My life started to take a turn on a sunny afternoon by the lake. It was the kind of day where people in sweat suits walked their dogs, kids happily snacked on ice-cream sandwiches and young couples walked hand in hand on the sidewalk.

Where was I? Sitting alone on a bench, moping.

My name is Linda Allen. I am twelve years old, going on thirteen. This is my story.

I live with my mother in a little house in the suburbs. She and my dad divorced when I was still a baby. At least that's what I thought. Mom had only told me that he left. No details; just that he left. My mom's name is Melanie Allen. I used to ask her if I was adopted, and not because I don't have her blue eyes (I figured my green eyes came from my dad). The thing is trouble seems to follow me almost everywhere I go. In the past six years, I've been kicked out of six schools. I am marked as a rebel.

My mom, on the other hand, is a perfectionist. You probably think that she's really strict because of my role as a trouble-maker, but she's not. "Just try to control yourself next time," she always said, "try hard."

But my hardest wasn't enough. And that was the reason why I was moping by the lake on a beautiful May afternoon. Silverstone Elementary was lucky number 7. That day at school, Tony Morin had made fun of me for my dyslexia and ADHD. I didn't mean for it to come out of my mouth, but I called him a… certain unprintable word. Of course, I said it at the wrong time; the school's principle was right behind me.

Apparently, my little talk with Tony was the last straw. I was expelled.

I wasn't upset because of that, though. I was upset because of the look my mother gave me when she walked into the principle's office. It was sad, a little nervous She probably thought that I was going to end up like an alcoholic or something. I really wished that she could have just shouted at me.

"Hey Linda!"

My head whipped around at the sound of my name. Cole Greene was walking toward me, jeans and a T-shirt, all smiles. As usual, his black hair stuck up in short spikes, with a bit of brown up at the front.

Cole was a kid from school. Most kids from school tried to stay away from me, but Cole was nice. He would say 'hi' to me every time he walked by, or sit down and ask me how I was doing. It was great not to feel like an outcast, to feel like I had a friend.

"Hi, Cole," I said as he sat on the bench.

"Hi. Nice day, huh?" he said casually.

"Yeah."

We looked out over the lake for a while.

"I heard about what happened today." said Cole. He chuckled. "Man, that was awesome. You really shouldn't worry about it, I mean, I bet that everyone's wanted to call Tony that."

"I got expelled," I said. Cole didn't say anything to that.

"You know," I said, "thanks for talking to me when no one else would. You're the only person from Silverstone that I'm going to miss." Cole grinned again.

"But this won't be the last time you see me," he said.

"I… wait, what?"

Cole's grin spread. He looked around, then whispered, "You and me, Linda, we're not like everyone else." He had this maniacal sort of gleam in his eye. "You probably feel alone, don't you?" Cole continued. "Well, you're not. And you'll see why. You just have to come with me."

I instinctively slid away from Cole. "Uh… Cole, nothing personal, but you're kinda scaring me."

"What? What do you…" Cole paused, then said, "I'm not trying to make you run away with me or anything."

"Oh."

Cole laughed. "Sorry, I guess I got a little excited about…"

"About what?"

Cole glanced past my shoulder. "Geez, do they really have to litter?"

I followed Coles gaze. A group of boys-probably fourteen to fifteen years old- were snacking on hot dogs. Their used napkins were on the ground.

"There's a trash can right over there!" Cole shouted.

I guess I forgot to tell you, Cole is all about going green. He'll lecture you like a teacher if you litter. Heck, he actually lectured a teacher once. It was weird.

One of the boys turned around and gave Cole the finger. I felt anger rise in the pit of my stomach. Another boy, wearing a cocky grin, snapped open his can of Coke and dumped some into the lake. I didn't remember how, but next thing I knew, I was on my feet. Cole followed my lead.

"Let's go Linda," he said bitterly, " these guys aren't worth it." But I didn't want to go. My eyes were fixed on the kid with the can of Coke, my fists were clenched. I felt an overwhelming sensation come over me, and suddenly, the boys were soaking wet. The soggy bread from their hot dogs seeped through their fingers. They glanced at each other, clearly shocked.

We were near a calm lake, there was no way a wave could've hit them. And even if there was, there was no dark splotch on the cement as evidence. I was totally confused.

"H-how-" I started.

"We really have to go," Cole said hastily. "Come on!"

I took one last look at the group of boys near the lake, who were swearing in astonishment and still wet from head to toe, before following Cole into the street.