NEW GIRL

The hallways of Westbridge High felt endless, polished floors reflecting bright lights and expensive outfits that looked nothing like Gina’s simple, neat uniform. She held her schedule tight, stepping carefully between groups of students who laughed and chatted like they had belonged here forever. Gina was here on a scholarship, her hard work earning her a spot at this prestigious school, while her mother worked long hours cleaning the Carter family’s large home to help make ends meet. It was a strange twist of fate, but right now, all she cared about was finding her first class without getting lost.

When she stepped into the classroom, all eyes turned toward her. Gina kept her chin up and walked to the front, where the teacher smiled kindly at her.

“Everyone, this is Gina,” the teacher announced. “She joins us this term, and I know you’ll all make her feel welcome. Gina, please take the empty seat next to Jake Carter.”

Gina’s gaze followed the teacher’s gesture. There, near the window, sat a boy with messy dark hair and a soccer jersey peeking out from under his blazer—Jake Carter. Even on her first day, she had already heard whispers about him: the school’s star player, popular, wealthy, and someone who seemed to have the whole world wrapped around his finger.

As she walked toward him, she felt dozens of eyes following her. Glancing around, she saw group after group of girls staring at her with sharp, cold glares, their expressions full of jealousy and dislike. She didn’t understand why, but it made her stomach twist. She sat down quickly, placing her bag beside her, hoping to disappear into the background.

Jake didn’t even look at her. He sat leaning back in his chair, looking out the window or flipping casually through his textbook, acting as if she wasn’t there at all. When the teacher asked everyone to turn and talk to their neighbor about the lesson, Jake stayed silent. He didn’t turn to her, didn’t speak, didn’t even glance in her direction. It was as if she were invisible to him, and though it stung a little, Gina told herself it was better than drawing attention.

When the bell rang for lunch, she walked out slowly, unsure where to go or who to sit with. She was about to find a quiet corner alone when a girl with bright, curly hair and a wide grin popped up beside her, linking arms like they had known each other for years.

“Thank goodness you’re here! I was so bored sitting alone,” the girl said, laughing. “I’m Tracy. And let me tell you—seeing you sit next to Jake today? I thought those girls were going to burn a hole right through your head with their staring! They act like he’s some kind of king, honestly. It’s ridiculous, isn’t it?”

Gina blinked, then smiled in relief. “It was a little scary… I didn’t know why they were looking at me like that.”

“Because every girl here is obsessed with him, and you got the seat right next to the throne,” Tracy said with a dramatic eye roll, making Gina laugh. “Don’t worry about them. Stick with me, and I’ll keep you safe—and entertained, obviously. I’m the best friend you could ever ask for, I promise.”

For the first time that day, Gina finally felt like she might just belong here after all. She had no idea then that Jake Carter would soon start noticing her, that he would begin to look for her in crowds, or that he would slowly fall for the one girl who didn’t even know about the list he had once made. Right now, she only knew she had found a friend, and that was enough

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