I was pretty sure my life had to be at a turning point, because it really couldn’t have gotten worse. My parents had just finished filing a divorce and my mom told me we were moving to Salem, Massachusetts. That’s a quite a difference from southern Indiana! My dad was keeping our farm and my dog Peach, where as I got to move to some freaking haunted city!

Mom said it’d be good for me since her parents grew up there. That’s how old it is, my grandmamma will have attended the same high school as me! That’s not cool, but my new church was the one that the Witch Trails started at! I’ve also heard that in Salem there are people who believe they are real witches!

But I planned on worrying about that later. As of now I’m sitting here watching Mom shove the last of my stuff into her pickup truck. Peach is beside me watching the commotion.

“Ok, Diane, all of your stuff is ready to go.” My dad crossed his arms and took a good look at us. I threw my arms around Peach wishing there was some way I could reverse time.

“Peach will be here when you come to visit. Come on, we’ve got to go.” She shook hands with Dad before climbing into the truck and starting the engine.

“Debra Jennifer Collins!” She called out the window, and I knew I needed to go. I smiled sadly at my father and Peach. Dad came up and hugged me before I climbed into the truck and began the long trip to my new home.

Finally we pulled into a parking lot and I immediately climbed out. I felt like it was a new world!

“Mom, is it just me or is the air salty?” I asked astonished.

“Well you could probably walk to the ocean.” My mom shrugged.

“Really?” I squealed. I’d only been to the shore as a baby, when my Grandmama was still alive. My mom started unloading the boxes and carrying them up to the apartment as I looked around the outside parking lot.

Suddenly I was on the pavement and my hands were stinging.

“Sorry, gotta go!” A boy yelled back to me running down a side street.

“Jackass!” I screamed after him and began getting up. Two other boys ran through the parking lot.

“Did you see a boy pass by running?” One panted.

“Duh… he went that way.” I pointed towards a street he didn’t go down.

“Ha-ha, knew it! I told you he wouldn’t go to the beach!” The other kid said as they ran the direction I pointed. However, I just pulled out my cell.

“Hey, Mom? I’m going to walk down to the beach.” I called my mom. “Yep, I’ll be careful. Call if you need me or anything!” I told her before grabbing my RipStick out of the car. I had been riding it during my mom’s frequent rest stops, so it was still in the backseat. I took off in the direction the boy actually went.

I rode on my RipStick for a couple hundred yards before I figured he couldn’t be far. He’d been running for a while, so he probably chose to hide because of exhaustion. I got off of the RipStick and walked around looking at the street.

There were old houses with little tiny lawns. But they were mostly dark. I continued walking until I found a little alley.

“God, Debbie! Are you really going to go into the dark alley in a city you don’t even know?” I scolded myself as I walked into it. There was a trashcan and behind it, just as I guessed, was the boy. I extended my hand.

“Need help up?” I offered. He looked up at me with wide eyes and shot up on his own.

“Okay then, apparently not.” I pulled my hand back in so I didn’t look like an idiot. This was the first time I was able to get a good look at him.

The boy was about an inch and a half taller than me and had a shaggy hair cut. He had dark brown hair, which looked almost black. His face was, well, rather breathtaking. None of the boys back home looked this good! But his eyes were wide with fear.

“Oh, don’t worry, those boys aren’t going to bother you. I sent them off in the other direction when they asked me where you went.” I shrugged hoping I could get him to talk.

“What? Um… ugh! Why’d you have to interfere? I can fight my own battles!” The boy seemed to get angry. This wasn’t what I expected, why was he getting mad at me? I walked out of the alley and back onto the street and continued down to where the beach supposedly was.

“Where are you going?” The boy called out. He had left the alley but was watching me walk away.

“The beach!” I replied, excited I could say such a thing.

“Well, you’re going the wrong way. That’s the private beach and, unless you live on this street, you’re not allowed there. Come on, the normal beach is this way.” He tilted his head back towards the alley. I eyed him. Was he just playing a trick? Either way, there was as good as here, besides I could always knock him out using my RipStick as a weapon. I shrugged and walked over to him.

“I’m Debbie.” I held out my hand again. This time he shook it.

“Nice to meet you Debbie,” He said before walking back down the alley. I followed him, this time realizing that the alley wasn’t very long at all and it lead to a park. Soon I was walking down a cracked pavement sidewalk towards, I could see it! The beach!

