"Ugh!" Marinette groaned, "I just KNOW Chloe's gonna be in my class this year!" The cousins were walking up the steps in the school courtyard, on their way to their respective classrooms, "I just know it!"

"Four years in a row?" Bridgette cringed just thinking about it.

"With my luck," Mari sighed, "Definitely."

"I wish we had the same classes," Bri said, looking down dejectedly at her printed schedule. She'd learned a lot about her cousin over the summer; Marinette was stubborn, and good hearted, but when it came to reacting, she had a habit of backing down.

She sighed, "Just… don't let that Chloe chick walk all over you, ok?"

Marinette looked down at her shoes, she was hesitant, but she nodded and answered Bridgette with a reassuring, "Ok! I won't."

Bridgette pulled her into a hug, "Good luck Biǎo mèi!"

"You too!"

Mari teared up a little as her cousin sprinted off to her own classroom. She pushed the door open and slid into the first seat available, which happened to be the first row.

It was empty, and she was grateful for that, she didn't want anyone to see her nose as it reddened. The familiar scent of the classroom drifted across the air around her and brought memories of the last four years flooding back to her.

Bri was brave, Marinette just wished she was a little more perceptive. Bri didn't know Chloe, she didn't know what it was like. Chloe didn't ask before she trampled you, she just did it.

She hid a sniffle before quickly glancing around the classroom. It didn't look like Chloe was here, at least not yet. There was someone in the seat behind her that she didn't recognize.

Just then the girl looked up from her phone and smiled, giving Mari a little wave. Mari waved back, before realizing that her nose must still be red and turning back to slouch against her desk.

Bridgette took in a little breath before stepping through the door and taking in the musty scent of a new classroom.

The room was small with tiered wooden desks leading up to the back, different from the rows of singular desks of home. It was unfamiliar, but exciting.

She froze as she looked over the many long desks, there weren't many students there yet, only two boys in the third row, but Bridgette wasn't sure how to approach them. By the way they were joking and laughing they seemed already inseparable.

She heard the gentle swoosh of the door behind her, and one of the boys, a brunette with bright blue eyes and a striped shirt to match, jumped out of his seat with a grin.

"Allegra!" he shouted.

Bri whirled around just as the door swung shut and a perky looking girl walked in. She was tall, a lot taller than Bridgette, which was surprising, as Bridgette was considered rather tall, but lanky, for her age. Though, she wore her height gracefully, with her bag draped neatly over her shoulder along with her light blonde hair tight in a tight, neat braid.

"Hey Claude!" she laughed, her violet eyes lighting up as she spoke, "Mercury," she said, smiling as she nodded to the other boy.

He groaned and buried his head in his hands he had short black hair, and dark skin, but his green cap and sleeves were the only things visible as he tucked himself away like a turtle.

"How long is that gonna stick?" he let out a muffled sigh and Bri couldn't help but laugh.

The three teens so absorbed in their conversation were surprised by this interjection and directed their attention to the girl they'd overlooked till then.

"Who's this boys?" the girl, apparently named Allegra strode over and placed a friendly hand on Bridgette's shoulder.

The boys shrugged awkwardly at the realization that they'd been ignoring her and quietly returned to their previous conversation.

Allegra rolled her eyes and walked up a step to face Bridgette, "Hi," she said, extending her hand downward, "I'm Allegra Claremont!"

Bridgette reached up and shook the hand tentatively, "Bridgette Cheng."

"Oh!" Allegra let out an exclamation of realization, "Are you related to—"

"Marinette Dupain Cheng," Bridgette nodded, "Yeah, we're cousins."

"Hmm," Allegra nodded thoughtfully, "Well," she said as she glanced to the side, "I don't wanna have to hang with these two jokers all day, so, you wanna maybe sit together?"

Bridgette laughed, "That depends… does that mean I have to hang out with those two jokers all day?"

"Most likely,"

"Then I'm in!"

Allegra smiled as she slid into the first row, "I like your style Bridgette."

Bri heaved her book bag onto the desk and smiled back. This new school had turned out to be pretty welcoming.