Different Is Good

Chapter one

Stephanie Nicks walked down the empty hallway, her heels clacking against the tile floor. She had detention...again. This time it was for being late to class though she couldn't help it.

Rounding the corner she slammed into someone, "Jesus!" She yelped, placing her hand over her chest.

"I'm sorry...." the boy said nervously, checking her over. The unfamiliar voice caused Stevie to raise her eyes to him, releasing the most beautiful boy she had ever seen. "I'm Stephanie..." she extended her hand. The boy simply nodded and rushed past her, Stevie finding it odd.

Looking down she found that he had dropped some papers, "Hey! You left these!" Stevie called after him. "I'll take those," her principal said from behind her. She handed over the forms, "Who was that kid?" She asked

"Lindsey Buckingham, our newest student. I expect you to make him feel welcome," he gave her a pointed look. "I will, what classes does he have?" Stevie asked curiously, the principal straightening up. "None that you would have..."
"What does that mean?" Stevie asked.

"Well...let's just say, you'll find out. Get to know him, talk to him."

"I tried and he ran off."

"I'm sure he will warm up to you."

"Hmm..." Stevie looked down the hallway where he had just disappeared. "So how do I make him feel welcome? What am I supposed to do?"

"Be friendly, include him of you can. Consider it a new little project for you to do." The principle walked away and Stevie tried to absorb what he had said.

"If we have none of the same classes, how can I include him in anything?" she asked herself, shrugging. She continued on to the room where she would sit for the next hour, doing homework and being bored out of her mind. "What a waste of my time"
As the bell finally rang she bolted out of the room. She was mentally preparing herself for the lecture she would receive from her parents as to why she was in detention again.

Walking to the parking lot she spotted Lindsey sitting on the sidewalk by himself contently.

"Need a ride?" Stevie asked him, jingling her keys.

"No," he shook his head, staring back down at the asphalt
"Are you sure? I don't mind." Stevie continued. He continued to stare, not speaking to her. She got in her car and started it up. She took one last look at Lindsey before pulling out of her space and heading home.

The entire way, she couldn't get Lindsey out of her mind. He seemed to be ignoring her. Did he really not like her? She just met him! Was he still mad about what happened in the hallway? She sighed. "I hope he gets home okay" She pulled into her driveway and parked the car, nervous to walk in. She grabbed her books from the passenger's seat and carefully opened the front door in an attempt to sneak in unseen.
"Stephanie Lynn!" Her mother said sternly as Stevie had almost reached the stairs.

"Ma'am?" Stevie winced, knowing that this would be a repeat of all the other times she had come home after detention.

"Would you care to explain why you got detention, again? I think you'd best tell me before your father gets come and catches wind of this."
"I was late to class...again...but it wasn't my fault."

"I guess the school is just out to get you" her mother said sarcastically.

"No, I know." Her mother looked at her, looking for a better explanation but she had nothing to offer. Maybe distraction would be her last line of defense. She didn't want to be grounded at home with possible upcoming detentions in the future. Stevie forced a smile and spoke enthusiastically. "I did meet a boy today, Lindsey, and I'm supposed to be like a one-woman welcoming committee for him. The principal said that could be my new project."
"Buckingham?" Barbara asked, catching Stevie off guard