As the days went by, Penelope settled into her new routine. She was enjoying her classes and was starting to make new friends.

But there was one person who was making her life miserable - Tiffany, the school's resident mean girl. Tiffany took great pleasure in bullying Penelope, making snide comments about her clothes and her hair.

Penelope tried to ignore her, but it was hard. Tiffany's words stung, and Penelope found herself feeling more and more anxious.

One day, as she was walking down the hallway, she overheard Lucas talking to his friends. "I don't know why I'm wasting my time with Penelope Winters," he said, rolling his eyes. "She's so boring and awkward."

Penelope felt like she had been punched in the gut. She couldn't believe Lucas was talking about her like that. She burst into tears, feeling humiliated and hurt.

She quickly ran to the bathroom, locking herself in a stall. She couldn't believe Lucas would say such mean things about her.

As she sat there, crying, Penelope made a promise to herself. She was not going to let Lucas distract her anymore. She was going to focus on her schoolwork and her friends, and forget all about him.

When she finally composed herself, Penelope went to find Maya. She knew Maya would be able to make her feel better.

As they sat together at lunch, Maya listened as Penelope poured out her heart. "I'm so stupid, Maya," Penelope said, feeling tears prick at the corners of her eyes. "I thought Lucas actually liked me, but I guess I was wrong."

Maya put a reassuring hand on Penelope's shoulder. "You're not stupid, Penny," she said. "You're just trusting and optimistic. And that's not a bad thing."

Penelope smiled, feeling a little better. "Thanks, Maya. Just talking to you makes me feel better."

Maya grinned. "Anytime, Penny. That's what friends are for."

As they finished their lunch, Penelope felt a sense of determination. She was going to put Lucas behind her and focus on her own happiness.

And as she walked out of the cafeteria, she saw Jack, who had just transferred to her school and was now in the 12th grade. He was standing by his locker, smiling at her.

"Hey, Penny," he said, walking over to her. "How's it going?"

Penelope smiled, feeling a sense of relief. "It's going, Jack. Just trying to survive high school."

Jack laughed. "I know the feeling. But hey, at least we have each other, right?"

Penelope nodded, feeling grateful for Jack's friendship. "Definitely, Jack. Let's stick together and make it through this crazy school."

As Penelope walked out of the cafeteria, she couldn't help but feel a sense of devastation. She had thought that Lucas actually liked her, but now she realized that she was just a joke to him.

She felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she thought about how much she had crushed on him. She had been so blinded by her feelings that she hadn't even noticed how much he didn't care about her.

Just as she was starting to feel like she was going to break down, Maya appeared by her side. "Penny, what's wrong?" she asked, concern etched on her face.

Penelope burst into tears, unable to hold back her emotions any longer. "It's Lucas," she sobbed. "I overheard him talking about me, and he said I was boring and awkward."

Maya's face darkened with anger. "That jerk," she muttered. "I'm so sorry, Penny."

Penelope cried for a few more minutes, feeling a sense of relief wash over her as she let out all her emotions. When she finally composed herself, Maya handed her a tissue.

"Feel better?" Maya asked, smiling.

Penelope nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her friend. "Yeah, thanks Maya."

Maya grinned. "Anytime, Penny. Now let's get out of here and go to my place. We can have a sleepover and forget all about Lucas."

Penelope smiled, feeling a sense of excitement. "That sounds like a great idea."

As they walked to Maya's house, Penelope couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. She was glad to be leaving the drama of school behind, even if it was just for a night.

But little did she know, the drama was far from over.

The next morning, Maya woke up early, looking frazzled. "Penny, I'm so sorry, but I have a test today and I totally forgot. I have to go to class."

Penelope sat up, rubbing her eyes. "It's okay, Maya. I understand."

Maya nodded, grabbing her bag. "I'll see you later, okay?"

Penelope nodded, watching as Maya rushed out the door.

As she lay back down, Penelope couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She had a bad feeling about today.

And as she walked to school, her bad feeling only intensified.

As she was walking down the hallway, she saw a group of mean girls standing by their lockers. They were notorious bullies, and Penelope had always tried to avoid them.

But today, they seemed to be waiting for her.

"Hey, Penelope," one of them sneered. "We heard you're really smart. We need your help with our math test."

Penelope shook her head, trying to stand up for herself. "I'm not going to help you cheat."

The mean girls snickered, their eyes gleaming with malice. "Oh, come on," one of them said. "We'll make it worth your while."

Penelope stood her ground, feeling a sense of determination. "No, I'm not going to help you."

The mean girls' faces darkened with anger, and they started to close in on her.