“Oh! There it is!” I squealed and ran up to the boardwalk.

“You look like you’ve never seen the ocean.” The boy commented with a smug smile on his face. I wasn’t sure if he found me funny or annoying, but at least he was talking to me!

“Only once, when I was a little baby…” I thought to myself as I turned to the ocean. I let out a sigh. It was so pretty!

“Wait… you live here and you’ve never seen the ocean?” He asked again.

“Oh… uh, I just moved here. I was unpacking the truck when you… ran me over.” I gave him a look that I hoped made me look like I was annoyed with him.

“So you’re new here! Well then, I’m glad I got to show you the ocean.” He smiled wide as he walked up next to me. “I always forget how people dream about the ocean. Living here, I guess I forget the charm a lot.” I looked at him. Was this the same boy who was being chased down and pushed me over? As I looked at him I caught his eye, but he quickly turned and looked the other way. I couldn’t help noticing that his eyes were the same color as the ocean. Unfortunately my cell phone chose that second to ring.

“Mom? Yeah, hey, I made it to the beach… You want me to unpack? Fine, give me another fifteen minutes. Yep! Thanks! Bye!” I made the phone call as quick as I can. Then I looked back at…

“Hey, you never told me your name.” I commented. He smiled and those blue eyes glittered.

“Well?” I asked, hoping I didn’t sound as sappy as I felt.

“Brendon. Brendon Loury.” He said simply. “Are you going to be going to school here?” He then asked.

“Yea… the public high school. I haven’t been there yet.” I said. Brendon laughed and I tilted my head slightly out of curiosity.

“Welcome to Salem, you’re going to Witchcraft High!” He laughed.

“No! Really?” I was astonished. They actually named stuff like that here?

“Yep! I’m a sophomore, how about you?” He asked.

“Well, I don’t really know. Either a freshmen or a sophomore, I was homeschooled so the school wants to test me in.” I told him, hoping desperately I would be a sophomore. I looked at my phone again. I really had to go, but I didn’t want to leave Brendon!

“Want me to walk you back to the apartments? I have to pass by there, besides, you might get lost.” Brendon offered.

“Yeah!” I replied probably too excited, but Brendon didn’t seem to mind. We walked making idle chatter about where I was from and excreta. When we made it back to the apartment complex he stopped.

“I’ll wait for you at the front of the school, so I can show you around.” Brendon said before walking off. I threw my RipStick back in the car and headed off to see my new apartment. When I reached it I knocked on the door.

“Debbie, is that you? Just let yourself in, the door’s open!” Mom called. I opened the door and got my first look at our apartment. I walked into a good sized room with a little kitchenette. There was a double door on one wall and two smaller doors on the opposite. Mom set down the box she was carrying on the small kitchen table.

“That’s my room,” She pointed to the double doors. “And that’s your room as well as the bathroom you’ll be sharing with any guests.” Mom pointed to the other doors. “All your boxes are in your room. The bed and desk are already set up. I’ll leave you to the rest.”

“Thanks Mom,” I nodded as I headed into my new room. It was pretty small and had light blue walls. The bed was covered in boxes. One by one I opened them, putting the cloths in the closet and setting other stuff in random temporary spots on my desk. When the room finally looked like a person lived in it I laid down on my bed and relaxed, accidently drifted to sleep.

I awoke to my mom shaking me on my side.

“Debbie, honey, you need to wake up. You have to head to school this morning.” My brain made out from her early-morning cooing. As soon as I processed the word ‘school’ I shot up. Brendon said he’d be waiting at the school for me! I needed to get ready!

“Glad you’re excited, you don’t have too much time. The bus stops at the intersection in about twenty five minutes. I’ll go make you some breakfast.” Mom said as she left me to get ready. I threw open my closet and tried to search through my wrinkled cloths for the nicest outfit I could. Today was first impression day at school, and I wanted to look nice for Brendon.

Finally I settled with a pair of jeans and a nice collared shirt along with a quick swipe of mascara and lip gloss. I found my old backpack and threw a half-doodled notebook and a few old pens in it before heading into the kitchen-living-room. It was so weird waking up in a place that just didn’t feel like home yet. Mom had a glass of orange juice on the table for me along with some yogurt I quickly ate. I took a quick glance at the clock and prepared to walk out of the house.

