"OW! Oh geez... I'm so sorry! Are you okay? God I'm a klutz! Did I hurt you?" The girl exclaimed after walking straight into me. Luckily, all my books were in my schoolbag, but she wasn't as fortunate. Her books and folders and pencil case went flying. When we'd collided, we'd bumped heads. I brought my hand up to my throbbing head and shook it.

"No.. I'm okay.... yes, you are a klutz... ever heard of opening your eyes?" I asked as I crouched down and helped her gather her things. She laughed.

"Sorry... this has not been my day. You're the new girl right? I'm Danielle"

"Elizabeth... well, Liz" I said. I'd been introduced to so many people and heard the expression "you're the new girl" so many times, it wasn't funny. Danielle and I stood up. She was taller than me with very short brown hair, brown eyes and a rather pretty face. She was slim and was dressed in a pair of tight jeans, a blue jumper (or sweater as I'd heard it being refered to) and a pair of black boots.

"Nice to meet you Liz... where were you headed?"

"Uh, to the Library... I have a study period"

"Ahh, okay... do you know where that is?"

"Vaguely.. I've been shown around the school once this morning..."

"Oh, okay. You want me to show you again?"

"Yes please" I said, greatful that she'd offered her services. "Are you in year eleven?"

"Yup. I take it you are?"

"Yeah...."

"How's your day been so far?"

"Confusing.... I'm not sure if I like American school's yet... they're so different to the one back home"

"Where are you from? I noticed the accent.. I can't quite place it... you have to be either Australian or Brittish... which one is it?"

"Guess" I said, grinning. Danielle laughed.

"Well, you have to keep talking, it's only fair!"

"Okay... what class have you got now? One that you're taking time out of to show me around"

"You're Australian! And it's okay, it's only Art and our teacher, Mr. Davidson, is always late."

"Correct! Are you sure it's okay? You wont get into trouble?"

"Nah... where in Australia are you from?"

"South Australia... in Adelaide. I'm here for the next year."

"Why only a year?" Danielle asked. "Thats if you don't mind my asking"

"No, it's okay. My Mum just got re-married and they're taking a year long honeymoon around the world, so I'm living with my Dad here.... "

"Oh, okay then. This is your first day here at school then?"

"Yup...". We reached the library and Danielle wrote her number on a piece of paper and handed it to me.

"I'm not sure when I'll see you next here at school, so if you want to get together then give me a call. I don't mean to be pushy or anything, but I've been the new girl before so I know what it's like"

"Thanks... I will take you up on that offer... right now I need all the friends I can get!" I said. I gave her my phone number and we exchanged goodbyes and Danielle left. That had been my longest conversation with someone all day.

I hadn't heard from Danielle all week. I'd seen her all of three times at school and I was still pretty much a loner. I now knew my way around so I didn't have to make a fool of myself by asking for directions. I was in my room, tackling my mountain of homework when there was a knock on my door.

"Come in"

"Liz? Phone for you" Dad said, walking in and handing me the cordless. It had to be Danielle... or Sarah. I took the phone from him.

"Thanks." I said and he walked out, leaving me alone. "Hello?"

"Hey Liz! It's Danielle"

"Hi! How are you?" I said, a little to egarly. Danielle laughed.

"Are you busy tonight? I'm so sorry that I haven't called before now but I've just been snowed under with work and homework and stuff."

"No, thats okay. I've been busy to" I lied. "I'm not busy tonight though... why?"

"Cause there's a party on. One of my friends, Amanda is turning eighteen and she's having a big bash for it. It's invitation only but I thought this'd be a great way for you to meet some more people out of school and she said it's okay if I bring you, are you interested?" Danielle asked. Was I interested? Was I Interested? Of course I was! I told Danielle so. "Great! I'll come pick you up in say, an hour? Will that give you enough time to get ready?"

"It should... yeah, I'll be ready by then. Thankyou so much for thinking of me."

"Oh, don't mention it." Danielle said. I gave her my address and hung up the phone. What the hell was I going to wear? I got up and went into my wardrobe, thankful that Carol and I had gone shopping a few days earlier. I chose out what I wanted to wear and then went and had a super quick shower. I applied my make-up and decided to leave my long auburn hair down. It was straight so all I had to do was run a brush through it. I went back into my room and got dressed. Then it occured to me that I hadn't even asked Dad if I could go out. I got my hand bag and then bounded down the stairs and into the lounge room.

"You look all spiffy... where're you off to?" Dad asked, after letting out a whistle once he saw me. I rolled my eyes and sat down on the couch.

"Dad... first off, no one say's 'spiffy' anymore, not even in Australia and second, it's to a girls 18th... a friend from school invited me to go with her. Can I go?"

"Well, seeing as you've gone to the trouble of dressing for the occasion, and it's a Friday night, I can't see why not. Do you have any homework?"

"Yeah... but it can be done over the weekend...."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes" I said, getting up at the sound of the doorbell. "Okay. thats Danielle... I'm gonna go now. I wont be out late... will you keep the back door open for me so I can get in?" I asked, knowing that my Dad went to bed early. He nodded.

"Okay. Have a good time"

"I will... bye" I said. I lent over him and gave him a kiss on the cheek before walking into the front door and answering it. Danielle stood on the front porch.

"Hey there! You ready to go?"

"Sure am... I'm so happy to be getting out of there for a while.". Danielle smiled.

"I thought you might be. Again, I'm really sorry I haven't called or caught up with you at school.."

"Hey, it's no problem.". Danielle lead me to her car and I got into the front passenger seat.

"Have you got your licence?" She asked me once we were on our way. Danielle turned on the heat right up to the strongest setting it could go to.

"Yeah.. but it's an Australian one..I'm not sure if I can use it here.. I'll have to look into that when I get some time."

"Mmm.. I'm not to sure on things like that.. anyway..."

"So, where is this party exactly?" I asked. Danielle grinned.

"It's at the town hall. Amanda just happens to be loaded and gives the best parties around here. And this one should be off the scales seeing as it's her 18th. And trust me.. the minute you open your mouth, people will be swarming around you because you're 'Australian'. We don't get many forigners around here." She smiled.

"Great.... wow.. the butterflies are starting to turn into helicopters...". Danielle laughed.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine.. everyone will love you." She reassured me. Reaching over, Danielle flipped on the radio. When hearing the song that was playing, she let out an excited squeal.

"What?"

"Oh, I'm sorry... it's just the song. I can't believe it! See, this is a independant radio station... my cousin runs it and these guys on now... they're a well known band around here called Hanson. They've been trying to break into the big time, but haven't gotten there yet. There's been a coulpe of close calls.. but nothing came out of it. They are great! and the lead singer... Taylor... girl... he is fine!" Danielle exclaimed hitting the steering wheel to emphasize her point.. I smiled.

"Really? Great... do they play around town often?"

"Funny you should ask, they'll be at the party tonight. They're the entertainment. Amandas parents paid big bucks to get them there. She loves them. Wait until you see Taylor... and his brothers aren't that bad themselves just quietly." Making a right hand turn Danielle announced "Well.. there it is.. how are those helicopters?"

"They've evolved into Jumbo 747's."

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