I pull the classroom door open.
Being the new girl is like having a target on your forehead.
People either mess with you or make bets on who will hook up with you first.
I scan the room and bite my lip.
Not in the way I do with ripped jeans, but more gothic chic.
Lace blouses, black blazers, and skinny jeans.
I slip into the seat next to the blond girl in all black.
That seats taken, she says.
Yes, it is.
Im so used to having to defend myself that I just picked a fight without meaning to.
She and the olive-skinned brunette with curly hair on the other side of her turn toward me.
Move, the blonde says.
Her black eye makeup frames her icy glare.
Its fine, Alice, says a girl I didnt see approach.
She gracefully lowers herself into the desk on my right.
Im Mrs. Hoxley, as many of you know.
And, as you also know, I do not accept tardiness.
Well, shes a charmer.
I pull my jacket off as Mrs. Hoxley does roll call.
She goes right past the Ms without mentioning me.
Is there anyone I missed?
Mrs. Hoxley scans our faces.
I raise my hand.
I just moved here from New York.
I hate talking in class.
I need your full name.
Her pencil taps her clipboard.
Samantha Mather, I say a bit louder.
All eyes are on me, and people whisper.
Mather, is it?
I did receive a notice about you.
Havent had a Mather in this school for more than twenty years.
She remembers the last Mather at this school.
Alice and the girl next to herMary, I thinkexchange a glance.
I turn toward her.
But I guess were just not that lucky, Alice continues.
The challenge in her expression shatters my thin hold over my temper.
Are you talking about my dead grandmother?
I do not appreciate students speaking out of turn, says Mrs. Hoxley.
How did I just wind up being the one in trouble?
Alice, that goes for you, too, says Mrs. Hoxley.
I expect you to keep your family history out of the classroom.
Got it, Alice says.
This cant seriously be about my last name.
For the rest of homeroom, Alice and Mary pass notes and throw sideways looks at me.
I dont see this playing out well.
Mrs. Hoxley reviews the rules and hands out our schedules.
Mine is delivered by someone from the principals office.
I have AP History first period, followed by AP Chem.
When the bell rings, I grab my jacket and black shoulder bag.
In the hallway, I wander, trying to figure out which way the room numbers go.
I pass a glass trophy case that has go witches!
Of course their mascot is a witch.
Still staring at the case, I walk smack into someone.
A guy with wavy dark hair and high cheekbones stares down at me.
Gray eyes take note of my reddening face.
Hes so attractive that I forget my words and my mouth hangs open.
Is there a desk somewhere I can hide under before I make any more blunders?
He walks away before I can tell him Im sorry.
Sam, Jaxon says, a few feet in front of me.
Yes, and wishing I could press reset on this day.
Just looking for AP History.
He points to the door on his left.
You a sophomore or a junior?
Youre a junior, though.
Its that obvious, huh?
Youve got that upperclassman cock Oh holy hell.
I almost called him cocky.
My hands go clammy.
Only worse, I just said he has an upperclassman cock.
This might be the end for me.
Jaxon bursts out laughing.
I didnt think you noticed.
I didnt mean that.
I meant upperclassman cockiness.
Great, now Ive said both the things I didnt mean to say.
My only escape is into the classroom, which I take, but he keeps pace with me.
I take a seat in the back, trying to will myself to blink out of existence.
Jaxon takes the seat next to me, still grinning.
That might be the best thing anyones ever said to me.
I stare at my desk.
This would be funny if it wasnt so horrifying.
Thankfully, hes being nice about it.
I wish I could say that was the only stupid thing Ive done so far.
Not having a good first day at Salem High?
I shake my head.
Have you noticed a group of girls in my grade that wear all blackrich goth types?
I venture a look at Jaxon.
He nods toward a guy and a girl entering the room.
The guy wears an expensivelooking black button-down shirt, black pants, and black loafers.
And she has on a floor-length black dress with a tailored black blazer.
Her hair is a perfect bob.
Yeah, exactly like that.
There are five of them in our school.
Hes the only dude.
Theyre descended from the original witches.
Everyone kinda love-hates them.
People think they can curse you if they want to.
I think its total bull.
Youre kidding, right?
But I can tell from his expression that hes not.
A girl waves from across the room.
Shes pretty, in that equestrienne sort of way.
He smiles at her.
Sit with us, she says, gesturing to her equally preppy girlfriend.
Nah, Im good.
Im waiting for Dillon.
She looks from him to me with dagger eyes.
One more person who doesnt like me.
Im on a roll today.
