Hey guys, so sorry for the cliff hanger! I didn't have time to write plus I was kind of lazy too. Hehe :3

Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy the story so far and I hope it's not TOO boring for you guys!

Don't worry, the plot will get more interesting later! Trust me! ;)

I was putting away some empty in the boxes when the doorbell rang. I settled the boxes down and walked towards the door to open it. When I opened the door, I saw the girl from next door along with three other girls. In the girl's hand was a gift box.

I quickly reassembled myself and smiled. "Hi, how can I help you?"

The Beginning of a New Friendship

Ellen's point of view…

I was putting away some empty in the boxes when the doorbell rang. I settled the boxes down and walked towards the door to open it. When I opened the door, I saw the girl from next door along with three other girls. In the girl's hand was a gift box.

I quickly reassembled myself and smiled. "Hi, how can I help you?"

The girl next door returned the smile and said, "Um hi. My mom was talking to your mom earlier and she forgot to give your mom this gift basket so she asked us to bring it over to you."

She handed me the gift basket and I retrieved it from her. Inside the basket were all types of spices and perfumes and whatnot neatly wrapped in a beautiful basket. Mom would definitely love these, I thought to myself.

I smiled at her and said, "Thanks! My mom would totally love these!"

The blonde girl standing next to her clapped her hands and said, "Alright that settles it then right? Let's go Spence."

The girl next door, name Spence, quickly grabbed the blonde girl's arm and laughed. She said, "Hanna's just kidding. Let us introduce ourselves?"

Hesitantly, I said, "Sure. Do you guys want to come in for awhile?"

Spence nodded her and said, "If you don't mind?"

I nodded my head and said sarcastically, "I'm sure my parents won't mind. After all, they would love to see me making new friends."

Spence looked at me and said, "You don't make a lot of friends?"

I nodded my head and said, "Well I have friends, but I prefer to be by myself most of the times." Spence nodded her head in acknowledgement. I motioned to them to the couch. "Why don't you guys take a seat? Do you want anything to drink?"

The girl dressed in a black dress and combat boots said, "I don't want anything, I just had a cup of orange juice before we left Spencer's house. To be honest with you, it's kind of weird being in this house again but just with a different owner."

I smiled at her and said, "I know. It's weird here too." I guess Spence is just a nickname then? I thought to myself.

Spencer nodded her head and said, "Thanks for the offer but we already had something to drink at my house."

I nodded my head and said, "Okay."

There was an awkward moment of silence and then Spencer spoke up. Spencer put her hand out and said, "It's a bit late for introductions but my name is Spencer."

I hesitantly shook her hand and said, "Hi, my name is Ellen."

She smiled and said, "I know. Your mother told me earlier before. She said you were on an academic decathlon at your previous school?"

I shook my head and sighed. "She mentioned that to you guys?"

Spencer nodded her head and said, "Yeah. There's an academic decathlon at Rosewood High. There will be tryouts starting the first day of school. And Emily here…" She motioned to the girl who sat next to the blonde girl. "Is on the swim team."

Emily smiled at me and put her hand out too and said, "Hi, my name's Emily. The first tryout for the season will be on August 23rd, one week before school starts."

I smiled at them and said, "Thanks you guys!" I turned towards Spencer. "What else did my mom mention to you?"

Spencer smiled and said, "She said you liked to be by yourself most of the time whether it's studying, reading, and writing songs. So I'm guessing you're talented, smart, and athletic?"

I shook my head, "Oh mother." I sighed. "Sorry, my mom is a bit of a bragger if you haven't noticed yet. I guess you could say I'm talented, smart, and athletic?"

Spencer smiled and said, "It's okay my mom is too."

The blonde girl waved her hand at Spencer. "Thanks for ignoring us guys."

Spencer turned to look at Hanna, blushed, and said, "Oh sorry!"

I looked at the blonde girl and said, "Sorry. My name's Ellen."

Hanna smiled at me and said, "I love those Kate Spade boots. My name's Hanna."

I looked at my boots and then at her. "Thanks. It's nice to meet you."

Hanna looked at me and said, "Girl, if you need a shopping buddy count me in."

The other three girls and I laughed at her. The girl that's wearing the black dress said, "Hanna loves shopping. My name's Aria."

I shook Aria's hand and said, "Hi Aria. It's nice to meet you. And I think I figured that already."

We all laughed at Aria's comment. "By the way Hanna, are you a fan of Kate Spade?"

Hanna's face light up when I said that. "Oh my gosh I absolutely adore her! Why do you ask?"

I smiled at her and said, "It's because most of the accessories I own is by Kate Spade."

Hanna squealed and said, "Really!? Okay you totally need to give me a look at your closet someday!"

I laughed and said, "Alright, it's a deal!"

My mom came in the room and looked a bit appalled at the sight. She smiled and said, "Hey Ellen. I see you have some company over?" The girls stood up and introduced themselves to my mom. Obviously Spencer already knew my mom so she greeted her.

I finally stood up and walked over to my mom. "Um yeah…They brought over a gift basket as a welcoming present; Spencer's mom gave to it us."

My mom nodded her head in acknowledgement. She turned towards Spencer and the girls and said, "Thank you girls and tell your mom I said thank you Spencer."

Spencer smiled and said, "Will do."

My mom turned around and walked away. Hanna turned towards me, "So are you doing anything today? We could show you around Rosewood?"

Spencer nudged Aria and she said, "Aria, we need to study remember?"

Aria said, "Well we do still have one week left. It doesn't hurt if we take a break Spencer." And she added quietly, "Considering we've been studying our butt off lately."

Spencer glared at Aria, "What was that?"

Aria smiled at her and said, "Nothing. Come on; let's just show her around Rosewood yeah? It won't take that long."

Spencer rolled her eyes and said, "Fine. We'll show you around if you want?"

I hesitated a little bit. "Are you sure? If you guys are busy, then it's completely understandable."

Spencer smiled at me and said, "Yeah, I'm sure. Is it okay with you guys Emily and Hanna?"

Hanna had a big smile on. "Definitely!"

Emily nodded her head and said, "Yeah that's fine."

I looked at them and said, "Thanks guys! Let me change and I'll be right down!"

After I finished changing, I grabbed my bag and walked downstairs. We took Aria's car and the girls showed me around town.