NORA'S POV

Nora ran through the hallway. It was the first day of school and she was already late. Great. She didn't even had time to think about her outfit, she had to put on the first she could grab. She really hoped to not bump into anyone right now. She wasn't that far from the classroom, just 30 feet away maybe. When suddenly, someone called her name.

"Nora!"It was Mrs. Cross, the secretary. Nora stopped. Damn, she was this close! She turned around and looked at her. The school secretary was fat, grumpy and at least 65 years old. Next to her stood a girl with short black hair and big hazel eyes. She looked bored. Poor girl thought Nora. She would have to endure Mrs. Cross for the whole day.

"Yes Mrs. Cross?"Nora said, like nothing was wrong.

"You're late."

"I know, sorry… I got held up." More like Patch wouldn't leave her house this morning so she couldn't get ready in time.

"You know what that means?" Mrs. Cross was enjoying this. Of course she was. "Detention." She said with a cold voice.

"Please Mrs. Cross, this won't happen again. I promise." Now Nora had to beg her not to give her detention. Her morning was just getting better and better.

"You know Nora, the problem is, I don't believe you. It's not like it's first time your late. You're going to have to stay here for detention until 4 o'clock. Unless…"

"Unless what? I can do it!" She had to do anything not to get detention. She was supposed to meet Vee for coffee later.

"You know Nora, Lucinda here is a transfer student." She pointed to the girl next to her."I have to show her the school but, I just have so many things to do…"

Nora got the hint. "I can show her the school. No problem." Mrs. Cross forced a smile and looked at the girl.

Then she said, as if Lucinda hadn't seen the whole conversation. "Lucinda, this is Nora Grey, she would show you the school today. I want you to come by my office at the end of the day to tell me if anything went wrong." And then she walked away, just like that.

Nora looked at her watch, she was very late. No way, she was going to her first period. But at least she now had an excuse for her delay.

The girl was looking at her, like she was waiting for Nora to say something. She cleared her throat. "So…" What was she supposed to say? "What's your first class?"

Lucinda opened her bag and took her schedule out. "Hmm… It's English with Mr. Barks."

"Good. He's a good teacher. I'm not in your English class though; my first one today is Chemistry. But I can still show where your classroom is." She tried her best smile.

Lucinda smiled back. "Ok."

Nora started walking and Lucinda followed her. "Where did you transfer from?"

"California. It was actually a boarding school."

"You must miss the weather. I've never been to California but they say it's paradise. Were you born there?" Please let the English classroom be near, she didn't want to keep faking she was interested in Lucinda's life.

"No, I was actually born in Georgia, and then I moved to California. Now I'm here. What about you? Are you from Maine?" She smiled. She seemed really nice.

"Born and raised, I can't imagine living anywhere." She actually could, anywhere really, if Vee and Patch were with her. "We're here." She opened the classroom door. Mr. Barks looked at her with confusion. Yeah, the class was just about to end. Perfect timing. "Sorry, we're a little late but I brought you our new student, Lucinda, from Georgia." She waved her hand so Lucinda would enter the classroom. She came in, looking down.

"Welcome Lucinda." Said Mr. Barks "You're just in time for…" And then the bell rang. "Never mind" he said, but no one heard him.

Lucinda stayed in the classroom until it was almost empty.

"Well, that was a productive lesson." Nora said. They both laughed. Lucinda was actually really nice. "What's your next class?"

"Biology" She answered, looking and her timetable.

"Well, that's good. Me too." That was very good, not because Lucinda was going to be there, but because Patch had this class as well. They headed off to the Biology classroom. Before they entered it, Lucinda grabbed Nora's arm and said

"Oh and by the way, you can call me Luce." She smiled. Nora smiled back, a real smile, and entered the classroom and freezed, making Luce bump into her and ask "What's wrong?"

Patch was sitting next to Marcie. Marcie Millar. Nora was supposed to be his lab partner! Not that slutty cheerleader!

Marcie looked at her, hiding a smile and raised an eyebrow. That look meant only one thing. Do you mind if I borrow your hot boyfriend? Nora boiled with hatred. No, that was what Marcie wanted, she wouldn't be the weak one. No sir. Without even glancing at Patch, she grabbed Luce's arm and sat down at a free table.