1 The New Girl

I slowly walked down the hallways, my arms clutching two textbooks that my past classes had given me as I made my way through the talking students who were all headed towards lunch. Everyone looked so at ease, so used to being in a lifestyle of riches and happiness, but me? I was freaking out.

So far, I'd managed to trip over the stairs (twice), hit my head against my locker (four times), and smack my teacher by accident with the whiteboard eraser as I went to turn around ( thank God, only once for that). I was beyond embarrassed but I was just glad that now I could eat in peace and not worry about choking on my food in front of others since I would go to the library and do so alone. Deciding to stop by my locker, I made a turn and counted down the numbers that labeled the lockers before I found mine, doing its combination quickly before shoving my books inside and slamming it shut.

I then proceeded to brush the imaginary dust off of my plaid skirt that all the girls were required to wear and straightened my white, collared shirt before taking a deep breath and heading into the cafeteria.

As soon as I entered, it was chaos. Loud laughter filled the air, and I watched with wide eyes as girls chatted together and boys shoved each other's shoulders, goofing off about stupid stuff that probably were significant to them.

Students were getting into the rather large line and buying their lunch while the ones that weren't were unpacking whatever their maids had made for them. I stood there, wondering for a moment if I would ever be able to fit in. After all, I wasn't a billionaire's daughter or son like they were.

I was just a girl who'd received a scholarship her dad couldn't afford. Sighing, I strolled towards the line and grabbed a tray, making sure not to slip on any of the food that had dropped to the floor before flashing a bright smile to the lunch lady who was plopping some pasta onto my plate. I went through the rest of the line with no trouble and found myself feeling proud.

This was one of the first times in history where I'd managed not to do something stupid. With a satisfactory grin, I turned, making my way towards the exit doors when someone stuck their foot out and caused me to fall face-forward.

- Into my pasta.

For a moment, I laid there, stunned. And then mortification settled in and I hurriedly sat up, wiping my chin of the tomato sauce before I blinked my lashes upward to see a laughing table full of boys and girls, the one girl at the corner with her phone out as she took a video. I could only gape at her.

"What? Have no words, newbie?" she challenged, and I found my cheeks flushing in embarrassment.

I knew I'd spoken too soon. Deciding not to respond, I scrambled to my feet but as I did so,

I managed to slip on some of the sauce that was on the floor and the next thing I knew, I was falling face forward again.

Except this time, I landed on a boy who'd been standing in front of me. I felt my hands connect to a muscular chest before I felt my lips press against something soft and warm.