Chapter 1
Mandy grabbed her lavender backpack and flung it on her back.
"Ugf!" Mandy frowned. Every year her backpack seemed to get heavier and heavier.
"Honey! The bus comes in five minutes! Ready to go?" Mandy's mom, Christina called from around the corner.
"Yea mom. All ready." Mandy yelled back. Christina walked into the room and looked at Mandy, her eyes filling up with tears.
"I can't believe you are going into high school already! Poor thing, and you are going to a new school too." Christina's voice quivered. She gave Mandy a hug and smiled.
"Have a good day!" Christina said as Mandy ran out the door waving. Mandy barely made it to the bus stop before the bus arrived. Mandy grimaced as she sat down in a seat with graffiti all over the back of the seat in front of her. Mandy crossed her arms uncomfortably. What kind of a school had she joined?
The last pickup stop came and the bus filled up quickly. The bus door closed and the bus continued to drive for half a second before it stopped suddenly. The door opened once more and an out of breath boy jumped on. Sitting next to Mandy, he gasped for breath. He had shaggy light brown hair, blue-green eyes, and baggy clothes. The boy noticed her examining him and met her eyes. Mandy looked away, feeling embarrassed for getting caught.
"Hey. I haven't seen you before. You're new right?" Chase asked, interested in the new girl. Mandy nodded.
"Well I'm Chase. And obviously I don't know you." Chase smiled at her.
"I'm Mandy." She put it plainly in front of Chase.
"Well nice to meet you Mandy." Chase replied, smiling. He liked her. He liked her a lot. The bus stopped and Mandy got up to leave. Chase got his backpack stuck and Mandy went on without him. Chase ran after Mandy and finally caught up with her.
"Hey, Mandy. You know, you are new around here." Chase sort of asked.
"That's what I have been told." Mandy replied, looking away from Chase.
"Well… I was thinking… You know, since you're new and all. Maybe I could help you find your locker and classes and stuff. You know, just so you get the hang of it." Chase suggested.
"Sure. I guess I could use a bit of help." Mandy shrugged.
"Great!" Chase exhaled as though he were waiting to see if he won a giant prize from the lottery. He looked directly at her and smiled. Their eyes locked for a few seconds when Chase looked away.
"What's your locker number?" Chase asked, looking at his shoes.
"249." Mandy replied, smiling at him.
"Great! Mine's 257, so I'm right down the hall from you!" Chase exclaimed, looking up.
"Here I will go to my locker and when you are done come meet me by mine ok?" Mandy asked.
"Ok! Don't worry! I'll be there, and then I will show you around the school." Chase seemed really excited and it made Mandy grin.
"See you in a few!" Chase called over his shoulder. Mandy unpacked the bags of pencils, pens, erasers, highlighters, notebooks… Everything you could imagine. Mandy grabbed her crumpled schedule from her pocket and gazed at it feeling very confused and unsure about the day's plan for her. What did "English 9R" stand for, and where was room 316? She ran her fingers through her long, brown hair stressfully. After English she had one elective which really wasn't an elective, but something the school had chosen for her since she was new. It was "Art and Design". Whatever that was.
Looking through her schedule, she saw something out of the corner of her eye. She snapped her head quickly to identify the mysterious object. It was Chase. He looked away, feeling stupid for not letting her know that he was there.
"If you are so interested in my schedule, then why didn't you ask?" Mandy asked flirtatiously. Chase rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
"I could show you the school now if you want." Chase stated.
"Ok." Mandy said slightly excited. Why hadn't her first friend been a girl? O well. Chase was turning out to be a pretty nice guy.
"This is the Cafeteria, and that's the stairs that go up to the third floor. There's the stairs right next to those stairs that lead to the first floor which is kind of like a basement. That's the library, and next to it is the computer room." Chase said. He led her through the whole school, giving her details about every room and teacher she had this year. This went on for about fifteen minutes and then the bell rang.
"Oh my gosh! I have to get to class!" Mandy exclaimed tucking her hair behind her ear with her free hand.
"What classes do you have?" Chase asked, leaning against a locker.
"Well, I guess I have "English 9R" first. You know where that is?" Mandy asked.
"Do I? I have that same class right now!" Chase smiled.
"Ok. So If I'm late, then you take total responsibility?" Mandy joked.
"Total responsibility!" Chase pretended to be serious. He got a very mischievous look on his face. He broke out in a run.
"Catch me if you can!" He yelled back to her. Mandy gazed at him in disbelief.
"You're my only way to class!" She yelled, whining a bit. He turned a corner and Mandy slowly ran, trying not to seem stupid. She turned the corner.
"Raaaaaaahhh!" Chase jumped out the second he saw Mandy.
"Aaahhh!" Mandy screamed, and slapped Chase impulsively.
"Ow! What was that for?" Chase complained, rubbing his arm.
"You scared me!" Mandy practically yelled. Chase started laughing and Mandy walked away.
"Mandy!" Chase called.
"What do you want?" Mandy asked rudely.
"You're going the wrong way." Chase smiled. Mandy smiled.
"Ok, Mr. Navigator. Show me the way." Mandy challenged, putting one hand on her hip.
"Gladly." Chase linked arms with her and lead her to the classroom. He unlinked his arm and smiled when they got there. Mandy smiled back and giggled.
"Thank you." Mandy said.
"Anytime." Chase said.