Gloomy skies and hot days. Seems to be never ending. This year my life has been a pain. With a mom that died a few months ago and now having a stepmom in the same year… Hey,this sounds like my dad caused the problems.. Yeah that sounds right. This is all my dad's fault! He keeps on thinking that my new mom is such an angel when shes actually the devil's Butt face! Everytime, I lay in bed thinking about what Cinderella must be thinking when she was talking to her mom. Its funny how all the stereo-type step moms make everything feel like a cinderella moment. To me thats not interesting; since I already know what's going to happen, it's pretty predictable that my life may turn out boring. Though, its already turning towards that way. My life has been nothing but boring.

Recently we just moved to New York. I had to leave my best friend all because my step mom thinks where we live is too boring. She was actually right at the time- moving was the highlight of my life. Sad, yes- this is when I got to the conclusion that my life has became boring… I'm a 16 year old girl, shouldn't I be going to parties or even crashing them? I still have the chance to do all those stuff until I'm as old as step mom- shes probably like 800 years old.

"Julia, come down NOW," dad called from the kitchen.

Something seemed wrong… His voice was raised, especially on the "now". Slowly as ever, marching down the stairs seemed much more harder to do. The stupid words thats gonna come out of my dad is something that I had to prepare for. Finally, I came down with a blank expression. Dad's face was the color of a ripe tomato. Man… what's got his boxers in a twist now….

" Explain something to me Julia," seeming serious, dad furrowed and crossed his arms.

In the background I see Stepmom crossing her arms as well but…. smiling… I was right! she has a terrible smile also! Ha, so glad I'm not related to her. But wait… why was she smiling?

" Explain what?"

Hmmm… that came out blunt. I bet dad was gonna say " Oh you know!" And I was right.

" Actually I don't. What's goin' on?"

" Why did you ruin my angel's lovely shoe! Especially the ones that I gave her for her birthday," dad yelled so loud that I think my cat ran under my bed.

I knew she was talking about stepmom since he referred to her as "angel". Once that certain word was said, my stomach urged up a mini amount of digested food. Enough for me to swallow back. I took time to gain back to reality and suddenly regretted it. Stupid reality.

" What the heck are you talking about?"

I tried not to have a nervous tone even though I did absolutely nothing to those shoes.

" Don't act so clueless, Julia! Who else would have made my fine leather pumps all scratched, battered, and muddy," Stepmom acted.

Oh my god, she's trying to frame me! She wants me to be in trouble.

" Uh, I don't know maybe you?"

Dad's face softened as he turned to stepmom.

" You're right angel, my daughter is mean to you," dad seemed ashamed.

He turned to me with that look. I never liked that look. It means he's trying to think of something. He should know by now that he is terrible at thinking. If mom were here she would knock some sense in dad. Stepmom and mom are total opposites. Mom knocks some sense into my dad; stepmom knocks sense out of my dad.

"I got it," dad exclaimed, seeming proud of himself for coming up with something so quickly. I gotta say, its a new record. But apparently the faster his thinking went, the dumber his idea was. He suggested that Step and I should interact with each other more. To keep each other company. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-

"Welcome to Cherlyn High, Julia."

Principal Chesterton is tall like a mountain and sophisticatedly boring. Besides, this is an all girls school. Why is he the principal of an all girls school?

He looks me up at down. Hopefully after analysing my style, the school won't make us wear uniforms the next day. I guess he thinks that I would be more girly since stepmom is girly.

But my style is nothing terrible. Just wearing a fitted black shirt underneath a cropped black jacket with my light denim skinny jeans that I paired with some old dark blue converse, my favorite shoes. My hair was tied up high with my favorite white laced ribbon; it showed off my pearl earrings that I wear like, everyday.

Stepmom and I decided that we could have some "mother and daughter" time by thinking about what high school I should go to. She said that Cherlyn High would be good because I won't have to worry about boys and I might have a better grade in math class that way. She has to know that i'm not like her. I don't really care if a boy likes me at that age. Basically if i'm not into you, then sorry but bye bye, boy. No boy has met my standards yet though. Mostly the boys who like me have been short or tall but not very smart or just not my type. But I accepted that school. Later on, she was trying to get me into that school. Its nice that she actually cares about my education.

I'm now regretting my decision to come here. Random students look at me like i'm some kind of alien. Stepmom introduced her self, managing to leave out the "step" in stepmom.

"Stepmom." I corrected.

Dad and stepmom glared at me for doing that. Like I care?

"This is my dad, Gregory Lynn. I'm his daughter, Julia. Nice to meet you, Principal Chesterton."

"I hear that you are very smart. According to your records, you have been managing straight A's in all of your AP classes."

" Yeah. Except math…"

Principal Chesterton laughed at my awkward tone. Stepmom joined in. As much as I enjoy compliments, I don't want to come off cocky.

" Yeah. So… where are my classes? What are my classes? Where is my locker? Where do I get my- "

He stopped me. I'm one of those girls that asks a bunch of questions. Long story short, I'm a pro at playing 20 questions. Although, it would be nice if he answered one of my questions. Then a girl stepped forward. She was short and she stood there like she was shy.

"Meet Emma Lane." Principal chesterton said, "She will be guiding you around the school. Hopefully, you two can be close friends."

"Hi, nice to meet you… uh…"

"Julia."

Then she whispered something into principal chesterton's ear. All I hear is a muffled sound and I just hoped she doesn't already hate me.

"Oh yeah, thats right!" Principal Chesterton said.

He gave me a name tag that had my name (obviously) plastered in big, fat, and neat handwriting. ...Do I really need a name tag? I stick it on my jacket and emma told me that we would we my schedule after the tour once we go to the office.

I looked back and waved goodbye to my dad… Who's suddenly not here. Really!? No, "Bye" ? No, "I love you! Have fun" ? My expression dissolved… Even Principal Chesterton left. Just… wow.

Once I got over it, thanks to Emma, we started the tour. I'm glad that Emma is not one of those terrible girls. She shows me around managing to give me as much info about the campus while getting to know me at the same time. I use this time to get to know her as well and asking a bunch of questions. Its cool that she doesn't seem to be bothered by all my questions, good thing she can handle me.

" What did you think of me when I said, 'hi' ?" she asked.

" Um… Well, you seemed shy at first approach. But now that I've gotten to know you… I have been mistaken."

She laughed. " Yeah. I'm a New Yorker. Shy girls won't survive in the big apple."

I laughed and what she said made me thankful that I'm not shy.

2 periods have passed and I got my schedule. We have all the classes together. Except for math and art. Then suddenly, she stopped right when we were close to the science building. Some girls were passing by to get to their class, so we went out of their way.

"Okay… Are you ready?"

I looked at her, bluntly and just blinked. " Dude. Its science class."

" Mrs. Kay's science class!"

She slapped my back, making me stand up straight.

"Stand straight and sit up at all times in her class. Have your materials ready for that class and be prepared for whats to come. Okay?"

"Okay."

She took a deep breath and turned the knob. 64 eyes darted towards me. The class had a strong smell of lemon. Everywhere you see is clean and organized. Then, whispers filled the air.

"Class!" Mrs. Kay said, her voice stern and her expression looked like she was already annoyed with the class. Everyone instantly quieted down. Then Emma guided me towards her seat and I sat in the open spot next to her. I try to sit up straight. Finally, my new life has started.