Two.

When I got to school, my friends were not in front of the building waiting for me.

It's not like we agreed on it or anything. But I'd kind of been expecting it, the bus pulling up and the three of them in the same spot we'd occupied yesterday, talking and laughing, watching for the bus. I guess that's a little selfish of me, to expect that of them.

So I strode into SHS alone, keeping my head up but feeling a little low. I didn't see Miranda at her locker. The bell rang too soon for me to go searching, and I ducked into homeroom lonely. It didn't help that as soon as I took a seat near the back on the opposite side that Ashley Wyeth was on, she picked up her books and plopped down at the desk next to me, apparently unaware that I may have chosen this spot for a reason. I looked over at her but decided not to be rude, so I kept my mouth shut. Instead I set my books on the empty desk to my left, as Miranda had done for me in Algebra.

"My art class yesterday was mildly interesting." Ashley began. She looked me over. "Your hair is curled again. And you're almost showing your midriff. What happened to you this summer?" She asked, sounding genuinely interested.

"Nothing happened." I replied vehemently. "I just got tired of looking the same all the time, okay?"

Ashley shrugged. "Well, Claudia was in my class, so it's nice to have someone actual talent around..."

I tuned her out. Just as the bell rang, Miranda came bounding into the room, looking around wildly. When she saw me, and her saved spot, she broke out in a grin.

"Thank you so much." She whispered as she sat, handing me my books. "I woke up late, almost didn't make it. You look great, by the way."

I touched my hair self-consciously. "Am I being too obvious?" I whispered back as Mr. Glassman turned on the T.V. for the SHS morning news. I don't care if Miranda realizes I'm doing this because of Derek.

"Well..." Miranda had raised her voice, the T.V. drowning out our whispers. "I mean, it's not like he knows you, so..."

"He who?" Ashley asked from my other side. I looked over and she was leaning as far as she could over her desk. How nosy.

"Derek Higgins? He's a sophomore. Soooo hot." Miranda gushed.

"Miranda!" I exclaimed.

Miranda blinked innocently. "What? It's just Ashley."

"Tired of looking the same, huh?" Ashley gloated.

I buried my face in my arms, lying on my desk. "Please." I mumbled. "Kill me."

"Now, what fun would that be?" Ashley asked, tousling my hair. "You look good, Kristin-"

I sat up quickly. "What did you call me?"

"Kristin. It's your name, isn't it?"

"Yeah, but–"

"I prefer to call people by their given name. Nicknames are so degrading and childish. Anyway, you look good. He'll be falling all over himself."

My mouth opened, then closed. Here I was, in high school, sitting between Miranda Schillabar and Ashley Wyeth, with curly hair, being called Kristin and talking about boys.

I'm not quite sure how this happened.

At that point I desperately missed Mary Anne, and hoped that high school would not dull our friendship. If anyone could talk to me about this, it's her. A few months ago I was concerned about how everything was about to change, from the BSC to my brother going to college, starting high school, turning fourteen, all of it. It was starting to feel like, on only my second day, everything is changing. Where are my friends? Where is my ponytail? What am I doing?

Ashley and Miranda both fell silent, probably worried that they had offended me. Did they? I'm not quite sure. Were they my friends, or were they just humoring me because we have some classes together? Why didn't I call Mary Anne last night to chat? Or Stacey? Or Claudia? Why am I avoiding Abby?

Maybe you're finally growing up.

I sighed, wondering if that little nagging voice could be right. Am I growing up? It certainly feels like it.

"So, what should I say to Derek?" I asked, looking back and forth between the two girls who might be my friends. They both lit up immediately, leaning toward me.


Unfortunately, when we got to Algebra, Derek was not there.

How sad. Sick on his second day. Poor Derek. I spent most of the class daydreaming about looking up his number after school and calling to see how he was. I wouldn't do it, of course, but a Kristy who wasn't quite so afraid of boys would. Kristy will do anything that comes to mind. Except when it comes to boys.

I missed him, a little. I was disappointed. All the effort, everything, had been for nothing. I sighed to myself, wondering if I should bother tomorrow. This is ridiculous. What am I doing?

I walked sullenly to my locker, Miranda beside me but saying nothing. She could tell I was down. I stuffed my Algebra book in the cramped space and dug out my homework so far. This may only be the first real day, but the teachers were cutting no slack on the homework. Next period, after lunch, I have Study Hall. Ashley was there yesterday, but I managed to avoid her. I wondered I would do the same today.

