I Still Will Remain (2)

The next morning dawned misty and rainy. Since Emily Grace and I walked to school, we would be needing our umbrellas today. I sighed as I put on my blue uniform blazer, hoping that my hair wouldn't frizz into a chaotic mess on the way to school. I gave my hair one last dusting of hairspray as my eyes took another glance out of the window. When I was satisfied with the way I looked, I went downstairs to the kitchen for breakfast. 1

"Morning, Bonnie," Emily Grace looked up from her sheet music.2

"Studying music?" I asked. "Where's Mom?"3

"Yes to the first and she's not feeling well this morning to the second. So unless you think you have time to make something, it's probably best to grab a bowl of cereal...oh and I ate the last of the Mini-Wheats." she answered.4

I made a face at my sister and went to the cereal cabinet. "Hmm what to have what to have," I mumbled to myself as I perused the selections. I finally decided on Lucky Charms. They're the next best thing to Mini-Wheats in my opinion. "What are you playing for the final concert? I know you told us last night but I don't remember."5

Emily Grace looked up from her music again, almost annoyed. "The one with the solo is called "Canticle of the Creatures". We're also going to be playing "An Irish Rhapsody" and "All the Pretty Little Horses". The first two songs are pretty tough, especially Irish Rhapsody."6

"Sounds like fun," I said. We fell into a silence as I finished my bowl of cereal. "Well, we better get going." 7

Emily Grace stuffed her band folder into her backpack; both of us grabbed our umbrellas and headed out the door. There was only a light mist going on now, but you never know when it's going to turn into a rain. As we passed by Mrs. Tillman's house, we could smell the soft scent of her lilacs that lined the walkway to her front porch. I breathed in deeply and sighed. I loved walking by her house in the springtime. Silently I concluded that in the future, my house would have lilacs somewhere.8

Before long, my sister and I were walking up the steps of Pembrooke Prepatory Academy. The school used to be a mansion owned by William and Sarah Pembrooke, two of Westgate's most prominent founding fathers. The house was abandoned after the stock market crash in '29, and was bought in the '40s by Melinda Beckett, a descendant of the Pembrooke's. She fixed the old bulding up and turned it into the school it is today. Since then, more area area around the school had been purchased and the gym, performing arts center, and science building were built.9

As I headed up the stairs to my English class, I heard a voice behind me start singing "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean". I sighed ,"Hello Eric."10

"Hello Bonnie," Eric smiled as he caught up with me. Eric Dunaway had been about the closest guy friend I've ever had. He was on the basketball team, making him tall with sandy hair, blue eyes, and an ever-present smile. As dedicated as he was to his studies and basketball, Eric was even more into his youth group and Jesus. I wasn't really much for the religion thing, so it was always kind of awkward whenever he'd bring it up. "How are you today?" he asked.11

"Oh, fair." I replied. "The day has only just begun."12

"True," he admitted as he opened the door to English class, "But you never know."13

"How are you?" I asked as we took our seats.14

"Doing pretty good. A little tired though. I stayed up late to get this paper done," he smiled and yawned. "Hope it's good enough."15

I laughed as I got out my notes and assignment. "Right, Eric. You're Ms. Carlson's favorite student ever. You could write about anything completely unrelated to the topic the paper is over, and she'd still give you an A."16

"I guess I'm just that talented," he smiled, teasing. "But really, it's only by the grace of God that i'll get any sort of good grade on this paper."17

"You say that every..." I began, but just then Ms. Carlson walked into the room. The 50 year old spinster demanded complete silence from the moment she entered the room to the time the bell rang to end class. If anyone so much as coughed, they'd have detention. The only time we were allowed to speak was when called on or during group discussions- that was it. 18

While Ms. Carlson droned on and on about T.S. Eliot, I found myself daydreaming about Ian McClain. What was it about this guy? There was this feeling of attraction, but in the back of my mind a voice was saying "Woah, Bonnie! He's BAD BAD BAD news. Just leave well enough alone." Before I could expend any more thoughts on the voice, the bell was ringing. I set my paper on Ms. Carlson's desk and headed off to my next class.19

The morning seemed to drag on forever. Finally we came to lunch.