Nothing ever changes in Fawn Creek. Greyson knows exactly what to expect out of his quiet best friend, Dorothy. He’s known every kid in his seventh-grade class since they started school together.
Max, Daniel and Colt are the jocks. Daelyn, Baylee and Hallie call themselves the God Squad. Janie and Abby’s family runs half this Louisiana town, and they don’t let anyone forget it. Barn and Slowly’s family runs the other half, but they couldn’t care less.
Renni Dean had been part of this collection since the beginning, too, but now she’s moved to the neighboring town of Saintlodge. And truth be told, Greyson and Dorothy are more than happy to have the mean, rich girl out of their hair.
Just when Fawn Creek seems to be getting even more predictable, though, Orchid Mason arrives.
Orchid befriends Greyson and Dorothy and tells them about her life moving all around the globe, from being born in New York City to most recently living in Paris. When Dorothy admits that she doesn’t like her own name, Orchid encourages her to try a new nickname.
Greyson’s name is the least of his problems. He wishes his mom would teach him about sewing and fabrics because of his interest in fashion. But guys in Fawn Creek are only into football and hunting—as Greyson’s mean older brother constantly reminds him.
The news of Orchid’s arrival soon reaches the ears of Renni via her friends Janie and Abby. And when Renni learns her ex-boyfriend, Colt, might be interested in this new girl, she makes it her mission to learn about the strange, well-traveled newcomer.
Meanwhile, Orchid’s kindness is helping her classmates think about themselves and each other differently.
One day, Orchid and a few of the girls play a game called mirror, mirror. They each share something mean that someone said about them—something they still think about when they look in the mirror. Then everyone else shares compliments about the person. Once they’re done sharing, Janie can’t help but notice all the mean comments had one source—Renni.
Greyson and Dorothy have never been to Orchid’s house, so one Saturday they walk in the direction they see her take from school. Soon they find out that Orchid Mason isn’t who she claims to be. And over in Saintlodge, Renni learns the same thing.
Greyson and Dorothy accept their friend even though she isn’t the world traveler she said she was. But Renni is never one to accept or forgive.
When the Fawn Creek kids all go to Saintlodge for a dance, Renni plans to use Janie and Abby to help her expose and punish Orchid for the liar she is. Who would dare stop her? The kids in Fawn Creek’s seventh-grade class have lived under her rule for years. Why should that change now?
But change is always possible—even in Fawn Creek.