Page 1

AMELIA

Moving to a new country during freshman year of high school is not an ideal situation. But change can be good, right?

“You’re from the Philippines?”

I glance up from my seat as a girl plops down in the empty chair beside me in our chemistry class, smiling wide. She’s really pretty. Deep emerald eyes, yellow ruffle dress, and a cute matching bow in her long brunette hair.

“Yes.” I smile back, surprised she knows. “I’m Amelia.”

Yes, the Philippines. That’s where I was born and raised, at least until my dad got an amazing job at a law firm in West Hollywood. Now here I am in sunny Los Angeles, and it feels like a completely different world from what I'm used to.

No jeepneys rumbling through the streets, no tricycle rides with exhaust curling into your lungs. There are no street vendors selling warm taho or freshly made lumpia in the afternoon, which is absurd if you ask me.

I’ll forever miss the Philippines though, the beautiful islands, community, my friends, it’s a lot to process right now.

All I see now is towering palm trees, broad highways, cafe shops, and designer stores on every corner.

I’m holding on to the one thing my mom told me before my first day here. “Anak, don’t worry about making friends. You’ll find them when you least expect it.”

We’ll see about that. I’m not sure how easy it’ll be to make friends halfway through the school year. Everyone already has their groups, where would I even fit in?

The girl motions toward my bag. “Saw your flag pin.” Then she gestures to herself with a laugh. “Tia.”

A sharp ring of the bell cuts through the classroom and everyone slips into their seats easily.

I sigh and dig into my backpack for my notebook and pencils, as Mr. Walls walks in. Tie on and a stiff face, which is not exactly screaming friendly.

“We have a new student here today. Amelia Cruz-Taylor,” he directs everyone’s attention toward me and my cheeks warm up, palms feeling awfully sweaty. “Find a lab partner and flip to page fifty and answer all the questions.”

He yanks down the projector before dragging his feet over to his desk, not saying another word as he puts up a PowerPoint.

“Don’t worry, he’s always like this. Our class can get pretty rowdy.” She nudges my elbow, chuckling quietly. “So new girl, want to be my lab partner?”

We hit it off extremely well, laughing at jokes that make no sense, talking about all of our favorite films, then she even invited me to hang out with her during lunch, though she did warn me about her older brother, Caleb.

Apparently he’s annoying and if I ever wanted to ditch her because of him, she’d understand. But rather than annoyance, her voice was filled with amusement.

“And who’s this?”

A low warm voice calls out behind me. I peer over my shoulder, my eyes traveling up to a toned guy with tousled deep brown hair, black-framed glasses, wearing a white and blue football jersey.

He has to be at least 5’10 already which is insane for someone our age.

He holds his lunch tray as he rounds the table, settling into the bench across from Tia and me.

Our eyes meet, and they’re a perfect reflection of his sister’s.

“Amelia. I’m guessing you’re the annoying older brother?”

Feigning innocence, he twists open his soda. “I think my lovely sister meant charming .”

“Right, of course,” I stifle a laugh.

Tia pokes her fork into a piece of potato and pops it into her mouth, eyes narrowing at him playfully. “I meant what I said.”

He rolls his eyes, flicking a small pea at her. “Watch it.’

She laughs as it lands in her tray.

I pick up the lumpia my mom packed me for lunch, dip it into soy sauce and take a huge bite. Crispy, savory, perfection. I could cry, it’s honestly that good.

I notice Caleb’s eyes linger on me for a moment before he juts his chin toward my Troy and Gabriella lunchbox. “Nice bag by the way.”

“Oh…um, thanks,” I mumble, my voice dipping awkwardly.

I do love it, but all the other students have regular bags. We’re not in middle school anymore. Maybe I should just toss it when I get home and?—

“Favorite song? Go,” he interrupts my thoughts, snapping a piece of carrot into his mouth.

“Hmm.” I furrow my brows, trying to think of the many hits. “Bet On It.” Classic.

“Mine too,” he grins. “Tia wouldn’t stop playing that movie all summer, so it’s stuck in my head.”

Tia snaps her head up, a smile tugging at her lips. “It’s a masterpiece and it should be respected and that means watching it at least twice a month.”

And from that day on, we were a trio. Best friends. I couldn’t be happier about how natural it all came…but the thing is friendships are bound to change.

It was only a matter of time.

But I would’ve never guessed we’d change this much…