• The loud sound of the bell reverberated through Mapleton High School. I was free. I ran through the crowded hallways toward my locker. I flung open the door, shoved in my books, grabbed my shoulder bag that I used as a backpack, and slammed it shut. As I walked toward the front doors, people shouted their farewells to me. That was one thing I loved about being popular; everyone knew you, and it almost felt like you were loved. I greeted my inner circle of friends outside.
    "So the big b-ball game's this weekend?" asked Taylor. I nodded my head. Taylor wagged her soda bottle at me. "You better not let us down, Ms. Captain," she said. I gave her a friendly push. "Since when did I ever let you down?" I asked. "She's got a point," said Mallory, and we all laughed.
    The rest of the walk consited of talk about teachers, guys, and the dorky kids that ate Cheerios at lunch; it was usual conversation. We soon neared downtown where all of our apartments are.
    "You're so lucky to live in the Beau Soleil," said Angelica. Everyone looked toward the tall, white building that was the fanciest apartment building in town.
    "It must be amazing," admired Samantha. It was always like Angelica and Samantha to swoon over fancy and grand things.
    "Yeah, it's pretty great," I replied. I admired it's grandeur. The lobby was filled with ferns and red velvet chairs. The carpets were all white and fluffy. The rooms were large and elegant. Only the richest people lived there.
    We all said our goodbyes, and I walked through the fancy glass doors of the Beau Soleil. I went straight to the elevator and to the seventh floor where my grandmother's apartment was.
    "Why don't you go to your own apartment after school?" Gram asked after I was settled.
    "I like to stop by and say hi, that's all," I replied. Gram scratched her head, and I walked to the window. I could see none of my friends; I needed to make sure that they thought that I was inside my apartment. I said goodbye to Gram and left the Beau Solieil. I walked down the road toward my own apartment building, The Stone House, which had the reputation of one of the shabbiest apartments in town.