Someone tapped my shoulder and I slammed my locker shut. "I'm coming," I said a little grouchily, immediately feeling bad. She's been nothing but nice to me. "Sorry Miranda, I-"

As I spun around I can face to face with the Slipknot logo. I looked up to find that shaggy hair and those warm brown eyes.

"Derek!" I gasped, and almost groaned at my excitement. Be cool, almost aloof. Ashley had advised me. Just like you were being yesterday. Miranda had added.

I wasn't being cool or aloof yesterday. I'd just been disinterested and then embarrassed. Like now. Embarrassed.

"I... I thought you were sick. Or something." Very clever, Kristy.

Derek smiled. I almost died. Again. "Naw. I wasn't in the mood for math, you know?"

"Oh, yeah, I know." I agreed. As if I would ever dream of skipping a class.

Miranda appeared at Derek's side. "Lunch, guys. Remember? Let's go."

Derek smiled, reached out, and tugged on of my curls. Then he turned toward the lunchroom. Miranda and I skittered after him, her giggling and me about to throw up.

"Just be cool. Be cool. Relax." Miranda kept repeating to me, almost like a mantra. And it worked. By the time we reached the lunchroom I was relaxed. Derek immediately headed for the line. Miranda and I followed, even though she had brought her lunch today. Something about SHS not having enough low fat options. When we stood behind him, Derek spun around, shooing us away. "Just tell me what you want, Curls." He said with a grin. "Go sit down. I'll bring it over."

"I-uh... " I sputtered, shocked and quite pleased. He paying? This is almost, like, a date, right? "Whatever you get is fine." I mumbled, backing away slowly. He smiled and winked, turning back toward the line. I grabbed Miranda's arm. "What does that mean whatdoesthatmean?"

"Omigod Kristy!" She squealed, a little too loudly. "He totally likes you! This is so cool. Come on, let's go sit. Your friends will be totally impressed. And jealous." She added a little meanly.

I didn't exactly blame her for feeling that way. My friends hadn't exactly been warm and welcoming with her yesterday. Well, Stacey and Claud, anyway.

We got to the table. Stacey, Claudia, and Mary Anne were already seated, eating happily. Their French class must be close to the cafeteria.

"Hi guys." Claudia said, talking around a mouthful of brownie.

"Where's your lunch, Kristy?" Mary Anne asked. At least she swallowed first.

"Uh-"

"Derek is getting it for her." Miranda stabbed in, grinning spitefully.

They did not look impressed.

"Who's Derek?" Stacey asked.

"Is he paying?" Claudia wondered.

"I hope he's not playing a prank on you..." Mary Anne said softly. I'm sure she was thinking about Alan Gray.

"Derek is the guy that sat with us... me, yesterday. Yes, he's paying, and no, it's not a prank." I replied irritably, flopping into a chair. I crossed my arms over my chest. Not a good start.

"Kristy, I already told you, he's a burnout. He's not your type." Stacey said with a wave of her hand, as if she were shooing the subject away.

"It's kind of sweet that he's buying, though." Mary Anne added, giving me a reassuring smile.

"I like your hair." Claudia offered, wiping brownie crumbs from her mouth. "Did your mom do it?"

"No. She did it herself." Miranda spoke up, sounding irritated as well. She frowned at me. I know what she's thinking. They're not very nice.

"You did it yourself?" Stacey gasped, sounding horrified. "Kristy, you don't like that guy, do you?"

Of course, Derek chose that moment to sit next to me.

I looked over at him, my mouth hanging open, at loss for words for the millionth time in two days. He smiled and shrugged, sliding a tray over to me. It contained chicken nuggets and french fries, with a can or Coke. His tray was identical.

Stacey was still looking at me expectantly, as if Derek didn't exist. And he didn't, not in her world.

That's it. "So what if I do?" I snapped, shoving a nugget into my mouth and chewing furiously. Derek grinned.

"So what if she does?" He asked Stacey casually. As if they were in the middle of a conversation.

"You," She replied cooly, "are bad news. I've heard about you. I've dated a few guys in your class."

"And you," Derek replied just as cooly, "are a frigid little tease. I'm in the same class as a few of the guys you've dated."

Stacey's mouth dropped open. Claudia dropped a spoonful of pudding on the table. Mary Anne gasped. Miranda gloated. I didn't get it. What does that mean, frigid? I know what tease means, and I know Stacey does that. She tends to pride herself on it. So what Derek just said must be at least partly true.

