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  Chapter One

New Beginnings

The closer the car got to the school, the tighter Madeline Carter gripped the straps of her backpack.

New state.

New town.

New school.

New everything.

She looked out the passenger window as students poured into the parking lot, laughing with friends like they'd known each other forever.

She envied that.

"You'll do great," her mom said with an encouraging smile.

Her dad nodded from the driver's seat. "Just be yourself."

Madeline smiled back, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"I'll try."

The car came to a stop.

For a moment, she didn't move.

This was it.

Junior year.

A fresh start.

She took a deep breath, opened the door, and stepped out into the warm morning air.

The school was much bigger than her old one.

Red brick buildings stretched across the campus, students hurried through the halls with coffees in hand, and the football field buzzed with athletes already practicing before first period.

Madeline adjusted the strap of her backpack and quietly made her way toward the front office.

Inside, the secretary greeted her with a warm smile.

"You must be Madeline Carter."

"That's me."

"Welcome to Westbrook High."

She handed Madeline a class schedule, a campus map, and a locker combination.

"If you get lost, don't worry. It happens to everyone their first week."

Madeline let out a small laugh.

"I'll probably be one of them."

"I'm sure someone will point you in the right direction."

After thanking her, Madeline stepped back into the hallway.

The bell hadn't rung yet, giving her time to find her first class.

Or so she thought.

Within five minutes...

She was completely lost.

She stopped at an intersection of crowded hallways and glanced between the map in her hands and the room numbers on the walls.

"...This isn't helping."

"First day?"

Madeline looked up.

A student with a friendly smile stood nearby, noticing the confused look on her face.

"You look like you're trying to solve a treasure map."

She laughed softly.

"Is it that obvious?"

"A little."

He pointed down the hallway.

"What class are you looking for?"

Madeline glanced at her schedule.

"English... Room 214."

"You're going the wrong way."

"I figured."

He smiled.

"Come on. I'll show you."

Madeline hesitated for only a second before falling into step beside him.

Maybe...

Starting over wouldn't be so bad after all. *