Everything was going fine. People were generally staying away, and Amber was keeping to herself. Everything was going just fine...until Spinner realized that she existed.

He knew who she was, of course. How could he not? After all the curiosity she aroused, it was impossible not to know about her. But her mysteriousness had worn off, and the main topic of gossip was no longer Amber. So, Spinner had promptly forgotten about her.

It took a long time for Spinner to come up with the thought that Amber could be useful...and not as a subject of conversation, either. She could be someone to pick on. He was sick of bullying the same kids every day. It wouldn't be hard, and it would add a little variety. She was so quiet, she'd be no trouble; and he was positive she wouldn't fight back.

He knew she was too small to hurt him even if she did fight back. Anyway, she wasn't a fighting person by the looks of it. She just went on her way, leading her own life. This would be a piece of cake.

He found Amber at her locker, concentrating on the combination. She groaned as he approached and furiously twirled it again.

He asked, "Need help?"

She jumped and spun around to face him. She was obviously surprised. Several thoughts went through her mind. Why would this guy that she barely knows ask to help? He could just be being nice, but Amber had had the impression that he wasn't that kind of guy.

"H-h-help?"

"Yeah...You know, give me your com, and I'll open your locker for you. We only have one minute until class starts, if you didn't notice," Spinner's voice was dry and sarcastic.

Amber considered the offer. She didn't want to give her combination to anyone, but there was only a minute...

She gave him her combination.

He opened her locker. When Amber let out a sigh of relief and started to reach out for her books, Spinner slammed the locker door shut.

Amber was shocked, and her eyes widened as she watched Spinner walk away, satisfied, to class.

Amber chided herself for being an idiot. After all, she was no stranger to teasing and pranks. She sighed, turned to her locker again, and silently continued to turn the combination. She ended up being late to class.

Luckily, the teasing did not continue in the classroom. Instead, Amber found herself in another situation she didn't like to be in.

"Class, get into groups of three, or get a partner. Make sure to choose wisely. This project is very important, and it can affect your grade a lot."

Amber sat at her desk in the back of the room, motionless, while the other students moved toward their friends and started chatting about their projects. Amber looked at her hands, waiting to find out who she'd be stuck with. She knew that the teacher would take everybody without partners and pair them up. She couldn't wait to see who the loners at Degrassi were. She had always hated group projects like this. Even at her old school, she was always left out. She was used to this kind of treatment.

"Are you working with anyone?"

Amber, startled, looked up.

Craig repeated himself. "Are you working with anyone?"

"Oh! N-no! I mean, not yet..." Amber stuttered.

"Well, do you want to work with me? Everyone else has someone to work with. My best friend is in 9th Grade anyway."

"Oh. OK..."

Amber realized with a sinking feeling that the only reason why he was asking her was because there was no one else. She slapped herself in her mind for even thinking that he would want to be with her. She sighed and thought glumly, At least I have a partner...

She was jolted back out of her thoughts and into reality when Craig spoke.

"So...how do you like it here at Degrassi?"

Amber wracked her brain to think of something nice to say about Degrassi. All she could think about was how Spinner had slammed her locker shut with a grin on his " Amber avoided Craig's gaze.

"Have you made a lot of friends?"

Amber stared at Craig in disbelief. Was he making fun of her? She searched his face. She then raised her eyebrows, as if saying, Are you kidding me?

Craig had apparently meant what he said, because he stated, "If you haven't made a lot of friends, don't worry. Maybe the people in 10th Grade aren't your type. There are a lot of nice girls in 9th Grade, too. I could probably introduce you to them."

Amber was so taken aback that she started to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Craig asked, a smile tugging at his lips.

"I...don't...know! But...it's...funny...anyway!" Amber answered in between peals of laughter.

"OK!" Craig replied before starting to laugh himself.

Their laughter was interrupted when the teacher suddenly called to the back of the room, "What's going on back there? Are you working?"

They quickly quieted and started working on their project.

By that time, Amber had forgotten about Spinner and was thinking happily, I knew I was right that he could be a good friend!

At the end of class, the good feeling had worn off, and instead, Amber was thinking depressedly, He could be a good friend...Too bad that he won't want to be near me when he finds out...