Maria Newton is a 14-year-old girl starting her first day of 9th grade. She dreads facing the clique, a group of popular girls led by Claire who bully Maria. On her first day, Claire insults Maria's appearance. Later, Maria learns everyone is laughing at her and spreading rumors, but her friend Amber doesn't have time to explain. At lunch, Maria confronts Amber about the rumors, but Amber denies spreading them and gets angry, believing Claire is lying to frame her.

2. Epilogue
Hello, my name is Maria Newton. I am 14 years old and live in
Bronx, New York. I’m in 9th grade and like it except for one
part, the ‘CLIQUE’.
Chapter 1
The Beginning
“Maria”!!! My mother yelled, “Get out of bed, you’re going to
be late for your first day of school!” I moan as I slowly rise
out of my bed. I didn’t want to go to school and face ‘The
Clique’. I take my time to get dressed. When I come
downstairs I grab my coat, lunch and walk out the door too

3. where the bus is waiting for me. I grab a seat next to my
best friend Amber. She is obsessed with fashion and loves
making her own creations “You look amazing!” I say. “Thanks,
I made it myself,” says Amber smiling. “I hope Claire moved
this summer that way we wont have to deal with her
anymore!” says Amber changing the subject.
I say bye to Amber and go to my locker to get my books for
the morning. As I walk to my locker I see the “Clique” coming
down the hallway. Their hair, clothes and makeup are always
perfect. The ‘ leader’ Claire comes over to me and says “Wow
you look so different, did you get uglier, yeah that’s
definitely it.” She walks away with her friends laughing. I

4. turn beet red and put my head in my locker wishing this day
was over, I close my eyes, count to ten and take a deep
breath. I get my books and close my locker wishing this day
was over.
Chapter 2
What’s going on?
I’m walking down the hall and realize everybody’s laughing at
me. I walk over to Amber and ask, “What’s going on, why is
everybody laughing at me?” Amber started saying “Claire…”
but the bell interrupted her. “I’ll tell you later” says Amber
while she turns to her first period class. I walk into math and
take my seat. Claire whispers something to her friends and

5. they all start giggling, at the same time they look over at me.
I realize what’s going on, Claire is spreading rumors.
I ignore her for the period and act like I don’t care. After
the bell rings I walk over to her and ask, “What’s your
problem, why are you spreading rumors that are not true
about me?” Claire says surprised “OMG how could you even
think it was me, it was your friend or should I say ex-friend
Amber, she is the one spreading rumors NOT me! I didn’t
know whom to believe. To find out the truth I would have to
confront Amber at lunch.
At lunch I sit with Amber. I take a deep breath and tell her

6. the same thing that Claire said to me. When I finish her
mouth drops open in shock. She yells in fury “I CANT
BELIEVE IT, SHE’S TOTALLY LYING TO YOU!!! “You know I
would never do that to you.” Amber says a little softer. “I
know” I say in a calm voice hoping that she would cool down. “I
believe you.” We eat lunch and talk about everything else that
went on during the day, but we leave out the Clique.
The day finishes very slowly. Once I get home and finish
doing my homework I go to bed and think about the crazy day
I had.