-Jade's P.O.V-

Canada. That word swirled around in my head while the plane rumbled beneath me. I clutched the armrests and looked out the window. Blue skies and way below, tiny specks which were probably skyscrapers up close. I closed my eyes and recollected what had happened and why I was on that plane in the first place. My dad left our family and my mom went on a drinking binge and had a nervous happened about 6 months ago and I got put in a foster home. Last week, the home I was staying in got a notice that they were being shut down and all of us kids got packed up and were being transported to a new foster home in Canada.

"Jade, do you want something to drink?"

I opened my eyes and looked over at my best friend, Alex.

I had met her when I got in the foster home. She had taken me under her wing and showed me the ropes. I had never had many friends so when I found out I was getting moved to Canada, I was glad she was going to be with me.

The stewardess was standing in the aisle next to Alex's seat with a rolling cart.

"Um... yeah. I'll take a Pepsi" I said.

The stewardess smiled and handed me the can.

"Enjoy your flight" she said before walking away.

"Dude.. I can't believe we are going to Canada to live and start a new life. It's just crazy.." Alex said.

"Yeah I know," I agreed, "And we have to start a new school where we are going to meet a bunch of new people."
I quickly skimmed the coach section of the plan in which we were sitting. Our director of the foster home, Mrs. Adkins, was sitting in the front with her lips pinched and face looking stern. I looked around at the rest of the kids. There were kids of all ages with the youngest being about 6. Me and Alex were 16. There were about 40 of us total with about 20 of us being teenagers, but Alex was still the only one I really talked to.

"It's kinda cool though. Kind of exciting. Maybe we can meet some cute guys" Alex mused.

"That would be awesome" I agreed.

Finally after several hours we reached Canada. After we unloaded from the plane, we boareded a huge charter bus that was going to be taking all of us to our new home. We pulled to a stop in front of a big brick building that said NEW HOPE FOSTER CARE in capital letters. I grabbed mybags and waited on Alex, then followed the huge crowd of kids into the huge building. As it was in the other home, it was sectioned off for boys and girls. All the girls quickly ran to beds, claiming the ones they wanted. Me and Alex got ones side by side and began unpacking our belongings. A few moments later Mrs. Adkins walked into the girls' quarter to address us.

"Okay girls, get plenty of rest because you will all be enrolling into school tomorrow morning. I've already told the boys. Finish getting unpacked and then we will be serving dinner in the great hall" she said briskly.

-The Next Day; Thursday-

All of us kids boarded the charter bus again early the next morning and came to a stop in front of a building that had a big sign out front that read DEGRASSI COMMUNITY SCHOOL. Mrs. Adkins stood at the front of the bus with an infinite stack of papers in her hand.

"Okay children, all you have to do when you get inside is go straight to your class. I have here your schedules and a map of the school for each of you."

As she came towards the back where Alex and I were sitting my stomach began to tense. I glanced over at Alex. She was chewing her nails. Her nervous habit. Mrs. Adkins finally handed me and Alex ours and we quickly began comparing classes.

"We have lunch and 3rd period English together" I noted, skimming both of our schedules.

"And gym" Alex pointed out.

"Okay. Everyone have a great day. Since there are so many of you, you won't be riding a normal school bus, we will be taking you to and from school. See you all at 3 pm" she smiled.

We filed out in a single file line, slowly making our way up the school's steps, chattering quietly along the way. Once we were in the lobby, I looked down at my schedule. 1st period- Biology. I looked at my map. Room 44 with Mr. Benson.

"I have first period Geometry. Great.." Alex said sarcastically.

I smiled at her.

"Alright Allie. I guess I will see you in English."
"Okay, see ya Jade" she said then walked in the the opposite direction of me.

I walked slowly down a hall, checking out the school as I went. I had to admit, it was pretty nice. I passed the library, the gym and the cafeteria. Finally, I wandered onto a different hall where I began to see the classrooms. When I reached Room 44, I put my hand on the doorknob and froze. I listened to what was going on inside. The teacher, Mr. Benson, was talking about the water cycle, and kids were talking and laughing raucously. The teacher was laughing alone with them like they were having a great class discussion. So this was a pretty interactive class. Great. There went me trying to hide in a corner and avoid stares. I hated being treated like a sideshow freak. I liked meeting new people, but the first day at a new school always sucked. I took a deep breath and then slowly turned the knob. All the chatter stopped and all eyes were on me. I felt my face growing hot.

"So you must be..." Mr Benson grabbed a paper off his desk, "Jade Robinson?"

"Yes" I said shyly.

"Well, welcome to Degrassi Jade. Would you like to tell the class about yourself?" he asked warmly.

I looked at Mr. Benson and then quickly looked around the classroom. Everyone was staring at me, waiting.

"Um.. w-well, I I moved here from California and I live in the new foster home they just opened" I said looking down at the ground and scrunching my toes up inside of my Converses.

"Well, we are glad to have you here with us Jade. We'll all work together to make your stay a pleasant one. Now, if you'll go have a seat in that empty desk on the second row, we'll get back to our discussion" Mr. Benson smiled.

I was going to get along with him. I adjusted my book-bag strap and slowly made my way down the aisle to the empty desk while everyone I walked past looked up at me and stared. I sat down at my desk, pulled a notebook out of my book-bag and began to doodle. I felt several pairs of eyes on me.

"Hey, so you said you're from California? What part?" I looked over to see who was whispering to me. It was a skinny blond girl.

"Yeah, Orange County" I responded.

"Cool, I have some family that lives in Berkeley. It's gorgeous there. By the way, I'm Emma" she smiled.

I smiled back. At least someone was talking to me.

"Oh, what period do you have lunch?" she asked.

"I have second lunch" I replied.

"Cool, me too. You can sit with me if you want."

"That would be great, thanks."
"Okay, well how about we meet right here, in front of this class, and we can walk there together?"

"Sure, that would be good" I replied.

She turned her attention back to Mr. Benson and I looked down at my notebook. Hmm. Maybe Degrassi would be okay.