1

I can't always say I've wanted to attend school, but that would be a lie.

I am a timid person. I don't do good in crowded places.

My mom said I should get out more, but I think my timidness will get worse.

I've been going to Grapevine High school for two months now, and I have no friends.

I usually keep to myself and my books. I'm always sitting alone at lunch and in every single one of my classes.

I want this year to be different. I don't want to be known as the nerd or the wallflower anymore.

Honestly, I want to be noticed by both girls and boys. I don't know how I'll manage that.

People here get friends or are popular based on their size, hair color, hair length if they have a tan, and whatnot.

It's so absurd.

But if that is what I have to do to be accepted, then so be it.

After school on Friday, I ask-no-beg my mom if she could take me to the mall.

She was hesitant at first because she knows that I didn't like going anywhere alone, but when I told her I was going with friends, she agreed.

I don't have a huge allowance, but I have saved up to over sixty dollars. Hopefully, it's enough to fix my entire wardrobe.

I bought three dresses, some cool t-shirts, jeans, the newest sneakers, and Stelios(though I have never worn a pair in my entire life), and I got some makeup.

After scouring through the mall for about two hours, my mom comes to pick me up.

I throw all my bags in the backseat and climb into the front.

"Hey, sweetheart! How was it?"

I smile. "Fine. I had fun."

My mom nods. "That's good. Where are your friends?"

"Oh, they got picked up early."

I was so excited for the weekend to be over. I want to show off all of my outfits to the popular clique at that school.

"So, uh when did you meet these friends of yours?" my mom asked as she zoomed out of the parking lot, "Are they in any of your classes?"

I fumble with the hem of my t-shirt, thinking of something to say. I figured if I said I had friends, she wouldn't feel the need to ask more questions.

So instead of answering, I shrug.

My mom glanced over at me. "I know the divorce hit you hard, and I'm sorry. But I actually have great news."

"Yeah?"

My parents got a divorce a year ago, and that's why my mom moved out. Since then, she's been seeing a surgeon who works at the same hospital she does.

"Kyle and I are going to get married in a couple of months." she pats her flat stomach. "You're also going to be a big sister."

I gap at her. Lost for words.

"I know, it's a lot."

I shake my head. "That's great, mom. So when did you find out you were pregnant?"

"Yesterday, actually." My mom stopped at a red light and turned toward me. "I didn't want to tell you about the marriage or the baby because I didn't know how you'd react."

"It's ok, really."

My mom's eyes widen. "So you agree with it?"

"Why not?" I shrug. "Kyle's a good guy, and he's treating you right, right?" I peer over at her.

I've never met Kyle, but my mom has been happier since the divorce. So maybe he's ok.

"Of course, he's treating me right." my mom made a turn when the light turned green. "Kyle also asked if he could stay with us until the wedding."

Since I'm dying to meet this Kyle, I agreed.

Monday.

I wore a grey tank top, a Nike jacket, black leggings and the new pair of white converses I bought.

I usually would curl my hair, but I straightened it. I thought I looked great.

My mom saw me when I came down this morning, and her eyebrows went up. "Cute outfit, Evelyn. But don't you think it's a bit too . . . revealing?"

"It's only my stomach, mom." I groan.

She purses her lips. "Alright. Here's your lunch."

I take the lunch bag and stuff it into my backpack by the door. She gives me a kiss on the forehead. "Be good. Always remember to keep God first, alright?"

"Yes, mum."

I leave and walk down to the bus stop where another girl from my neighborhood waits for the bus.

Ava is not in the popular clique. She is as far from it as you can get. I've seen her around the school sometimes. She's in the leadership club and the geek club.

"Hey, Evelyn." she looks me up and down. "What's up with the outfit?"

"I guess I wanted to try something new." I shrug.

Ava looked like she had swallowed a lemon. "Don't tell me you're trying to impress those popular kids."

"And if I were?"

"That would be pretty foolish of you."

Before I could answer, the bus pulled up, and Ava climbed on. I followed after her.

As usual, the bus was hot, stuffy, and loud. Kids were shouting at friends across the aisle, and some were spitting spit wads.

I sit in the back, alone, but today, Ava and her friends were sitting in my row, looking at something on their phones.

