Days turned into weeks and it was September before they knew it. Poppy was still living with Rachel and Olivia and had adjusted to her new situation. Jessica hadn't woken up and Poppy had only seen Chris once since the accident happened.

September was here and it was the start of a new school year. Poppy was to start year 9 and Olivia was going into year 12 at Waterloo Road. Rachel knew how important first days are and was certain that she was not going to be late. "Olivia?" Rachel said as she tapped on her bedroom door. "Olivia? Time to get up!" She heard a mumble from the room and was satisfied that she'd woken her up. "Poppy?" Rachel said again as she softly tapped on the door. Within moments, the door was opened and Poppy appeared. "Good morning, how are you today?" Rachel asked.

"I'm alright actually. I'm nervous though" Poppy answered.

"That's okay. I'll take you for a tour before the bell for form goes and introduce you to some teachers that you may not know."

"Rachel? Have you forgotten? I've been to Waterloo Road a few times before. I know most of the teachers thanks to Chris!"

"I know, but it's always best to refresh your memory."

Before long, everyone was ready and in the car to school. Olivia was informing Poppy of all the teachers to avoid getting on the wrong side of. They arrived at school and were met by Eddie Lawson as they left the car. "Good morning Rachel, girls. Can I have a word, Rachel?"

"Already? I've hardly been here a minute! Olivia, Poppy, can you go up to my office please?" Rachel said as she tossed the key to her office to Olivia. Olivia and Poppy walked away from Rachel and Eddie and towards the school doors. "That's Mr Lawson." Olivia said. "He comes round sometimes. Takes me and mum bowling."

"That's nice" Poppy replied.

"Him and mum, well, they aren't an item… yet. But it's pretty obvious that they want to be!" Olivia laughed. Poppy joined in as they made their way to Rachel's office.

Rachel gave Poppy a tour of the school, although Poppy protested that she vaguely knew her way around. Other pupils were already making their way to their form rooms, the corridors were filled with the chatter of holiday talk. Rachel knocked softly on a classroom door. An almost full class of year 9's were in the classroom. "Cesca?" Rachel said. Miss Montoya looked over to the door. "This is Poppy, she's new in your form. Is it alright if I leave her with you now? I really need to go."

"That's fine. Hello Poppy, I'm Miss Montoya. Would you like to sit next to Emily? She was new here last year." Poppy done as she was told and took a seat next to Emily.

"Hi, I'm Emily James."

"I'm Poppy." She said nervously.

"Don't sound so nervous! It's great here! I was new here last year, but it was probably easier for me because I had my sister here."

"Hey. You're new, aren't you?" a boy asked from behind her. "I'm Denzil."

"I'm Poppy." At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Mr Lawson was at the door with a shy looking girl. She had long brown hair and brown eyes and very pale skin. "Miss Montoya?" Mr Lawson said. "You've got another new one. This is Mollie Smith"

"Okay then. Mollie, I'm Miss Montoya, would you like to sit next to Denzil?" Mollie sat next to Denzil and Poppy immediately began a conversation with her. "I'm Poppy, it's my first day too."

"I'm Mollie. Looks like we're both in the same boat!" Poppy and Mollie were instantly friends. Poppy, Mollie, Emily and Denzil were all in the same classes and spent the rest of the day laughing together. It was friendship that would last a lifetime. Poppy didn't have many friends at her last school, she was too busy trying to keep her lies under wraps. This was new and exciting! She liked her friends and she already felt like she belonged at Waterloo Road.

The final bell went and the four friends were walking out of their French lesson. "I'll see you all tomorrow, I've got to go" Poppy said as she began walking in the opposite direction.

"Where are you going?" Emily asked. "We could all walk home together."

"Oh, sorry. I can't. I forgot to mention that I live with Rachel Mason at the moment. Do you remember Mr Mead from last year?"

"Yeah, he was well cool!" Denzil exclaimed.

"Well, he's my adoption dad, but there was an accident and stuff happened and I'm staying with her at the moment."

"Oh my, you're Poppy! You're the Poppy he was always talking about!" Emily said.

"Yeah, I know. Look, I've got to go. Speak to you tomorrow?"

"Okay, see you tomorrow" the others said.

Poppy made her way to Rachel's office. "Good day?" Rachel asked when she saw her.

"Brilliant!"

"That's great! Look, Olivia's in the office. Entertain yourself for a while. I've got a few things to do before we leave. Why don't you give Katie and Mark a call? Let them know about your first day. I'm sure they'd love to know."

That evening, Poppy told the story of her first day 3 times. To Rachel and Olivia, Katie and Mark, and Chris. He hadn't forgotten about Poppy and called to ask Rachel if she wanted to bring Poppy to the hospital to see Jessica. "If Poppy could talk to Jessica, it could wake her up. It's worth a try, but only if she wants to." Chris said.

"I'll speak to her about it now. Can I call you back in 5 minutes?"

"Of course you can. Speak to you soon, bye"

"Bye."

Rachel left the phone and came into the living room. Olivia and Poppy were watching TV. Rachel gave Olivia a look that meant she needed to speak to Poppy on her own. Olivia got up and left the room. "Poppy, Chris asked if you wanted to see Jessica on Saturday."

"Really! Can I?"

"You can if you want to. Jessica is still in a coma but she needs to hear familiar voices. It might help her to wake up. I'll take you and Chris and the nurses will be there to help you talk to her."

"Please can I go? I really want to go!"

"Of course you can. I'll call him back now." Poppy smiled and ran out of the room.

"Olivia!" she called. "Guess who I'm going to see on Saturday!"

As Poppy laid in bed that night, she couldn't contain her happiness. She was at a new school, she had made some wonderful friends and she was going to see the people she missed most in just a few days time. Poppy's life was changing. It had its faults, but it seemed to be getting better. Poppy didn't realise how much things can change in just a few hours…