DAKOTA

ONE

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

Dakota loved plane rides. However, given the circumstances, Dakota was not too pleased at all. She boarded the plane in La Guardia Airport in New York and is now landing in San Francisco, California. Sure, Dakota needed and wanted this change but that didn't mean she was happy about why this change was happening.

"Attention passengers, we have now landed in San Francisco, California. We hope you enjoyed your flight. Thank you again." A voice said throughout the intercom of the plane.

Dakota looked over at her mom and smiled grimly. She wanted to reach out and give her mom's hand a squeeze but she couldn't. She couldn't go through what she went through before. She sighed to herself. She wished things were different.

Dakota's mom, Jane, was oblivious to what happened. She knew her husband died. She knew Dakota shut herself out from everyone, including herself. Jane was worried about Dakota. She loved her daughter dearly, thats one of the reasons she was comfortable with this move. Dakota needed a change and so did herself. Jane could no longer be in a house where everything reminded her of her husband's death. This move was a good thing for the both of them.

People slowly started making their way off the plane, Dakota and her mom included. They made their way to baggage claim, grabbed their bags and made their way outside to their uber. Walking through the airport was hell for Dakota. At any moment she could bump into someone. It was pure torture and she knew it wouldn't get any better when she got to the new school.

"Honey, are you okay?" Jane asked her daughter noticing the look of anxiety she had walking through out the airport. Dakota gave her mom a stiff nod and a small, barely noticeable smile.

Dakota wish she could tell her mom everything but she knew if she did, Dakota would be sent to an asylum to receive help. Her mother was many things but she was not a believer in the supernatural. After all, her family were atheists.

They got into the uber ordered through Jane's account and made their way to their new house. After not even a 30 minute drive, they arrived at their new home.

Their new home left Dakota breathless. It was beautiful. Jane smiled softly seeing Dakota showing emotions that weren't of sadness, fear, or anger. Dakota turned to her mom and for the first time since the accident happened, Dakota smiled.

"Mom, this house is beautiful." Dakota said softly, turning her gaze back to the house.

It stood 3 stories high with shining windows and a balcony in the middle. The house was light gray with light blue sills and roof coverings. A garage sat next to the house. Same colors and all. In front of the garage sat a moving truck filled with their stuff.

The house was not in the middle of nowhere but it also wasn't right in town

"Is the Balcony connected to a room?" Dakota asked curiously. "And, is the stuff already moved in?"

Jane chuckled, "yes, and it's your room. I know you love looking at the stars at night."

"Thanks mom." Dakota said. Dakota wasn't lazy but all she wanted to do was explore.

After pulling out their luggage from the uber and paying, they made their way into their new home.

Dakota plopped on her bed. Her covers made, a fluffy blanket on top, and her room now fully decorated. She sighed and held her hands above her face.

Dakota wouldn't admit it out loud, but she was terrified as to what would happen coming tomorrow. She knew she would end up touching someone. Dakota shivered at the thought.

She got up with a huff and opened her balcony doors and went out on to it. She took a huge gulp of the fresh air. It was so peaceful.

There was not a cloud in the sky. The stars were shining bright and not only that, the air was perfect. Thank god for California heat.

When Dakota lived in Brooklyn, she hated the snow. Now that she's in Cali, she knew that now she wouldn't have to deal with it. Thank god, Dakota thought.

Around the house, there were humungous trees. You could barely seen any light through them. It was nice. Dakota was used to the constant noise and now, there was none. Dakota loved it.

Dakota took one last gulp of the gorgeous air and went back inside, locking the door as she went back in.

Dakota was terrified for tomorrow. However, she knew that there was no way to avoid it. Screw it, she thought, I can do this.

Dakota tapped nervously on her seat. Her mom and her sat in the car in a parking spot at her new school:

SERENITY HIGH

HOME OF THE WOLVES

"You're gonna be fine, sweetheart." Jane reassured her daughter as she watched her fidget nervously.

"Right. Right." Dakota said, trying to convince herself. "Okay, I should head in."

