Beth
"It's so nice to know what we're doing this year," my best friend, Jana Morgan, sighed. "I remember last year when we were so freaked out about being at a new school and being the youngest class and everything. But this year... starting school is pretty cool. I mean, old Wacko really feels like a second home."
I nodded as I walked up the front steps of Wakeman Middle School with my Jana and the rest of my best friends, The Fabulous Five. It was the first day of 8th grade for us, and we'd be hanging out at our usual spot on the school grounds, talking to friends we hadn't seen much over the summer, when the first bell rang, which was a signal that it was time for us to find our lockers and get to our homerooms.
"I know," I agreed. "As much as I hate to say it about SCHOOL, being at Wacko again is kind of a nice, familiar feeling."
Melanie Edwards groaned. "You won't feel that way in a few weeks when you're buried under mountains of homework and school projects."
"Aw, Mel," Katie Shannon grinned, shifting her backpack. "Don't tell me you aren't just thrilled to be back at school? Such a surprise. I always thought school was your favorite place to be."
We all laughed as Mel stuck her tongue out at Katie. Melanie isn't the School Person of our group, that's for sure. She'd much rather be just about anywhere but school... namely at the mall, or Bumpers, the middle school fastfood hangout down the street.
"Well, I can tell you one thing for sure," Christie Winchell said empathetically as we started squeezing our way down the hall. "I'm thrilled to be back at Wacko. I mean, St. Meg's was ok, but I'd take Wacko anyday."
Christie had moved to London, England in late winter during 7th grade, and had to spend the second half of the school year at St. Margaret's (or St. Meg's)- an all girls school. She had made friends there and everything, but according to Christie, it had been really old fashioned and everyone had to wear these weird uniforms.
"Well, DUH," Melanie huffed in response to Christie's statement. "There were no BOYS at St. Margaret's!"
Jana giggled. "And you know? What more is there to school then seeing boys?"
"Nothing," Melanie replied matter of factly, and we all laughed. Mel is the most boycrazy girl in the world. Even having a terrific boyfriend doesn't keep her from constantly being on the lookout for hotties or flirting when she gets the chance.
"Speaking of boys," Mel continued. "There's Shane by the water fountain. I'm going to go talk to him. I'll see you guys later, ok?"
"Ok," Katie agreed. "At lunch if not sooner."
As Melanie trotted off in the direction of her boyfriend, (Shane Arrington), Katie, Christie and Jana continued on towards the 8th grade locker section. But I hung back a minute, trying to get a better look at the boy Shane was talking with. He was average height, with strawberry blonde hair and a really neat smile. I had never seen him before, so I figured he must be new. Maybe from Grover! I thought suddenly. Wacko was getting some kids from Grover Jr High this year. (Something about their junior high closing down or something- Grover was a really small town.) But the boy looked too nice to be from Grover, which is known for the mean, tough people that live there.
"Hey, Beth! Hurry up!" I heard Katie yell over all the noise from down the hall.
I nodded back and started making my way in her direction, still thinking about the boy. One thing was for sure- I was definitely going to find out who he was, whether he was from Grover or not.