My body temperature felt warm under my plush, warm blankets. I feel like I could stay in bed endlessly. Yawning, I kicked off the sheets, ruining the warm feeling. I stopped my alarm clock from ringing loudly. With a groan, I opened my eyes, forcing myself to get out of bed. 

I started making my bed neatly. Soon, pillows were in their designated places and the sheets were lined up perfectly. It's a new day with a fresh start. It's time to make the most out of it, especially since there's a huge day ahead of me. 

Slowly opening my bedroom door, I stepped out into the dim, hushed hallway. As soon as I got inside of the bathroom, I grabbed my toothbrush to start getting ready for the day. 

* * *

Staring inside of my closet, I saw the outfit that I was going to wear today. My bright yellow skirt and cotton-white t-shirt stood on their separate hangers, ready for me to wear. I quickly took off my plush pajamas to replace them with this. 

Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I looked pleasant. However, there was one thing missing from my face. One that I'd almost never put on, under all circumstances. 

It was my make-up. 

It's something that I always refused to wear. I always thought that it was icky and such, except for lip gloss. In my room, I have a few cosmetic supplies that I've gotten for my birthday a few months ago. I never used them, and never planned on doing so until now. 

Opening a drawer, I took out some cherry-red lip gloss and make-up powder. Today, I want to keep things simple and not be extra. After all, I don't know everything about applying make-up, even if I watch a few tutorials of them online sometimes. 

Gently, I spread my make-up brush with powder on my forehead and cheeks. After that, I carefully spread thick layers of lip gloss on my lips. Stepping back, I looked into the mirror. Now, my appearance looked slightly better. I let my brown, freshly-ironed hair hang over my shoulders. 

Giving myself one last look, I grabbed my backpack and proceeded downstairs, ready to eat breakfast. I was greeted by the aroma of coffee, bacon, and eggs as I arrived at the kitchen. 

"Buenos días!" I yawned, taking a seat at the table. 

"Morning!" Rafael replied, taking a sip of fresh orange juice.

"Good morning, Rose!" Mom smiled, setting separate plates of bacon and eggs on the table. 

"Morning!" Dad grinned, looking up from his cup of coffee.

The four of us gathered at the table together to eat breakfast before doing our daily activities. Mom and Dad are going to work and Rafael and I are going to school. This is usually mornings are on weekdays over here. They're pretty busy, but for the most part, they're productive. At least, on my side it is. 

After I finished eating, I grabbed my plate and cup and placed them in the sink. I examined my clothes, just to make sure I didn't get them dirty while eating. Luckily, I didn't. They still looked fresh and clean, without a single crumb on them. 

Before long, Mom and Dad were already gone for work, meaning that Rafael and I should get going, too. It was still dark outside as I headed out of the door. The sun was starting to rise, indicating sunrise. Entering the car, I sat at the passenger seat while my brother was at the driver's seat. 

As soon as we were settled, Rafael started the car and pulled it out of the driveway. On the outside, I felt normal. However, on the inside, I felt the excitement that I couldn't contain. There's a tremendous day ahead of me. An unusual one, too. I'll get to sit at lunch with Millicent and Mercedes, which is nearly impossible, especially for someone like me. 

I'm in one of the lowest cliques at school. In order to have a chance of sitting with people like Millicent and Mercedes, you'd at least need to be a part of the popular clique. Otherwise, it'd be game over. Even if I'm slightly bewildered about why I got invited to sit with them, I feel even more excited. 

After the ten-minute ride, we arrived at school. The large building stood high to the sky, students already roaming through the doors. I pushed the heavy door, entering the school. Students walked left and right in the occupied corridors. 

To my surprise, I spotted Lizzie in a crowd of people. I started to walk faster to catch up with her. It's nice to walk to class with someone instead of being alone. At least, it is for me. 

"Hey, Lizzie!" I exclaimed, putting an arm around her. 

"Morning, Roselynn!" She smiled, raising an eyebrow, "What's with the make-up? I thought that you hated it."

She's right, no doubt about that. I've always hated make-up. However, today, I decided to give it a small try. And plus, it'll make me look a little better. It won't hurt. 

"This is what I'm wearing today! I chose to give it a try." I replied, shrugging, "Do you like my outfit?"

"I like it. It looks good on you!" She admired, taking a book out of her backpack.

"Thanks!" I acknowledged, grinning ear to ear. 

"You're welcome! I'll meet you in homeroom! I have to drop off my book at the school library. It's due today." She announced, stopping in the middle of the hall.

"Okay, bye!" I waved, continuing my way through crowds, "I'll see you in homeroom!"

This time of day is one of the busiest here. The time that you're at risk of getting squashed by people. Fortunately, that has never happened to me. I don't plan on making it happen anytime soon. I don't have any control over it happening, but when I walk through these halls, I just have to be extra careful.

Glancing at the door frame, I entered Ms. Davis' classroom for homeroom. 

Instantly, I smelled fresh coffee brewing as I shuffled to my seat. This is the traditional, morning smell of her classroom. Ms. Davis was sitting at her desk, eyes glued to her laptop. This is the perfect opportunity to go on my phone for a little while. I want to tell Lizzie about my lunch plans today. She sits all the way across the classroom, making it impossible for us to talk face-to-face, or even pass notes. 

Texting is the only option here. Or else, no communication in homeroom or in English class.

