“Michelle Hall, where are you?” my mom asked.

“In my room,” I answered back. I had just moved to Texas and all I wanted to do was play on my computer. It had been packed for the entire summer because our house in California did not sell as quickly as we had hoped. I was so happy to get on the computer that I did not want to unpack. On AIM, Debbie told me about what classes she was taking and how she would miss me for tomorrow was her first day of school. I told her I did not start until Tuesday and that I wished I was in California going to school with her. I had just finished telling her good luck when Mom came to the door. I could tell by her face that she was not pleased.

She said, “Please get off the computer, so I can talk to you.” Once I was off, she started to tell me that I needed to unpack more than play on the computer. She told me I had only one more day to unpack and then I would be in school. She asked if I had found my box of school supplies we had bought in California. I told her I had not come across the box yet. She left my room muttering under her breath about how the computer can make me forget everything else that is important.

My forest green eyes shot fire towards the door as my mom left. She doesn’t understand how hard it is to be twelve. Since I have a rare genetic condition called Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia or CAH for short, I am different than other people. Due to the disorder, I am short, five foot one and I retain water which makes my weight over a hundred and sixty pounds. Other than my weight and height, I don’t think I look too bad. I like my long brown hair and tan skin. I like to collect stamps and read books. As I unpacked, I wondered if I would find someone at my new school that I could discuss books with and share my fifty state stamp collection with. I hope that Denton will be different than Los Angeles. My mom and younger sister are excited to be in a new place. I on the other hand, don’t want to be here for I am not good at making friends. Girls my age are interested in shopping and the latest guy, but I would prefer to read a book.

My mom and sister have no problem making friends. They both have blond hair and are perfect in body size and tan. Joy is three years younger than me and always has friends over. When I complain to my mom, she tells me I am just like my dad. She tells me not to compare myself to my sister for everyone is different. I don’t want to be different. As I listened to my favorite CD, I start un-packing the boxes in my room. Joy tells me that dinner is ready so I go downstairs to eat. After eating, I was just too tired to do anything, so I went to bed.