Tess Court slammed her box down in the middle of the room, frustration penetrating her face. The house was beautiful; there was no way even Tess in anger could deny that. Her mother, Dr. Barbara Court, had all their carefully chosen antiques and watercolors propped up in the parlor with all the pastel linens. That was her mother, always sophisticated, smooth, calm and distant—she was the perfect top-notch psychiatrist.

"Well honey that's everything until the moving truck gets here tomorrow." Dr. Court smiled looking at the gorgeous place. "Have you chosen your room yet?"

Tess folded her arms over her chest. "Yeah, second floor right by the bathroom."

"Lovely. That means on the other side of the second floor can be for the guests...have you looked at the entire house? Richard said it was exquisite but I haven't looked over it since I added the changes."

Tess leaned against the banister, that was her mother, had to have everything perfect. She couldn't just buy a house like everyone else she had to buy it and have it "touched up".

"I'm sure you'll love Los Angeles, darling." Dr. Court said returning from the spacious kitchen. "Aren't you pleased that Hazel could make the trip with us?"

Hazel was their maid; Tess had been close to her for as long as she could remember since her mother didn't often spend too much time at home.

"Delighted." Tess snapped and grabbed hold of her suitcase and her black messenger bag. "I'm going to bed."

Dr. Court frowned after her daughter. "Don't forget tomorrow is your first day of school."

"Don't remind me." Tess muttered as she opened the door to her new bedroom. It had a lovely white vanity and a set of beautiful French doors that led to her balcony. School had started weeks ago but that was the Court way, be late and get away with it. Tess pulled her comforter from a trash bag (that her mother had glared upon, "Can't you just use this other suitcase?"). She pulled the comforter around her and stared up at the cream colored ceiling wishing that she could be home.

Tess woke up the next morning with her mood not varying too much. After showering and doing her hair she pulled on some jeans, tank top and a baseball hat. Hazel greeted her in the kitchen handing her some juice and some eggs.

"You don't look to good Tess, is your mother sure that you should be going to school today?" Hazel asked. Tess smiled up at her, sipping the juice.

"Can't skip out," She gave Hazel back the eggs. "To nervous to eat."

"Nervous? What do you have to nervous about girl?" Hazel laughed. "You have gorgeous strawberry blond hair, pretty light blue eyes and the divine skin—"

"Hazel," Tess grinned. "Stop you're gonna make me big headed."

"Well you could use a bit of confidence you know. You think you would have some from your mother." Hazel told her placing the plate of eggs on counter then leaning against it.

"Teresa!" Her mother sang. "Time for school!"

Tess grumbled while grabbing her messenger bag full of school supplies and her new schedule for La Brea High. She slid reluctantly into her mother silver 2004 Porsche Carrera GT Cabriolet.

The ride there was quick and once Dr. Court pulled the car to the side she turned to her daughter.

"You have your cell phone?"

Tess patted her pocket.

"You have your lunch money?"

Tess shook her head.

"Here you go." Dr. Court pulled a ten from her briefcase and handed it to Tess.

"Thank you mom," Tess leaned over and gave her mother a peck of a kiss. "See you after work."

"Indeed," Dr. Court said with a nod. "Enjoy your first day." Then drove off.

Tess felt her insides roll as she stepped towards the school. Why did they have metal detectors? A very good looking guy stopped and looked at Tess.

He must have noticed her look of panic because he said, "Kids are always trying to sneak in stuff, what they don't know is that people get in the side gate over there that was closed down a year ago." He laughed showing off his brilliant smile and perfect teeth. She laughed.

"You must be new? I'm Adam Scott," He said. "Nice to meet you...?"

"Tess. Tess Court." She smiled at him.

"You wouldn't to be the daughter of Dr. Court would you—?" He asked but thankfully Tess couldn't reply because one of the security guards beckoned her up to check her bags. Once she got into the school grounds she was amazed to see how large it was, meanwhile Adam watched her.