“Are you sure you’re ready? I’ll be here when you get home. Call me if there’s any change of plans. Have a great day!” My mom worried over me as she walked me to the elevator.

“I’ll be fine mom! Love you!” I hugged her, just to make her happy, before I got in the elevator. “Bye!” I called as the doors closed. Now I couldn’t wait to get to school!

It was easy to find the bus stop because about seven other high school students stood on the sidewalk looking like zombies, after all it was early morning. Finally the bus pulled up and whisked me off to Witchcraft High.

When the bus stopped I got out and carefully scanned outside the doors. I figured Brendon was inside waiting for me so I headed in. I looked around again in the foreign building trying to find the one familiar face in the crowd, but I couldn’t find him anywhere. After waiting about six minutes I figured he just couldn’t make it. My heart dropped, but I figured there was a good explanation, so I went asking around trying to find the main office. When I finally got there I walked up to the desk.

“You must be the new girl! Welcome to Witchcraft High! If there’s ever anything I can do for you just let me know!” The desk assistant smiled at me. “I have your schedule somewhere here. They’re putting you in the sophomore class, but you’re schedule’s just temporary for now. If you’d like I can call down a girl to help you find your locker and walk you through your schedule before you go off to first period.”

“Oh, um… that’d be helpful.” I said, but my mind was racing. I was in Brendon’s class! I was in Brendon’s class! I flashed the assistant a smile and she picked up the phone.

“Hello, Mrs. Moraiti? Yes, could you please excuse Alex from class for a bit? Please tell her to report immediately to the main office. Thank you!” The assistant called.

“Alex is a wonderful student, she knows the school well and will be a good example for you. Like I said, if there’s anything else I can do to help you just ask for Ms. Hazley, I’ll be here.” The secretary, whom I now knew was named Ms. Hazley, confirmed right before a girl with a large smile and platinum blonde hair came walking in.

“Good morning Ms. Hazley! You needed me?” She asked walking right past me to the desk.

“Yes, Alex, this is Debra Collins. She just transferred in today, so if you could help her find her locker first then walk her though her schedule?” Ms. Hazley asked. Alex nodded and grinned at me before taking a look at my schedule and beckoning to have me follow her out of the office.

“Thanks, Ms. Hazley!” I called before following Alex out. After the office door closed she sighed.

“Well I’m glad to be out of there! Anyway, nice to meet you.” She offered her hand.

“Thanks, I’m Debbie, as Ms. Hazley said.” I shrugged.

“Well, let’s find your locker then!” Ally took another look at my schedule and turned down the hallway.

“So is it your first time in Salem?” She made polite conversation.

“Yea, I’m from out of state. Indiana, actually.”

“Do you know anyone out here yet. Any family or friends?”

“Actually, I meet another one of the students yesterday when I was moving in. Brendon, I think.” I casually brought up, trying to figure out if she knew where he was.

“Brendon Loury? He’s no good. Was he in trouble when you met him?” Ally stopped in the hallway to turn and look at me.

“Um… he actually ended up knocking me over when he was jogging and I yelled at them.” I made sure not to look at Alex’s eyes.

“Really? You yelled at him? Wow, you have balls! It’s about time someone knocks some sense into him!” Ally resumed walking.

“So why does Brendon have such a bad rep?” I had to ask. I was dying to know more.

“He’s a stupid jerk. He doesn’t care about girl’s feelings and he just gets in trouble with the other guys.” Ally said nonchalantly. I just nodded and continued following her. I realized I didn’t even really know Brendon. I was in a new school, in a new state, with a new girl I’d only met minutes before. I can’t believe I led myself to think I’d actually end up having a fairy-tale move! They happen in movies, not in my life. Finally Ally stopped and turned to the wall of lockers.

“This one’s yours. Have anything you need to drop off?” She asked. I shook my head.

“Do you have any questions?” She seemed to lose interest.

“I think I’m all set. If you can point me towards my first class I think I can manage my way.” I took back my schedule.

“If you think you can. Anyway, up those stairs and take a right. It’s the second door on your left.” She eyed me before hurrying off. Well, I’d been stood up by a jerk and already met a snob, what else could happen now? So I just sighed and ran up the stairs. It was easy finding Mr. Henry’s room but when I walked in I immediately wished I hadn’t.

“Hello, can I help you?” The young man at the front of the class gestured me in.

