• New in town, 17-year-old Demii Lane makes her way towards school, feeling the nerves creeping up on her as she drives closer and closer to the large building. As she pulls into the large parking lot, now full of cars, she sees a group of students about her age hanging out by a van. She decides to take a spot further away from them, trying not to draw attention to herself.

    Demii cuts off the engine and slowly gets out of the car, slipping the key into her faded beige book bag's pocket. Stepping onto the black pavement, a small breeze blows, gently tugging at Demii's long, brown hair. She tucks a loose lock behind her ear and makes her way towards the school building.

    One of the guys, to Demii's nightmare to come true, turns his head and sees her walking past. His blue eyes widened and he calls out, "Hey! Your the new girl!" from across the parking lot. Demii grimaced then turned, the boy smiled and beckoned her over to the group. Demii bit her lip and slowly began to walk over to them.

    Now the whole group's attention was on her and Demii could feel hysteria creeping up on her as she approached them. The blue-eyed boy straightened up from leaning against his car, still smiling. "Your Demii, right? Demii Lane?" he asked. Demii pursed her lips and nodded, not wanting to talk, for afraid that her voice might come out in a nervous squeek.

    The boy smiled, "I'm Erin," he said, then looked around the group who were eying Demii like she was about to faint. He nudged the brown-skinned boy next to him, "Dude, stop staring and introduce yourself." he said. His friend rolled his eyes and said, "I'm Frank." A blonde girl next to him smiled warmly at Demii and said, "I'm Kati, and this is Jessica, Luke, and Mike." she pointed them out. Demii smiled weakly and, when she could trust her voice, said, "Hi."

    Kati giggled, "No need to be nervous, Demii. We'll show you around school." she promised, though she was totally off on why she was nervous. Demii nodded once, "Thanks." she said quietly. Then the morning bell rang and the group began to gather their things. Kati slinged her pink messenger bag over her shoulder and went to Demii's side. "C'mon, Demii. I'll be your class buddy." she said, smiling.

    Demii smiled lightly back and they made their way through the parking lot and into the school. Kati asked the office if she and Demii could be excused from their first class so she could show Demii around. The vice principal, Ms. Davidson, smiled and excused them from their class.

    Kati pulled Demii around the whole school by the time the 45-minute-class-ending bell rang. She smiled and handed Demii a sheet of paper, "Here's your class schedule, I got it from Ms. Davidson before we left the office. It also has your locker number. Do you think you can get around without me for right now?" she asked.

    Demii nodded slowly, "Yeah, I think I got it." she replied, slipping the paper into her bag. Kati smiled and clapped her hands together, "Alrighty! I'll see ya later, Dem!" she said, turning and striding down the hallway towards her next class. Demii sighed and turned and walked in the opposite direction.