Unless you counted kindergarten, I had never had to start at a new school before. Fear made my knees tremble as I walked down the empty halls, trying to find my third period class, which was math. I had been doing just fine with my other two classes, but I couldn't find Room 18. I had the school map clutched in a death grip in my hand, but it wasn't doing much good.

I saw a girl with striking grey eyes and a mane of long unkempt brown hair. She didn't look like she was in a rush as she took her time unwrapping a piece of gum and slipping it into her mouth. So, I decided to ask her for a little assistance.

"Hey, um? Excuse me?" I called, jogging to catch up to her.

The girl spun around and watched me, her eyes taking me in with some interest. "Yeah?"

"I'm new," I said, as if that would explain everything. "And I really don't know where I am."

She smiled gently, and took my schedule from me. Studying it, she said, "Looks like fate. You're in my math class." She handed it back to me and gestured for me to come with her. "I dislike math with a passion, so I was just biding my time getting there. Actually, I failed math last year. I'm in grade twelve, but I have to take grade eleven math over again."

She seemed friendly enough. I decided to introduce myself. "Uh, I'm Lyric Weaver."

Nodding appreciatively, she said, "Cool name. I'm Nina Cabral. I will be your tour guide. To your left and right, we have some lockers. And that pretty much does it."

Laughing, I said, "Thanks."

"My pleasure." She pointed to a door. "This is our stop." Allowing me to enter first, she followed me into the classroom and took the seat in front of me.

"And why were you girls late?" the teacher, a hair man with bushy hair, asked.

Nina replied, "She's new to the school and I was showing her around."

"You're Bill Yoast's niece?" he assumed.

Surprised anyone else knew that my uncle was taking care of us, I nodded. "Yes sir."

"Well. I'll let your tardiness slide today. But from now on, I don't care who your uncle is."

"Good to know," I said.

After the teacher, Mr. Evans, had distributed textbooks, he let us talk amongst ourselves about our summers or whatever.

Nina sat sideways in her seat and ran her fingertips over carvings on my desktop. "So, Lyric, do you know anyone else at school?"

"Well, my brother and sister," I said. "And then the football team."

"Ohh, right, because your uncle's the coach," she said. "That's good. Um…so you, um, have connections?"

"To what?"

"People…that pay football?"

I grinned, deciding that I liked this Nina girl as she tried to cover up her blush by turning away to look at the clock. "Call me crazy, but I think you might like someone on the team."

Nina laughed. Her eyes crinkled in the corners. "I might."

"Who?"

"How much will you pay me to tell you?"

"I'll pay you with a smile or something."

"Do you happen to know who Petey Jones is?"

I stared at her. From what I had heard, a lot of people still didn't like the idea of sending their kids to a mixed school. I had a feeling that a biracial relationship would cause a bit of a stir. But I nodded anyway and said, "Yeah, I know Petey. He's amusing, therefore causes me to laugh."

"He held the door open for me one time," she sighed. "And then he walked me home because it was dark."

"Petey's a gentleman?" I asked. "Who could have imagined."

"You won't tell him I like him, will you?" she asked, a sudden look of searching panic flashing in her eyes.

"How much will you pay me?" I teased.

"I'll be your friend," she giggled.

I met Nina in the cafeteria at lunch and we found a table together. I didn't ask why there weren't any of her friends sitting with us.

As I tried to eat my sandwich, I couldn't seem to stop glancing at Alan across the room. He sat in the middle of people like Ronnie, Summer, Petey, Blue and Sky.

"Ahahahahahahahaha!" Nina cried suddenly. "You like someone on the team too!"

"Shh!" I hissed, throwing a piece of lettuce at her.

"Who is it?" she demanded. "Spill! I like knowing other people's business!"

"Son of a--" I watched, anger turning in my stomach like butterflies. "What is she doing?"

"Who?" Nina asked, confused.

"My sister!"

"That girl sitting with them? She just got up to sit between Bosley and Petey?"

