Fiona's POV

As I gazed out of the window while we drove through our new neighborhood, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. The houses looked like something straight out of a storybook, sparkling in the golden sunlight. Up front, Dad and Mum sat in an uneasy silence, remnants of yet another argument hanging in the air.

Suddenly, the car came to a stop in front of a stunning house, and I quickly realized it was ours! I jumped out, eager to help with our luggage.

"Don't worry, dear. Your dad and I can handle it," Mum said, her tone firm.

"But Mum-"

"No buts. We've got this. Why don't you explore a little while we unload?"

With that, she gently nudged me away, and I took my first step inside our new home.

"Mum did an amazing job decorating," I thought, overwhelmed by a wave of warmth.

The living room exuded comfort, inviting me further in. I couldn't resist climbing the stairs to see my new bedroom. Mum had told me the second door on the right was mine, and as I entered, the fresh paint scent greeted me like a warm hug. The walls were a soft pastel pink, with a cream-colored rug that added a touch of coziness. My bed, adorned with a delicate pink quilt and fluffy pillows, looked like the perfect spot to sink into.

Without a second thought, I flopped onto the bed, the softness enveloping me, and before I knew it, I was fast asleep.

When I finally opened my eyes again, it was dark outside. I fumbled around in the shadows, searching for the light switch. Click! The room transformed, revealing that Mum had already managed to unpack my things.

Eager to see them, I hurried downstairs and found Mum and Dad in the kitchen, busily preparing dinner.

"Mum! Dad?"

"Yeah, honey! Have a seat-dinner will be ready in five," Mum called, stirring a pot on the stove.

I settled into my usual spot at the table, feeling a familiar sense of comfort wash over me. Though it felt odd to see them both busy in the kitchen while I sat waiting, I couldn't shake the excitement bubbling inside me. High school was on the horizon, and I was finally ready to dive into it like any ordinary teenager.

Sure, Sam and Taylor weren't here, and a twinge of nervousness crept in knowing I'd be navigating this new world alone, but I couldn't wait for Monday to arrive.

When Monday dawned, I was already dressed, anticipation coursing through me. Mum drove me to school, her eyes glancing at me from time to time.

"Do you have everything?" she asked, concern etched on her face.

Peeking into my backpack, I confirmed, "Yep! Nebulizers, medications, snacks... all set."

"Okay, then let's hit the road," she said, her smile reassuring.

"Have a wonderful day at school, honey!" Dad shouted from the porch, waving goodbye.

As Mum parked in the school lot, I felt a wave of nerves wash over me. Together, we walked inside. The school was vibrant, with custom lockers that reflected everyone's personality. It was a small comfort in a sea of uncertainty.

Mum guided me to the principal's office, where Mrs. Williams, a friend of Mum's, greeted us. She handed me my schedule and assured me that I could go to the Nurse's office to get help with my injections-a part of my routine I was still learning to manage. Though I insisted I could handle it myself, Mum felt more comfortable with me getting assistance.

"I'll be going now. Have an amazing day, dear," Mum said, giving me a quick hug.

"Thanks, Mum! You too!" I replied, determined to make the most of my day.

As I ventured out, I followed Mrs. Williams's directions and found my first class. I knocked on the door, and a cheerful voice called out, "Come in!"

"Mrs. Valerie?" I asked, nervousness creeping in.

"That's me! Are you in my class?" she asked with a bright smile.

"Yes! I'm really sorry for being late-I'm a transfer student," I stammered, heat creeping to my cheeks.

"Not a problem at all, dear! What's your name?"

"Fiona Yamen," I said, quickly scanning the classroom.

"Alright, Fiona. Find yourself a seat-there's plenty of room at Everest High for you!" she encouraged.

"Thanks, ma'am!" I beamed as I slid into a seat beside a girl named Kayla.

For the first part of the class, I felt her curious gaze on me. Mrs. Valerie paired us for a project, and I swallowed hard. Expecting to dive right into teamwork on my first day was intimidating. I knew I wasn't the brightest, and Kayla seemed disinterested in collaborating.

When the final bell rang, I spotted Kayla walking out with her two friends. "Hey, Kayla!" I called.

"Hey," she replied, turning around.

"I was thinking we could exchange numbers for the project?" I suggested, my heart racing.

Her expression shifted from confusion to slight hesitation, but she nodded. "Um, okay," she said, handing me her phone.

"Thanks!" I said, quickly typing my number and handing her mine in return.

"I'll call," I promised, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

"No problem," she replied, walking away with her friends.

The rest of the week flew by smoothly. The Nurse administered my injections discreetly, and so far, I had managed to keep my pill routine a secret.

But one weekend, fate had other plans. I woke up with a nasty cold. No matter how hard Mum tried to keep my fever at bay, it just kept rising. Panic set in when we rushed to the hospital, and I ended up spending about a week there, feeling cut off from my new life.

