Rebels Like Us

In this exclusive sneak peek at Liz Reinhardt’s new novel, New York City girl Agnes’s world is turned upside down when she moves to a small town in Georgia.

- Samantha Hahn

Sartre said hell is other people, but he obviously never experienced a winter heat wave in the Georgia Lowcountry. Six weeks ago, my best friend Ollie and I were huddled up under the covers in NYC. Today, I’m trying to resist fainting from the broiler-like temperatures. In winter.

The only deliverance from this heat is inside my new school for the second half of my senior year, Ebenezer High, so I need to make a decision: Go in or die of heatstroke with tragic hair.

I fill my lungs with a final gulp of hot air, then push into the cool building, cross a lobby showcasing dozens of glittering gold sport trophies, and I’m in a generic front office where a woman inputs my information into the computer at a snail’s pace.

When my schedule is finally approved, I’m led into a hallway that smells like yesterday’s cafeteria fries, bleach, and fresh paint. My tour guide’s bubblegum drawl interrupts the panic that threatens to tunnel me under despite my internal pep talk that this will all be okay.

“It’s wonderful to have you at Ebenezer High.” We stop in front of a nondescript door whose tiny window reveals my fellow cellmates. “The peer guide I’ve assigned to help you through the day is in this class.”

What’s more awkward? Walking into a classroom full of seniors as the new girl? Or standing in the ugly hallway of your new school losing a staring contest with a guidance counselor whose name you can’t remember? Lamest game of Would You Rather. Ever.