Freshman

November

Dani"s POV

I haven't dreamt of Rachel in months, it's unexplainable but I don't mind the change . I welcome the change.

Lizzy came over the other day, just after my birthday and helped me pick out some nice outfits and makeup to wear. I'm a little nervous looking at myself after I try them on, I don't want people to notice me too much. But I think I'm starting to ease into the fact that no matter where I go, I'm going to be looked at.

I hear the familiar ring of my skype call with Abby, I ignore it at first and lean over the counter to get a better look at my eyes for my mascara.

The ringing ends and then starts again. I groan and run over to my room to answer it.

"Yes?" I answer staring into the webcam. I can see Abby's smile fade slowly.

"Well good morning to you too" she answers with a bit of a scoff.

"Sorry" I answer and get up from the computer chair to look at the clothes in my closet. "Just a bit busy"

"That's fine" she sighs "Oh my gosh so my brothers" I'm half listening as I hear my texting ringer go off.

"Just a sec" I say and look at my phone. I laugh at the text from Lizzy and sit on my bed to answer it.

Good morning sunshine, the earth says hello-Lizzy

LOL. Good morning to you too

"Are you even listening to me?" asks Abby

"Yeah" I answer until the phone rings again. She scoffs.

"Whatever I gotta go" she says and moves forward to close the chat.

"Fine" I answer and close the screen.

What's her deal?

I walk downstairs and get my cornpops cereal, it's my favourite and no one can eat it. My eyes haven't even left the screen. My Dad drives me to school. But when we get to the parking lot, he leaves the doors locked. I try to open it.

"C'mon Dad, I gotta go"

"Are you alright?" he asks. "What do you mean?"

I get another message from Lizzy. I reach for my pocket and Dad moves my hand.

"Enough with the cellphone listen to me. You've been texting a lot more lately and dressing differently. Has something happened?"

"I'm just changing Dad, trying to update a little" I protest

"That's fine. Just don't forget the friends you have" he says and unlocks the door. What's up with my Dad suddenly giving me advice?

"You're still playing your sports right?" he calls out the window

"Yes Dad!" I yell and head for the school.

"That's my girl!" he calls out. I can hear him driving away.

I head upstairs to my locker where Lizzy is waiting for me. "God where were you?" she asks. "I was starting to look like a loner"

"Talking to my Dad" I say

"Lame" she comments. I'm a little taken back by this comment. "Um yeah I guess"

"Is your friend Abba what's her face around?"

"Abby" I correct "And no, I don't see her"

"Good" says Lizzy "She's such a geek"

"Awe c'mon no she's not, she's my best friend" I defend.

"I'm your best friend right?" says Lizzy, she looks stern.

"Um yeah I guess" I answer.

Her hard face fades to a smile. "Good, I like your outfit today" she grins.

"Gee, I wonder who picked it" I wink at her. I do like my outfit. It's just a pair of American Eagle skinny jeans, a flouncy lime green tanktop, a black cardigan and a pair of a moccasin boots. It's very, me.

"Whoever they are, they're a fashion genius" she exclaims and links arms with me. I laugh, grab my binders and head down the hall still linking arms with her.

Walking with Lizzy and being known as her friend, makes me feel, cool. Like people know who I am, but in a good way. We strutted down the halls together laughing at what other people were wearing. (That part didn't feel very good). We talked about Will always staring at me. I'm sure it's nothing. Well.........all I can say is I want it to be something.

But for the first time in my life, I felt cool. I felt accepted by my peers. Despite my personality. They liked me. They wanted to be me.

That was a high that took me a long time to come down from.