Melody and Becky grew closer that summer. They went almost everywhere together and had many more sleep overs. Barbara thought it odd that Becky visited so often until Melody explained her situation at home. Barbara was not sure what to think of Becky. She was happy Melody had finally found a friend, but Becky made her feel uncomfortable in a way she could not explain. She stopped worrying about it when she realized that with high school starting in the fall, Melody would make many more friends and not devote all her time and attention to Becky.
The evening before their first day of high school, Melody spent some time on the phone with Becky. After comparing schedules, the girls were excited to have physical science, Spanish, and lunch together. Melody and Becky had both decided to take Spanish classes because they knew the language would be useful in both Florida and California. The girls were grateful for each other’s support, which relieved their freshmen anxiety. Becky was just as nervous as Melody but hid it well. After an hour or so of girl talk, which included outfits, nail-polish, and hairstyles for their first day, Melody bid her friend good night and hung up. She went to bed at her usual time but found it hard to sleep. Melody believed the very first day of her adult life would begin at sunrise, and though she had been anxiously waiting for it, she was still unsure of herself. A part of her was not ready. She lay awake well into the night and did not doze off until just before 4AM.
Despite having barely two hours of sleep, Melody woke with her alarm feeling well rested. Her nervous energy would carry her through the day, while feelings of trepidation would disappear as the day progressed. It was the unknown that frightened her. Melody went to her old rocking chair where her clothes had been carefully laid out three days before. As she dressed, she thoughtfully assumed the reliable old chair would have her clothes waiting for her every morning for the next four years. She then wondered how much she would change before graduating in 1989. After dressing, she went to the bathroom to brush her hair. For a final touch, Melody applied a light coat of lip gloss, just enough to be noticed, but not enough to upset her mother. She looked at herself one last time in the mirror and felt she was as ready as she would ever be.
Barbara greeted her downstairs and had breakfast already prepared. Melody thought she would be too nervous to eat but finished her plate with hardly any effort. Despite her nervousness, her teenage appetite was normal. Before Melody could walk out the door, however, Barbara insisted on taking some photographs. Melody knew protesting would only prolong the inevitable, so she posed in the corner with her lunch box and bookbag, trying to look as casual as she could.
“Smile dear,” her mother insisted. “I’m sending one to Uncle Frank and Aunt Holly.”
The thought of Aunt Holly brightened her face and Barbara captured the moment. Melody and Aunt Holly were still devoted pen-pals and missed each other. With the first day formalities over, Melody walked out the door wishing she was as confident as she looked. However, her belief that every freshman had the same butterflies she did brought some comfort.
Melody walked to the corner and waited for the bus. Union High School was a straight shot down Prairie Ronde Street, approximately twelve blocks away. Melody could have skateboarded to school easily, but her mother would not even entertain the suggestion. Both her parents had insisted she take the bus, at least for this school year. Melody obeyed but was not happy about it. She had ridden the bus all through elementary and middle school, and the bus was one link from her past she wanted to break away from. As the bus approached, Melody felt nervous again. After stopping, the bus door opened, and Melody was greeted by a gray-haired woman with a friendly smile.
“Just you?” the driver asked.
Melody nodded without a word and climbed the steps, holding the rail tightly. She had a sudden fear of falling and making a fool of herself in front of everyone. Upon reaching the center aisle, Melody took the first available seat she saw. She was so focused on what lay ahead that she never knew who she had sat next to on her first day.
In less than ten minutes, the bus arrived at Union High and proceeded to the drop off point. Melody wished the ride had been just a little bit longer. She could not have been more prepared but saw herself as a little girl trying to assimilate in the adult world. She suddenly feared today would be sixth grade all over again and everything about her would be wrong. Melody looked down at her outfit and tried to guess why anyone would tease her. She gripped both her lunch box and bookbag tightly for security and waited. She wished Becky was with her, but she would not see her until second period. The bus finally stopped, and Melody filed out the door along with everyone else, there was no turning back.
Melody had been to orientation last week, so she knew exactly where her locker was. She rushed there, moving through the crowd as best she could. The halls were crowded with returning students greeting each other and lost freshmen looking at the high school map the local newspaper had provided. The noise was almost overpowering. School pride banners and posters covered the walls. Melody liked the school colors, orange and black, same as Halloween. She hoped her parents would be willing to buy some school T-shirts for her. She would soon need them for pep rallies and football games. Melody squeezed herself in between two bigger kids, opened her locker, set her lunch box inside and closed the door. After double checking that the lock was secure, she started making her way to her first class. Melody could only imagine what English teacher she would get this time.
