Nick stood in front of Degrassi High. He was sixteen and was nervous about his first day. The first time he'd go to school without friends or relatives. He put his cap on and slung his backpack over his shoulder. He'd lived in Toronto before, but it was when he was eleven. His mom had forced him to go to Vancouver and leave the past behind, including his best friend.
He walked up the steps into the school. He sighed in despair.
"Well, here goes nothing." he said to himself. He moved a strand of brown hair from his right eye. He walked to the office and stood there trying to calm himself down.
"Hi, I'm Mr. Raditch. I'm the principal here." said a man who'd walked up to Nick.
"Hi, I'm Nick." he said, as they began to walk.
"Oh, yes. I heard you were coming. I'm sorry about your mother."
"It's fine. I'm dealing with it."
"Yes, well, the school is holding school elections so you should get to know the candidates."
"Who are they?"
"Uh, Marco Del Rossi and Alex Nuñez."
"OK. I'll look 'em up." Mr. Raditch had one of the women behind a computer assign him a locker and give him his schedule.
"Thanks." Nick said, as he grabbed the pieces of paper.
"Would you like me to show you around?" Mr. Raditch asked as Nick walked away.
"No. I'll find my way. But thanks for the offer." Nick walked into the hallways and looked for his locker. At least until he ran into another guy.
"Whoa. Watch it." the guy said.
"Sorry. I'm Nick."
"Craig."
"Nice to meet you Craig. Hope to see you again."
"You will." Craig continued to walk away in the opposite direction. Nick continued to search for his locker.
"Yes. Found it."
"Ooh, check him out." Hazel said. She and Paige were walking the halls, when they'd spotted a new guy. He had messy brown hair and was closing his locker.
"Hey, you have Jimmy." Paige said, looking at the boy. "Although, he is kinda boy band cute. He's mine."
"Well, let's give him a friendly welcome." Paige and Hazel walked over to Nick as he closed his locker. "Hi, I'm Hazel." Hazel said, holding out her hand. Nick took it.
"Hi, I'm-" he stopped mid-sentence. He looked into Paige's bright green eyes. They looked familiar and they seemed to mesmerize him. Just as another pair had when he was eleven. "Do I know you?"
"I don't think so." Paige said, slowly. His eyes were piercing into hers. His were grayish-blue. So familiar. "I'm Paige." Then, it struck him.
"Paige? As in Paige Michalchuk?"
"How do you know my name?"
"Because I use to know you. In elementary school. I'm Nick."
"Nick Carlson?" Nick nodded. "Oh my gosh! You're here! At Degrassi!" She gave him a huge hug.
"You two know each other?" Hazel asked, causing the two to break apart.
"Um, yeah. Nick and I were best friends from kindergarten to sixth grade."
"What stopped you guys from being friends?"
"I moved to Vancouver." Nick said, so excited to see his old best friend.
"So, how's your mom?" Paige asked.
"Um, she died. A few weeks ago."
"Oh, I'm so sorry." Paige said, hugging him again.
"It's OK. I'll get over." Nick said. The bell rang telling them it was time for first period. Paige pulled away from Nick and looked up at him.
"So, what's your first class?" Hazel asked.
"Media Immersion. Taught by Mr. Simpson."
"Looks like you're with us. Come on." Paige said, dragging Hazel and Nick along.