Disclaimer: I own Degrassi. But this is only because I have a hamster named Degrassi. The show though? Not so much.
A/N: Hello readers, this is my first foray not only into a multi-chapter fic that I will update on a regular basis (or at least try to), but into a story more or less centred on an OC. However, I will try to stay true to the series itself. In that way I will be including events such as Anya's 18th birthday, Eli and Clare's tumultuous relationship, transphobic remarks from Dave, ect that happen in each episode of Season 11 (or future seasons, I really have no idea when this will end, or how, at this point) as well as regarding or referencing things that went on in previous seasons. I may adjust or ignore some things (for instance, I started writing this before season 11 premiered, so I'm excluding Fiona's relationship with Charlie, and in a chapter I've already written Anya is still gaga over Dr. Chris due to a future AU plotline I plan on working into this fic) but hopefully this won't happen too often. Additionally, if you've read this whole blurb, I applaud your focus and patience. So without further adieu, I give you the first chapter that isn't much longer than this note! Sorry. ): I ramble.
Degrassi's halls were flooded with noise; newly returned students bustled around, greeting each other with cheery cries. Pockets of conversation could be picked up by anyone passing through, bits and pieces of speech jumbled together to create a beautifully chaotic environment. This environment was one that also provided a blanket of solace for the quieter and more reclusive, allowing them to for the most part pass through life unbothered. In this way, the school was nothing remarkable, an experience most had felt in most schools. And for the most part, the atmosphere was put to waste. It was uncherished, these moments where a person could stand completely still and be a part of dozens of separate conversations and cliques, yet be overlooked so easily as students and teachers flowed through the school like salmon through a river.
For the majority, anyways. The same could not be said for the girl doing just that in that very moment, however. A sweater was flung over her red polo somewhat haphazardly, the hood up and casting a slight shadow across her upper face. She glanced upwards, quickly locating a clock and noting the time. The girl began moving quickly yet agilely through the bustling hallways, navigating her way through the copious amounts of students. Their numbers thinned out slightly the further she progressed, however, and the girl soon found there were just a handful of people scattered around the main office.
Stepping into it, she raised a hand in greeting to the secretary, a small smirk that betrayed her nervousness spreading across her face. The woman smiled in return, quickly glancing at her ID card pinned to her shirt that was slightly covered by her sweater. The woman nodded at once, fishing through the papers on her desk and handing her a yellow sheet of paper she knew to contain her schedule, locker number, and combination. A silent nod of thanks passed between the two as the girl left to depart into the halls once more. However a voice, stern yet friendly, halted her and she turned about in response.
"Not going to scurry off before I get a chance to say hello to our newest student, are you?" the girl found the owner of the voice to be a balding redheaded man in a sharp suit, whom she immediately recognized be the Principal. Simpson was his name, she recalled.
"Of course not," extending her hand politely she continued, giving him a soft and earnest smile. "Very nice to meet you, sir. I've heard good things." The man smiled, looking slightly surprised by her formality.
"Yes, well. I hope you enjoy the rest of your time here, Miss Barrera."
"I'm sure I will."
With another quick smile at both Simpson and the secretary, she ducked out of the office. With another glance at a nearby clock, the girl assured she had plenty of time before her next class. Though, it was better to hurry to her locker just in case she got lost or some other such incident were to occur. Wheeling around the corner towards where she assumed her locker would be located, she had a split second to register another two girls walking right before she collided with one.
Books flying, she immediately fished for the other girl's notebook before gathering up her own and getting to her feet. She seemed to have recovered more quickly than the other girl who was still looking a bit dazed sprawled on the floor. She extended her hand, taking her counterpart's and helping her to her feet. Her shirt was purple, she noted quickly, as she handed her her book back.
"I'm really sorry, I'm a really big klutz." the girl quickly apologized, before introducing herself. "I'm Clare, by the way. You look new."
"You'd be correct in that assumption. Kallie, some people call me Kat but I'm fine with either. And it was completely my fault, I should know by now to be careful when speeding around corners. After all, it's the world's biggest cliche." Clare smiled as her friend spoke up, appearing just slightly territorial, for lack of a better word.
"I know, right? They always just go and PLOW! Right into another person. I'm Alli."
"Nice to meet you two."
"Hey, I'm not exactly an expert on accents or anything, but are you French by any chance?" Clare ventured and was answered by pursed lips and a tilting hand.
"Kind of, not exactly. I used to live in Montreal, so it's possible I developed a slight accent."
"Oh, that's cool. I hear Montreal is beautiful."
"Some would say so. It's not quite my style, though. Say, would you two know where locker number…" Kallie trailed off, glancing at her sheet of paper and immediately going red in the face. Sharing a glance with her friend, Alli leaned over to sneak a glance at her piece of paper and immediately cracked up.
"Oh, geez. Yeah, right down this hall and to the right after you pass the library. See you around, Kat." the new student nodded and said a quick farewell before departing towards where she was instructed. She didn't quite miss Alli's giggle and Clare's gasp as realization set in after the other girl shared what was so funny. And if Kallie wasn't mistaken, she could detect the sound of Clare smacking Alli in the shoulder as she wandered off to find locker 69.
