Keep your head up -- September First year

I had walked down to breakfast with Brad like I normally do, but he always left and went to sit with his mates at the other end of the table.  It was the first Saturday after classes and it was obvious that some people were aware of some of my family history.  I pushed my eggs around on my plate and looked up when Shaylee joined me.  I smiled at her casually.  "Morning," I said to her, though I could tell that she knew something was wrong.

I raised my eyebrows at Ava, eyeing how she was not really eating.  "Ava... what's up?  Are you missing your folks?" I questioned, knowing that I missed Mum and Dad, so I could easily see how sh ewould miss Aunt Ally and Uncle Gabe.

I sighed.  "It's not just that," I said to her quietly.  "Everyone knows who I am... and are already judging me."  I hated it that I had to pay for what my mum's family used to do.  I was not like them at all.

Alright, I had to expect that a little bit from her.  I just was not entirely sure what to tell her.  "I know it sucks," I said honestly.  "You'll have to work so much harder than everyone else to show who you are... but that doesn't mean you should feel like crap about it."

I chuckled, rolling my eyes at Shay. "Yeah, it's easy for you to say that," I pointed out, "because you're not the one who has to deal with it." I sighed. "My last name isnt' even Carrow... so why do I have to be the one who changes what it's like for the family name that I don't even carry?"

I wished that I could do something to help my cousin feel better. I sighed. "Ava, is there anyway I can help?" I asked, feeling defeated because there was nothing I could do to even begin to imagine what she was going through.