Morgan County High School. It was the first day back from winter break and this school was the one place I really didn't want to be. Welcome to Morgan, Georgia, population: 1,464, such a small town that gossip spreads quicker than you can imagine, your parents already know what you did at school when you get home so theres no need for them to ask. Surviving in this town and at this school takes every bit of effort you can give.

     "Hey Lace!" Cody greeted me as he gave me a quick hug.

     "Hey Cody, what's up?" I replied.

     "Horror movie marathon tomorrow night, you up for it?"

     I smiled, "When have I ever said no to a horror movie marathon?"

     "Well, Lacey Evans, are you getting sarcastic with me?" he laughed.

     We parted ways as Cody left to greet his other friends. Cody Spencer had been my best friend since we were five and he moved in next door. He was the all-american boy: brown eyes; short, cleanly cut brown hair; tall; muscular; and the star quarterback of our football team. I'd had a crush on him since the day I'd met him, but we'd stayed close friends and never amounted to anything more. I watched as he greeted his girlfriend of two years, Vanessa Campbell. Football had given him popularity and intorduced him to Vanessa, the head cheerleader. She really was the stereotypical cheerleader, you know the mean girl in movies that you just love to hate? She was blonde, blue-eyed, tall and curvy and hated me just as much as I hated her and her little clones: Violet and Valentina.

     I groaned as the bell rang and headed for Mr. Stevenson's biology class, perhaps the most boring class there ever was. Soon after the class had settled into their seats, a kid I didn't recognize walked through the door and handed Mr. Stevenson a note.

     After reading the paper, Mr. Stevenson (in his horribly monotone voice) said, "Class, we have a new student, his name is Jonah Robinson. Mr. Robinson you can take a seat next to Miss Evans, you two will be lab partners." I sighed and moved my bag out of the seat next to me, making way for my new lab partner.

     Jonah made his way to the back of the classroom and as he sat down whispered, "Hi, I'm Jonah."

     His eager amber eyes made me smile as I replied, "I'm Lacey."

     As Mr. Stevenson began his lecture, I subtly observed the new kid. He had shaggy light brown hair and was lean, but showed a hint of muscle, and he seemed to be struggling to stay awake like the rest of us. I leaned toward him a little bit and whispered, "Where are you from?"

     "Atlanta," he replied, without taking his eyes off of Mr. Stevenson.

     "Why'd you move to Morgan?"

     He turned now and smiled, "Curious huh? My parents thought the city wasn't a good place to raise me."

     I blushed and fiddled with one of my braids, "We don't get many new kids, no one wants to move to such a small town."

     "Yeah, well it's definitely different."

     When the bell rang, I packed up my stuff and turned back to Jonah, "What class do you have next?"

     He pulled out a piece of paper and scanned it, "English with Mrs. Plummer."

     "Me too, I'll show you the way there," I offered as we left the lab. As we walked, I found myself wondering if he thought I was pretty. My mint green eyes were my signature, and my semi-long, black hair was in loose braids as always and I had olive-toned skin, but I was also very short and thin (Cody always said I reminded him of a pixie).

     "So, is there anything I should know? Who to avoid and that sort of stuff?" Jonah asked.

     I nodded and pointed to a group of people standing near some lockers, "Definitely, see them? The tallest one is my friend Cody and the blonde next to him is his cheerleader girlfriend Vanessa, and the two other blondes are her clones. The rest of them are on the football team. I'd avoid them at all costs, except for Cody, he's cool."

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     I continued my explanation of the student body after class, at lunch, "Okay, at that table is the student government. The girl with the black, curly hair is my sister Natasha and she's co-president with her boyfriend, Tom Pruitt, who's next to her. I generally avoid them, but they're ok. Then there's the nerds, the artsy kids, the founding family kids--"

     Jonah interrupted, "Founding families?"

     "Yeah, their ancestors founded Morgan, so they're kind of a big deal around here. They're also the wealthiest and snobbiest kids."

     "So, where do you fit in?" Jonah smiled and asked.

     I laughed, "Well, I'm actually a founding family kid, but I can't stand them; I'm not nerdy enough for the nerds; not over-achiever enough for student government; not artsy enough for the arsty-fartsies; and my best friend's a jock; so I'm sort of my own group."

     I thought I may have sounded like a weird loner, but he chuckled and said, "Mind if I join you in the 'In-betweeners?' "

     "Of course not!"