"Here we are." Gordo said to Lizzie as they reached her new locker.

She gave him a grateful smile and stuffed her backpack in it. "Thanks for helping me. I was really lost."

"No problem." He grinned. "Anytime. So I'll see you around?"

"Yeah," She said as the first bell rang. "See ya."

Gordo turned around and gave her a small wave as he walked down the hallway. She turned to look at him and smiled, then spun back around. "Whoa," She said as she was looking right at a very hott guy. His hair was gelled back, and his smile could make her melt. "Sorry… I- I didn't see you there."

"Don't worry about it. You're new here, right? I just thought I'd come over and introduce myself." The guy said. "I'm Ethan. Craft. Ethan Craft. And you are?"

"I- I- I-" She stammered. "I'm Lizzie McGuire."

"Lizz-ay, Lizz-ay, welcome, Lizz-ay. Can I have the honors of walking you to your homeroom?" He gave her a lopsided grin.

"Uh, um, sure, I mean, yeah, please, that would be g- great. That would be great. Thanks." Lizzie stammered.

"Don't worry about it, Lizz-ay. Who's your homeroom teacher?"

She pulled the paper out of her pocket that her locker number and combination was written on. In messy handwriting, she had hurriedly written 'Mr. Escobar.' "Um, it looks like Mr. Escobar."

"Cool cool, that's right next door to me! Follow me, Lizz-ay, and I'll walk you."

"Thanks.." Lizzie said in a quiet voice. Ethan started walking, so she fell in step with him. As they were walking, they passed a cluster of girls that looked like a cheerleading squad. 'Yay… prep city'. Lizzie thought to herself sarcastically as they passed the scowling bunch. One girl in particular was staring at her, eyebrows raised, with her hands on her hips. Lizzie blew this off and decided not to let it bother her. She looked ahead, and noticed that Ethan had suddenly stopped.

"Um, here it is." Ethan said. "Classroom number 212."

"Thanks so much." Lizzie said.

"No sweat, Lizz-ay. Welcome to Hillridge." He said, and walked away from her.

Lizzie turned around and peeked through the window of her new homeroom. She was about to open the door and go inside, but someone stepped in front of her. She recognized the person as one of the cheerleaders.

"What do you think you were doing back there?" The blonde said.

"I- um, back where? What?" Lizzie asked.

"Don't play dumb with me, McGuire. You were hitting on Ethan."

Lizzie was very confused. "I don't know what you're talking about... He was just walking me to homeroom."

"That's what you want me to think. Well I'm keeping a close eye on you, McGuire. Stay away from him." And with that said, the haughty, stuck up cheerleader spun around and walked away.

But before Lizzie could open the door again, another girl walked up to her. "I wasn't doing anything! He was just walking me to homeroom! Leave me alone!" Lizzie exclaimed desperately.

The girl looked confused, but smiled. "I'm not here to rag on you about Ethan. I really don't care."

Lizzie blushed. "Oh… sorry."

"Don't worry about it. And don't listen to Kate. She thinks Ethan's all hers. She can't stand it when he pays attention to another girl for a few minutes."

Lizzie forced a smile, still a little embarrassed about the way she had exploded a few seconds ago. "Thanks."

"Is this your homeroom?" The girl asked.

"Yeah."

"Bummer… I'm a few doors down. Well maybe we can sit together at lunch then."

"Sure, that would be cool." Lizzie smiled.

The girl smiled back. "Sounds good."

Lizzie turned around and finally walked into her homeroom. Apparently she was the last one there, because all but one seat was filled.

The teacher stood up and smiled. "Class, I'd like to introduce you to our newest student, Elizabeth McGuire."