Cari Lane's POV (Point of View)

Nobody told me I was going to a new school. Especially in Singletown. I didn't know anyone, but my older sister, Marie, was determined to help me make new friends. But the truth was I didn't want to make new friends! I liked to be by myself most of the time. Nothing was changing my mind, nothing! I don't want to meet anybody.

"Cari, we're here!" exclaimed Marie as she pulled our mom's old Honda up the drive.

"Oh, goody," I rolled my eyes as we got out of the car and I grabbed my bags and tennis rackets.

"C'mon, Cars, it can't be that hard making new friends." Marie explained, grapping her Adidas sport bag and her purses and volleyball.

"It is for me. I don't ever know anyone here."

"You'll see I was right, and when you come home with new friends, I'll be dying to say 'I told you so, Cars.' So what's new? Any more artwork done?"

"Well, I did get 'A Day at the Lake' done." I handed her my binder full of portraits, landscapes and cartoon-like drawings and comics.

"Wow, Cars, you've been busy," she said, flipping through all of my art.

I shrugged and headed inside.

"Whoa," I murmured. "Look at this place…"

"What? Wow-e…" Marie gasped as we looked around.

In front of us was the living room which to our right was connected to the kitchen. Diagonal from the kitchen was the stairs, and tot eh left of the stairs was the dining room. I headed up the stairs and chose the bedroom on the end of the hallway, opposite from the other door down the hall. I set my things on the ground and looked around my new room. Blank, as usual, and surprisingly large for a teenage girl's bedroom. But, as they say, a girl has her needs. I reached into my bag and got out my CD player, plugged it into the outlet, inserted Taylor Swift's 'Fearless' CD, pressed the play button, and sped up to number twelve, "Best Days".

I stepped to the window and just as I peered to my right I saw a boy outside, playing with three other kids. Another boy and two girls. All laughing and having fun. I hatched an idea. I grabbed my tennis racket and ball and told Marie I'd be practicing my swings.

"Come back inside in fifteen for lunch!" called Marie from the kitchen. "We're having PB&J!"

"'Kay!" I replied as the backdoor slammed shut.

The kids next door hadn't seen me yet, so I began to practice my swings, which I hadn't done in a while, so what I said to Marie was true and a get-away line to get the kids' attention and maybe start a conversation.

The ball first went at least far enough that I had to run to get it.

No one noticed.

I swung harder with a grunt of effort and missed.

I huffed, and my bangs blew off my forehead but back over my blue eyes.

I swung, and the ball went flying to next door and almost hit someone.

"Whoa!"

"Sorry! My bad! Are you okay?"

"Yeah."

I started walking over to get my ball, when one of them asked me a question.

"Hey, are you the new kid?"

"I have a name. It's Cari. Cari Lane."

"Hey, Cari, I'm Cathy." The blond girl giggled and spun in circles, pointing to another kid as she spun. "And these are my friends: Chris, Danny, and Sam."

"Hey," Sam said with a wave.

"Cool. I'm Danny." Danny said, folding his arms trying to look cool and ended up tripping over his own feet.

They all laughed, even me. And I hardly ever laugh.

"Welcome to the neighborhood, Cari. I'm Chris." Chris held out his hand with a warm smile and I had to shake it. The smile set it off. Once I touched his hand, a warm shiver went through my body.

Someone opened the door behind us.

"Kids, time for lunch!"

At the same time, Marie showed up, grabbing my shoulder.

"Hey, Cars, time for lunch."

"Coming." I turned to the others. "See you later!" I ran and looked back to wave.

Chris ran after me. "Wait! You forgot your ball!"

"Keep it!"

He slowed to a stop and looked at the ball, then at me, and smiled that same warm smile.

Another chill ran through me.