Selena, Beach Girl Chap. 1

1. Bad News or Not-Good News?1

Selena Hernandez shoved her textbooks into her locker, sighing as one fell out, due to her best friend’s clutter. “Lilly. I told you, if we’re gonna share a locker, you have to keep it clean and to respect my books.”2

“Pshh. You’re overreacting, Sel.” Lilly tossed her red locks behind her.3

“Fine. See you on the bus.” Selena said coldly, retrieving her books for the rest of the day and stomping down the hallway to History.4

Selena thought that people who said seventh graders had it easy were wrong. Yeah, there were the perks – instead of pep rallies, cheerleading competitions – but who really liked getting a four-hour detention on a Saturday because you forgot your homework three days in a row? Who liked no recess? No one, that’s who, she thought bitterly as Ms. Harper droned on about the Peruvian Civil War. 5

“You’re dismissed,” The bland teacher squinted through her thick eyeglasses. Selena stifled a giggled, stacked her books up, and walked out of the door to Study Hall. 6

Most of the time, when Selena and Lilly were fighting, it lasted a day, over stupid things, like when Lilly stole Selena’s favorite blue gel pen, or when Selena accidently made Lilly trip. Today, Lilly sat on the far side of the room, where she sat when they were fighting. Whatever, Selena thought, sitting down a few tables away. Suddenly, for no reason, she began to think something terrible was going to happen. Her nervous system was definitely on. Her insides felt like when her father took her on the back of his motorcycle. When she got home, she puked her guts out. 7

Selena ignored the feeling the rest of the day until she got home. At home, that was where the trouble actually was.8

“Sel, honey, can we talk?” said her mother as soon as Selena came in the door. Her jet-black hair matched her husband’s and her kids’, and her skin tone was perfectly the color of caramel.9

“Sure, I guess,” Selena said slowly.10

“Sweetheart, we have some news for you kids,” Mr. Hernandez said, leading her into the family room. Light flooded into the windows, making her older brother Jeff and younger sister Kyla visible.11

“Did you hear? We’re MOVING!” Kyla jumped up and galloped about the room happily.12

“Kyla, dear, please, let Mommy and Daddy talk.” Mrs. Hernandez rubbed her temples to indicate she’d had a tiring, headache-provoking day being a stay-at-home mom with the aggravating four-year old.13

“Sorry, Mommy,” Kyla said innocently, sitting back down.14

“Why?” asked Jeff before Selena could get a word in.15

“Your dad’s found us a big home and a better-paying job in Myrtle Beach! Won’t it be fun to be near the beach, kids?”16

“Sure,” Selena replied as blandly as Ms. Harper.17

“Honey, I know you don’t want to, but it’s better this way.” Mrs. Hernandez said sadly.18

It’s better this way, Selena mocked in her head. 19

Jeff patted his sister’s leg when he saw her worried expression. “It’ll be fun, Sel.”20

“Nah,” she shook her head in disbelief.21

“When are we moving?” Kyla asked in a bubbly tone.22

“Three days. Why don’t you guys start packing?” Mr. Hernandez suggested.23

“Yay!” Kyla screamed with joy. Selena wanted to smack her so bad, but she refrained because her parents were watching, and she’d get in sure trouble if they saw.24

No one heard Selena whisper, “But I don’t wanna leave Johnstown.”25