"Hey, I'm Summer" Chimes the blonde haired girl in the array of colorful clothes as she proffers her hand across the wall to me. "You must be the new neighbors. My mam told me yous would be moving in this week"

"Yeah, Hi" I shake her hand cautiously with a tight smile. "I'm Leah"

It's not even nine in the morning and she's this cheerful.

"You're about my age, right? I'm seventeen" I nod in reply "Cool. Oh are you going to the tech? I've just started sixth year, maybe we'll be in the same classes. speaking of school, there's a party in one of the guys houses tonight if you'd like to come with me?" She speaks quickly, barely taking a breath.

"I don't know, I..."

"Sounds like a good opportunity to meet some of your classmates" My mother intervenes, carrying a box in her arms. "Maybe you'll make some new friends, so long as you don't get into trouble"

"Don't worry, I'm never in trouble" Summer smiles angelically at my mother.

"A good influence, maybe you should stick with her" My mother tells me quietly, turning and entering the house with a box.

I met this girl less then two minutes ago and already she's convinced my mother she's good; but in my experience, good girls never go to house parties on Friday nights, not unless they have a wild streak.

"I think I'll pass, I don't have anything to wear" I lie, okay it isn't exactly a lie, more of a little fib; of course I had clothes, they just didn't suit my new persona.

My parents and I moved here for a fresh start. A quiet one with no trouble; so i decided to take this new beginning to change who I am. Better myself.

She scans me, glancing at my ripped denim jeans, white t-shirt and white Dr Marten boots. "My clothes should fit you" She nods mentally confirming it with herself.

Her clothes?I look her up and down. She's currently wearing purple converse, pink jeggings and a matching tie-dye top I know I want a new image but I don't think that's what I had in mind. "You can borrow one of my dresses"

"I don't know..."

"Oh come on, who doesn't love a good end of summer party" She raises a perfectly arched eyebrow at me. "And did I mention there'll be hot fellas too"

"Fine" I sigh in defeat knowing there's no way this conversation will end unless I agree to go.

"Awesome. I guess I'll see you later then" She says perkily. "Gotta go, going shopping with my friends. You're welcome to join if you want"

I start shaking my head before she even finishes her sentence. "I have a lot to get done here" I force a smile.

"Okay, bye" She chirps and sets off. Her long blonde hair dancing in the wind.

"Give her a chance" My mother says from behind me.

"But she's so... vibrant" I gaze after the array of colors practically skipping down the street.

"You could do with a nice female friend" My mother emphasizes the word nice.

"And here I thought you loved Aaron" I grin teasingly and she sighs at me before strolling off to retrieve another box.

...

I knocked the front door and nervously waited for it to be answered. I've never in all my life been so afraid to try on an outfit.

"Hey" Summer opens the door and returns inside, leaving the door open for me to follow her.

I cautiously step inside. On the left is the sitting room door, which is cracked open enough to reveal whom I cam only assume to be, Summer's parents. They're so engrossed in what they're watching that they don't even notice me.

"come on" Summer emerges from the kitchen and begins ascending the stairs.

I quietly close the door and follow her upstairs.

Her room isn't as colorful as I expected it to be. It's still colorful, just not as in-your-face colorful. It's painted cream walls are covered with different colored photo frames and colorful posters. An assortment of nick knacks smoother the shelves and the book case is loaded with novels, most of which I've never even heard of.

"I have an outfit that'd be gorgeous on you" She tells me as she pulls open her wardrobe doors, displaying its multiple colors.

I feel my heart beat stop. There's so much color in that wardrobe.

"If I can find it" She says and begins pulling out skirts, tops and dresses of all colors and patterns, tossing them on the bed beside me.

Please not these.

"Found it" She says holding up a dress and I feel my heart return to it's beating pace.

It's a skater-style dress with a high neckline, which I like. I have plenty of dresses this style; it's the color that worries me. It's Navy with yellow, pink, purple and blue flowers. They're nice shades, they're just not what I'm used to.

"Don't worry it's nicer on" she assures me as if reading the worried expression on my face.

I had a thin size ten figure; my grandmother always told me I could wear a black sack and still look gorgeous and I had enough confidence to know that I probably could but this dress... I guess I'd just have to try it on and see.

I put on the dress and checked my reflection in the mirror. Summer's right, it's nicer on and surprisingly, it did suit me, even with my brown asymmetrical pixie hairstyle.

"Oh wow. You look cute" Summer grins.

I wince. I don't think I've ever been called cute before, by anyone, other than my parents. "Now what shoes do you want?" She holds up a navy pair and a purple pair of high heels and I feel my eyes light up.

I find myself drawn to the purple pair but I stop myself.

'No. Don't give into your old self' I tell myself.

"Actually I think I'll just stick with my docs" I smile, locating my discarded Dr Marten boots. I pull them on and tie them up before checking my complete outfit one last time. It was a lot different than what I'm used to but it's still...cute.

"Want me to do your make up?" Summer offers.

She is wearing a teal jumpsuit which compliments her thin yet curvy body shape. I love my figure but I wish I had curves like her. She looked womanly compared to my stick figure. She tightened on a pair of nude high heel sandals. Her long blonde hair hung in loose curls around her shoulders and her make up is done to flawless perfection.

The way I'd usually have mine.

I catch a glimpse of myself in the small vanity table mirror and shake my head. If I couldn't wear black eyeliner and smokey eyeshadow than this new version of me would have to do without make up altogether.

This is a whole new Leah!