I made it inside the brick building - without almost getting run over this time - that I had been dreading coming back to. I was suddenly swarmed with the vibrant colours of the banners that were taped around the walls; posters of the football seasons that would be coming up, the sound of cheering kids greeting their friends like they hadn't seen them in years.

Middle school had mascots and bright school jerseys that were sadly ruined by the amount of girls' signatures written all over them in an attempt to interest the football boys. We were the Broncos, our signature colors being maroon, gray, and white.

Now, in high school, we were known as the Lions, our mascot colors were orange, white and red Apparently our animal mascot had a meaning besides being a lion, but really, it was just an animal to me. I didn't really understand the team spirit, or anything about football. I only knew the basics since my brother had been playing football here at this school since freshman year.

My stomach clenched and whirled and I it like I was on the brink of being sick. I took in a breath and combed back some hair behind my ears. It was just school. You had been here many times before. You could do this!

I rummaged around in my bag for my printed timetable that school had sent me over the holidays. Homeroom was first and there would be many people in there - not just a few people. But a lot!

The bell rang out and I was luckily on time for homeroom which meant I'd get a good seat at the back. Near the back so no one would have to walk passed me to get to a seat and that I'd be by myself away from everyone else.

I greeted my teacher and wandered up to my favourite seat. Right at the back and right in the corner. That was perfect. I was hidden and I was ignored. Exactly how I wanted things to be with people I didn't know and people who I didn't like. I disliked pretty much everyone in this school and I was sure that pretty much everyone disliked me too.

But I didn't mind that. That only meant I'd keep out of trouble and away from everyone.

With more people flooding in, I took out my English Literature textbook from my bag. I ordered this over the Summer holidays so I could get a head start on the topic and hopefully do well in the class. I actually enjoyed English because it was where I could write and let out my creative juices on the page. But math and science? I was awful at it.

I had to join some club for those subjects to help me else I would simply fail them.

I took out a couple highlighters and grabbed myself a snack bar that I had taken with me for lunch. I knew that was clearly not enough, but I'd eat it now and buy myself something for lunch instead. I totally forgot I had put it in here!

A couple minutes passed and the room seemed to die down from any laughter and chatter. I continued to eat my snack bar and highlight key words and techniques, paying no mind to what was going on. Normally it was because the teacher was getting everyone to quiet down so they could catch up with the students, so I paid no mind to it.

From my left hand side, I could hear heavy footages walking up the stairs, clearly making their way to the back. But I didn't care, no one would voluntarily sit next to me unless it was for a dare. I continued to focus on highlighting at writing but the footsteps seemed to of gotten closer and closer. In all honesty, it felt like I was in a horror movie and I was about to get killed.

"This seat taken?" A deep voice asked from beside me and I realised they were talking about the seat right next to me. I glanced down at their shoes from the corner of my eye and saw how they were the newest Jordans. Someone who had money. This was definitely a dare.

Why couldn't these popular annoying kids just leave me alone. It wasn't funny anymore.

I shrugged, re-applying my eyes to my text book.

The chair seemed to of been scraped back and the body of a male sat down. I got a draft of their scent. Spearmint and sandalwood. It was a nice scent, I'd give them that. But why were they sitting beside me? No one else was sat along this row.

I finished my snack bar and shoved the rubbish into my bag for some time when I'd put it away. Which would be never. I also put away my textbook and swapped it for my book.

It didn't go unnoticed that the body beside me was still there and the room was still very much silent. What was everyone's problem?

That was what annoyed me about high school. Anything that happened, everyone would make it their business to get involved. Just look away, there was nothing exciting going on.

"They Both Die In The End." Someone said from beside me.

"Excuse me?" I asked and looked up towards the person who had just spoiled the book I was very thoroughly enjoying.

My eyes widened like saucers and a blush crept up my face.

"The book." He said, closing the book and tapping the cover, "They Both Die In The End."

Oh. He was talking about the book name.

I looked back up at him, almost in a daze.

