(Seraphina)

Charlotte was, indeed, trying to get in with the H's. She was trying to get me to join the clan. I'm sorry: Helping those in need sounds like fun and is a kind act, but I don't want to miss any homework assignments. Charlotte talks about the events that the girls are planning and she has stopped eating heavy foods. She only eats fruits and veggies with healthy drinks.

"How do I say this?" she mumbles to herself one afternoon at lunch. I munch on a lemon crème cookie as she sips her juice. "At least we've . . . That doesn't sound right. We paired up at the beginning of the school year when I was new, and I didn't know anybody. But it's time to admit to ourselves that we're very different people."

I look at her, my light blue eyes widening a bit. She was right. We were very different. "You don't want to be my friend anymore?" I ask her, my voice becoming shaky.

"We were never true friends, were we?" Charlotte asks me. She gives me a weak smile, but her eyes remain sad. "You slept over at my house, but Emily invited you. She slept over at your house, but I was never part of that. I am very open, and I like to shop . . . "

"I like to shop," I interjected quickly.

"You don't like anything," she snaps. "You are the most depressed person I know here. Forgive me for saying this, but you need professional help."

I stay silent in anger. "You're blowing me off because I'm a little depressed?" I ask her quietly. "Friends help each other in times of need."

"Look, you can't eat lunch with me anymore," she said, grabbing her lunch and leaving to sit with the H's. I eat in angry silence, fighting tears.