But just as things were starting to get ugly, Jack and Lucas appeared out of nowhere.

"Hey, leave her alone," Jack said, his voice firm.

The mean girls snickered, but they backed off, not wanting to mess with Jack.

As Penelope watched, feeling a sense of gratitude, Jack turned to her. "You okay, sis?"

Penelope nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "Yeah, thanks Jack."

Lucas smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Anytime, Penelope."

Penelope felt a surge of surprise. Why was Lucas being so nice to her? Didn't he think she was boring and awkward?

But before she could ask him any questions, the mean girls made their move.

One of them grabbed Penelope's bag, dumping its contents on the floor.

Penelope's diary went flying out, and one of the mean girls picked it up, starting to read from it.

Penelope's heart sank as she realized what was happening. Her diary was private, and she didn't want anyone reading it.

But just as the mean girl was about to read the page where Penelope confessed her love for Lucas, Jack snatched the diary out of her hand.

"Give that back," the mean girl sneered.

But Jack just smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I don't think so."

The mean girls backed off, looking angry, but Jack just stood his ground, holding Penelope's diary tightly.

"Thanks, Jack," Penelope said, feeling a sense of gratitude.

Jack smiled, handing her the diary. "Anytime, sis."

As Penelope took the diary, she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. She was grateful to Jack for saving her from the mean girls.

"Thanks, Jack," she said again, feeling a sense of gratitude.

Jack smiled, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Anytime, sis. Now let's get out of here before things get any worse."

Penelope nodded, feeling a sense of agreement. She didn't want to stick around and see what other drama the day might bring.

As they walked away from the scene, Lucas fell into step beside them. "Hey, Penelope, are you okay?" he asked, looking at her with concern.

Penelope felt a surge of surprise. Why was Lucas being so nice to her? Didn't he think she was boring and awkward?

But before she could ask him any questions, Jack spoke up. "Yeah, she's fine, Lucas. Just a little shaken up."

Lucas nodded, his eyes never leaving Penelope's face. "Well, if you need anything, just let me know."

Penelope felt a flutter in her chest as she met Lucas's gaze. Why was he being so nice to her? And why did she still feel drawn to him, even after what she had overheard him say?

But before she could ponder these questions any further, Jack spoke up again. "Come on, Penelope, let's get to class."

Penelope nodded, feeling a sense of agreement. She needed to focus on her schoolwork and forget about Lucas and his confusing behavior.

As they walked to class, Penelope couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She had a feeling that this day was only going to get more dramatic.

And as they entered the classroom, Penelope's eyes met Lucas's across the room. She felt a jolt of electricity run through her body, and she knew that she was in trouble.

Despite her best efforts to focus on her schoolwork, Penelope found herself stealing glances at Lucas throughout the class. She couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking, and why he was being so nice to her.

As the class drew to a close, Penelope felt a sense of relief wash over her. She was glad to be getting out of there and away from Lucas's distracting presence.

But as she packed up her things and stood up to leave, Lucas caught her eye again. This time, he smiled at her, and Penelope felt her heart skip a beat.

Why was Lucas smiling at her? And what did it mean?

Penelope didn't have time to ponder these questions, because as she turned to leave, she collided with someone.

It was Tina, one of the mean girls from earlier. And she looked angrier than ever.

"Well, well, well," Tina sneered, looking Penelope up and down. "Look what we have here."

Penelope felt a surge of fear as Tina took a step closer to her. What was she going to do?

But before Tina could do anything, Jack appeared out of nowhere, his eyes flashing with anger.

"Leave her alone, Tina," he growled.

Tina sneered at him, but she backed off, looking angry.

Penelope felt a sense of relief wash over her as Jack turned to her. "You okay, sis?" he asked.

Penelope nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude. "Yeah, thanks Jack."

As they walked out of the classroom, Penelope couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She knew that Tina and the other mean girls weren't going to leave her alone.

And she was right.

As they walked down the hallway, Penelope heard Tina's voice behind her.

"This isn't over, Penelope," she sneered.

Penelope felt a shiver run down her spine as she turned to face Tina. But before she could say anything, Jack stepped in front of her.

"I don't think so, Tina," he said, his eyes flashing with anger.

Tina sneered at him, but she backed off, looking angry.

Penelope felt a sense of relief wash over her as Jack turned to her. "Don't worry, sis," he said. "I've got your back."

Penelope smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude. She knew that she could always count on Jack to protect her.

But as they walked away from the scene, Penelope couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She knew that Tina and the other mean girls weren't going to give up that easily