No wonder the whole class went quiet, Theo was sat right at the back with me. I looked around the room, breath hitched and body still. Some people were staring but mostly everyone were back to their conversations, trying their very best to ignore the God that was sat here.

I looked back to Theo and he had a smirk on his face. He was smirking for no reason.

I could feel my cheeks redden and there was nothing I could do to stop it. I blushed super easily, apparently.

But I wished I didn't.

"H-have you read this book?" I asked, forcefully dragging my eyes away from his amused ones and down to the book. I dragged my hand along the cover and dug my hands into my palms on my other hand. I could feel my legs start to pick up and shake up and down.

"I have." Was he all said.

I could feel his attention was only on me and I knew how I said I liked it. But it was awfully intimidating too.

I cleared my throat and gave into his stare, "What are you doing back here?" I asked him and I felt warm at the feeling of him coming to sit with me. Normally everyone wouldn't step anywhere close to me like I had some sort of disease. I didn't! But they probably thought that.

"There's no where else to sit." He said.

Oh.

"Oh, right." I said. No where else to sit. He only sat here because there was no where else to sit beside this row. That made sense. "You're new here, then." What was I saying? Definitely stating the obvious you idiot! "Don't answer that. I know you're new." Oh wow, this was just getting better and better by the minute.

Theo chuckled and I gulped, staring down at my book. I could feel his stare on the side of my face and I just wanted him to look away. I embarrassed myself and now he was laughing because of that. Because of me. This was why no one spoke to me! Because I was very weird.

"I am new." He clarified and I nodded my head as if I was very interested. "But you're not. How come you're not sitting down there with everyone?" He asked and a genuine laugh escaped my mouth.

I looked at him like he had just said something really funny. "I'm not one of them." I stated, putting my book away into my bag since I knew I wasn't going to be reading more of it anytime soon.

"Not one of them?" He questioned, leaning forwarding to clasp his hands together.

I leant forward too, resting on my elbows as I came to hold my face in my hands. "Yeah. You have to be a certain type to fit in with them. You're either one of them who are popular and loud, or someone who is seen as unimportant." I told him and he stayed quiet, attentively taking in everything I had to say. "That's why I like sitting up here."

"Because you're away from them?" Theo asked, glancing at me. I smiled and nodded, "Now you're getting it." I told him to which his eyes seem to glint as he looked at me. "It probably sounds stupid but they scare me."

"It's not stupid. It's logical."

"Logical?" I asked, turning my head to him who was staring down at everyone. The teacher was talking to a collection of students whilst everyone were gossiping and laughing. They looked like they willingly got up at an early time and skipped to school. I didn't like those people. No way. School was gross.

"Yeah. It makes sense." Theo retorted.

I seemed to notice some girls were looking and waving, gawking at him from their seats. Not knowing why, I looked back to Theo and he seemed to notice them. He glanced down at the two pretty girls and he nodded his head as if to say hi. The girls squealed and some other people looked at them.

"Seems like you've caught their eye." I didn't know why I said it, but I did. Theo seemed to just chuckle, making his chest go up and down. Then he leant back in his seat and raked his hand into his fluffy head of hair. He didn't seem to give that much attention to them like I thought he would.

As I was about to say something else to Theo, a couple boys who I recognised as the talk of the school came over, looking energised and happy.

"It's good to meet you dude, I'm Marcus."

Theo stood up and bro hugged him. I just watched as they talked to one another and wondered if I should move away from them since I felt pretty awkward just sitting here. I glanced down at my phone and saw that the bell was due to ring any minute so I collected my stuff and stood up. So did everyone else.

"Have a good day and see you tomorrow everyone!" The teacher called and I awkwardly stepped passed Theo and his new friends. As I left through the door Theo looked down and nodded as if to say goodbye. I did the same before turning away and walking down the corridor.

Fumbling to properly read my timetable and to see what other lessons I had today, I collided into someone.

"I'm so sorry!" I slapped my hand over my mouth, my eyes wide. "I didn't mean to knock you! I'm really sorry!"

