Yes I totally own The Covenant… And I'm also the queen of a small tribe in South America. NOT!!!!!! ; )

Beth slowly trudged along behind Tyler. She could see that Reid hadn't expected this. As they made it to the top, the tall guy with the black hair started talking to Tyler.

"Who's your friend?"

"Guys, this is Beth Shaufner. She's gonna sit with us today. Pogue, that means you need to move your fat ass." The biggest guy looked up.

"What are you talkin about? My ass is not fat. Would you like to see," he asked as he stood up, one hand on the top of his pants.

"Dude, totally not necessary." This was the blonde girl. Everyone laughed as Pogue sat back down. He did scoot over though.

The girl raised her hand for Beth to shake. "Hi Beth, I'm Sarah." Beth shook it and then Sarah pointed out the rest of the people. The other girl was named Kate and she was going steady with Pogue. The black haired guy was Caleb and he went out with Sarah. Tyler was single and Reid wasn't seeing any one person… he saw as many as he wanted.

"So what brought you to Ipswich," Kate asked. The class had already started but they were supposed to be "discussing and contributing about the book" in groups which meant almost everybody was just talking.

"Ummm… my dad's workload is too much right now so he wanted a good school I could stay at but still see him. So he picked Spencer because they have a really good reputation."

"What dorm are you in," Tyler asked.

"Oh, prying a little bit are we baby boy?" Tyler blushed scarlet but Beth went on like she hadn't seen him.

"305. I don't know where it's at though."

Kate and Sarah both squealed, "That's right down the hall from us!" Caleb looked at Beth and muttered "I am soooo sorry." Everyone laughed.

"What are you doing tonight?"

"I gotta go to work."

"Oh, where at? Maybe we could give you a ride."

"It's some bar called Mikey's or Mickey's."

"Nicky's?"

"That's the one. You know it?"

"Everyone in Ipswich knows what it is. Duh."

"Shut up Reid, she's knew and doesn't know." Tyler defended her like he had known Beth and not Reid for forever.

"How did you get a job there? It's like, nearly impossible," Sarah said.

"I just put in an application and two days later he said I start today."

"Lucky. Hey, we're all going anyway, you wanna catch a ride? Tyler's driving" Pogue added with a laugh. Everyone else laughed too.

"I don't get it. Is he a bad driver or something?" Beth was confused at this point.

That made everyone else laugh harder. Caleb pitched in, "Nobody knows. Every time he gets behind the wheel, Reid winds up driving."

"Oh, well yeah I guess I'll get a ride. But I have to be there by 6:30. Is that ok?"

"Yeah, totally, that's fine. Absolutely no problem at all." Tyler had started to babble now and was once again red.

"Down boy, you don't wanna drool on her now do you," Reid said. Tyler looked like he wished he could sink through the floor.

"So, have you got anything to wear tonight?" Sarah sounded extremely concerned.

"Ummm… I was thinking maybe some jeans, a shirt, and shoes," Beth said with a smile.

"Good choice. Did you come up with that idea all on your own," Reid asked sarcastically.

"Actually, yeah. I did." Beth smiled at him like he had just given the highest praise possible. Sarah and Kate started to laugh while Reid scowled, obviously displeased at the fact that he hadn't embarrassed her.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot let any friend of mine go out in just 'jeans, a shirt, and shoes.' Me and Sarah won't allow it. You can come by our dorm and we'll help you get ready." Kate sounded excited at the idea of having a new Barbie doll to dress up.

"Beth, just say no while you still can. Please, don't go to the dark side," Pogue begged with mock horror. Sarah and Kate both smacked him on the arm.

"Don't worry. I think I'll be ok." Beth smiled at the group. "What time should I come over?"

"Hmmm… hair and make-up plus clothes and shoes. You have to be there by 6:30. It's a 20 minute drive. Maybe around 3 o'clock. No later than 3:30." Kate and Sarah were both thinking about it while Beth sat there dumb founded at the idea that it would take 3 hours to get ready.

"Told ya," Pogue said.

"I'm starting to think that maybe I should have listened."

About that time the bell rang and they all got up to leave. Tyler lingered with Beth.

"I'm really sorry. I know that must have been uncomfortable." He looked a little embarrassed.

"Don't worry about it. They're great." She smiled kindly.

"So what's your next class?" He suddenly stopped as he realized Reid had destroyed her schedule. "Crap. I'm sorry. Do you need to go get another one?"

She smiled and said "Nope," as she pulled a piece of paper from her notebook. There, she had listed all her classes. "I always make a spare. I lose things… a lot."

"Hey, I have Ms. Huble next. You wanna walk together?"

"Sure. I am so tired of being invisible in the hall. Well not invisible, just ignored and pushed out of the way."

Tyler laughed as they started out of the classroom and into the hallway. Beth thought that she was going to like Tyler. Nobody stepped on him, she thought with a smile.