Mr. Ludsen was a short, bald, funny little man, almost a caricature. He had a peculiar voice and some odd mannerisms. Melody was hardly surprised, being so used to oddball English teachers. She received her English textbook and was instructed to write her name in the space provided on the inside cover. Melody opened her book and saw the name Kimberly Kirtly, the student who had used this book last year. Melody wrote her own name underneath Kimberly’s and counted the remaining blank lines. There were five. In five years, both she and Kimberly would have already graduated. She wondered who would one day sign the final line and read the names of all the students who had gone before. Someone would read her own name and wonder who she was. Melody looked back at Kimberly’s name. Somewhere in this school, she was starting her first sophomore class. Melody wondered if she would ever meet her. She closed the book and listened as Mr. Ludsen lay out the curriculum and what was to be expected of her this year.
When the bell rang, Melody got up quickly. Science class was next, and she was excited to see Becky. In the hallway, she again found it difficult to move through the crowd. Upon reaching the staircase, Melody followed a large football player, using him as a human shield to protect her from the flood of students coming down from the second floor. Her physical science class was next to the library which Melody had not yet seen. Melody was fond of libraries and hoped to explore this one soon. Today, however, there wasn’t even a moment to take a quick peek inside. Still hurrying, she entered her classroom just before the bell rang.
“Melody!”
Looking in the direction of the familiar voice, Melody saw Becky waving. The classroom was comprised of medieval looking lab desks set in rows. Each lab desk had two seats and Becky was in the back row holding a seat for her. Melody rushed to her seat and immediately hugged Becky who was wearing heavy black eyeliner, a Blue Oyster Cult T-shirt, and shredded blue jeans. Becky had feathered her hair just as she said she would, and Melody admired it so much, she wanted the same style for herself.
“I’m so glad to see you,” Becky said, separating from the embrace and turning her attention to Mr. Freimeier. Again, Melody received her textbook and wrote her name in it. The teacher introduced himself and explained what the course would entail for the year. There would be Friday quizzes, weekly experiments, and quarterly exams. He also stated there would be two field trips that his students always enjoyed. He spent the rest of the class explaining classroom safety.
The bell rang and Melody had a feeling she would enjoy this class, especially with Becky as her yearlong lab partner. She put her science book in her bag along with her English book and asked Becky where she was headed next.
“I got English,” she stated with an obvious lack of enthusiasm. “How about you?”
“Social Studies,” Melody answered.
“We’ll have lunch next,” Becky said. “Meet me out front of the cafeteria so we can find each other. Then we’ll get a table.”
“OK,” Melody agreed and hugged her goodbye.
“You look great today,” Becky said, walking out of the classroom alongside her.
“Oh, you do too! You look just like Joan Jett.” Melody smiled.
Becky laughed as they exited and went their separate ways.
Later, the girls met by a bench just outside the cafeteria doors and went in together. They quickly found some empty seats as the tables began to fill up. Melody held Becky’s chair while she waited in the lunch line. Melody was hungry but waited until Becky had her lunch and was seated with her. This routine would last throughout the year.
“So, you’re still using Blackie?” Becky asked as she sat down and eyed Melody’s familiar lunchbox. “What’s the story with that thing? Did it come with a hard hat?”
“When I was little, I helped my dad clean out the attic one weekend. He was going to throw it away, but I asked if I could keep it. I’ve been using it ever since.”
“Only you, Melody,” Becky smiled. “So anyway, how is your day going?”
“I’m doing good. I’ll be glad when today is over though. I’ll like tomorrow better when I know what to expect.”
“I can’t believe we won’t see each other again until Spanish,” Becky said. “But I’m so glad we managed to get two classes together. Let me see your schedule.”
Melody pulled it out of her pocket and handed it to Becky.
“You got geometry next, bet that will be fun,” Becky commented. Her eyes then widened with surprise. “Introduction to auto mechanics? Why on earth are you taking auto shop?”
“It makes sense,” Melody answered. “I don’t ever want to be the helpless woman on the side of the highway with her hood up. I don’t know much about cars, just basic stuff Dad taught me. I’m gonna drive all the way to Florida in a few years, if my car breaks down, I want to be prepared.”
“You liar,” Becky teased. “You just wanna be in a classroom full of boys.”
Becky continued reading the schedule. “After that, it’s Physical Education. Hmm, I guess you’ll find someone else to shower with.” Melody knew she was kidding, but Becky did not laugh at her own joke like she usually did. “Then my dear, we end the day together in Spanish. You certainly loaded yourself down this year. You didn’t even take a study hall.”
“I can handle it,” Melody answered, picking up her sandwich.
“As long as you have time for me,” Becky remarked. “We’re in this together ‘til graduation. I got gym next, that’s the one class I really wanted with you.”
“Me too,” Melody said with sincerity. “Hey, maybe we can join a team. You want to do a sport?”
“Ugh, I don’t know. What do you have in mind?”
“I don’t know,” Melody answered, now interested in this new idea. “Maybe volleyball, or we could be cheerleaders.”
Becky laughed hard now, all the way from her belly, “Cheerleaders?” she asked. “Can you see me in a cheerleader outfit? No thanks, that’s out for me. Volleyball maybe, let me know what you plan to do.”