“Mr. Henry?” I asked scanning the room. Fuck. Of course there in the back of the classroom was Brendon. I immediately looked back at the teacher.

“That would be me,” he replied.

“Um… I’m new here. I’m sorry; it took me a while to find your room.” I attempted to stutter an apology.

“Oh! You’re Debra Collins! Yes! Come on in, why don’t you take a seat over there.” Mr. Henry pointed to an empty desk in front of Brendon and the boys around him. Great. I quickly hurried to my seat and pretended to take notes. It was almost impossible from the teasing going on behind me.

“Debra? What kind of a name is that? You must be a hick!” I heard one guy hiss behind me. I just took another big breath and continued about my business.

“Let me guess, you left your farm in Kansas because the wicked witch finally got your little dog Todo.” Another one sneered.

“It’s Indiana, punk, and the wicked wizard stole my dog Peach.” I turned around and shot back. All of the guys did their little chorus of ‘ooo’ before another boy responded.

“You must think you’re so funny. What about you Brendon, what do you think of our new little class hillbilly?” I looked Brendon in the eye, for a brief flicker I recognized the person there and then it totally changed.

“She needs to learn ‘there’s no place like home’ and just run on back there.” He sneered without hesitation.

“Boys, boys! Behave yourselves; you want to make a nice impression of our school here for Miss Collins.” Mr. Henry intervened.

“Monster.” One boy back talked the teacher. The teacher shot him back a look.

“Ok, now you’re going to be taking a pop quiz,” Mr. Henry began to a chorus of complaints, “Quiet, savages.” He joked. I couldn’t help but smile, this teacher was good, he knew how to handle his students.

“While everyone is quietly working on their quiz why don’t you come up here Debra and we’ll see where you’re at?” Mr. Henry invited me up to his desk.

“Ok, Debra. I don’t really know where your teacher was in Indiana, or how he or she taught so I’m going to give you a period of adjustment. After a week though I want you to start keeping up with the class, so you may be a little ahead and it’ll be easy or you may need to study a bit this week, oh and if there’s anything I can do to help you get situated let me know.”

Almost every teacher said something exactly like that until the day was finally over. I was exhausted from running around the huge high school, it was totally different from Indiana. When I got back to the apartments I dumped my backpack in a bush and headed off towards the beach.

“Hey mom, just wanted to let you know I was taking a walk to the beach. Don’t worry I’ll be back in time to do all my homework!” I left a quick message on the answering machine before picking up my walk to a jog, and soon I was in a full out run trying to push all my emotions into the concrete with my pounding feet. When I reached the beach I went up as close to the water as I could without getting splashed by an occasional wave and I fell down into the sand. I let it mold around me, supporting me in a world which I couldn’t find any support in at the moment. I closed my eyes for a second and when I opened them again someone’s face was right over mine. Me, having a total normal reaction for finding a random person’s face dangling over my own, I screamed.

“Whoa, calm down! I didn’t mean to scare you I just wanted to make sure you were ok and conscious.” Brendon held up his hands trying to calm me down.

“Go away,” I mumbled.

“What? Did I do something wrong?” He asked.

“Something wrong? Did you do something wrong? First you promised you’d meet me, which you didn’t, and then you didn’t stick up for me in class. So it’s nice to know your real feelings about me. That I should just run on home!” I yelled at him. He looked around.

“Well now the whole park knows I’m a jerk.” He shrugged and looked around calmly. There was an awkward pause. I just stared at him, furious.

“I’m sorry, ok?” Brendon gave in.

“I’m sorry, won’t cut it.” I told him, stood up, and began walking away.

“Debbie, don’t do this.” He groaned.

“Why should you care? Don’t you think I’m a hick and a hillbilly like your friends do?” I screamed back at him throwing my hands in the air.

“No I don’t. I think you’re the best person in this town.” I heard. Although that couldn’t be what he said. I stopped dead in the tracks and turned around.

“Say that again.” I half asked, half commanded.

“I don’t think you’re a hick or a hillbilly. I think you’re the best person in this town.” He said calmly one more time.

“Then why didn’t you stick up for me?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Because,”

“Why?”

“I don’t want to be the butt of the jokes, so I go along with them.” He sat down in the sand. I took his hands and held them while I was still standing.

“That’s a sucky reason, but I know it’s the truth. Will you forgive me for blowing up at you?” I asked.

“As long as you kiss me.” Brendon tilted his head.