And I am not happy with her at the moment. So I decided to be a jerk, too. "Your reputation precedes you, Stace." I added coldly, standing up.

Stacey just gaped at me, unbelieving of what I had just said. What does she expect? I'm the obnoxious loudmouth of the group, aren't I?

I grabbed my tray, praying that Derek and Miranda were going to follow me. I turned away quickly, surveyed the cafeteria. Finally I spotted Ashley, sitting alone at a table, licking yogurt from a plastic spoon. I felt a pang of sadness for her. She really doesn't have any friends. I stalked away from the BSC, listening to the sound of two more chairs scraping the floor. "Kristy!" Mary Anne called out weakly.

I kept going. But I did hear, very faintly, Miranda calling Stacey a bitch. I smiled, wishing I had said it myself.

When I got to Ashley's table, I sat unannounced. She looked at me, surprised, her eyes widening even more when Derek and Miranda sat down. She didn't ask why we were there, though. Instead she just dipped her spoon into her yogurt again.

I looked over to Miranda. "Thanks for that." I told her with a friendly smile.

"No problem. They were acting like a bunch of stuck up snobs." She replied with a grin.

I looked over to Derek, who was directly next to me, a little too close. But I liked it. "And thank you, too. I'm sorry my friends are acting like that. I don't know what's gotten into them."

Derek smiled gently, keeping those warm brown eyes in mine. He reached up and pushed the strand of curls hiding my burn away from my face. "No problem, Curls. What's up with the battle wound?"

I laughed and told them all what happened (but not what I had been thinking about, of course.). They laughed with me. I couldn't help but think that Stacey and Claudia would have pinned me down to cover it with makeup, and Mary Anne would have fretted that it would get infected and want me to wear a band-aid. But these people, these new friends of mine, just laughed with me. Because it is funny.


In study hall, I did sit with Ashley. And I had fun with her. We worked on our homework but also talked about Derek. She thinks he's very handsome, and she likes his rebellious style. She would.

I also fretted about my next class, which is Earth Science. With Stacey McGill. Ashley made a face when I said that. "Stacey," She said matter-of-factly, "is such a snob. I mean, she's barely ever spoken to me. She's jealous that for a very small amount of time, Claudia preferred my company to hers. I don't know what happened, there. I guess your silly club managed to resume your brainwashing of poor Claudia. I'm glad you're getting out of that bubble, Kristin."

I squirmed, but refrained from snapping at Ashley for her insults against the BSC. I was beginning to wonder myself if we weren't just a bunch of snobs with a title. I was beginning to wonder a lot of things.

So when I made my way to Earth Science at the bell, I talked myself into being nice. I have to handle this with dignity, with decorum. I have a business to run, after all.

Turns out I worried for nothing. When I got to the class Stacey was already there, sitting in the front row, eyes straight forward. On both of her sides were other students. She didn't acknowledge me. So I sauntered to the back and sat, staring at the back of her head. Burning holes into her. Wanting to make her squirm.

It didn't work.

Stacey is tough. I guess growing up in New York made her that way. Arguments and insults bounced off of her like nothing, and gave her such an air of confidence that everyone seemed to adore her. With the exception of my new friends, and maybe Cokie Mason and her crew. Cokie doesn't like anybody, though.

Gym was uneventful. I couldn't wait for team tryouts. I was going to get on every team in this school if I could. Miranda and I opted to jog around the track for most of the class, chatting as we did. She didn't say anything about my friends, for the second day in a row. I think that's awfully nice of her. Considering how they're acting. She could be spending the entire period complaining.

After the bell I stayed behind and showered. I was the only one. The rest of the girls just ran for home. I did that, yesterday. But today I would catch the late bus. Because today, I did not want to chance running into the BSC.

I towel dried my hair and threw my clothes back on. I checked my watch. Five minutes til the late bus. No problem. I burst through the doors, ready to break into a run, when I heard "Hey! Kristy!"

I spun around to see Derek jogging toward me, a smile on his face. "Miranda told me you stayed behind."

I gaped at him. He called me Kristy. It was the first time. I'd been wondering if maybe he'd forgotten.

I loved how it sounded. "Hi, Derek." I said casually, fully aware that we were alone for the first time.

"Come on." He said, grabbing my hand. "I'll drive you home."

I looked down at his hand, holding mine, in a daze. And followed. What else can I do?

