Basil’s first day of High School

Basil’s POV

“You’re a freshman, aren’t you?” The voice isn’t menacing or mocking, not of ice or snake venom.

It’s just a question, a simple, innocent question.

I nod meekly and shakily take a seat next to the owner of the voice.

“The first day can be kind of scary,” the voice softly continues, “Don’t worry. Have you had an okay day so far?”

“Uh…the halls are hard to handle. I thought I’d barf,” I admit, and speaking of the previous incident reminds me that I still feel faint.

She lightly laughs, “Yeah, you should avoid the crowds. When you get a locker, go to that first so that by the time you’re done, the crowd will have lessened. You look a little pale. Are you Claustrophobic?”

I nod again and she nods with me, “It’s okay. I am, too. What’s your name, anyway? That is, if your not feeling too weak to speak,”

I smile—she’s respectful and observant. I like her!

“Basil,” I supply, “Basil Bixler,”

“Nice to meet you, Basil,” she smiles warmly, a brilliant, perfect white smile, “I’m Tabs Milford. A Sophomore.”

Tabs? Is she serious?? There’s no way. I thought she wasn’t the stereotypical, rude upperclassman that is always rumored from Middle School and Television—but Tabs can’t possibly be her name! She’s just messing with me because of the fact that I’m a vulnerable little freshman. Instead of the usual ‘You need an elevator pass’ or ‘Yeah, that class is in the basement under the gym where the pool is’, she’s decided to be creative. Next time I call her ‘tabs’ she’ll burst out laughing and so will the rest of the class.

I cross my arms defiantly and turn my head away from her to send her the message that I don’t appreciate her humor. I can’t believe that, for a second, I was convinced that I liked her.

“Basil, are you okay?” She questions uneasily, “Is it something I said? Because if it is, I didn’t mean it. Honest! Basil?”

Cute. Pretending that nothing is wrong. As if I’m not gullible!!

“It’s not funny,” I bluntly tell her, eying her dangerously.

She’s still confused, her forehead slightly creased and her eyebrows furrowed, “What? There’s nothing wrong with being a freshman. I’m sorry—did it upset you that I’m a S--”

“If there’s nothing wrong with being a freshman, then why are you trying to trick me?” I snap.

She jumps as if she’s been slapped hard across the face.

“I’m not. Why, do I look older?” she perks up, flipping her long, straight, cherry-red hair, dearly hoping to appear much older.

“NO!! It’s just I’m not stupid. I know you haven’t revealed your real name!”

“Huh?” her eyes narrow.
“Don’t play dumb!! I may be a freshman, but that doesn’t make me gullible! I know good and well that no one is named Tabs! You think it’ll be funny if I call you it so that you can laugh and say ‘hey, everybody! This dumb freshman thinks my name is Tabs!’”

“Basil--” she sighs in a disappointed manner, “My name is Tabitha. My nickname is Tabs, and that’s what I go by. Didn’t you notice that it says Tabs on my agenda?”

She points to the agenda on her desk, with gold letters spelling out Tabs Milford. Suddenly I feel overcome with guilt. I’m way too on edge and up tight!! There goes that could-have-been relationship.

“I…I’m so sorry…” I murmur, holding my head down low.

I’m an idiot. There it was, a chance for a real friend this year in a new environment, and what did I do? I blew it!! I absolutely, without a doubt, blew it. But yet…

“It’s okay,” she actually shrugs! “You’re new, after all. You’re already scared out of your mind, feeling dizzy and nervous—it’s only natural to assume that I’m trying to pull one on you,”

My mouth literally drops in utter shock. I can hardly comprehend what is happening—run that by me again—did she seriously say that she’s okay with me assuming she’s a liar?!

“You—you mean we’re still—friends?!” I stutter incredulously.
“Sure, if you are already willing to jump to that,” she nods, “Yeah, we’re friends,”

She holds out a hand, with perfectly manicured nails with pink flower prints on the long tips. I shake her hand just as the door slams and the teacher, Mr. Jayerous, clears his throat.

“Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen. I know you are tired and worn out from it being the first day, but I still expect you to control yourselves around me. This isn’t middle school and I refuse you treat you like you are in middle school. How many of you are freshman?”

I am one of the only ones to raise my hand.

“Only a select few, I see. That means that I expect my upper-classmen to set an example for the younger students. It’ll be a sad day if a freshman can act better than a junior…”

He sighs as he opens up a folder and begins calling attendance.

“Calvin Andres!”

“Present”

“Felicia Bates!”

“Here”

“Zack Betreen!”

“What up?!”

My heart quickens as he nears my name.

“Basil Bixler!”

“Here,” I squeak softly.

He doesn’t hear me.

“No Basil?”

“Here!” I speak louder and clearer. He nods in my direction to silently tell me that he hears me.

“Ballari Centra!”

“Here,”

“Melinda Ganty!”

“Here”

He pauses a moment halfway down the list, “Ms. Milford, what do you prefer? There are four names listed here,”

The girl beside me chuckles, “Just combine the first letter of each. I go by that--Tabs,” she answers.

He nods.

“I thought Tabs was short for Tabitha,” I whisper.

“It is,” she answers, “Not only that, but it also spells the first letter of each one of my names. Tabitha Audrey Bianca Sabrina Milford,”

“Oh!” I say with fake enthusiasm that I’ve successfully made sound real, “That’s cool,”

“I know!” she giggles.

But inside I secretly hate it. I don’t want to hurt her feelings, but really—Tabs?! As a name?? Seriously—get real!

( To be continued…)