Chapter One – The New Girl
The silence of Ammie's new bedroom was shattered by the jarring blare of her phone alarm. 6:00 AM. A jolt went through her—not just from the sound, but the realization. First day. Grade 12. Greenville High. A new world, whether she was ready or not.
She swung her legs out of bed, her feet sinking into the plush carpet. Grey light crept through the window, brushing the edge of the neighborhood's quiet rooftops. Everything here felt… grander. Richer. But quieter too—like the whole place was watching.
She shook the thought and headed for a hot, steamy shower. The water pounded away the tightness in her shoulders. What to wear?
Confidence—without overdoing it. She finally chose a dark wash denim mini-skirt, a cream-colored knit top that hugged her just enough, and her favorite knee-high leather boots. Her long, dark hair went up into a high, bouncy ponytail, with a few strands framing her face just right.
Downstairs, the scent of toast and coffee wrapped around her like comfort. Her mom, already dressed for work, poured juice into a glass.
"Morning, sweetie! You're up early," she said, a little too brightly.
"Wouldn't want to be late on day one," Ammie replied, grabbing toast and sitting briefly.
Outside, she could hear a distant car and the rustle of leaves. Greenville High loomed in her mind—whispers of Dylan, Don, the school's cliques. Big fish. Bigger pond.
"Good luck, darling. Make us proud," her mom said, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
Mr. Hayes, their driver, waited outside beside a sleek black SUV. Ammie slid in and let her eyes roam the route. The houses grew larger. The lawns more sculpted. And then—Greenville High.
The school was massive, built of red brick and crawling ivy. It looked more like a university—or a castle. As the car pulled to the entrance, her nerves flipped.
She stepped out, swallowed by a sea of strangers and expensive perfume. Students poured from luxury cars, their laughter echoing across manicured lawns.
The main hall was even grander—echoing voices, slamming lockers, and that faint scent of old books and money. Ammie clutched her schedule like a shield. Clusters of jocks, preppy girls, bookworms… everyone seemed to know where they were going. Except her.
She made her way to the third floor for Advanced Physics. The crowd thinned as she reached the door. A breath. Then she pushed it open.
Silence.
Every head turned toward her. She held their gaze, straightening her spine and lifting her chin just enough. Confidence was a weapon, and she'd learned to wield it.
"Class," the teacher said. "We have a new student joining us. This is Ammie."
"Hi, everyone," Ammie said, smiling politely. Her dimples flickered—tiny, but impossible to miss.
A ripple of murmurs followed. Whispers. Stares. Ammie held the smile, then glanced around the room, catching the subtle reactions—some surprised, some wide-eyed, some not thrilled.
"You can take the seat next to Emily," the teacher added.
Ammie crossed the room and slid into the empty desk beside a girl with bright, friendly eyes.
"Hi! I'm Emily," the girl whispered with a nervous giggle. "So glad to have a seat partner!"
"Hi, Ammie," she whispered back, smiling. "Me too."
She settled in, pulling out her notebook. But the stares hadn't stopped. Ammie caught sight of one girl toward the back—blonde, flawless, clearly queen bee. The look she gave Ammie was pure frost.
So that's Mia, she guessed. The rumors were already making sense.
Beside Mia sat a tall boy with sharp features and quiet confidence. His name had come up too—Dylan. He wasn't staring anymore, but Ammie could feel that he had. And she had a feeling it wouldn't be the last time.
She turned to the girl behind her. "Hi, Mandy," she whispered.
No reply.
The girl's long hair shielded her face, her posture closed-off. Ammie frowned.
Emily leaned in. "Don't mind Mandy," she whispered. "She doesn't really talk to people."
Ammie glanced again, curiosity sparked. That wasn't just shyness. Something was behind that silence.
Still, she refocused as Ms. Albert began to teach—Newton's Laws. The familiar comfort of science took over, and Ammie jotted down notes with practiced precision. But even as she wrote, she was aware: new school, new threats, and new stories waiting to unfold.
Her eyes flicked back to Mia's glare, and she met it—cool, unbothered. A silent message passed between them.
This is going to be fun.
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