Derek led me to a beat up, rusted, ugly thing of a car making an eyesore in the student parking lot. He opened the door for me and I slid in, making a face. The inside was nearly hollow, save for two seats and the steering wheel. Smelled bad, too.

Derek slammed my door and hurried around to the drivers side. As he got in (after struggling with his door for about thirty seconds) something occurred to me. "Did you get held back a year?" I asked.

"Nope," he said with a grin, jamming a screwdriver into the ignition.

"Then how do you have a license?"

"I don't." He said simply, the engine roaring to life.

I fought the urge to jump out. "So you have a permit."

"Nope." He looked over at me and smiled. Those eyes. "Don't worry. I can drive fine. My brother gave me this car. My dad really doesn't care what I do, as long as I don't get in trouble. I'm a good driver, I swear."

I felt around next to me. "What about..."

"No seatbelts." He smiled again. "It's okay, Kristy. I won't let you get hurt."

Those eyes. I let out a breath and nodded. "Okay. Fine. Let's go."

He dropped it into gear and the car lurched forward. I held fast to what once might have been a dashboard. Derek said nothing for a couple minutes. Then-

"You're pretty sexy with that wet hair and terrified look on your face, you know?"

I looked at Derek in horror. Not in horror that he'd said something so blatantly sarcastic, but in horror that I didn't realize how terrible I must look. "Oh, my lord!" I cried, searching for a mirror. "I just took a shower! I must look awful. I– I--"

"Well the black smudges around your eyes look pretty disturbing." He agreed.

Oh, my god. My mascara. I grabbed his rearview mirror to turn toward me. It came off in my hands.

"I just glued that on!" Derek exclaimed in mock anger.

I stared in horror at the mirror in my hands, then slowly turned it over to look at myself. He hadn't been kidding. I had black smudges all around my eyes. I looked like I was ready for Halloween.

Derek began to laugh, and I looked over at him, feeling my hope slip away. He was making fun of me.

But those eyes. They were still so warm, so sweet. "Come on, Curls." He said with a chuckle. "It's funny. Have a laugh."

I smiled slightly, looking at myself again. Then I did burst out laughing. It is pretty funny. I've never worried about how I look in my life, and now I'm paying the price for it.

We laughed for a few moments together, and, as we settled down, Derek reached over and put his hand on my knee. He smiled when I looked over at him in surprise. Deciding to play cool, and to finally flirt back, I put my hand over his.

The ride to my house is a long one, but we spent it in a comfortable silence. I marveled at myself. Usually I can't shut up, but for some reason, with this guy I'm okay with not saying anything.

Strange.

When he pulled up to my house I sighed with relief to see that Nanny's car was nowhere to be seen. She must have taken the kids out. Mom and Watson were both working, thank God for that. If they had seen me come home in some strange car they would have lectured me for hours. I briefly considered asking Derek in but thought better. Don't push it, Kristy.

"Well... thanks for the ride." I said awkwardly, not sure of what to do now.

"So, how about Friday? We'll go to dinner, maybe see a movie..." Derek replied casually, as if he asked me out every day.

"Sure!" I blurted before I could think about it too much.

"Cool. Need a ride to school tomorrow?"

I pictured this car pulling in front of our house while mom watch. "Uh... no, don't go out of your way. I'll take the bus. But I'll see you in Algebra?"

"Maybe sooner." He said with a smile.

I started to get out, then hesitated, not quite sure of what I was going to do. So I grabbed a pen from my book bag and grabbed his hand. I've seen Stacey do this a million times.

Derek watched with a grin as I scrawled my phone number on the palm of his hand. I finished and looked up at him. "Call me, okay?"

"Of course." He replied.

I jumped out of the car and walked up to the house casually. I didn't here the car move. So when I got to the door I turned around and smiled briefly at him. He revved his engine and tore down the street.

I smiled to myself, recalling an old episode of Sex in the City I'd seen. I watch the late-night T.V. reruns sometimes, wondering if that stuff is all true and if Stacey was going to grow up to become Samantha. But there was one episode, Carrie had been walking away from a guy and turned back to look at him, and thought to herself that would have been so cool if I hadn't looked back.

It probably would have been. But maybe I'm like her. I just couldn't help myself.

I pushed open the front door, grinning. Liking the idea of not knowing what was going to happen. Wondering if it's really possible for a person to change so fast.

Am I really changing?

Or are my eyes just opening?