The narrator, Melanie (also known as Mel), shares her story about moving into a new house with her parents and starting at a new school. She meets Loren, a charismatic and popular student, and they become fast friends. However, Mel soon discovers that Loren is not as nice as she seems, and she has a tendency to manipulate and use people for her own gain, including Mel.
Meanwhile, Mel meets Jenny, a quiet and mysterious girl who works at a restaurant. Despite initial reservations, Mel warms up to Jenny and discovers that she is kind and protective. Jenny reveals that she has been watching over Mel because she is concerned about Loren's influence.
As Mel gets to know Jenny better, she realizes that she has feelings for her. However, their budding relationship is threatened when Loren discovers their secret and tries to expose Jenny as a "psycho."
Mel stands up for Jenny and confronts Loren, who reveals her true nature as a manipulative and selfish person. Mel and Loren get into a fight, and Loren is eventually expelled from school.
In the end, Mel is grateful for Jenny's presence in her life and realizes that she has found a true friend and possibly something more. The story concludes with Mel feeling proud of herself for standing up for what she believes in and for finding the courage to be herself.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator's name is Melanie, but she prefers to be called Mel.
2. Mel used to live with her older brother Mark and their parents.
3. Mark was responsible for taking care of Mel and the house when their parents were away.
4. Mel was a wild and clumsy child.
5. Mel's parents were busy with their work and often away from home.
6. Mel's brother Mark was protective of her and influenced her decisions.
7. Mel never had a single date in her life.
8. Mel's family moved to a new city, and she started at a new school.
9. Mel tripped and collided with a girl named Jenny on her first day of school.
10. Jenny helped Mel and introduced herself as Loren, not Jenny.
11. Loren became Mel's friend and helped her with her problems.
12. Loren had a YouTube channel where she made entertaining blogs.
13. Mel joined a music club at school, which Loren was a part of.
14. Jenny, not Loren, worked at a restaurant and was Mel's waitress.
15. Jenny was mean to Mel at first, but later helped her by fighting off a guy who tried to kiss Mel.
16. Jenny got fired from her job for misbehaving with customers.
17. Jenny had been following Mel and trying to protect her from Loren.
18. Mel and Jenny became friends, and Jenny stayed with Mel for the weekend.
19. Mel's parents were not home during the weekend.
20. Mel and Jenny shared many interests, including a favorite YouTube channel.
21. Jenny baked Mel delicious cookies.
22. Mel and Jenny worked on Mel's homework together.
23. Mel and Jenny kissed, and Mel fell in love with Jenny.
24. Loren was mean to Mel and Jenny, and tried to upload a video of them to her channel.
25. Mel and Loren got into a fight, and the teachers had to separate them.
26. Loren was a diva with thousands of subscribers and ran the school band.
27. Mel's brother Mark visited her at school and was proud of her for standing up to Loren.
28. Mel's parents grounded her for a week, and Loren was expelled from school.
29. Jenny was worried about Mel after the fight with Loren.