The small town gave Daniella mixed feelings. It seemed peaceful and serene, so much quieter than what she was used to with the constant buzz in the big city where she used to live. Yet, some part of her felt that there was more to it than what meets the eye.
They have been here for two days and Daniella was glad that the move was a smooth affair.
It was the first day in her new high school, and just like any normal teenager going to a new school, she was nervous. She gave herself a once over, her finger played with her now short hair. It barely reached her neck, very different from the long waves she used to have.
It was the representation of the promise she made: to start over and leave the past behind.
She let out a breath and left her room. She could hear her mother in the kitchen as she descended the stairs. It was too much of wishful thinking to believe her mother was preparing breakfast. "Good morning" she greeted her with a small smile.
Her mother, Suzan, stiffened slightly before giving her a nod. She silently turned her back and proceeded making her coffee.
Daniella, or as she liked to be called Danny, let out a sad sigh. "I'm leaving for school". She announced, but receiving no reply she simply left.
It was a strained relationship, perhaps one beyond repair, but Daniella had kept the hope that Suzan would one day look at her like a mother should.
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She parked her car in the school's parking lot and let out a nervous breath. Keep to yourself, be polite, don't draw attention.
Giving the school building a worried glance, she recited her rules before going inside
Giving the school building a worried glance, she recited her rules before going inside. She arrived a bit early, so the halls were not overly crowded. When she reached the office, the lady looked at her with a questioning gaze.
"I'm Daniella Redmond, the new student" she informed her with a gentle smile, but making the minimum eye contact.
The lady smiled big, "Ah, of course". Her eyes shone with recognition at hearing the name. Then she checked through her computer and printed some papers. "Here's your schedule, the map of the school, and your locker number"
She took the papers from her and mumbled a quiet thank you, before the woman handed her another paper. "Make sure your teachers sign this"
Daniella nodded her head, and went to find her locker first. The halls were filling in with more students and she noticed the glances and the not-so-subtle whispers about her.
The new girl.
It was like in the many novels she had read. The new girl in the small town always grabs the attention, whether she likes it or not.
But while in novels said new girl is destined to have an epic romance or lead a great adventure, Daniella only wanted to finish highschool, turn eighteen, and move out.
Plain, boring, and very simple.
She kept her eyes down, avoiding the questioning gazes of the students. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and unconsciously chewed on her lower lip.
Her eyes widened when they fell on her locker; she found it without getting lost. She decided to take this small victory as a good sign.
She sorted everything in her locker, closed it, and decided to focus on the schedule at hand along with the map of the school.
First period: English. Room 405A
She stared at the map for an entire minute trying to figure out where she was and how to get to her class. She let out a frustrated huff and glared at the paper in her hand. She was never really good with maps.
"You're new?" Jeremy Gilbert asked with an amused grin.
He had caught sight of her when he passed by the office. She looked pretty, he was a guy, so it was normal that she'd catch his attention.
It was a complete coincidence to find her locker right next to his.
Daniella bit her lower lip and awkwardly nodded her head. "Yeah"
"Jeremy Gilbert"
"Daniella Redmond, but just call me Danny"
She gave him a small smile, then turned her eyes to the schedule looking absolutely flustered.
"What do you have first?"
He asked then moved to stand next to her. His eyes trailed on her schedule from over her shoulder.
"You're in luck!"
Jeremy said, and she turned to look at him only to find that he was only inches from her face, but she was not particularly bothered by their closeness.
She arched a questioning eyebrow at him and he gave a cheeky grin, "We have first period together, I'll just take you" he shrugged and put his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
"Thank you" She scowled at the map in her hand. "This thing is completely useless"
"It should be since you've been holding it upside down"
Jeremy gestured to the map with a quick drift of his eyes, his voice was dripping with sarcasm, and he snorted at the flustered girl in front of him.
Daniella groaned and used the map to cover her face, "I'm so stupid"
"Happens to the best of us" Jeremy tried to assure her, noticing the blush now covering her face, but he couldn't stop chuckling at her.
She rolled her eyes and grumbled, "Yeah, make fun of the new girl". She feigned annoyance and made a show of pouting too.
She was treating the boy she had just met as if they were long lost friend. She wasn't what one would call a social butterfly, but Daniella knew how to handle herself around the crowds.
Therefore, when four students headed her way and one of them was calling out for Jeremy, Daniella knew to keep her cool.
Elena, Caroline, Bonnie, and Tyler approached Jeremy in the hallway after seeing him laughing with the new girl.
Bonnie looked at the sight with narrowed eyes. Jeremy seemed very familiar with that girl and it made her wonder if they had met before.
Elena was the first to speak in the group when her eyes fell on Jeremy. She greeted him then sent a welcoming smile to Daniella.
They had quick introductions going around and they all welcomed her to their small town.
Daniella didn't mind; it's nice to find nice people out in this cruel world. But when her eyes fell on the stained shirt of Tyler, she winced slightly. He wore a white shirt and there were some dried blood drops close to his collar bone.
Daniella stared at it for a second longer, then she heard the warning bell loudly echoing in the hallways.
She arrived with Jeremy on time and they made it inside the class, choosing seats next to each other. They have been talking all the way to class and she found that they shared a mutual affinity for art.
"I cannot believe that you know The Birth of Venus!" Daniella exclaimed with shock written all over her face.
Jeremy smirked, "Of course I do. You should never judge a book by its cover you know"
She chuckled at the boy with a nod, "Guess you're right"
Daniella found that she liked Jeremy, in a friend kind of way. He seemed nice and she could tell he has a good heart.
Maybe I just made a friend.
The thought made her happy, but equally scared.
She couldn't remember the last time she actually had a friend. At first the situation was forced upon her, but later it was a choice.
Having a friend included many things she didn't think she was capable of. To get close to someone would mean they would have to know about her, she'd need to open up. It wasn't really an option for her.
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