"You seem familiar, are you sure we haven't met somewhere?" Derrick Harrington asked, leaning on the lockers next to Kristen.

"No, I come from Malibu… which is pretty far away from Westchester, if you ask me," Kristen replied, smiling at the playful blonde.

Derrick made a big act of thinking. "Collins… I don't recognize the last name, but something tells me I want to get to know Ms. Collins."

Kristen smiled, closing her locker. She was not Kristen Gregory, the younger sister of the dead Olivia Ryan, at Westchester High. She was Kristen Collins, the Californian girl who'd moved in with her aunt to fulfill a scholarship. When really, she was just trying to bring justice to her sister. The only reason she'd asked to temporally move in with her aunt had been to investigate Olivia's murder. It had taken a lot of convincing to do, but she'd finally gotten her mom into letting her go.

"Stop flirting, Harrington," a brunette scolded, materializing next to both teenagers. She smiled at Kristen. "Hey, I'm Massie, this idiot's stepsister."

Kristen's smile faltered. Massie, her sister's former friend in Westchester. Also, one of the 'friends' that had killed Olivia. "I'm Kristen."

"Yup, everybody's buzzing about you," Massie told her. "It's not often the academy gets a new student without a known last name."

Kristen bit her lower lip.

"I don't mean to worry you, though," Massie continued. She tucked a strand of her wavy hair behind her ear. "However, I'd recommend you hang out with us at lunch to avoid trouble."

"Oh, come on!" Derrick complained. "If she eats with you, then how am I gonna get to know her?"

"What, you were planning to invite her over to your table full of soccer jocks?" Massie demanded, her eyes narrowing at Derrick. "Please."

"No, but you know the soccer team doesn't get along with you and your friends," Derrick clarified.

"Well, too bad. I claimed her first," Massie said in a final tone. She smiled at me. "We'll be waiting for you, right?"

She hadn't thought it out as easy. She had thought that befriending the popular clique would be harder. But it seemed luck was in her way. She smiled sweetly. "Of course."

"Good," Massie replied, her smile brightening. She glanced at Derrick. "Now, if you two will excuse me, I've gotta go. See ya later, then."

With that, the petite girl twirled around and strutted down the hallways as if they were hers. And they were. The school's owner was none other than William Block, brother of the police's department head, Jacob. Perhaps, that was why the charges against Massie's group suddenly dropped?

Kristen's eyes hardened, her gaze fixated on the girl's retreating figure. She'd come there with one purpose. And that was to stuff her and her friends in a jell cell for the rest of their lives.

"I don't want to say this…"

Derrick's voice broke through her mental vowing.

"But you might want to watch out for my step-sister's group of friends," he continued. He rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably. "I know… I know that they just lost a friend two days ago. Kemp Hurley, you might've heard of him? That's beside the point. I don't want to sound heartless, but they're known for backstabbing people."

Kristen's features tensed up.

"Literally," Derrick finished, in a much different tone. Bitter, in fact.

The bell rang.

"Well, hopefully, I'll see you around," Derrick said, his playful tone returning. He gently patted her arm. "Good luck."

His hazel eyes sparkled with a smile before he left.

Kristen adjusted her bag's strap around her shoulder. Maybe, if she would've attended school under different circumstances, she might've snooped around and figure if Derrick was known as a flirt or really wanted to know her. But she had a different purpose. One that didn't require a softened heart.

Thanks to everybody who read! It was much appreciated :)

Ailes Du Neige: Well, Olivia's older by one year. Also, I'm planning for the whole PC to make an appearance. Some will not be as important as the rest, but they will appear.

And a huge thank you with a virtual cookie on the side for the rest! For all who might be confused, don't worry, everything will be explained as the story continues. However, if there's still something that is not completely clear for you, just ask :)