Erin smiled and felt some relief when she realized she knew at least someone at school. "Yes, I'm Erin. Nice to meet you Michelle! I've heard about you but I didn't know that you went here." Erin replied. Michelle laughed, "Yeah, I'm a senior. Try to find me at lunch. My friends and I sit by one of the cherry trees on the West Lawn. Good luck!" Michelle said as she waved goodbye and began to walk to her class. Erin walked towards her first classroom of the day, English Literature. She walked into the class and read the board to confirm that she was in fact in the right place. She picked a seat on the left side of the classroom and made slight eye contact with her professor who walked in with students trailing behind him. "Hi, this is English Literature. Are you sure you're in the right place?" he asked with a charming smile. Erin smiled and handed him her schedule which he looked at with amusement. "My apologies, you look a little younger than my usual crowd. Welcome!" he said as he handed back her schedule. Soon the classroom began to fill with students as the bell rang. She focused on the front of the classroom because she didn't want to stare at anyone but it seemed everyone was staring at her. She heard the girls whisper, 'who is that?', 'Have any of you seen her?' Luckily, she did not have to introduce herself for the next three classes.
By third period, her assignment tracker began to fill up and she looked forward to being productive. She was beginning to grow tired of the summer because she had nothing to do. She interacted with a few students and that was because they either asked her what time it was and if she was new. Erin made her way towards calculus and as she entered the room she was greeted by Michelle, "Hey, Michelle. At least I know someone in this class." Erin said as she sat next to her. Michelle laughed, "My mom told me you were smart but I didn't think you'd be in my calculus class." she said and Erin's cheeks blushed a little. Erin nodded, "Yeah, I'm good at math." she said with an ending chuckle. Michelle introduced Erin to her friends who all were really nice and open to the idea of her joining them for lunch.
The group of girls headed to the West Lawn as they walked one of Michelle's friends began to ask Erin about her first day, "See any cute guys, yet?" Amanda asked. Erin laughed and shook her head, "I haven't noticed any. No." she responded. Amanda and Michelle began to laugh, "They sure have noticed you. I've had a few guys ask me about you." Michelle said. Amanda nodded, "Yeah, you're a hot commodity. Sophomores usually don't look like you." and finished Michelle's sentence as she chewed her food. Erin laughed, "I'll take that as a compliment. Is the workload always this heavy here?" Erin asked. Danny, Michelle's other friend in her group responded, "Yeah. Sadly. First 3 months always suck and drag ass." she said while lighting up a cigarette. Erin accepted defeat and closed her notebook and began to eat. Michelle then took Danny's cigarette and took a drag. Michelle then handed Erin the cigarette, "You smoke?" she asked. Erin shook her head, "No. Not cigarettes." she said slyly. "I haven't smoked since I moved here from Chicago." she finished. Amanda looked at Michelle and said, "You were right. She does have good vibes. I like you." she said. Erin smiled and felt accomplished she had made friends on her first day.
At the end of her first day Erin made her way to the lab. She looked forward to seeing her mother and the rest of the team. She approached the lab and greeted Hodgins and Cam who were on the forensic platform. "Hi guys!' she shouted and continued to scurry over to her mom's office. Cam and Hodgins shouted back without taking their eyes off of the remains and the intern, "Hi Erin!". The intern, Vincent Nigel Murray, brushed off the recent exchange and continued to spout facts about fish. Erin saw her mother working at her desk, she knocked, "Hi mom! Where's Zack? I saw an intern on the platform." she asked and Brennan immediately looked up and smiled. Erin dropped her heavy bag on the floor and walked over to her mom's desk and leaned on it, just like she saw Booth do multiple times. Brennan playfully shooed her off her desk, "Zack is away on a personal matter So, I needed to find a replacement. How was your first day?" she asked. Erin walked over to the couch and sat down while flashing a toothy grin, "It was great! Michelle goes there too and she invited me to have lunch with her friends. They seem to like me!" she responded while taking off her tie. Brennan remained standing with her arms crossed, "That is wonderful! I knew you wouldn't have any trouble making friends." she exclaimed. Brennan took a seat next to Erin, "I showed Booth the pictures I took of you this morning. He thought you looked adorable." Brennan said, beaming proudly. Erin's cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "Let me guess, he made a comment about my skirt length?" Erin asked. Brennan tried to hide the smirk that was appearing on her face. She nodded, "Yes. But, I did assure him it was because you have gotten taller." she responded back.
Booth soon appeared in Brennan's office, "AirBear! How was your first day?" he asked as he ruffled her hair. Erin quickly fixed her hair and laughed, "It was great! I made friends!" she said as she stood up and walked over to him. "I did grow!" Erin stated as she took her hand to measure. Brennan laughed, "If you hug me, I probably won't be smothered anymore," Erin said and Booth took her in for a hug. Erin was squished in between his chest, "I stand corrected-" Erin said as Booth let her go. "Bones we got an address for the vic. We need to go check it out." he said as he laughed at Erin. Brennan took off her lab coat and put on her blazer, "Alright. Erin, will you remain here?' she asked. Erin nodded, "Yes! I have homework to do. Also, you need to sign some things for me too." she said as she took a seat on the couch. Brennan nodded and walked over to Erin, "Okay. Call if you need anything, honey." she said as she kissed the top of Erin's head. Erin opened up her bookbag, "Okay. Drive safe! Love you guys!" she said uninhibitedly and kept her focus on her notes. Brennan was surprised she had just told Booth she loved him. Booth had a happy grin as he walked out with his partner. Brennan noticed it and she quietly smiled. That was the confirmation she needed.