Everything Between us

The New Girl

I had spent the entire morning telling myself that transferring schools wasn't a big deal.

I was lying to myself.

Eastwood High had been home for years, but my parents had decided that I needed a change. My mother, Claire Lane, had been the one pushing for it the most. She believed I wasn't coping well with the learning environment anymore, and after months of talking, they finally transferred me to Westbridge Academy.

A new school.

A new beginning.

At least, that was what Mum kept telling me.

"Zoey, are you ready?" she called from downstairs.

I grabbed my bag and took one last look around my room before heading down.

Dad was already waiting by the car.

"You'll be fine," Mum said.

"I know."

She gave me a look.

"You don't sound like you know."

I smiled despite myself.

"I'll try."

---

Westbridge Academy was huge.

The moment we drove through the gates, I knew this wasn't going to be anything like Eastwood.

There were several buildings, a massive sports field, an ICT lab, rows of classrooms, and enough students walking around to make me wonder how I was ever supposed to find my way anywhere.

Principal Daniel Hayes was waiting for us inside the administrative building. Mum had already spoken to him about my transfer, so most of the paperwork was handled quickly.

Forms were signed. Payments were made.

And just like that, I was officially a student of Westbridge Academy.

Principal Hayes gave us a tour of the school, showing us the classrooms, laboratories, ICT room, and other facilities.

But the library caught my attention immediately.

Rows of books filled the shelves.

I couldn't help staring.

I'd always loved reading. It was one of the few things that could make me forget everything around me.

"You'll like it here," Mum whispered when she noticed my expression.

Maybe I would.

Dad had always imagined me becoming a lawyer someday or helping with the family business. I wasn't sure what I wanted yet.

Maybe Westbridge would help me figure that out.

Eventually, Mum hugged me goodbye.

"Call me when you get home."

"I will."

Dad squeezed my shoulder.

"Make the most of it."

Then they left.

And suddenly, I was on my own.

Almost.

"Jason."

I turned.

A tall boy standing nearby looked toward Principal Hayes.

"Yes, sir?"

"Take Zoey to her class."

The boy glanced at me.

"Sure."

That was how I met Jason Miller.

My first impression?

He looked like trouble.

He picked up his bag and started walking.

"Come on."

I followed.

"So you're the new girl?" he asked.

"Apparently."

He laughed.

I wasn't sure whether I liked him yet.

When we reached the classroom, he opened the door.

Every head turned.

I stopped.

Why was everyone staring at me?

I suddenly felt like an alien who had walked into the wrong planet.

I tried to ignore it and followed Jason inside.

He pointed toward an empty seat.

"That's yours."

"Thanks."

He nodded before walking toward a group of boys at the back.

I sat down.

My first class was Mathematics.

Of course.

I'd been hoping for English.

But surprisingly, the class wasn't as bad as I'd expected. I actually found myself enjoying it.

By the time English came around, I was beginning to relax.

Our teacher noticed me almost immediately.

"You must be our new student."

I stood.

"Yes, sir. Zoey Lane."

"Welcome to Westbridge, Zoey. I hope you'll enjoy your time here."

"Thank you."

I sat down quickly.

My cheeks felt warm.

Great.

First day, and I was already blushing in front of an entire classroom.

Eventually, the bell rang for break.

Finally.

Our homeroom teacher had already explained where the cafeteria was, so I made my way there alone.

The cafeteria was packed.

Students sat in groups everywhere, laughing and talking as if they'd known one another forever.

I found an empty seat and ate quietly.

I wasn't expecting anyone to come over.

Then someone smiled at me.

"Hi."

I looked up.

A girl was standing beside my table.

She had a warm smile and an effortless confidence about her.

"You're Zoey, right?"

"Yeah."

"I'm Madison."

Madison Pierce.

She pulled out the chair beside me.

"Can I sit?"

"Sure."

We started talking.

It was surprisingly easy.

Madison told me about some of the teachers, the school, and a few things I definitely needed to know if I didn't want to get lost every day.

She was beautiful—genuinely beautiful—and there was something about her that made people notice her.

But she wasn't arrogant about it.

At least, not from what I could tell.

By the end of lunch, I was already laughing.

And when we returned to class, Madison introduced me to two other girls.

Brielle James.

And Chloe Davis.

Just like that, I had people to sit with.

People to talk to.

People who made Westbridge feel a little less unfamiliar.

By the end of the day, I was exhausted, but happy.

My first day had gone better than I expected.

I had survived the classes.

I had found the cafeteria.

I'd even made friends.

For the first time that morning, I thought maybe transferring to Westbridge had been the right decision.

I had no idea how much these girls—and everyone else I was about to meet—would change my life.

And I certainly didn't know that some of the people I trusted that day wouldn't always be the people I'd trust tomorrow.