Mesmerized

you want me to show you the way?”
    Lily hesitated. She really didn’t want to face the other kids yet, but her stomach rumbled and she knew she would have to. “Sure.”
    Hannah stood up and slipped on her slippers and a long purple sweater that tied at the waist. They left the room, the door automatically locking behind them. As Hannah led Lily down to the dining hall, they passed a lot of other students, who stopped what they were doing and stared. 
    When they walked into the dining hall, a hush came over the crowd. Everyone seemed to stop talking and gawk at them. One dark haired boy looked up and saw them as he emerged from the line. He wasn’t watching where he was going and he tripped over his own feet, sending his food flying.
    “Wow!” Hannah muttered.
    Lily rolled her eyes. Looked like this place wasn’t going to be any different than the others.
     

Chapter Two
     
     
     
    Lily woke up to the sound of Hannah's obnoxious alarm clock. Stretching she asked, "What time is it?"
    "Six.”
    She groaned. “Why?”
    “I like to get up early." Hannah flung open the curtain and the sunlight pierced Lily’s eyes. 
    "Ugh!" Lily rolled back over and covered her eyes with her arm. "Classes don’t start until eight-thirty. Wake me up at eight."
    "What about breakfast? You need to eat and then maybe we can walk around campus. I'm trying to lose weight. It would be nice to have the company. Please!"
    "Fine." Lily threw the blankets off her and couldn't help but smile. If getting up early was what she had to do to have a friend, it was well worth it. She’d just need to get used to it.
    "Let me jump in the shower. I'll be ready in fifteen minutes."
    Hannah's mouth dropped. "You can get that gorgeous in only fifteen minutes? Genetics were good to you!"
    Ha! If she only knew , Lily thought. 
    Lily showered and threw her hair in a bun. She let it down after it dried and didn't bother with make-up. Taking a look at the tacky uniform—a blue and gold plaid skirt with a white blouse that had a rounded collar—she cringed. She felt like she was in grade school as she pulled on her knee-high socks. 
    "Don't forget the vest." Hannah threw a navy blue sweater vest to her when she walked out of the bathroom.
    "Ah, how could I forget the vest?" Lily smiled and they both laughed. It felt good to laugh. 
    Breakfast went the same way dinner had the night before. After they finished eating, Lily and Hannah walked outside. A strong wind blew the brisk air right up Lily’s skirt. She nervously pushed it back down glancing around to see if anyone had noticed. She shivered and once again wished she were back home in the south where it was warm. 
    As they rounded a corner, they came face to face with a bunch of girls. Lily knew that she and Hannah were in trouble when the blonde one stepped forward with narrowed eyes. 
    She was pretty in a high maintenance way. She had on so much make up that her face looked painted on. 
    “You should leave,” the girl said as she cocked her head to the side and looked Lily up and down.
    “We’d be glad to if you move out of our way,” Lily responded.
    Hannah’s eyes widened. 
    “That’s not what I meant. You should leave the school. We don’t want you here. You don't belong here.” The girls to her left and right nodded in agreement.
    Lily looked at her indifferently. She was used to this kind of treatment. It got old and she was bored with it. Rolling her eyes, Lily said, “I’ll leave when I’m good and ready. Now, if you’ll excuse us...” She pushed past the group of girls. 
    Lily peeked over at Hannah whose mouth was still hanging open. 
    “I can’t believe you just did that,” Hannah said.
    “Why? They’re nothing.”
    “That was Samantha. She'll ruin you. She's the most popular girl here. She runs this school.” Hannah nervously tugged at her shirtsleeve. 
    “I’m not worried.”
    Hannah fell silent as they continued on their walk. Lily hoped her behavior hadn’t scared her new friend away.
    “It’s time to get to class,” Hannah said a few minutes later. “We have first period together.” 
    Hannah led the way. When they reached the academic building, a boy came out of nowhere and opened the door for them. 
    “Let me get that for you,” he said with a smile.
    “Thanks.”
    “Can I get you anything? Drink? Snack? Show you to your class?” the red-haired boy asked eagerly. He gave Lily an infectious smile. Sometimes it was hard to follow her