We make our way down to the office for our schedules with some lighthearted conversations here and there. Walking through the school, I realize it's got a cliche high school vibe to it. Banners are put up along the walls congratulating the football team on their last win, saying things like "Go Saints!" The school is fairly spacious, and the lockers are painted blue.

From the conversations being made, I have learned Cole is the joker of the group, Ashton is sort of the 'bad boy', and Xavier is kind of like the leader of the bunch. All of their personalities are completely different, yet they mesh together so well. It's like they complete each other. I barely even know them, and I can already tell they have some sort of unbreakable bond. I'm left envious. I wish I had that. Though, I've come to realize I can always count on Cole to break me out of my depressing thoughts.

"Come on guys; we're here. Let's get this shit done and over with," he says.

I grumble under my breath. I really hate school. By the chuckles they're releasing, I can tell they heard me.

As if sensing my agitation, Ashton says, "Come on, babe. I know this school doesn't have a very good rep so far, but at least you have us." He adds a wink at the end for good measure. I'm left blushing, again, at the new nickname. I guess them calling me Ava is out of the picture, considering they've all come up with their own unique nicknames for me.

He grabs my hand and leads me inside the stuffy office. There are a couple of kids in waiting chairs and a lady at the front desk.

"Hello, how may I help you?" she questions in an enthusiastic tone upon seeing our entrance. She is an older lady, around her 50s I would say, with graying hair and a kind smile. This immediately brightens my mood and relinquishes a little of my shyness.

"Hello, we're new students, and we came for our schedules," I answer in a chipper tone.

"Oh, yes! You're the new students. We don't get many transfers, especially in the middle of the semester. My name is Judy! What are your names? I'll print out your schedules for you," she replies.

Xavier speaks up, answering, "Xavier Stone."

"Cole Sanders," my new blonde friend pipes up.

"My name is Ashton Michaels," Ashton says.

"And you, miss?" the kind lady questions me.

"Avelyn Gravaldi," I answer.

"Okay, it'll just be a moment. Wait here while I go grab your schedules from the printer really quickly." With that, she turns the corner to finish the task. Not even five minutes later she comes back with four newly printed schedules in her hands. We thank her and take our leave.

"Let me see your schedule, kitten," Cole demands. I hand it over, and we all check to see if we have any classes together. It looks something like this:

1st Period - AP Chemistry (w/ Xavier)

2nd Period - History (w/ Cole)

3rd Period - French (w/ Ashton)

4th Period - English 12 (w/ Cole and Ashton)

5th Period - Lunch (w/ all three)

6th Period - Gym (w/ all three)

7th Period - Study Hall (Xavier)

Yay! I have all of my classes with at least one of my boys!

Wait. Did I just call them my boys? Slow down there, Ava. You sound like the whore your mother says you are. They aren't your boys, and they never will be.

After they're all done looking at my schedule, they hand it back over.

"Sick! We have four classes together, kitten," Cole all but shouts in the empty hall, again.

"Do you think the reason why we have a lot of the same classes is because we're new?" Ashton asks.

"I don't know, but as long as I have a lot of them with my kitten, I'm not complaining." Cole answers.

"Guys, I think it's time to head to class. We've already missed over half of it," Xavier says.

"Come on, princess, let's head to first," he directs this towards me this time, since we have first together.

I nod my head, and we both wave goodbye to the other two before he grabs my hand and directs me to our first class. I feel sparks where our skin meets, and it's electrifying. Not to mention the way my tattoos buzz in what seems to be excitement, or maybe wonder?

We arrive at our destination, hand in hand. Looking at the door, I can feel my nerves pick back up again. He looks down and smiles reassuringly at me like he knew I was nervous. I give a small smile in return. Grabbing hold of the handle, he turns it, and we step in.

The teacher is a balding man that looks like he is in his mid-fourties. He is standing by the whiteboard when he finally notices our arrival, giving a sickly sweet smile my way.

"Ah, you must be the new students. Avelyn and... Xavier, I presume." He says making direct eye contact with me. Not even bothering to glance Xavier's way. The man looks me up and down and gives me a small smirk. I feel very uncomfortable under his heated gaze, so I look down towards my toes.

Xavier, realizing my sudden discomfort, speaks up.

"Yes. We are the new students. Now I would appreciate if you would stop eye-raping Avelyn and show us where we'll be sitting," he says in a deep, sort of possessive and angry, voice, sending the man a nasty glare, almost as if it's a warning.

The teacher suddenly looks scared and points to the back left row of the classroom. With one final glance his way, we make our way to our seats. The students snicker at the teacher's petrified facial expression, and Xavier smirks like he's just won, taking the seat behind me.

The rest of class goes by uneventfully, with Xavier finding any possible way to touch with me. Whether it be playing with my hair, or playing footsie with me, we were always touching. And I found comfort in that. I can tell he did, too.

