It was my first day at West Hollywood High.  I was 17, a senior, and had been uprooted from Atlanta, Georgia thanks to an opening at a law firm.  I didn’t want to move, especially since my older sister was already out of the house at college (with exception of the holidays, the summer, and choice weekends).  I wanted to finish out my school year with my friends; not here, where I didn’t know anyone.

I try to use the locker combination that was given to me by the office, but I couldn’t get it open.  I sat there for 20 minutes and looked like a complete douche.

I’ve always considered myself a people person, though, and I knew I could make friends easily.  But I didn’t want to make new friends; I wanted my old friends.

That is until she came around the corner.

In a group of girls, she was in the middle, standing taller than the rest of them.  I swear to you, the song from Kill Bill played as she walked by.  You know the one where the Crazy 88’s are introduced?  Yeah, that one.  She flashed a smile, leaving her group of friends to stand beside me.

She’s got this long, curly, flowing hair that seemed to catch the wind perfectly as she walked.  She was just gorgeous.

Her locker is beside mine.

I try not to stare by fiddling with the locker that still will not open.

“Do you need some help?” She asked.

“Um, yeah.  I think it’s jammed.”

“It’s just kinda sticky.  It was my locker last year.” She pulled out a note card from her own locker.  She moved in front of me, “Just slide a card right here and use your combination.”  She pulled the latch and the locker opened to me.  “There you go.  Oh, and this is a freebie.” She passed me the card with a smile.

Oh, crap. I say it in my head.  That smile is amazing.

“Well, thank you very much.”

“You’re welcome, New Girl.”

“My name is Tina. Actually it’s Christina, but only my grandparents call me that.”

“I’m Bette.  My actual name is Elizabeth, but if you call me by that, I won’t answer you.”