“OK,” Melody replied, now entertaining the idea of being on the volleyball team.
Lunch ended and the girls parted ways again. Melody rushed to her locker to drop off her morning books to make room in her bag for the books she would get during the afternoon classes. She placed her lunch box on top of the books, slammed the door shut, and secured the combination lock. Melody then hurried to geometry class but entered the door after the bell rang. She would have to leave lunch a little early from now on to make it on time.
Next period, Melody entered Introduction to Auto Mechanics with anxiety, more so than any other class so far. Becky was right, she was the only girl. The classroom, appearing to be a converted barn, was separate from the rest of the school. Car engines, supported by metal frames, were in the center of the room, surrounded by student workbenches. The teacher’s desk, piled with textbooks, was in the corner next to a blackboard. A screen with an overhead projector had been set up on the opposite wall. The wall to Melody’s left had shelves from the floor to the ceiling, crammed full of parts, tools, and manuals. The wall to the right had deep sinks and a door leading to the restroom. Melody took a seat and noticed a safety poster that had once belonged to a construction company. Everyone was seated before the bell rang. An elderly gentleman, wearing very old-fashioned Buddy Holly glasses, came into the room at a quickened pace and went straight to his desk. He picked up a binder and studied it momentarily. There was not a sound in the classroom. Finally, the old man looked up.
“Welcome,” he began. “I am Mr. Shaddock, and this is the first-year course of auto mechanics.” He paused and looked around the room. “By a show of hands, who knows very little or nothing at all about engine repair?”
Melody raised her hand as high as she could, along with half the class. Mr. Shaddock looked around the room, knowing not everyone was being honest. He told the students to lower their hands as his eyes fell on Melody. He then looked down at his binder.
“You must be, Miss Melody Mivshek,” he said, addressing her. “I am making an educated guess since you seem to be the only female in this class.”
“Yes sir,” she said.
“Good,” he answered. “I don’t get many female students, but I like a girl who is not afraid to get her hands dirty.”
Melody smiled nervously.
“I have three rules that must be remembered at all times,” Mr. Shaddock continued as he turned his attention away from Melody and addressed the classroom. Melody opened her notebook and prepared to write.
“First rule, if you have a question, ask it. You are here to learn. The only stupid question is the question you did not ask. From my experience, most of you will have the same questions, so if one student asks, you will all benefit when I answer.”
Melody simply wrote, “Ask questions.”
“Second,” Mr. Shaddock announced. “Nothing leaves this room without my permission. If you need something, ask me, and you can sign it out. I encourage students to work on projects over the weekend. Just return everything you borrow and there will be no problems.”
Melody wrote, “Don’t take anything without asking.”
“Third and most important,” Mr. Shaddock continued. “Safety is priority in my class. When I say ‘stop’, you are to freeze in place. If you are unsure of something, ask. Safety glasses will be worn at all times. You will follow my instructions to the letter. I am not hard to get along with and I want everyone to enjoy the class.”
Melody wrote, “Safety”, and underlined it.
“Enough of that, now then, Miss Mivshek.”
Melody looked up from her notebook as she was being addressed again.
“Have you ever changed out a car battery?” he asked.
“No sir.”
“Can you properly gauge a spark plug?”
“No sir.”
“Have you ever adjusted a distributor?”
“No sir.”
“Can you tell me the purpose of a timing belt?”
“No sir,” Melody began to feel uncomfortable at being singled out.
“Can you identify an alternator or a starter solenoid?”
“No sir.”
Mister Shaddock clapped his hands together. “Excellent,” he said, smiling to reveal his tobacco stained teeth. “By the end of this course, you will. In addition, you will also be able to remove a four-barrel carburetor, disassemble it, assemble it, and reinstall it.” He then waved his arm to address each student. “You all will. Now form a line, get your textbook, and introduce yourself so I can start putting names with faces.”
Melody liked Mr. Shaddock right away. She was determined to excel and show everyone that a girl could do just as well as a boy in auto shop. As she took her book and returned to her seat, Melody was sure her father was proud of her for taking this class. She then imagined herself helping him the next time he had trouble with the family Aspen.
After the bell, Melody got to Spanish class first and held the seat next to her for Becky. As soon as Becky entered the classroom, Melody waved with a smile.
“Hey, grease monkey,” Becky said as she sat down. “They teach you how to hot wire yet?”
It had been a long day, and both girls were glad to begin their final class. Their teacher, Mrs. Gonzales, quickly introduced herself and got the textbooks handed out. Without wasting any time, she began determining the class’s knowledge level. The majority of students had participated in middle school Spanish classes, but like Melody and Becky, had forgotten most of it. For the next fifty minutes, the class was reacquainted with words and phrases that had faded from memory over the summer. The bell finally rang, and Melody slammed her book shut. She had survived her first day of high school.
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