"I'll pick you up after school. Love you." Jane softly said.

Dakota gave her mom a tiny smile, "I love you too. See you later." Dakota took a deep breath and opened the door to her mom's white BMW. She stood up, swung her navy backpack over her shoulder and made her way into the main entrance of the school.

As she made her way into the school, heads turned in all directions glancing at the new girl. Dakota's anxiety skyrocketed. Dakota knew she wasn't ugly but that didn't mean her insecurities weren't there. She briefly glanced down at her outfit. It was a simple. That’s what she likes. She wore a white graphic tee that said

BARRY'S ORANGES

HANDPICKED

FLORIDA

with a few oranges scattered on it and baggy distressed jeans with her slightly dirty, white hightop converse. Her nike socks peeked out from her shoes. She was never the type of girl to dress up crazy. She loved her basic tees and baggy jeans. And of course, she always wore her converse.

Dakota shook away those negative thoughts, knowing it wouldn't do her any good to constantly think about it, and made her way to the office. Thankfully, no unnecessary run-ins with people that consisted of her touching someone.

Dakota walked up to the main desk and a lady who sat behind it smiled warmly at her. "Hello dear. Are you the new student?" The lady asked, smiling as her wrinkles crinkled by her eyes.

Dakota gave a small smile back, shaking the jitters away, and nodded. "Dakota Locke."

"Wonderful! Welcome to Serenity High, Dakota! Here is your schedule, locker combo, and map of the school. My name is Ms. Green. I'll be here if you have any questions." Ms. Green said brightly and handed over the said papers.

Dakota was careful to not make contact with her hands. She didn't need to have that happen right now. She gave Ms. Green a grateful smile and made her way out of the office area.

Dakota briefly glanced down at her schedule to see what she had first.

PERIOD ONE: AP ENVIRONMENTAL

TEACHER: MR. RUSS

ROOM: 103

She then glanced down at her map and saw that the office was only a few doors down from her classroom. Dakota let out a breath of relief. Accidental touch avoided for now, she thought.

Dakota made her way to classroom, noting that the classroom wasn't completely full yet. She was glad she wasn't late, especially on the first day. She was already coming in a few months late of the school year. She didn't want to be more late than she already was. She walked into the room and up to the teacher who sat at his desk with a coffee mug in his hand.

Mr. Russ, upon seeing Dakota walk over to him, set his mug down and smiled at her. "I'm guessing you're the new student, Dakota?" Mr.Russ asked kindly, noting her nerves.

Dakota nodded "Yea, Hi."

"Why don't you go sit over next to Alice. Alice can you raise your hand?" Mr. Russ pointed to a girl sitting in the second to last row. Alice smiled brightly at Dakota as she made her way back, careful of accidentally touching someone.

Alice was a beautiful girl. She had dark brown, wavy hair that reached her shoulders and doe eyes that were a chocolate brown. Alice, from what Dakota could tell, was a bundle of joy. She was outgoing, sweet, and energetic. A lot of things that Dakota wasn't.

Dakota was a sweet girl but she's always been on the shy side and now, no one would call her energetic.

Dakota made it to her seat and plopped down in it.

"Hi, I'm Alice." Alice said, sticking her hand out for Dakota to shake.

Dakota stared at the hand. "I'm Dakota." She said softly, not making any effort to shake her hand. Dakota did however give her a small smile, hopefully making up for the awkwardness of not shaking her hand.

Alice dropped her hand but just shook off that weird interaction. "It's so nice to meet you!" Alice beamed. "Where are you from?"

Dakota silently thanked the heavens on not having to make up a lie as to why she didn't shake her hand. "I'm from NYC." Dakota said as she took a notebook out from her backpack. You could tell it was new from how slick and shiny it looked.

"That's so cool, I've always wanted to go!" Alice smiled brightly at Dakota. "At lunch, do you want to sit with me and my friends?"

Dakota did think about it for a second. It wasn't like she would touch anyone if she just sat at the table, right? "Yea, I would love to. Thank you." Dakota smiled at Alice.