“See you at dinner.” Danielle said.

“Have fun.” Ashley replied as the two parted ways after school.

Danielle headed down Main Street toward the Everwood Community Center. Right after she moved to Everwood her aunt suggested she join an after school club to help meet new people and keep her busy. Danielle was not athletically inclined in the slightest, the thought of the drama club scared her, and there was no way she was becoming a cheerleader. Her English teacher suggested volunteering at the Community Center for the elementary after school program. Through the program Danielle made a lot of friends and between volunteering, school, and helping around the bed and breakfast she had little time to breath let alone think about her new situation in life.

“Dani!” a little voice squealed as she walked in the door.

“Hi Beccy.” Danielle replied to the little girl.

“We’re making picture frames out of popsicle sticks. Wanna help?” she asked.

“Of course I do. I just need to check in with Jack.” Danielle said referring to the director the of the center.

“Okay.” Beccy said scampering back to her friends.

“Hey Dani.” Jack said.

“What’s up Jack?” she asked.

“Actually we’re getting a new volunteer today.”

“Really? That’s great. We always need the extra help.”

“Exactly, so when he gets here I need you to help set him up.”

“Of course. What’s his name?”

“Bright Abbott.”

Danielle nearly choked. “Bright Abbott as in Dr. Abbott’s son?”

“That’d be the one.” Jack replied.

“He’s volunteering on his own free will?” Danielle asked in disbelief.

“No, it’s his punishment for well…I don’t know what.”

“Oh, well that makes more sense.”

“Come in.” Danielle said.

Ashley walked into Danielle’s room and found her typing away on her laptop.

“Writing fan fiction?” Ashley asked.

Danielle stopped typing and gave her a confused look. “Fan what?”

“Never mind. What was up with you at dinner?”

“Me? Nothing, why?”

“You just seemed awfully quiet.”

“Well…” Danielle started.

“Well what?” Ashley prompted.

“This is going to sound ridiculous.” Danielle said.

“Try me.”

“Okay, today Jack told me that we were getting a new volunteer.”

“So far this sounds normal.”

“Named Bright Abbott.”

“Seriously? That’s odd.”

“That’s what I thought until I found out working at the center as some type of punishment for something.”

“Oh, so I’m guessing that’s why he and the good doctor were in the office this morning?”

“Probably. Anyway, he never showed up and Jack is supposed to let the principal know if that happens, but he wants to give Bright a chance. So he told me to talk to him tomorrow so that way he won’t have to tattle on him.” Danielle said.

“So what’s the big deal?” Ashley asked.

“It’s Bright freakin’ Abbott. I don’t want to talk to him. Just the thought of being near any of the Abbotts is nauseating.” Danielle said.

Ashley looked at her thoughtfully. “True.”

“You’re not helping.” Danielle said.

“Just find him tomorrow morning and get it over with.” Ashley told her.

“I guess you’re right.”

Danielle scanned the hallway. Bright wasn’t surrounded by his usual gang of admirers so she took a deep breath and headed over towards his locker.

“Umm…hi.” Danielle said.

“Hello.” He replied putting a book in his backpack.

“You probably have no idea who I am…” she started.

“You’re Danielle Parker.” He said with a look of satisfaction on his face.

‘Does he want a special medal or something?’ Danielle thought.

“My sister hates you.” Bright said.

Danielle gave him a sideways look. “The feeling’s mutual. Anyway, I work at the Community Center and I guess you were supposed to start volunteering yesterday.”

“Oh yeah, that was yesterday.” He said.

“Right, so my boss won’t say anything to the principal as long as you’re on time for the rest of your punishment or whatnot.”

Bright let out a fake sigh. “What a relief.”

“Look, you do whatever you want I did my part.” She said turning around and walking away.