Ava looks up and patted an empty spot next to her. "You can sit with us if you'd like."

I slide by her other friends and sit down beside her. "What are you looking at?"

"Do you know Trevor?"

I nod. Everyone knows Trevor. He's the most popular kid in the eleventh grade. "He's the most popular guy in our grade. How could I not know him?"

A girl over by the window peered around Ava. "He's throwing a birthday bash next weekend, and he's handing out invitations all this week." She smiled. "Oh, silly me. I didn't introduce myself. I'm Lillian." Lillian nods to the girl sitting on my left. "That lovely lady over there is Serenity."

Serenity waved and then went back to scribbling on her drawing pad.

"Do you think you'll get invited?" I asked Ava, turning back towards her.

Ava threw her head back and laughed. "Are you kidding me? We're dorks. We never get invited anywhere."

Serenity taps me on the shoulder and held up her drawing pad. Scribbled on it was: That's not funny, Ava.

"Oh, come on. You know it's true."

Serenity rolls her eyes and then went back to scribbling.

I turn to look out the window. I will get invited to Trevor's party if it's the last thing I'll ever do.

School was . . . how do I say this?

Not different. Well, I guess in a way it was. But it was interesting.

I had guys gawking at me from both the popular clique and the football team.

The girls just looked at me with pursed lips and folded arms.

Ava and her friends glowered at them all.

"Ugh." Lillian hissed. "They are all divas. I hate every last one of them, especially the boys. They're slimes."

Serenity held up her pad. Are you sure they're all jerks? I've seen the way you look at Trevor and Ty.

"Oh, hush." Lillian pushed her pad away.

I covered my mouth to hide a smile.

When I heard the warning bell ring, I waved goodbye to Ava and her friends and made my way to my locker.

I tossed my backpack inside my locker and was grabbing my history textbook when I heard someone cough behind me.

"Well, well, well. Looks like someone finally came to their senses." A voice snarled.

I scowled. "Kamila. What do you want?"

I turn and fold my arms firmly across my chest.

Kamila had pale skin, long blonde hair, and bright blue eyes. She was wearing a patterned blouse, skirt, and matching heels.

"Nothing. Just complementing you on your choice of clothing." She shrugs. "Huge step up from before, but you have lots to learn, dearie."

She turns and walks away.

I sat with Ava and her friends at lunch. They have a table in the middle of the room.

Ava told me that Lillian picked out this table because she wanted a clear view of the popular boys.

"Isn't this such a good view?" Lillian asked, opening her milk carton.

I pulled out some of my lunch from my bag. I unwrap the cookie and take a bite out of it.

Ava gasped. "Look! It's Trevor. He's headed this way!"

I swallow the cookie and look to where Ava's looking. Trevor is sitting a few tables away with the football jocks. He stood up from his seat and was heading toward our table with a smug look on his face.

Trevor had blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and tan skin. He was wearing a black sweater, jeans, and gold and black Nikes.

He reached our table and plopped down next to Serenity. She hid her face in her drawing book, trying to hide her red cheeks.

"Hey. I'm sure that you've heard about my birthday party this weekend." he pulls out some invitations. "Any of you guys want to come?"

Lillian's jaw dropped. "Are you joking?"

"I have four left."

Ava reached for the invitations and gave Trevor a suspicious look. "We'll think about it."

"Good to hear." he glanced at me and winked. "See ya."

When he left, Lillian put her hand on her heart and sighed. "Oh my gosh! Can you believe that we were invited to his birthday party?"

Serenity held up her pad.

This is the best day of my life! His hair smelled like coconut shampoo!!

I finish off my cookie and stuff the rest of my lunch in my bag. "I never would have thought he used coconut shampoo."

"Me neither!" Lillian agreed. "He seems like someone who should bathe in cologne."

I laugh and shake my head. I look over at Ava, who was thumbing through the invites.

"What's wrong, Ava?" I asked.

Ava shrugged and glared over at Trevor's table. "Doesn't feel weird that he just came over and gave us invites? He doesn't even know us."

"Who cares?" Lillian exclaimed, snatching the envelope. "He invited us."

When the bell rang signaling the end of lunch, I pulled out a piece of paper that I had scribbled on.

-Get invited to Trevor's party.

Check.