New York to Philly in 1996

one.

*this book will be strictly written in Nicole Turner's POV*

"You'll be fine, just be you and make new friends!" my mom hugged me.
"We'll be back before you know it, in the meantime make some friends and have fun with your Uncle Jon!" my dad smiled.
"Fine!" I sighed. 
"We love you," they hugged me.
"I love you too," I hugged them.
    They left and I walked into my room. I pulled out my clothes and pictures of friends I left in New York. Philadelphia didn't feel like home. Home was New York, taking the Subway to school, going to Broadway for a play, or going on a late night adventure with your friends.
"How long will I be here?" I asked Uncle Jon who stood in the door frame.
"Well how long do your parents leave you with a nanny?" he chuckled.
"Well they've left me for a year, sometimes almost two," I sighed. "You still care for that boy at your school?"
"No, he lives with his dad now," he smiled.
"That's good?" I asked.
"Yeah, yeah, go to bed you have your first day tomorrow," he said.
"Alright," I sighed, shutting the door.
    I pulled out my notebook with a checklist of things to do while I'm here in Philadelphia. It wasn't a long one because I didn't expect to stay here for so long.
"Make new friends," I sighed looking at the notebook.
      I looked for the Walkman my best friend gave me because she loved cassette tapes. The case read: "For Coley in case you miss NYC in Philly". I smiled as I put it in the Walkman and put my headphones on. I laid my head down and shut my eyes.
     The next morning I woke up in the pile of clothes in my room. Uncle Jon was knocking on my door. I quickly brushed everything off of me. I opened the door.
"Get ready, you have a meeting with the principal, and then it's off to your first class at John Adams," Uncle Jon looked at me.
"Oh great," I sighed.
"That's not the Nikki I know, where's the smiley niece I know?" he chuckled making breakfast.
"Well she's back in New York with Sydney," I rolled my eyes.
"Hey, I know Philly isn't the great New York City, but it's your home for now," he looked at me.
    I got dressed and put my hair half up half down. Fixed my makeup from last night. I put my Walkman in my backpack with all my stuff. I walked out the door and followed my Uncle to the bus stop.
"There are some great kids at John Adams trust me," he sighed.
"There better be or I'm calling Grandma."
      He huffed. I'm sure he's annoyed having to take care of me all of a sudden. My parents aren't the greatest people at asking things, they just kinda think they deserve things.
"Jonathan, is this your niece?" the principal asked.
"Yes, this is Nicole, she was a straight A student at her last school in New York. She's a good kid and I think she will fit right in here at John Adams," he smiled.
A girl walked in and waved at my uncle and the principal.
"Is this Nicole, Mr. Feeny?" the girl asked.
"Ms. Lawrence this is Mr. Turner's niece, Nicole Turner. I trust you'll take care of her and show her around our school," Mr. Feeny smiled.
"Come on, I'll show you around," she grabbed my hand. "I'm Topanga."
"Nicole," I shook her hand.
"Let's see what classes you have," she grabbed my schedule. "We have a lot of the same classes!"
"Cool!" I smiled.
She pulled me over to her locker, two boys were standing there.
"Well who is this Topie?" one boy asked, I assumed he was her boyfriend. He was.
"This is Mr. Turner's niece, Nicole," she introduced me.
"Whoa, you're related to Jon?" the other boy smiled.
"Yes," I nodded.
"Well—"
"What are your names before you make a move Mr. Leather Jacket?" I smiled.
"I'm Shawn Hunter and this is—" Shawn began to say.
"Taken," Topanga elbowed him.
"Cory," Cory shook my hand.
"Well you all seem very nice," I winked at Shawn.
    I walked with them to class. Shawn kept an eye on me, he wasn't a New York boy. I didn't date much in New York, most guys were cheaters and didn't care. I kept my guard up and tried to intimidate him as much as I could. Also would Uncle Jon even let me date?
"Hey," Shawn walked up to me after class.
"Hey yourself," I brushed my hair behind my ear.
"So where are you from?" He tried to make small talk.
"New York City," I smiled. "You?"
"Everywhere," he chuckled.
    I knew good and well he thought I was cute. He was cute too, but I didn't want to show it right away. So I started blurting out things I want from a guy. I think he caught on. He started flirting with other girls and I knew the game.
    I got back to Uncle Jon's apartment that night. I got invited to go to Chubbie's with Cory, Topanga, and Shawn. I was making friends!
"Hey Uncle Jon? Is it okay if I go to Chubbie's with those kids from homeroom?" I asked him.
"Yeah be back by 11 at the latest," he said turning on his TV.
    I met up with Shawn and we walked over to Chubbie's in somewhat comfortable silence. He stared at me in my flannel and smiled. I knew it, he liked me.
"So how was your first day at John Adams?" he asked.
"It was good," I smiled.
       We walked in meeting up with Cory and Topanga. Topanga hugged me, I knew me and her were going to be good friends. We sat down in a booth, Topanga sat next to me. Cory made a little whining noise and Topanga slapped him softly.
"To Nicole Turner, the newest member of our group!" they cheered.
       Time seemed to move slow as I looked over and made eye contact with Shawn. We both brushed off that moment and began talking about the rest of the school year. My mind didn't want to let go of that moment with Shawn...