Chapter 3

The next morning, Avery’s parents discussed her new school at breakfast.

“Avery, we want you to know that we understand how hard it has been for you at your old school,” said her mother, pouring a cup of coffee. “But we believe that going to Moonridge High School could be a chance for a new start.”

“I know,” replied Avery, picking at her breakfast. “But I’m still worried about the bullies. What if it’s the same there?”

Her father reached across the table and took her hand. “We won’t let that happen again, Avery. We’ll ensure the school knows what happened to you and keep an eye on things.”

Avery nodded, feeling a bit better. “Okay. But what’s the school like?”

“It’s a small school, with only about 500 students,” said her mother. “But it has a great reputation, and we’ve heard that the teachers are supportive.”

“That’s good,” said Avery, sipping her juice. “What about the students? Will I be able to make friends?”

“I’m sure you will,” said her father with a smile. “Moonridge is a small town, and everyone knows everyone. You’ll fit right in.”

Avery smiled back, feeling a glimmer of hope. “Okay. I’ll try my best.”

“That’s all we can ask,” said her mother. “Now, let’s finish breakfast to take a town tour.”

After breakfast, Avery’s parents took her on a tour of Moonridge, showing her the main street with its quaint shops and cafes, the town park with its playground and walking paths, and the town hall with its historic clock tower. Then, as they walked, they greeted people they knew, introducing Avery to their new neighbors.

“Avery, this is Mrs. Johnson,” said her mother, stopping to chat with an elderly woman on the sidewalk. “She runs the flower shop down the street. Mrs. Johnson, this is our daughter Avery.”

“Hello, dear,” said Mrs. Johnson, smiling warmly. “Welcome to Moonridge. I’m sure you’ll love it here.”

They left her and continued to look around.

As they took the town tour, Avery’s parents introduced her to several friendly townspeople. They met the local grocer, Mr. Johnson, who welcomed them to town and advised them on the best places to shop. They also met the owner of the local diner, Mrs. Parker, who recommended some of her favorite dishes on the menu.

As they continued their tour, Avery noticed the beautiful scenery around her. The mountains loomed in the distance, and the lakes sparkled in the sunlight.

“Hey, Mom, Dad, do you mind if I go off alone for a bit?” Avery asked, eager to explore the natural wonders around her on her own.

“Sure, honey. Just be careful and come back before dark,” her mother replied.

Avery grinned and took off toward the mountains. She walked for hours, enjoying the fresh air and the stunning scenery. Avery saw a clear blue lake below her as she reached the top of a hill. So she decided to take a closer look and started descending the mountain.

Walking along the lake’s edge, she noticed a group of teenagers by the water. As Avery made her way to the lake, she felt her palms getting sweaty. She had always been shy, and the thought of approaching a group of strangers made her heart race. She knew it was silly to be so nervous, but she couldn’t help it.

As she arrived at the lake, she saw the teenagers laughing and splashing around in the water. They seemed to be having so much fun, and Avery couldn’t help but feel envious. She wanted to be a part of that group, to feel the sense of belonging that came with being surrounded by friends.

But as much as she wanted to join them, she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She stood there on the shore, watching them from a distance. She felt a wave of disappointment wash over her.

After a while, she turned away and started walking toward the mountains. She had heard that there were some beautiful hiking trails in the area, and she wanted to explore them. As she walked, she marveled at the scenery around her. The majestic and imposing mountains rose into the sky like great guardians. The trees were lush and green, and the air was crisp and fresh.

Eventually, she came to a clearing, where she sat down on a rock and looked out at the view. She could see for miles, and the sight took her breath away. She felt a sense of peace wash over her, and for a moment, all her worries melted away.

As she sat there, she made a decision. She would try to make friends at school, no matter how nervous she felt. She was determined not to let her shyness hold her back anymore. She would take a chance, put herself out there, and find the sense of belonging she had been looking for.

With that thought in mind, she stood up and returned home.

Avery’s parents noticed her return from her self-guided tour and were surprised to see her back earlier than expected.

“Hey there, kiddo! You’re back early. What happened?” her father asked.

Avery hesitated before responding, “I didn’t meet anyone new; I just saw some beautiful sights.”

“Ah, well, that’s okay. The mountains can be a little intimidating at first,” her mother said with a smile.

“I was thinking of going to the town square tomorrow morning before school starts. Maybe I’ll get to meet some new people,” Avery said hopefully.

“That’s a great idea, sweetie. I’m sure you’ll make some new friends in no time,” her father encouraged.