“Kiss you?” I laughed, but inside my heart raced. Stupidly, I was falling for him. “Um… I don’t think so.”

“Oh, see, now I’m offended. Come on, just one little kiss.” Brendon joked around by making stupid little kissy-faces. I dropped on my knees in front of him and leaned in. He closed his eyes then I quickly leaned out. He looked at me and I leaned back in and gave him a really short peck on the lips, but when I went to draw my head back, his hand was there holding my face right near his.

“I think I’m falling for you.” Brendon whispered, and I was so close to his face his lips brushed mine as he spoke. I willingly leaned in the last few millimeters and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling myself closer. He felt warm and my lips molded with his perfectly. I never wanted to let go, but suddenly he pulled back. I leaned back, with my arms still around his neck, and pouted.

“I have to breathe!” He laughed. I couldn’t help but join in. Unfortunately our kiss seemed to have ended, but I could still see the fireworks in my spinning vision and my heart was racing uncontrollably.

“I think I’m falling for you too.” I confided, hoping I’d get another kiss, but he continued to pull away and stood up.

“Come on, girl. We need to be getting you home or your mommy’s going to be getting worried.” Brendon smiled and took my hands, helping me up. I glared at him and he put his arm around me as we began walking home, but I kept shaking it off. He laughed and we continued the walk back to my apartment in silence. When we reached the parking lot I stopped.

“Will you meet me at school tomorrow?” I tilted my head. Brendon looked worried.

“Don’t you dare tell me you’re going to side with those jerks again at school?” I felt betrayed. Brendon wouldn’t meet my eyes. After a few seconds of silence I just ran into the apartment building without saying goodbye. I took the stairs, running as fast as I could to burn off steam. When I reached my floor I sat down on the top step panting. My mind raced around and around but it was going so fast I couldn’t pick out any single feeling. I just breathed in and out. In. Out. Slowly I regained my composure before entering my apartment. Mom was on the couch watching the news.

“Hey honey, there are some cookies on the counter. They should still be warm, I took them out only minutes ago.”

“Thanks, how was your day?” I asked spotting the cookies.

“My day went well. How about school? Do you like your new teachers?” Mom asked. With all that had happened it was hard to think back to school.

“Oh, it was good. The kids are different but I’ve made a few new friends.” I tried to come up with something generic. “I’m going off to do homework.” I grabbed a few more cookies and headed into my room. The rest of the evening passed quickly and the school day pattern started again.

“Hon-” My mom began.

“I’m up, I’m up!” I interrupted, jumping out of bed. I threw on an outfit I had laid out the night before and headed into the kitchen. The pancakes on the table didn’t last very long and soon I was out the door.

“Glad you seem to be adjusting to the schedule here. See you after school!” Mom called to me as the elevator door shut. I smiled as the elevator dropped down to the lobby. Before long I was exiting the bus in the large crowd of students entering the school. I couldn’t help but scan the kids. I didn’t see Brendon anywhere.

I walked up to my locker and couldn’t help but curse. I couldn’t remember my locker combo, and I was too stupid to write it in my notebook.

“Try 30-24-9.” Brendon leaned up against the locker next to mine.

“What?” I couldn’t help but grin.

“Here, you spin that little knob-thing left, then right, and back to the left.” He smiled as he turned my lock. It opened with a click.

“How?” I turned to question. He put his finger to my lips.

“Magic,” He whispered. I looked at him but before I could say anything he continued, “I figured you might not remember to bring back your schedule so I asked the office for an extra copy. It has your locker and combo at the top.” He handed me my schedule.

“Well thank you,” I took the piece of paper and grabbed my books out of the locker.

“Can I get your books for you?” Brendon asked. I smiled, but eyed him.

“Why are you being so nice all of a sudden?”

“Well, the schedule was because I thought it’d help, but the books are mainly because when a guy carries a girl’s books it’s like he’s with her. So I’d be showing our entire English class that you’re my girlfriend.”

“Really? Can you not do something just because it’s nice?” I rolled my eyes and quickened my pace so I was quite a bit ahead of him on the stairs. I was still carrying my own books.

“That was the point of the schedule. I thought you’d appreciate the books because it showed the class that I cared for you.” Brendon looked completely confused. I was annoyed, but couldn’t help but be swayed. I slowed down so he could catch up with me. He put his arm around me as we walked to class.

But I still carried my own books.