“I know you moved across the country. But don’t worry — we’ll help you navigate and thrive at Blue Hill. Also, I’m Mr. Wielder.”
That was unexpected. How did the principal know I moved? Can he read minds?
I walked out of Mr. Wielder’s office feeling refreshed. His message meant that the bus driver was joking around with me and that middle school was gonna be SO MUCH FUN!
Even before I got to my locker, people started bullying me. In fact, everyone bullied me. The boys said that I was too short (I am 4’7”) and that I was “cringey” for not liking Fortnite while the girls thought that I wasn’t “trendy” enough and that I don’t have a phone. Like, who needs a phone? You can just meet up with your friends in person!
I finally opened my locker and grabbed my ELA notebook for first-period ELA, which was on the other end of the hall. Just as I was a few feet away, the school bell rang. It was the first day, so being a little late didn’t matter. Or at least I thought it didn’t matter.
When I stepped into the very dull classroom, the teacher was recording attendance. She recorded people by initials, so I was to listen to “TL”. A few seconds later, I heard it. And the entire class went crazy.
Teacher: TL?
Me: Here!
A bully: Wait, TL means “too late”! And Teagan’s late!
Everyone: TOO LATE! TOO LATE!
In fact, even the teacher started chanting. She thankfully didn’t give me detention, but that meant I had to sit through an entire world of bullies.
And let’s just say ELA wasn’t fun. At all.