Over dinner, they talked about Avery’s upcoming first day at Moonridge High School, and her parents offered her some tips on how to make a good impression.

“Just be yourself, Avery. Don’t worry too much about what other people think,” her mother advised.

“And if anyone gives you trouble, you let us know right away, okay?” her father added protectively.

Avery felt reassured by their words and knew that she had their support in whatever she did. Then, after dinner, they played cards and laughed together, enjoying their second night in their new home.

Avery woke up early, feeling excited and a bit nervous at the same time. She had carefully selected her outfit the night before, ensuring it would make her feel confident and comfortable. Avery had settled for a white blouse and a pair of blue jeans, completing the look with a couple of sneakers. She had spent some time doing her hair, trying to get it right. So she ended up leaving it with a half-up half-down hairdo.

Exiting her room, she found her parents already getting ready for work. Her mother put on her coat while her father got his keys.

“Good morning, sweetie,” her mother said, smiling at her. “How are you feeling today?”

“I’m feeling good,” Avery replied, returning the smile. “I’m a bit nervous but excited.”

“That’s great to hear,” her father said. “You’re going to do just fine.”

Avery sat at the table and noticed her breakfast awaited her. There was a plate of pancakes, some scrambled eggs, and a glass of orange juice.

“Wow, this looks amazing!” Avery said, feeling grateful.

“Your mother made it for you,” her father said, smiling.

Avery ate her breakfast quickly, eager to get to the town square. After finishing, she grabbed her backpack and headed for the door.

“Good luck, sweetie,” her mother said, quickly hugging her.

“Have a great day,” her father added, opening the door for her.

Avery stepped outside, taking a deep breath of the fresh morning air. She felt a rush of excitement as she walked toward the town square. Hopefully, things will go right.

As Avery walked into the town square, she saw older men sitting on benches, chatting and laughing. She heard the sound of children playing tag and a group of teenagers playing soccer in the corner. She also noticed a few vendors setting up their stands and selling handmade crafts, jewelry, and fresh produce.

As she made her way through the square, she couldn’t help but notice that some townspeople and the teens were all giving her strange looks, almost as if they were avoiding her. She wondered why they acted like that but didn’t want to ask anyone. Instead, she continued to walk around the square, trying to keep a confident and friendly demeanor, hoping that someone would approach her and start a conversation.

Avery walked up to a vendor selling homemade pies and decided to buy one. “Hi there,” she said, smiling at the vendor. “That looks delicious. Can I please have a slice?”

“Sure thing, sweetie,” the vendor replied with a smile as she handed Avery a slice. “Enjoy!”

“Thanks,” Avery said, taking a bite of the pie. She continued to walk around the square, trying to blend in and not draw too much attention to herself. However, she couldn’t help but feel like people were staring at her and whispering about her behind her back.

Feeling a little discouraged, Avery decided to head to school early. Walking toward the school, she wondered why everyone was avoiding her. Was it because of her accent? Was it because she was the new girl in town? She didn’t know but was determined to make friends and fit in.

As Avery walked toward the school, she couldn’t help but notice how different it looked compared to other high schools she had seen before. The building was made of sturdy wood and stone, giving it a rustic and natural feel. The large windows let natural light flood the hallways, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

As she walked through the front gates, Avery noticed that a large forest surrounded the school, adding to the rustic charm of the building. She could hear birds chirping and leaves rustling as she made her way to the main entrance.

Inside, the school was just as impressive as the outside. The walls were adorned with intricate murals depicting various scenes from nature. The floors were made of polished wood, giving the hallways a warm and comfortable feel. The lockers were made of metal but had intricate carvings as if each was unique.

As she made her way to her first class, Avery couldn’t help but notice that the students here seemed different somehow. They all seemed to have an air of confidence and strength, and some even had a certain wildness in their eyes.

As Avery walked through the crowded hallways of Moonridge High School, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. The students around her were all so different from what she was used to, with wildness in their eyes that looked at her with disgust.

She tried to avoid their gazes but couldn’t shake off the feeling that they hated her. They walked past her with a snarl, their sharp teeth visible as they growled under their breath. She was scared that they would pounce on her at any minute.

Avery’s heart raced with fear as she made her way to her first class, trying to blend in with the crowd. But no matter how hard she tried, she stuck out like a sore thumb. The other students whispered and sneered at her, and she couldn’t help but feel like she was an outsider in this school.

She couldn’t understand why they all seemed to hate her, making her feel more alone than ever. As the day went on, Avery tried to keep her head down and blend in as best she could, but the feeling of being watched never left her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was in danger and didn’t know how to escape it.