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behind. But I’m sure no one in this class will have a problem with that.” She smiled at them just as the bell rang.

CHAPTER
FOUR
    Ava had some trouble finding her social studies class, and when she got there, most kids were already sitting down. She didn’t know a single person, but everyone looked up at her as she walked in. Did they know somehow that she was Coach Sackett’s daughter, or was she just being super paranoid? There was one girl who hadn’t bothered to look up, though—she was sitting quietly at her desk, reading a book with a knight and a dragon on the cover.
    Ava sat down next to her, and then the girl did look up and smile at her. It was a genuine, friendly smile. Ava’s instincts about people were rarely wrong, and she instantly liked this girl, from the colorful beads at the bottom ofher braids to her funky black-and-white cowboy boots.
    â€œI’m Kylie,” she said, holding out a hand for Ava to shake. She had an interesting ring on every finger, and her nails were painted different colors—the same colors as the beads in her hair.
    â€œI’m Ava,” said Ava, relieved not to have to mention what her last name was.
    Kylie’s handshake was firm. “You’re not from Texas, are you?”
    â€œUm, no, I’m new,” said Ava. “How did you know?”
    â€œLucky guess. Plus, you have a New England Patriots sticker on your notebook.”
    â€œYeah, I guess that’s kind of a giveaway,” Ava said, smiling.
    â€œYou look athletic, too,” Kylie said. “What sports do you play? Wait. Let me guess. Are you a runner?”
    â€œI play football,” replied Ava automatically. “And basketball, and soccer,” she added quickly. She realized that saying she played football could come across as a little strange—after all, usually only boys played football. Then again, Kylie looked like the sort of person who would appreciate someone who was unconventional.
    Kylie nodded without missing a beat. “I like that. My sister is a cheerleader at the high school, so I’ve been to plenty of games. It’s not really my thing, though. I have trouble following the rules. So where in New England are you from?”
    â€œJust outside of Boston,” said Ava, laughing a little. Kylie practically talked at Alex’s pace!
    Kylie’s eyes sparkled. “I went to Boston this summer!” she exclaimed, bouncing up and down in her seat. “We went to the aquarium and rode in the swan boats. And I had my first New England clam chowder. It was sooo good!”
    Ava laughed. Kylie’s enthusiasm was infectious. “I love the aquarium too,” she agreed.
    Their teacher, Mr. Antonucci, clapped his hands to get people’s attention, and class began.
    Their first task was to partner up and fill out a worksheet about the history of Texas. Kylie and Ava shared a computer station.
    â€œState bird,” Ava read off the worksheet.
    â€œMockingbird,” said Kylie, without even doing an Internet search. She opened her notebook and started sketching a bird.
    â€œState flower,” said Ava.
    â€œBluebonnet,” said Kylie. Her pen performed a series of loopy maneuvers, and apretty flower appeared. Ava was impressed.
    â€œBluebonnet? Really?” asked Ava. “I would have said the yellow rose. Isn’t there a song about the yellow rose of Texas?”
    â€œThere is, but it’s the bluebonnet, trust me.”
    Ava wrote that down and then looked up. “Guess I chose the right partner.”
    â€œYou sure did, pardner,” said Kylie. She smiled as she added little leaves to her flower.
    Ava smiled too. She’d hardly been talking to Kylie for five minutes, and she already felt comfortable around her. Like she did with Charlie, her best friend back in Boston. She hadn’t felt that way about anyone in Texas yet . . . well, except for Jack. But the slightly