I was feeling nervous, but I suppose that it was natural to feel that way the day before beginning a new school in a new town. It wasn’t that I was shy, I was far from shy. I guess it was just that I would be all alone in a huge crowded school. Don’t get me wrong, I loved meeting new people, but I couldn’t help but still feel nervous.

Like I said, I suppose it was natural.

I wasn’t really sure what to expect from Belleville High School. I assumed it was going to be just like any other school; same classes, same boring teachers and the same old cliques. The only thing that was going to change was that I wouldn’t know anybody, which would only last a short amount of time anyway.

I had already arranged my bag which was now filled with writing books, pens and pencils and the odd text book I managed to keep from my old school in case I ever needed it. I was sure they would give me a new one anyway, but I liked to be organized. It shows I’m prepared.

It was almost seven and I still hadn’t eaten anything probably from the nerves, but I knew I had to eat something. An empty stomach plus nerves never equal anything good for me.

Jumping down the red carpeted stairs, I heard voices coming from the living room followed by canned laughter. My mom must be watching the bad sitcom she watched every Tuesday evening. She never failed to miss it, and never failed to laugh at the awful jokes.

When a commercial about tinned tomatoes appeared on the screen, I lightly tapped her shoulder. She turned round, her cheeks stained with tears from her laughter, “Yes, what is it, dear?”

As always when I looked at my mom, I saw the sadness that sat deep within her eyes. Her eyes had been that way for as long as I could remember. The reason for it, I believe, is because of the tragic loss of her brother, my uncle, nearly fourteen years ago. Uncle Tim was killed when his car collided with an unseen street light.

Until then, mom was a news reporter for Channel Five but the depression that hit her after Tim’s death forced her to quit her job. I don’t think she’s ever got over it, and I doubt she ever will.

“Have you had dinner yet? I’m starving.” I emphasized how hungry I was and she chuckled to herself.

She shook her head, “Nope, not yet. I’d love some Chinese, though.” I nodded at her choice and she left the chocolate couch to order. While she was gone, I switched the channel to something with a little better humor. The Mask starring Jim Carey was now playing.

As I was watching, I felt a vibration in my jeans pocket and I pulled out my cell phone. Harry was calling.

Harry Baldwin had been a friend of my family for years. He used to babysit me when I was younger and over the years, we formed a close friendship. My parents didn’t always approve of it, but once I continued to tell them that we would never be more than friends, they relaxed more. My dad still didn’t quite trust Harry, though, which is natural of a father, though at times annoying.

“Hey, Harry! What’s up?” I asked. I haven’t spoken to Harry since we moved to New Jersey three weeks ago. It was nice to talk to him again.

”Hey, Sam. Not a lot going on right now, what about you? How’s the new house? Have you started your school yet?” He mumbled his questions excitedly.

I laughed at his talking pace, “The new house is really nice. It’s a lot bigger than I thought it was. The pictures made it look really small. But it’s a beautiful house with a big back yard and everything. And I have my own bathroom which is really nice as well… I haven’t started school yet, I actually start tomorrow.”

”And how do you feel about that?” He asked concerned.

I sighed, “I’m a little nervous now, but I’ll be okay. I always am.” I smiled even though I knew he couldn’t see me, but it was more to reassure myself.

Harry sighed, too, ”Yeah, I guess you are… I better let you go now; Kyle and Dave are coming round for poker.”

I rolled my eyes; they were always playing poker, “Okay. Play nice, I’ll talk to you soon.” We both hung up the phone and I turned back to watching the movie before mom came back in the living room.

“Samantha Phillips! How dare you turn off my show?” My mom put her hands on her hips in fake anger.

I told her desperately, “Mom, please! The show is so awful it makes me want to pull my eyes out!” We both started to laugh as she sat back in her spot on the couch and took the remote from the hands.

As she switched the channel back she said, “Well I like it. We can watch something you want when it’s finished, okay? It’s only on for another ten minutes. I’m sure you can survive that long,” She smiled.

Thirty minutes later, our Chinese arrived and by then, my dad had returned home from work. He had been working at a local hospital for years as a physiotherapist and he loved every single minute of it. He had told me once that he had actually met my mom during a session after she broke her leg fallen down some stairs.

Luckily, mom ordered enough food for my dad and we all sat in front of the TV watching the rest of the movie. When I decided that it was time for me to go to bed, I began to feel nervous again. It was a different situation moving from a middle to a high school when you have friends with you, but it was another situation when you move to a different school all alone.

Maybe once I was there, the sick feeling in my stomach would then disappear.