New Beginnings

Christa Fawcett stood outside the entrance of Degrassi Community School, her bright blue eyes scanning the crowded hallway as she took a deep breath. The first day of 7th grade was finally here, and she was excited to start a new year with her best friends Emma, Manny, Toby, and JT. She adjusted her backpack and smiled to herself, feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation. As she made her way through the throngs of students, Christa's curvy figure and pale skin stood out amidst the sea of familiar faces. Her sharp wit and sarcasm were already on full display as she joked with a group of classmates about the ridiculousness of the school's new uniform policy. "Hey, at least we don't have to wear those hideous plaid skirts from last year," Christa said, rolling her eyes. "I mean, who thought those were a good idea?" Her friends laughed and chimed in with their own opinions, and Christa grinned, feeling grateful for their easy camaraderie. They had been through so much together, and she knew she could count on them no matter what. As they approached their lockers, Emma turned to Christa with a excited expression. "I'm so glad we're in the same grade again, Christa! I was worried we might get split up." Christa smiled and clapped Emma on the back. "Don't worry, Em, we're stuck together like glue. Besides, I need someone to bail me out when I inevitably get lost in the hallways." Manny, who was struggling to open his locker, chuckled. "You're always getting lost, Christa. It's like you have a sixth sense for finding the most creative routes to our classrooms." Toby, who was leaning against the locker next to Christa, smiled. "Hey, that's not fair. Christa's just adventurous." JT, who was busy adjusting his backpack, snorted. "Adventurous? You mean reckless?" Christa playfully elbowed JT. "Hey, watch it, JT. I'm a perfectly capable navigator." As they continued to chat and joke around, Christa's eyes wandered to a group of students gathered near the entrance of the school. One of them caught her eye - a tall, dark-haired boy with a charming smile and piercing blue eyes. She felt a flutter in her chest, but quickly pushed it aside. She didn't know who he was, and besides, she was here to focus on her studies and hang out with her friends. But as she turned back to her friends, Christa couldn't help but sneak another glance at the mysterious boy. Who was he, and why did he seem to be looking right at her? "Hey, guys, let's grab our schedules and meet up at lunch," Emma said, breaking the spell. "I heard the cafeteria is serving pizza today." Christa grinned, feeling a surge of excitement. "Now that's what I call a great way to start the year." As they walked off to their first period class, Christa couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. Little did she know, this year was going to bring her a lot more than just pizza and locker combinations.