"What grade are you in?" He finally asked.

"I'll be a junior, you?" Tess replied. The bell rang summoning them to their first hour.

"Same." He walked over to her. "Maybe I'll see you in some of my classes?"

"Yeah, maybe." She smiled and began heading for the algebra two class.

Surprisingly algebra two went great, she got a lot of notes done and now she had breezed through English three and Spanish two, and now she had art. The room smelled of paint and glue. The tables were all different colors but a lot of the students were working away from them. Two girls where working on a giant collage, of all different sorts of a pictures to create a zebra, where on the floor. A guy who was sketching was sitting on a stool next to the radio, a girl was painting in the corner and then the rest just sort of mingled.

Tess pulled out a chair and began sketching.

"Uh excuse me, you're at our table." Said a pretty girl with beautiful brown hair, her friend had long dark hair.

"Sorry..." Tess murmured and moved chairs.

"Jeez, I hate when new people think they can take whatever chair they want." Said the one with dark hair.

"I know Tianna, okay stop moving or I won't be able to paint you correctly."

"Sorry," Said the dark haired girl.

"Catty Turner!" Called the teacher. "You art for the school art competition needs to be turned in by the end of the week, you hear me?"

The brow haired girl nodded. Catty and Tianna, Tess would have to remember to stay away from them.

"You're really talented," Said a voice, making Tess jump.

"Um, excuse me?" Tess quickly covered her drawing. It was the teacher—Miss Anthony.

"May I have a better look, hmm?" She said lifting Tess' arms from on top of the sketch. Miss Anthony held it in better view and hmmed again; Tess bit her tongue, noticing that some other students were gathering to look at her work.

"Have you had any teaching or coaching before?" She asked. Tess shook her head.

"I just kinda draw what some to mind..." Tess murmured.

"It's brilliant. Have you ever worked with paints, hmm?" Miss Anthony asked placing the sketch back on the table.

"Some." Tess nodded.

"I think you should consider putting something in the art competition, I think you have an excellent chance of winning. Your talent is amazing." Miss Anthony told Tess. "If you decide to, come get an entry sheet that's on my desk."

The bell rang and everyone began filing out. Catty stopped at her table, but then left suddenly not saying anything. Tess eyed Miss Anthony's desk but headed to lunch deciding the art show thing was stupid. She couldn't win anyways.

Grabbing her things she made her way to the lunch room. She felt completely out of place as she went through the lunch line and lots of people stared at her. Tess felt completely lost and alone as she turned around and saw everyone separating in their groups to eat lunch. Maybe she could just eat in the bathroom? Or outside?

"Tess! Over here!"

Hearing her name, which was odd, she didn't know anyone at La Brea, she looked up to see Adam. He waved her over to a table full of people. She bit her lip and set down her tray at the empty spot next to Adam.

He beamed and began introducing his friends to her, who each greeted her with smiles and waves.

She bit into her sandwich and began to enjoy herself. Tess felt a tap on her shoulder and glanced up.

"Are you gonna eat that?" Adam asked pointing to her pudding.

She scoffed. "Of course." Then she began to laugh.

"What?" He asked, he couldn't help but grin.

"You—" Tess continued to laugh and pointed to his chin.

He frowned, "I'm sorry but it seems today I forgot my pocket mirror—so would you please just tell me what is on my face?"

"I'll get it for you." Tess smiled and dabbed his chin with her napkin. "Saving the sauce for later?"

"Well now that you took it you can eat it." Adam said in a stiffly tone before he grabbed her hand. Laughing she playfully tried to pull it away.

"Ehem." Said a voice down the table. Both Tess and Adam stopped and looked over at a pretty girl with blond hair and a pout on her face. "What are you doing?" The girl raised her eyebrows and suddenly Adam let go of Tess.

"I—um—I didn't know—" Tess began but the girl interrupted.

"I suppose you don't know the rules because your new or something but Adam is off limits, especially to new girls." She pointed a perfectly manicured nail straight at Tess. "So please keep your hands off him." She titled her head.

