My Side of the Forest

Prologue- Third Grade- Esmeralda

“Mom, why do we have to join another new pack?” I ask a few hours into our endless drive. “Because it’s time sweetie, we need a fresh start,” she replies. My mom has the patience of a saint, always so tender where my dad was rough.

“Why isn’t daddy coming with us.”

“He wants to do his own thing. It’s okay, our new pack will protect us. He’ll find us when he’s ready,” She reassures me.

“But I want daddy. And I want to stay here,” I start to cry. It’s the third time we’ve changed packs, and I’m only in the third grade.

“You’ll understand someday sweetie,” she says while smiling at me through the rear view mirror.

****First day of School****

“Mom I really don’t want to go to a new school again!” I exclaim.

“You’ll do great! I’m excited to hear about all the new friends you’ll make today.”

“I don’t want new friends. I want my old friends,” I cry.

“I know sweetie,” she says while embracing me, “it’s hard for me too. Promise me you’ll try for me, okay?”

“Okay mommy,” I say wiping my tears.

Mom drops me off at school and I try to be as subtle as possible., hoping my teacher is not one to make me introduce myself in front of everyone. I’m not so lucky, and next think I know I’m thrust to the front of the class, telling everyone my name. One boy in particular, with midnight black hair, and emerald green eyes smirks at me with a glint in his eye. As soon as I take my seat, he whispers over to me “Esmeralda, more like EsmerSMELLSDA.” I immediately feel the tears pool in my eyes. “That’s enough Grayson!” One of the girls behind me says. Leave her a lone, I think Esmeralda is a beautiful name.”

I turn back to see the name of my savior, and offer her a weak smile while mouthing “thank you.” And the girl gives me a thumbs up.

At recess I decide to sit and watch soccer, since no one has invited me to play yet. I used to love soccer at my old school. “Hi!” I hear as someone taps my shoulder, it’s the girl who defended me in class. “Uh hi,” I offer a shy smile. “I’m Gwen,” she smiles. Her two front teeth both gone. “Do you want to play soccer with us?”

“Uh sure,” I mumble, silently so grateful for the opportunity to play.

My team is losing, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. I’m really good at soccer. I make three goals, and win the game for our team. Gwen is jumping up and down at the end of the game. With the exception of that bully Grayson, today was actually a pretty good day.