"The yards tiny" Alex complained it had been a long trip and everyone was exhausted "You said we'd have room for a dog"

"I said we might have room for a dog, I hadn't seen the backyard yet Bud" Dad said and opened the car door, I yawned and picked my bag up off the floor waiting for Lauran to move so I can finally get out.

"I really wanted a dog!" Alex got out of the car, Brandon glared at the little boy while Max walked to the front door.

"Hold on mate" Dad called to Max unbuckling Declan who had fallen asleep on the way here.

"Dad I can't find my hair ribbon" Lauran panicked looking underneath the seat. I laid my head on the baby seat.

"Don't worry you can find them later, you have plenty more inside to wear now get out of the car so your sister can get out" Dad said taking the key out of his pocket "Brandon take Declan"

"Are we sharing rooms?" I asked putting on my backpack and taking out one of the boy's suitcases. If we were then I'd be getting Lauran again.

"Yes you will be" Dad said clearly waiting for everybody to go to the front door of the house. Lauran huffed and rolled her eyes taking her khaki bag with her. Everything was covered in snow. The flowers in the garden had withered obviously from the cold. I walked closer to the widow trying to see inside but the window's too fogged up.

"Dad it's so cold" Lauran said frustrated.

"I'm opening the door now" Dad said struggling to get the key inside the hole. Max picked up Alex obviously to comfort him over the no dog situation. Dad finally got the door open and we all walked in together.

I dragged the suitcase behind me, it was a nice feeling walking inside. Dad smiled proudly placing the key on the kitchen bench. Brandon laid Sam on the couch while the boys looked around the lounge room. I walked through the hallway trying to find my new room, the paint on walls were chipped and the carpet had become worn. All the doors were closed but on each one was a piece of paper sticky taped to say what they were. Dad had obviously pre decided where everything will go. I stopped at the door that had the paper with the words written 'Sarah and Lauran's room' I twisted the handle and opened the door, leaving the suitcase behind me one of the boys will see it or dad. Lauran won't look at it twice, I put my backpack on the dresser.


SpongeBob blared from the lounge room where Declan sat comfortably on a bean bag watching it. I curled my hair in the mirror behind the couch. There was no point trying to do my make-up in the bathrooms since there are too many people in the house and everyone needs to use the bathroom in the morning. I think we all get that from dad, I put down the curler above the cabinet and grabbed the hair spray. I scrunched my hair a little trying to keep my curls intact; I'm horrible with a curling iron, my hair never stays curly for long. I finished off my make-up and sprayed a little perfume on. My schoolbag sat by the door, next to Max's while everyone else scrambled to get their lunch together. I went to my room with the make-up box and put it away beside the cupboard.

I pulled Lauran's brown boots over my feet, and took my phone off of the dresser. Josie's probably still asleep not even aware she's meant to be leaving for school in 15 minutes. I scrolled through my contact list and clicked on her name. It rung for a barely five seconds when a groggy voice picked up "Why'd you wake me up?" I threw myself on my bed and laid on my belly.

"Because you have school and I don't want you sleeping in" I said swinging my legs backwards and forwards "You should see our new house it is so cool but I really wish you were here with me"

"I do too, thanks I was up late practising for the school play auditions I couldn't sleep" Josie yawned "You know how it is"

"Uh huh, that's why I don't do curricular activities they're too time consuming. I would have waked you up earlier but I'm not allowed to touch the phone anymore until I'm ready for school it sucks so much" I complained, Josie understands me. No one else really does, Lauran as my sister and another girl should but despite knowing each other for years we still aren't at the friendship level however we do have a common ground which is a good thing.

"School everyone!" I rolled my eyes and sighed I'm barely going to be able to talk to Josie now. Since she's always busy and we don't have school together no more.

"Josie I have to go now have a good day" I said getting off the bed and walking down hallway to the front door.

"You too I'll call you I think I might have enough time tonight" Josie said "If not I'll shoot you a text"

"Sarah get off the phone" Dad said the second he could see me; why do adults always tell you to do things as you're doing them? So freakin annoying. I shot him a dirt look as soon as he turned around.

"Sounds good! Bye love you" I said putting on my bag.

"Love you too" she said and I hung up. I sat in the middle next to Max in the car.


"Why are you following me?" Brandon asked me when we got to his new locker.

"Because I have no friends to annoy" I twirled my hair around my finger, he looked frustrated with me "And you love me"

"You can hang out with me second break if you still don't have anyone to sit with" Brandon said sticky tapping a copy of his timetable on the inside of his locker "But this break I'm trying out for the football team, so you'll have to sit with Lauran or Max"

I didn't bother even saying that Lauran's trying out for cheerleading and Max is trying out for football as well. Alex is probably finding an extracurricular activity too. Maybe I should find something as well but I'm too lazy for sport, I suck at acting and I don't like to sing so that doesn't leave me much.

"Maybe I can watch?" I ask following him to the back of the school "I can be your cheerleader for today"

"If the coach says you can" he stated "Where is your locker anyway?"

"Near the Art Block" I said and began to skip "Why do you ask?"

"Just making conversation" Brandon said laughing at my skipping "You're a weird child"

"Not even" I stick my tongue out at him then toss my hair back. I sat uncomfortable on the ice cold bench. A group stood in the middle of the oval I could see Max and Brandon laughing with a few of the other boys. No coach in sight. The bench shook, I looked up at the person who sat down. I felt my stomach flutter when I saw the boy beside me. The boy turned around and I almost bolted to the middle of the field to hide behind Brandon. The boy's mouth dropped and his eyes widened at a painfully slow rate. Then just as slow he moved over just a smidge so he was a little closer to me. I knew I was pretty I didn't know I was that pretty. I quickly turned back to the tryouts.

The coach is finally here! I grinned and stood up when I saw Brandon, Max and their friends waving at me "Whoop I know them" I hollered. Well I know two of them, Max hid his eyes with his hand and Brandon turned red while the rest of the group laughed.

"I know three of them" The boy next to me said "I haven't seen you around before, are you new?"

"Yeah" I said picking at the hem of my shirt.

"What's your name?" He said inching closer the heat that radiated off him felt nice.

"Sarah you?" I looked up at him, he smiled larger.

"Seth, do you have somewhere to sit next break?" I bit my lip and look at Brandon, I had asked if I could sit with him but he won't mind. Dad would be pleased with me trying to make friends and it'd be cool to have another friend- I've only ever had Josie.

"No do you mind if I hang out with you?"

"Not at all"