A/N: So I haven't uploaded in a while, and I don't know when I will upload again. But I've gotten a few recent reviews that inspired me to work on the next chapter. So here you go, enjoy.

Chapter 2

First Day Blues

When the Spanish class finally let out—saving the student from making any more fools of themselves with their butchered Spanish—every student was making a quick beeline to the door.

"Recuerde que debe estudiar, tendremos nuestra primera prueba a examen de la semana proxima. Estar preparado y no descuidarse," the teacher lolled off quickly in Spanish. There were a few groans as the students heard 'examen' and knew what was to come sometime in the near future.

Getting quickly out of her seat and shoving her books into her bag she tried to catch up to Sophie who had been one of the first to exit the door.

She bumped into a boy with brown eyes and sea-green eyes on her way out. He gave her a slight sneer. "Sorry," she said with her head down before hurrying to catch Sophie.

"Hey, wait," she called out as the girl gave a quick glance over her shoulder. She lifted one eyebrow when Tessa reached her. "I just…I wanted to say thank you, for the earlier translation."

Sophie shrugged looking unconcerned. "No problem."

"Can I ask you a question?" Tessa asked, feeling slightly bold.

"Why not. You already asked one."

"It's just, well, you seemed to be the only other person in the room who knew any Spanish besides the teacher. I'm just curious about that."

With a slight curve upward to her lops Sophie responded, "It's nothing really, I don't know that much. Just know this boy who went to Spain over the summer. A summer study abroad program for high schoolers, or something. Anyway, he taught me a few phrases, a few words when he came back. He's taken Mrs. Gonzales when he was a freshmen trying to learn Spanish and told me she expects you to know quite a bit of Spanish before even stepping foot into her class."

"Oh, dear."

"Oh, dear?" Sophie asked looking over at Tessa. "Are you sure you came from New York, New York?" She shook her head without waiting a response, which would have been yes, but most of her language was in consequence of her overbearing Aunt Harriet. "You'll be fine, just study every now and then and you should at least get at least a passing grade by the end of the year. She's supposed to be very generous when it comes to curves…and extra credit."

They paused at the double doors leading to the final escape from the torture chamber known as school. Looking over at Tessa, she seemed to evaluate her, before saying, "Listen there's a party happening on Saturday, over at Martin what's-his-face. It would be a good place to meet people, since your knew and all, and with it being such a small town everyone knows everyone here since they were toddlers." Sophie rolled her eyes as if the thought was ridiculous to her. "I should know I used to be new, years ago."

"Oh," Tessa said. She honestly didn't really like parties but besides Sophie and Jessamine she hardly knew anyone at the school. Certainly not this Martin fellow. She had to sit at the far corner of a lunch table in the cafeteria, it had been packed full of students, but not one that spared her a conversation or two.

"I can pick you up and take you to the party if you want."

"You can drive?" Tessa asked startled. The Spanish One class was supposed to a freshmen to sophomore level class. "How old are you?"

"Sixteen, four days ago, and I just got my license." After seeing a questioning look still on Tessa's face Sophie added, "I'm a sophomore and my parents didn't want me to be the youngest junior so instead they've made me the oldest sophomore." She shrugged. "Not that I really mind. It's not like there's all that much difference between juniors and sophomores. The boys still act like children and the girls act like bitches to get whatever guy they want for the week. Same old, same bull****."

Thinking about it Tessa thought what was the most she had to lose. Humiliation of some type would probably be the worst consequence while she stood to gain maybe a few friends.

"Okay, sure," Tessa replied as she gave Sophie her address. They parted ways as Sophie headed out the door leaving Tessa behind.

With her Aunt Harriet a full class schedule was not enough time for Tessa to spend at school. She expected her to have some type of extracurricular activity added to her schedule. Something she was dreading at this moment as her stomach rumbled.

She turned her head looking out the door and seeing all the students who were gladly escaping and thought of how easy it would be to ditch for fifty-five minutes or so and acting as if she had just left some activity before arriving to Aunt Harriet.

But as Nate had implied, she was a wuss, a good girl. She couldn't push herself to ditch and lie to her Aunt so instead she walked over to the bulletin board that listed all the extra activities that could be taken.