"Yes. The one flirting with Alan." I simmered furiously. "I might have to attack her with a broom or something else that could serve as a bludgeoning device."

"Eeep, you like Alan Bosley?" Nina giggled.

"Do not giggle," I growled. "I'll throw some more lettuce at you."

"I'm giggling because I think it's kinda cute," she explained, seemingly unfazed by my change in mood. "I mean, he's a dork, but he's a cute dork. And you're blushing, which is pretty endearing itself…"

"Quiet, you." I watched as Summer put her hand on his back and he reached over to tousle her hair. "That COW! He's only allowed to mess up MY hair!" I turned around in my seat so I had my back to Alan and company and looked at Nina, who was staring at me like I had mental issues. "I'm enraged. This is me when I'm enraged."

"Yes, I came to that conclusion on my own." She looked past me. "Ooh."

"Ooh?"

"Your lover boy seems to be drawing near."

"What?" I demanded, my voice dropping. I did not look over my shoulder. "Why would he do that?"

"Maybe he thinks you're a nummy treat?"

"Uh, well, actually, he did say some strange things last night."

"Last night?" she cackled. "You mean, in your bed?"

"Yes, Nina, that is precisely what I meant."

"Hi Lyric," Alan said, and sat next to me so that he was straddling the bench.

Good Lord, I thought to myself. Why must be straddle?!

"Hi," I said in a wimpy voice.

"Do I offend you?" he asked.

"No?"

"You're all pink-faced and your eyes are all buggy."

"Yes?"

"Why aren't you sitting with us?"

"Because I'm sitting with…umm…"

"Nina," Alan whispered helpfully.

"Yes, Nina!"

"Hello Nina," Alan said to her. "You stole my friend."

"Sorry."

"Come on, Lyric," Alan urged. "Sit with us."

"Whatshername and I are estranged at the moment."

"Summer?"

"Yes."

Nina asked me, "Summer's the sister, right?"

"Yeah," Alan replied for me. "They secretly miss each other but they're both too proud to admit it."

"She does not miss me," I told Nina.

"Can I tell you a secret?" He smiled at me.

"Go for it."

"Summer's the one that sent me over here to get you."

"Oh, go jump off a cliff, Alan, you made that up."

"I did not!" he insisted.

"So you don't want me to sit with you, you're just the messenger."

"That's not true, Lyric." Alan took one of my grapes and ate it. "You're being really difficult today."

"I'm sorry," I sighed. "I just don't want to sit with her."

"Well then, I'll stay here."

"Alan," I exclaimed. "You don't have to be my little white knight."

"I like your grapes!" He shrugged. "And I prefer your company anyway."

"I don't do tricks though."

"No, but you eat like a dinosaur, and it's funny."

"Alan, go eat with your friends," I told him, not because I wanted him to leave, but because he didn't deserve to have to pick me over his friends.

"You are my friend." Alan gave me a sidelong glance and smirked adorably. I turned to goo inside.

Nina watched the exchange between us, caught my eye and stared at me in surprise. She mouthed, What are you doing? She added in wild hand gestures for effect.

I shrugged and mouthed back, I don't KNOW!

"L," Alan suddenly sang in a wobbly voice, staring down at the table.

"Huh?" I asked.

"Is for the way you look at me…"

"Oh my goodness, I think you're being serenaded," Nina informed me.

"Is that what he's doing?" I wondered.

"O is….something, something, something…" Apparently he forgot what 'O' stood for. "V is very, very extraordinary! E! Is even more than anyone that you adore!"

I stared at Alan in awe as he really got into the song, doing a little dance that involved bobbing his head. He draped his arm across my shoulders and made me sway along with him. "And love is all that I can give to you, love is more than a game for two--two at love can make it--Take my heart and please don't break it!" He looked over at me. "Love was made for me and you!"

I began to giggle as he hummed loudly. "I get your point, Alan," I laughed.

He smiled. "Did I win you over yet?"