent. Someone to talk to that wasn’t going to judge me or reprimand me, but before I knew it, he walked around from his desk and came over to me.
“Julia, Julia, Julia, you’re one of a kind, my dear. There should be more people in this world like you. You remind me a lot of my younger sister when she was your age. If I may, share with you some words of wisdom that my mother once shared with my sister?” Mr. Riley asked.
“Yes, please,” I said while trying to keep my composure.
“You’re the only one who can choose which path in life you will take, but remember to choose wisely. Be proud of who you are and never lose sight of where you are going,” he said with a genuine smile and then the bell rang.
In one sense I was glad I was literally saved by the bell. I mean don’t get me wrong, the fifteen minutes I spent with Mr. Riley was nice, but I was really hungry and I didn’t want to miss lunch. As I thanked Mr. Riley for listening and for the advice, he handed me my transfer papers that I needed to take with me for my new school.
Once lunch was over, I had two more classes left and I could head on home. I had informed my teachers that I would be transferring schools at the end of the week. Oddly enough, they all said they were going to miss me, but really most of them didn’t ever acknowledge me except when it was time to turn in homework. I chalked it up as they were just being polite. It’s probably standard protocol in the teacher’s handbook somewhere.
As soon as the bell rang, I hauled out of my last class. I tossed my books into my locker and out the door I went. I was glad it was Friday. Two days of no school, but then I realized, two days of packing. Ugh!!
Chapter Four
When I arrived home the first thing I did was toss my backpack on the counter and raided the refrigerator. At school they either served something gross half the time or when it was something good, it was never enough. I knew not to eat too much or my mother would kill me, so I grabbed an apple to tide me over until dinner. Most of the time I was the first one home, so usually I’d try and get my homework out of the way, but seeing I didn’t have any I decided to head on up to my room and finish reading my book.
Once I was in my room, I kicked off my shoes and threw my backpack in my closet on the floor. Throwing my body across my bed, I leaned over to my nightstand and reached for my book. I had only four chapters left in the book and I was hoping to finish them before dinner. Reading page after page, I found myself happy at the end of the book. It wasn’t a sad ending; it just left you with hope which in my case made me feel like maybe I’d find hope too.
It had been only a few minutes after finishing my book, when I heard the house door open and close. I knew one of my parents had come home from work. Usually, my dad is the one who ends up home first and then shortly after Mom shows up unless she has court in the morning which means she stays at the office late preparing for her case.
“Julia, are you home?” Dad yelled through the house.
“I’m in my room, Dad,” I hollered back down so he could hear me.
“If you’re not busy, can you come in the kitchen, please?” He asked with a strange tone in his voice.
I wasn’t sure if I was in trouble or not, but I answered, “Sure be right down.”
I was hardly ever in trouble, so I couldn’t imagine what could make him sound so weird. After placing my book back on my nightstand, I made my way to the kitchen. As I approached my dad he didn’t look upset, but then again he could be waiting for the right moment. Quickly, I tried thinking what could be up, but nothing came to mind, so I pulled out a chair and sat while waiting for him to say something.
“So, Julia, how was school?” He asked.
“It was just fine. How was your day at work?” I asked trying to buy me more time to think of what could be up.
“Work is work,” he replied with a peculiar look upon his face.
I couldn’t take it anymore, so I blurted out, “What did I do?”
With a slight smile on his face and a small snicker he said, “Why is it whenever I want to talk to you, you think you’re in trouble?”
I wasn’t sure what to say to his question. Heck, I didn’t think I was that obvious, but then again, I apparently didn’t hide things very well. And now that I knew by his smile and snicker that I wasn’t in trouble I said, “Trouble? I never thought I was in trouble. Come on, Dad, I’m an angel.”
“Yes, Julia, you are an angel. You’re my angel and that’s why I picked you up a surprise.”
“You did? Where is it?” I asked while smiling like I had just won the lottery. My dad has always bought me the coolest gifts. I remember when I was five he bought me a Barbie dream house, ten different Barbie dolls, and a Barbie power wheel for Christmas. Then when I turned ten he bought me a huge stereo for my room, so I could only imagine what he bought me this time.
“I’ll be right back. I have it in the garage, but you have to promise not to peek,” he said like I was still his little girl. Of course, I agreed and played along to make him happy. Waiting anxiously, I tried to think of what it could be. Maybe he finally broke down and bought me a car. I do have my learner’s permit and I’ll need one eventually. No, it can’t be that. He said he was bringing it in from the garage. Darn it! There goes that awesome idea. From the opposite side of the door, my dad yelled, “Are your eyes closed, Julia?”
“Yes, Dad, they’re closed,” I said with even more excitement now, knowing he was about to hand me an amazing gift.
I wanted to peek so badly, but I didn’t want to get caught, so I kept them closed. The anticipation was killing me and just as I thought my dad was going to tell me to open my eyes he said, “Now, Julia, before I give you your present, I need you to promise me something.”
“Yes, of course, whatever it is, I promise. Now, can I open my eyes?” I pleaded.
“First, hold out your hands,” he said.
The longer it took, the more aggravated I was becoming. I just wanted to see what the big surprise was already, but once again I played along, but not before hearing the front door open. Finally, I heard my dad whisper to me, “Julia, open your eyes, hurry.”
Popping my eyes wide open, there in my dad’s hands was an IPhone. I couldn’t believe it. Jumping off the chair, I wrapped my arms around him saying, “Oh, Dad, you’re the…”
“I know, Julia. I’m the best dad,” he said with a smile on his face while handing me the phone.
“Hello, I’m home, anyone here?” Mom called out.
“Yes, dear, Julia and I are in the kitchen,” Dad replied lovingly.
“Julia, hurry! Stick the phone in your pocket. Your mom doesn’t know I bought you the phone and you know how she hates it when I do something without discussing it with her first.”
I never really understood why Dad worried about Mom freaking out when he bought something. I mean, really, he does work hard and should be able to spend his money whenever he wants, but then again, Dad does sometimes buy silly things. Last year he bought a Bow Flex gym that he saw on TV and when Mom asked him why he spent so much money on something so silly he said, “It’s not silly. I bought it to stay in shape, dear.”
In the end, Mom was right. It was silly. I think Dad might have used that thing a couple of times and now it sits in the garage collecting dust. However, I still didn’t understand why Dad would think Mom would be mad at him for buying me a phone. I didn’t see it being silly, but I didn’t want to cause an argument, so I stuck the phone in my pocket like he asked.
Entering the kitchen Mom smiled and said, “There are my two favorite people in the world.”
Both Dad and I looked at each other and wondered what Mom was up to. She must want something, but what? I was afraid to ask, so I waited for Dad to say something. After Dad kissed Mom on the cheek he asked how her day was.