Cheerleading was off the list as tryouts started in the summer, not that Tessa had had any intentions or plans to join cheerleading. She wasn't that flexible or comfortable jumping around in a short skirt, especially one that Jessamine had been wearing. Although she wondered if the school cheerleading uniform was really that short or perhaps had some slightly alternations.

She didn't know Jessamine that well to be sure.

Looking across the board she settled for the debate team that was open for new members and would be on every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from four to five with a few school debate tournaments on Saturdays. She could spend Tuesdays and Fridays in the school library and she didn't have much trouble when speaking in front of people unlike a few of her peers she had known. It should be a fairly simple and easy activity for her and one that would hopefully please Aunt Harriet enough.

Searching for the room number Tessa let out a groan as she realized the room was all the way on the other side of the building. Tessa should have known it wouldn't be that easy or simple as she turned to make her long trek down the hallway.

Will was walking out of the school with Jem, starting to make the long trek home when Amelie came running up behind him, a huge smile plastered on her face, and looping her arm through his.

Will was a little surprised as she kissed his cheek. "Shouldn't you be at cheerleading practice with Jessamine?"

Flipping her hair back, a habit that annoyed Will as it reminded him of Jessamine, Amelie replied, "It's only the first day back to school. Nothing important happens the first week, everyone knows that." Cozying up to Will Amelie added, "I wanted to spend my time with you instead." And then as if realizing they weren't alone she looked past Will and smiled at Jem. "And of course with Jem, the Asian stud."

Jem ducked his head, as he replied, "It's nice to see you to Amelie."

With a lifted brow Amelie added, "You know that's what my friend, Sadie, has been calling you. The Asian stud?" She looked over at Will waiting for him to join her ploy.

Will shook his head, knowing subtlety was not Amelie's strong suit, but went along regardless. "Hear that Jem, someone actually thinks you're a stud? I wonder, is your friend blind, Amelie?"

Amelie narrowed her gaze on Will while Jem cracked a smile. "Funny, Will, I'm sure Amelie wishes she was deaf sometimes with your poetry readings."

"Hey, I have a lovely voice."

"Perhaps, but your poems need work."

"You're just jealous of my artistic abilities with rhymes."

"How many times do I have to tell you Will that rhyming a word with the same word doesn't actually make it rhyme."

"Uhhmm," Amelie coughed gaining attention from both boys. She looked heavily annoyed at being forgotten in the midst of their bickering as they had stopped in front of the two glass doors exiting the building.

Jem looked sheepish as he opened the door for both Amelie and Will, while Will on the other hand didn't look apologetic at all, which irritated Amelie further.

Pulling her arm roughly out of Will's grasp as if she hadn't put in the first place she turned to Jem with a scowl. "Look Sadie Hawkins has been really into you since sixth grade. Give her a call, take her to the party on Saturday." She turned her gaze sharply to Will, "The one Will was supposed to tell you about. I'm leaving, see you two later." She turned and started walking away.

"Where are you going? I thought you wanted to spend your time in my glorious company."

Amelie never looked back as she said, "I've changed my mind." In a lower voice she added, "Jem's right sometimes I do wish I'm deaf when it comes to you."

Will looked over at Jem. "Women," he said shaking his head, "they can never seem to make up their minds."

"Only when in the presence of you, Will."

Grinning Will stated, "I guess my appearance and charm is just so…distracting to them. It would be unfair to blame them of something out of all our control."

"Yeah, I'm sure that's the word they would use, distracting."

They set off down the block in silence before Will added, "It is sad though."

"What is?"

"Lack of imagination."

Jem glanced over at Will in confusion.

"Sadie…Hawkins? Are people really that uncreative?"

It was late by the time Tessa arrived back at her house with Aunt Harriet. Nate was nowhere in sight having apparently felt better to leave the house but not well enough to attend school not that Aunt Harriet was taking much notice. She was too busy telling Tessa more work that was expected from her.

"Your music lessons will be from five ten to six ten every week day, right after school. So you cannot diddle daddle after school, because we will need to drive over there straight away. They'll start on Wednesday." Aunt Harriet walked into the kitchen as Tessa set her backpack on the table. She let out a sigh already feeling overloaded.

