BETWEEN PRIDE AND PROMISES

The smell of pancakes filled the Carter household long before Alexis Carter woke up.She stayed in bed for a seconds looking at the sunlight coming through her curtains.The house was quiet except for the sound of dishes being washedThen Alexis remembered something.Senior year was starting.Alexis did not like this thought so she buried her face in her pillow.She did not hate school she actually liked learning.She was scared of what would happen after she graduated.She was worried about university applications, scholarships and her future.These thoughts made her stomach feel weird.Alexis sat up. Looked at the calendar on her wall.There were dates marked on it.Next to the calendar was a notebook with lots of lists and plans.Some people spent their summer sleeping in and going to parties.Alexis spent her summer getting ready for school.Someone knocked on her door."Alexis?" her mother called."Are you awake?""Yes " Alexis replied."Breakfast is ready " her mother said."I will be down in a minute."After Alexis took a shower and got dressed she went downstairs.The smell of pancakes was really nice.Her father looked up from his coffee. Smiled."There she is " he said.Her mother laughed."Your father has been waiting to give you advice all morning.""I have not " her father said."You absolutely have " her mother replied.Alexis. Sat down at the table.This made her feel a little better.Their house was not big or fancy. It was home.Her mother asked, "How are you feeling?""" Alexis said."That is normal " her mother replied."You will do great " her father added.Alexis smiled.Her parents always believed in her.Sometimes they believed in her more than she believed in herself.After breakfast Alexis grabbed her backpack. Left the house.The air was cool outside.By the time the bus arrived she had checked her schedule times.The ride to Maplewood High School was short.Before she knew it the school was in front of her.There were students at the entrance.Some were laughing some were taking pictures and others were trying to remember their locker combinations.Alexis got off the bus. Fixed her backpack.Then she heard someone calling her name."Alexis!"It was her friend Marisa.Marisa ran to her. Gave her a hug." Morning " Alexis said."You missed me " Marisa said."We saw each other three days ago " Alexis replied."Still counts " Marisa said.Their friend Maya arrived with a coffee."She started talking about today two weeks " Maya said."I was excited " Marisa said."You were dramatic " Maya replied."Both can be true " Marisa said.The girls laughed.Then their friends Anthonia and Silvia joined them.It felt like they had never been apart.The five friends started talking like they always did.Silvia said, "I have news."Maya groaned."That is never a sign " Maya said."The Kingstons are back " Silvia said.Alexis frowned."Who are the Kingstons?" she asked.The other girls looked at her."You do not know who the Kingstons are?" Marisa asked."No " Alexis replied."They are like royalty at school " Silvia explained."They are rich. Have a big business."Alexis shrugged."Okay " she said.The other girls stared at her."What?" Alexis asked.Rich people did not impress her.What mattered was what kind of person you were, not how money you had.The warning bell rang.Students started moving inside the school.Maplewood High was full of energy.Lockers were slamming teachers were greeting students and conversations were everywhere.Everything felt alive.For the time that morning Alexis felt excited.This was her year of school.It was a year of possibilities.Her first class was English Literature.She arrived early. Sat near the window.The teacher, Mrs. Walker greeted the students warmly.The classroom filled up with students.Then the door opened.A tall boy walked in.He had hair and expensive clothes.He looked confident.Mrs. Walker said, "Nice of you to join us Mr. Kingston."Some students laughed.The boy said, "My apologies."He did not sound sorry at all.Alexis watched him sit down near the back of the classroom.So that was Maurice Kingston.He was interesting.She could see why people talked about him.He acted like he expected everyone to do what he wanted.The class started.Mrs. Walker talked about leadership and responsibility.Some students gave their opinions.Then Maurice spoke."Leadership is influence " he said."If people follow you you are a leader."Mrs. Walker thought about this."Interesting perspective " she said.Alexis raised her hand."I disagree " she said."Leadership is not about making people follow you.It is about helping people succeed."Some students nodded.Maurice leaned back in his chair."Sounds nice in theory " he said."What does that mean?" Alexis asked."It means people follow strength, not kindness " Maurice replied.The classroom got quieter.Alexis crossed her arms."That is not true " she said."Agree to disagree " Maurice said.Something about his tone annoyed her."You do not think kindness matters?" Alexis asked."I think results matter " Maurice replied.The debate went on for a minutes.By the time the class ended everyone was entertained.Mrs. Walker said, "I think that is enough for today."The bell rang.Students started talking about the argument.As Alexis packed her bag she saw Maurice standing next to her desk."Not bad " he said."What?" Alexis asked."The argument " Maurice replied.Alexis stared at him."Thanks I think " she said.Maurice. Walked away.Alexis watched him leave."What was that about?" Marisa asked."I have no idea " Alexis said.She could not stop thinking about it.The rest of the day was a blur.At lunch the girls sat at their table.Silvia asked, "What do you think of Maurice Kingston?""Nothing " Alexis said."Liar " Silvia replied."I am serious " Alexis said."You argued with him for ten minutes " Silvia said."It was a class discussion " Alexis said."It looked personal " Silvia said.Alexis rolled her eyes.The conversation changed,. Maurice kept coming up.By the end of lunch Alexis was tired of hearing his name.She was not done with him yet.The final bell rang.Students were leaving school.Alexis was walking down the steps when she heard someone yelling.A younger student was looking upset near the parking lot.His books were over the ground.Some older students were laughing.Alexis was about to do something. Maurice beat her to it.He walked over. Said something to the older students.They backed off. Maurice helped the younger boy pick up his books.Then Maurice just walked away.No one. Clapped.He just left.Alexis stared after him.That was not what she expected.For the time that day she wondered if she had judged him too quickly.This thought surprised her.It also annoyed her.Because usually she trusted her impressions.Something, about Maurice Kingston did not fit the picture everyone had of him.As the sun started to set Alexis got on the bus to goShe watched the school disappear behind her.Senior year had started.Somehow on the very first day her path had crossed with a boy she could not decide whether she disliked or wanted to understand.Either way she had a feeling this would not be the time Maurice Kingston complicated her life.Not even close.