I know that I'm risking getting my phone confiscated from the teacher. But based on how I see Ms. Davis, she isn't going to look away from her computer for quite some time. Plus, I'm just going to tell Lizzie about lunch today, not have a casual conversation with her.

Me: Hi! I see that you're back from the library. 

Lizzie: Yeah, I am. I also picked up your favorite book from the library. I was hoping that Tracey, you, and I could re-read it at lunch today.

Me: I'd like to read it, too, but I already have plans for lunch. I'll tell you later.

Lizzie: Um, okay. 

* * *

After a few long hours of sitting in classes, the bell rang, signalizing that it was time for lunch. Students starting getting up from their chairs, exiting the classroom to go to the cafeteria.

Instantly, I stuffed my supplies inside of my backpack, zipping it up and adjusting it on my back. I rushed out of the classroom, going through crowds of students. Soon, I approached a stairwell, I saw a boy in front of there, his eyes glued to a piece of paper. 

This boy was... Tyler Parker?

I need to look good in front of him. Casually, I started walking down the steps quickly. On the last step, I lost my balance. I tripped and landed on the dirty floor. I sprawled there in deep embarrassment.

"Little Ms. Clumsy fell on the floor!" A student snickered, walking past me. 

I might've fallen on the floor, but that was no excuse to make fun of me. I could've gotten serious injuries, such as breaking my nose. Fortunately, I didn't, but I was still at a small risk. Some people over here are just plain rude. 

"Are you okay? That was quite a fall!" Tyler worried, racing down the stairs. 

"I'm fine... I think." I replied, holding my hand out, "Can you help me get up, please?"

"Sure!" He agreed, lifting me up. 

I know that I could've gone up myself, but I couldn't resist. I mean, who would turn down the offer of holding their crush's hand? Not me.

"Here's your book." Tyler held up my book.

"Thanks, I appreciated it." I smiled, relieved inside and out.

"No problem!" he walked away. 

Did this really just happen? Did I really just talk to Tyler? That's the last thing I expected to happen today. But all thanks to that fall, it did. 

Casually, I walked down to the large, loud cafeteria. Inside was occupied like usual. Glimpsing at the menu, today they're serving burgers and pizza. Since they don't have the type of pizza I like, I'll just get a burger. 

The moment before I touched the last burger available, a fly started to buzz around it, which is gross. On second thought, I'll just pass lunch today. I don't feel very hungry, anyway. I put down my empty lunch tray and joined my two friends who were sitting at a small, quiet table located at the corner of the cafeteria. This corner is where people of the lowest cliques usually sit at. People like me. 

"Hi, Rose!" Tracey smiled warmly, looking up at me. 

Her long box braids covered her shoulders. She wore a green, school-spirited hoodie, which said Go Mighty Hawks on it.

"Hi, guys!" I slightly smiled, staring at them, "I have something to tell you."

"What is it?" Lizzie questioned, adjusting her glasses, "I want to know."

Honestly, I don't know how they'll respond to this. I know that they'll be shocked, but will they be more than just that? There are many questions I have without any answers. 

"Today, I'm going to sit with Millicent and Mercedes for lunch," I responded in acknowledgment. 

"Oh, okay. But how did you get invited, anyway?" Tracey questioned, putting her finger over her chin. 

"They just invited me to sit with them yesterday and I accepted. I'm sure it will only be today. Don't worry!" I replied, shrugging.

"If you say so." Lizzie took a sip of her water. 

"I'll see you two later!" I exclaimed, making my way to the popular girls' table. 

I shuffled across the cafeteria. I started to feel nervous on the inside. What if I do everything wrong? What if they just tell me to go away? I know that everything will be fine, but I also have doubts. 

"Sweet! You came!" Millicent grinned, pulling out a chair. 

Her perfect, blonde-colored hair highlighted her icy, blue eyes. They were enough to freeze the nearby pond. Her designer outfit made her look even more beautiful. She had on a leather, black skirt along with a red, expensive-looking blouse. She looked like she just stepped out of a beauty magazine. 

"Hi!" I smiled back, collapsing into a chair. 

I couldn't help but notice that the table was empty. Usually, there would be more people with them. I guess that their other friends are doing other things today. It kind of makes sense. 

"Hey!" Mercedes simpered, poking her fork into her salad. 

"Thanks for inviting me to sit with you two!" I acknowledged, grasping my hands on the table.

"You're welcome! We just wanted to make friends with you because we felt that we need to make friends with all types of people." The blonde mused, adjusting a strand of her hair.

They want to be friends will all types of people? Well, that's the biggest surprise I expected to hear today—possibly this month. 

"So," Mercedes winked, opening her bottled water, "Can you tell us about yourself?"

"Sure!" I agreed, "I have an older brother in the twelfth grade here at our school."

Overall, that's not actually about myself. It's about my brother, Rafael. I only said that because there's nothing interesting about me. Assuredly, I wouldn't want to make them think that I'm a tedious person. Right now, that's the last thing I want. 

"Oh, so you do?" Millicent smirked, taking a sip of her diet soda, "Does this older brother of yours have a girlfriend or something?" 

"I don't know. My brother never tells me about his relationships. He may or may not." I answered honestly, shrugging. 

"Oh, okay!" Millicent replied, her smile disappearing off of her face.

Right then, I began to notice the strange behavior of the two girls. In the end, it could be me just being extra. But for some reason, I feel that these girls have a hidden side in them. One that doesn't act friendly. Yet, I'm sure this feeling is just nothing. They're popular. I'm sure that they're nice.

Right?