Adam leaned over and whispered. "Don't listen to a thing that Morgan says,"

"Ehem." The girl snarled. "New girl, Adam—off limits."

Tess melted in her chair, quiet for the rest of lunch. Once the bell rang for the last three classes, she found out that she had creative writing and drama. And in both classes he attempted to speak with her but she either avoided him or the teacher snapped at him for talking.

Then the day ended to Tess' relief; right now she was attempting to find her locker again when Adam appeared in the hallway skimming the crowds. Tess ducked down, what was his problem? She hid behind groups of people as she exited the school and sat on a bench. Looked like she would have to take all her books home tonight. It wasn't entirely horrible, least she could try to read ahead in some of the text books.

Tess sighed and glanced around. People were chattering, kissing and admiring the warm weather. She noticed that Catty and Tianna from her art class where nearby. Tianna was on her skateboard, leaning down to place a kiss on a red head's mouth. Then two other girls and a guy where with them; Tess noticed that the guy was Michael Saratoga, he had been in her drama class and had helped her with some of the props. He had his arm slung around one of the girl's, the one with gorgeous blond hair, waist. Suddenly Catty looked over along with the other girl that had red brown curly hair.

She suddenly felt very uncomfortable and stood up to leave. She turned and collided with Adam, her books and papers scattering across the sidewalk. Tess concealed her anger, couldn't he stay away?!

"Oh, sorry." Adam muttered. "I have been trying to explain to you all day about—" He tried to place his hand on top of hers but she instantly pulled it away before contact was made.

"Adam—I really need to get home—" Tess told him piling her books in a stack before heaving them in her arms.

"Excellent I will drive then." He grinned broadly.

Tess sighed. "Fine, okay, where are you parked?"

He beamed before pointing towards the parking lot. "Follow me."

"Not like I have much of a choice." She said under her breath.

"Say what?"

"Nothing just thinking out loud." Tess told him.

"Ah," Adam replied. "Well this is mine." He patted his old Chevy fondly.

"How...nice." Tess said, feeling truly happy. A normal ugly car. "How long have you had it?"

"Almost two years." He said proudly, opening the door for Tess.

"Thanks." She slid in, the inside was oddly clean. It looked as though it had been through the car wash recently and the carpets were spotless.

"Just take it to the wash?" She asked.

He looked at her, puzzled then noticed she was looking at the interior of his car. "No, no. About two months ago. I keep it very clean. You can put your books there if you want." He pointed to the back seat. She nodded and heaved her books and backpack to the middle of the back seat.

"It's really comfy in here." Tess smiled. He laughed.

"That's a first usually they ask if I am some sort of clean freak." Adam told her, and then stopped. He just mentioned that other girls had been in his car. He paled.

Tess laughed. "Well are you?"

"Yes." He muttered helplessly looking at her with large puppy eyes.

"It's fine. It's fine. Oh, that's my street there." Tess pointed. His eyes bulged and Tess felt suddenly very uncomfortable. Maybe she should just get out and walk the rest of the way?

"I never knew that you lived..." He said in an awed voice.

"Lived what?"

"In the rich part of Los Angeles." Adam replied still gawking at the houses. Tess felt sick.

"That one is mine." She murmured pointing to the largest manor-like houses on the street. He stopped, and his jaw dropped down.

"This—this is your—house?" Adam turned off the car. "Those—those are your cars?" He was looking at the three sports cars in the driveway. Tess barely nodded and grabbed for her stuff in the backseat.

"Thanks for the ride." Tess got out, so did Adam. Maybe he was walking her to the door? Once they got to the front door she turned around and looked at him.

"I—"

"Sure, I would love to go inside." He answered shrugging. Tess frowned; she wasn't going to ask him inside. She pulled open the door and Adam walked in. His mouth open, his eyes wide. Then he hit the ground with a loud thud.

Panicked, Tess screamed out Hazel's name.