When I finally returned to school the following week, my heart raced as I scanned the hall for Kayla. I hoped she'd be happy to see me back and ready to tackle that project together...

"Hey, Kayla!" I greeted her with a wide grin, feeling a spark of excitement.

She looked momentarily shocked as if our partnership had slipped from her mind.

"I'm really sorry for not reaching out about the project. Life's been a bit hectic," I explained, my smile turning sheepish.

"Oh no, it's totally fine! I didn't call either," she reassured me.

I couldn't help but feel a tiny twinge of anxiety. I had missed a week of school, and I hoped she didn't think I had faked being sick to avoid working on the project.

"Is everything settled now?" she asked, her eyes searching mine.

"Yeah, it is. Thanks for asking," I replied.

"So, can we kick off our work soon?" she inquired, her enthusiasm palpable.

"Absolutely! I can swing by your house after school. How does that sound?" I proposed.

"That works perfectly! I'll text you my address," she answered, sounding relieved.

But as the final bell rang, I found myself still waiting for that text. So, I made my way over to her, jogging up to where she was standing with her friends.

"Hey!" I called, trying to catch her attention.

"Hey, Fiona!" they chorused back, their voices bright and cheerful.

"Um, I hate to remind you, Kayla, but I still need your address," I said playfully, a teasing lilt in my voice.

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry! It completely slipped my mind," she admitted, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment. "I'll be at the twins' place for a study session. Is that cool?"

"Absolutely! Can't wait to see you, Kayla!" I grinned.

"Bye!" she called back as she hopped into her car, the sound of her laughter lingering in the air.

After a few minutes, she sent me the addresses-one for her house and the other for Luca and Lila's. Apparently, they had been tight-knit friends since Kindergarten, which explained their easy rapport.

By 5 PM, I found myself at their doorstep. I rang the bell, my nerves dancing as I waited. Lila answered the door with a bright smile, ushering me into a stunning home that took my breath away.

"OMG, this house is gorgeous!" I exclaimed, unable to hide my awe.

"Thanks!" Lila beamed, her pride evident.

"I'll be right back; I just need to grab my books!" Kayla called out as she dashed inside.

"So, we're diving into cells, right?" I asked Kayla, eager to get started.

"Yep! And there's so much material. I've already begun some research," she replied.

"Same here," I nodded. I knew I needed to keep up with the smartest girl in our grade.

I shared my notes, and Kayla pulled out her findings.

"What if we pulled some info from university textbooks I have?" I suggested, excited about the possibility.

"That sounds great! But let's be careful not to overwhelm ourselves; we don't want to overdo it," she cautioned.

The atmosphere was a bit tense as we navigated through our notes. Kayla was sharing fascinating discoveries about the scientists who pioneered cell theory when suddenly, she stumbled over her words. Panic crossed her face, and she began gasping for air. Lila dashed from the kitchen, handing Kayla a glass of water.

"Thank you," Kayla managed, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Are you okay?" Lila and I asked in harmony, concern etched on our faces.

"Yeah, just a little hiccup. I'm fine," she assured us, though her face was still pale.

"I'm sorry, Fiona, but can we wrap it up for today?" Lila suggested gently.

"Sure, no problem. I can give her a ride home," I offered, hopeful I'd get to see her again soon.

"Actually, she's staying here for a bit," Lila clarified.

"Oh, okay then! Take care, Kayla!" I smiled, trying to hide my disappointment.

She gave me a soft, hoarse "thanks" as Lila led me to the door.

From that day on, Kayla and I met up a few times at her house to study, and surprisingly, it was going great. It was challenging to keep up sometimes, but her patience never wavered. That was one of the things I admired about her-she never made me feel stupid for not knowing something. She would always explain it again until it finally clicked. She was a fantastic partner.

Today was different, though-Sam and Taylor were back in town! One of our favourite bands was performing, and I couldn't contain my excitement. It felt like it had been ages since we were all together.

After a week of convincing Mum and Dad, they finally agreed to let me go.

Dressed in a white shirt layered under a romper and some black sneakers, I was bubbling with anticipation.

"Dear, are you ready?" Dad called from downstairs.

"Yes, I am!" I shouted back, trying to suppress the butterflies in my stomach.

He was driving me to the concert, and I couldn't wait.

"Be back by 12 AM," Mum reminded me, pulling me into a tight hug.

"Will do! Bye!" I called, dashing out the door.

Just thirty minutes later, we arrived at the concert venue. Dad parked, waiting patiently until Sam and Taylor appeared.

"Be careful, girls," he reminded us as he watched us hop out of the car.

"I missed you guys so much!" I exclaimed, pulling them both into a tight hug.

"We missed you too!" they chimed back, laughter spilling out as we shared the moment.

Amid the throng of excited concert-goers, something caught my eye.

"Wait... Kayla?"

"Fiona?" she responded, visibly surprised.

And just like that, the night was about to get a whole lot more interesting.