Seventeen year old Clara Randall and her family had just moved to Crestmont. Tomorrow she was starting her senior year at Liberty High. She had light white skin, dark brown eyes and light straight brown hair down to the middle of her back. She'd lived in Crestmont for a week but hadn't had time to make any friends, because she was helping her parents unpack and set up the family business. It was called "Randall's Pizzeria" it used to be a pharmacy. Clara and her parents were sitting down to dinner.

"Are you nervous about tomorrow?" Clara's dad Nick asked.

"A little." "I mean it is a new school."

"You're gonna do great." Clara's mom Christy said. "Just like your dad and I are nervous about opening the new store but it'll be great."

The next morning Clara drove to school. She was trying to get her locker open.

"Damn it." She said.

She didn't know it but Clay Jensen was watching her struggle to get her locker open from his locker. He was going to help her but she got it open. It was still strange for him to see anyone but Hannah at that locker.

Clara went into her communications class. She sat down next to Clay. He was staring at her.

"Jesus, do I look that bad?" She asked.

"No, I'm sorry." He saw a light in her. A kindness. "I'm Clay."

"I'm Clara."

"Ok class, quiet down." The teacher said.

Later that day Clara was at lunch. The jocks were at another table talking about her.

"Damn, that new girl is fucking hot." Bryce said.

"Yeah and she's mine." Monty said. "Back off."

"Ok, I'll generously let you have this one."

"I'm gonna go invite her to the party."

Monty went over to the table where Clara was sitting alone.

"Hi." "I'm Monty."

"I'm Clara."

"You're new right?"

"Yeah."

"Listen, my friend Bryce is having a party on Saturday if you wanna come."

"I'll try and make it."

"Cool."

After school Clara was in the library. She was waiting for her student tutor to come. She was looking at her history book.

"Clara." Clay said.

She looked up. "Oh, hi." "Clay right?"

"Yeah." "I'm your tutor." He sat down.

Later that night Clay was driving home and saw a car on the side of the road with it's hazard lights on. He decided to pull over to see if he could help. He got out of his car and knocked on the driver's side window. Clara jumped and rolled down the window.

"Sorry didn't mean to scare you." Clay said. "Car trouble?"

"Flat tire."

"Um, I don't know how to change a tire but I can give you a ride home."

"I'm waiting on Triple A but thanks."

"I can wait with you if you want."

"Ok."

They got out of the car and sat on the hood.

"So, where are you from?" Clay asked.

"Chicago."

"Why did you move?"

"My parents wanted to open a new store."

"New store?"

"My family owns "Randall's Pizzeria" it's in the place the where the pharmacy used to be."

"Where "Baker's Drugstore" was?"

"Yeah." "I think that was it." Clay got a really sad look on his face. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." "Have you made any friends?"

"I was invited to a party this weekend but I don't know if I'm going." "I don't really like parties."

"Me either." The tow truck pulled up.

Later that night. Clara was thrashing in her sleep. She shot up in bed shaking and breathing heavily.