Steeling her voice and preparing herself Tessa called out, "I got invited to a party over the weekend."

Aunt Harriet walked back over to her with a slight purse to her lips. "A party?"

"It's over at…uh…Martin's house," Tessa added feeling slightly silly for such little detail under her Aunt's scrutinizing gaze. "Sophie Collins invited me."

"I see. We'll have to take about it then, later," Aunt Harriet replied which wasn't a no but was sure heading in that direction. "We do need to talk about something else though, Tessa." Aunt Harriet sat down as Tessa pulled out a chair as well. "We need to talk about you getting a part-time job somewhere."

Tessa's eyes widened and she couldn't help the words that tumbled out next, "But Nate doesn't even have a job."

There was a slight twitch to her Aunt's eyes but even so her Aunt remained her composure as she responded, "I've already spoken with him and he assures me he'll be getting a job very soon."

Tessa resisted an eye roll. The last thing Tessa suspected was Nate to get a job or even to hold down one, he couldn't be responsible enough to stay with a steady school attendance. And even if he did find some type of job Tessa had a feeling it would be far from legal. She didn't tell her Aunt about this though.

"I've already talked around and there's an opening at a local bookstore." Tessa instantly perked up at the words bookstore. Her Aunt caught this as she added, "I'm not as cruel as you may think Theresa. If you worked there you would get an automatic fifteen percent discount." Her Aunt stood up from the table. "Think about it for the next month or so, but remember that this position won't be open forever."

Her Aunt was already starting to head out the door as Tessa asked, "How will I get there? I don't drive yet."

"It's not a far walk from here, ten to fifteen minutes around the corner. You would work there on Saturdays and Sundays in the afternoon." Heading towards the door, Aunt Harriet looked over her shoulder as she added, "I'll show it to you…over the weekend." Then she left house going somewhere that Tessa didn't know. Maybe to find Nate? Weren't they always trying to find Nate?

Turning and opening her backpack Tessa had not forgotten the catch of over the weekend. So much for meeting the people at her school. She wasn't sure how she was going to tell Sophie she couldn't go after all.

But there was some goodness for the day, being the bookstore a place that wouldn't be too dreadful to work at for Tessa and that had very appealing perks such as the discount. She hadn't realized it had been so close to her house though, which was another positive, one she could walk to from her house.

The day certainly wasn't too dreadful.

Jessamine arrived home exhausted and hungry. The cheerleading drills had been torturous as their instructor wanted them in tip top shape for the tournament occurring in a few weeks. Jessamine hated to admit it, but besides the cheerleading tryouts she did over the summer she had let herself get out of shape. She hadn't done as many morning jogs and did far too many tans from laying out in the sun as she didn't believe in tanning beds. What Jessamine was selling was all natural, she strived for that, something that she hoped would work to her advantage.

However, Jessamine was also surprised that Amelie hadn't been at practice. She and another freshmen girl were the only two that hadn't shown up for the practice. A fact that ticked off the coach having already decided that the freshmen girl was kicked off the team and Amelie was hanging on only by a string—only because the coach considered Amelie a team asset. Jessamine had to admit though from what she saw over the summer that for a sophomore Amelie was a very impeccable cheerleader, someone where Jessmaine wanted to be when she was a sophomore.

"Oh good, your finally home, Jess. Dinner's already set and ready," Charlotte, her adopted mother, announced coming into the living room. "You better hurry though, before the boys eat all the food…" Her voice trailed off as she took Jessamine in with a raised eyebrow Charlotte added, "I don't remember your uniform being that short Jessamine."

Without answering the question Jessamine stated, "Didn't you say the boys were getting ready to eat all of dinner." She walked quickly around Charlotte without waiting for a response.

Charlotte sighed and shook her head as she stared after her daughter. She was really not liking these changes in her daughter.

A/N:

"Sounds to me like you need a new friend." ~Is still in the upcoming chapters. I will add that the statement is said by Tessa.

And because this was such a short chapter and I don't know when my next update will be:

She didn't notice until she felt breathing against her neck and a whispered, "Are you looking for someone in particular?" in her ear.