Once the class ends and the bell rings, we gather our stuff to leave for second period. Once all of my things are packed away, I go to grab my bag, but Xavier beats me to it. He throws it over his shoulder, grabs my hand, and leads me to second period. I send him a playful glare, but start giggling. I whisper a quiet "thank you" and we reach our destination.

Since I have my second period with Cole, he is standing outside the door waiting on me. Once he sees our arrival, he sends me the biggest smile.

"Hey, kitten! How was first?" he asks while taking my bag from Xavier and slinging it over his shoulder. I give them both a look of annoyance.

"It was fine. You guys do know you don't have to carry my bag, though, right?" I question.

Cole sends a wink my way, and Xavier gives me a cocky smirk.

"A princess isn't supposed to carry her own bag. That's what her knight in shining armor is for," Xavier answers, pointing to himself with his thumb.

"Yeah, there's so way I'm letting my kitten carry her own bag," Cole chimes in.

I role my eyes but give up. There's no way I'm convincing them otherwise. The warning bell rings, and Xavier gives us a goodbye, leaving to set off for his own class. Cole and I make our way inside and sit in empty seats. He chooses the seat next to me.

How cute.

Class goes by too damn slowly. But, luckily, it's bearable with Cole, like Xavier, finding every chance to touch me. Once the bell rings and my bag is packed, Cole grabs it and tosses it over his shoulder before I have a chance to protest. I don't comment, though. I can tell this is going to become a regular occurrence.

We meet up with Ashton outside of my French class. We indulge in some light conversation, and Cole takes his leave when the warning bell rings, saying he'll see me next period. But not before handing over my backpack to Ashton. Sigh. . .

Again, like the others, class drones by way too slow. But, unlike the others, Ashton and I engage in passing each other notes in class, with him sitting next to me. I really don't need to pay any attention in French, considering I'm already fluent in French, Spanish, and Italian. Perks of being a wallflower with way too much time on her hands--oh, and very strict, rich parents.

I kind of just taught myself using books from the library and Google. That's not all I taught myself, though. I know some pretty cool things, but I digress. I have a knack for going off of topic. The point and I are usually complete strangers.

When class is finally over, Ashton walks me to the next one--with my bag in his hand, of course. We meet up with Cole and head in, taking our our seats when the bell rings. Cole is sitting behind me, and Ashton is sitting to my right. The whole class period Cole plays with my hair, and Ashton passes me notes.

They are really something.

When the bell finally rings for lunch, I practically sprint my way to the cafeteria. Somewhere along the way, we pick up Xavier. Cole is holding my bag, and the other two are following behind. They all exchange in some lighthearted conversation, while I frantically search for the cafeteria. I haven't had a meal in, like, two days, and I feel like I'm starving. Or was it three? I can never remember.

Somehow Ashton gets me to slow down.

"Babe, what's got you in such a rush? You act like you haven't eaten in weeks," he chuckles.

Without even thinking about it, I reply, "Actually, it's only been about three days." I don't even realize what I just said until I hear what sounds to be growling behind me. That makes my steps falter.

Oh no. I can't believe I just said that! Now they're going to start asking questions, and I don't want them to know about my punishments just yet.

Just play it cool Ava. . .

"Wait, did you just say you haven't eaten in three days?" Xavier questions, with a deep undertone to his voice. He looks absolutely furious.

"Technically, I said about three days," I answer jokingly, trying to lighten the mood I've created.

"This isn't a time for your sarcasm, Avelyn. What do you mean you haven't eaten in three days? Aren't your parents feeding you?" Ashton asks, sounding menacing. But I know he doesn't mean it towards me.

"O-of c-c-course they d-do." My voice is too weak. I only stutter when I'm nervous or lying. And by the looks on their faces, I can tell they know that I'm lying, too.

"Ava, be honest with us. Do your parents treat you right? Do they hurt you?" Cole questions. His voice has lost all of its normal playfulness, and has been replaced by a resounding serious tone.

"N-no th-they don't hurt m-m-me. I'm f-fine." Shit, now they'll never believe me.

"Avelyn, please. We have to know if you're okay. We couldn't live with ourselves knowing you're in any sort of danger," Xavier pleads, desperately. In all honesty, I would've kept defending my parents, and I would never admit to the punishments I recieve.

That is, if it weren't for the looks of pure worry, kindness, and adoration in all of their eyes, silently pleading me to tell them the truth. Urging me to trust them. And, with that look in their eyes, how could I say no? How could I lie? So, with my newfound courage, I unleash my truth. Something that's never been said aloud.

I look all of them in their eyes and say, "I only get what I deserve. I'm a freak, and they know it. The truth is... They punish me because I'm a monster."

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I hope you liked this chapter. I know it's probably a too little early to have her confess, but I have big plans for the plot. And I wanted to get this story rolling. So, like always, if I made any mistakes, please make sure to correct me. I would appreciate it. Also, feel free to tell me how you're liking the book. Until next time...

Sincerely,

The Annoying Author Lady