I freaked-out as I saw a girl who looked about my age with brown hair, lying on the floor, her books all about her.

She dusted herself off and set about picking them up. She gave me a brief smile. "It's fine, I should've been looking where I was going." She reassured me - (although I couldn't help but feel that it was my fault).

I bent down and grabbed the rest of the books and passed them to her as she stood up, brushing her hands on her cargo's. "Thank you." She took ahold of them gently.

"I'd introduce myself but my hands are pretty occupied." She giggled and my lips stretched into a genuine smile. "Where are you headed to?"

I pointed to the class that was right in front of us and she nodded slowly. She turned back to me with her back slouched from the amount of books she had in her hands. I took a couple from her and she immediately stood upright. "Thank you so much, my back was starting to kill." She breathed slowly. "Anyway, I'm in this class too."

A sudden relief washed over me and all I could do was send her a big wide smile.

Thankfully, I now (sort of) knew someone in this class who was nice and who was willing to talk to me!

Last year I was in a different class but this year they had changed me again. Luckily it was my last year here, ever until I was free.

Suddenly, the door swung open revealing Mrs Cleveland in her frumpy, frilly dress. She had a wide smile on her face. "Welcome back!" She said, ushering us in along with some other early students.

"Hi Mrs, it's good to see you! This is-" Angel pointed to me with a glint in her eye. "-Willow." I finished her sentence and Angel smiled.

Mrs Cleveland nodded her head, handing out sheets to the tables. More kids piled in and headed to their assigned seats.

"I haven't taught you before have I Willow?" Mrs turned her head to me as she handed out the last work sheet. I shook my head. "Well, it's nice to meet you. I'm your teacher for this year. I'm expecting you to love English by the end." She grinned and Angel nudged my arm, leaning into whisper something in my ear.

"I want to warn you there's some annoying kids in this class so Mrs tends to get a bit cranky from time to time." She backed away and I sent her a firm nod which she approved of before sitting down in her seat.

"Well since you're new to this class Willow, you can sit next to Angel." Mrs pointed to the empty seat and my eyes flicked to a very happy Angel sat next to it.

"Thank you." I replied, Mrs Cleveland shot me a quick smile before sitting down at her desk to start up the projector.

"This is so cool." Angel whispered to me as I took my seat next to her. As the bell chimed for the second time, a few stragglers strolled in, greeting Mrs.

Angel nudged my arm and I turned to face her. "How come I haven't seen you before?" She asked. Her words dawned on me.

"I haven't been the most social person." I confessed. "My friend who used to be at this school, moved to England not that long ago so it's kind of a challenge for me to be by myself." I twirled the pen in my hand.

"You should have lunch with my me and my friends." Angel leant forward on her open palm and I felt my eyes widen.

"Are you sure? Will your friends be okay with that?" I found myself asking. The last thing I wanted was to intrude, especially when it came to meeting new people and making new friends.

She nodded enthusiastically. "They'll be really happy to have someone new in the group. Trust me." She patted me on the shoulder, the glint in her eye shimmering even more telling me everything was okay.

I gulped and my legs began to shake under the table again, "Okay." I said and Angel beamed an excited smile.

She let me in on the nitty gritty details of her friends. Let's just say; they sounded like a very special group of friends. I couldn't help but feel nervous.

Lunch came rolling around and Angel guided me through the cafeteria to meet her friends. I could literally feel my heart beating so fast in my rib cage and the wave of sickness washed over me again. "They're really nice." She nudged my arm and my eyes fixated on someone as they strolled into the cafeteria with a bunch of other people.

Stephanie was one of them! O-oh!

My breath caught in my throat when my eyes fell upon Theo's arm wrapped around Stephanie's shoulders.

Stephanie giggled like a little girl into his chest. He didn't seem to care that she was acting so... ditsy!

What was it about everyone? Even kids I thought were cool were clearing space for Theo and Stephanie so they could sit at the best table in the room. It made my blood boil.

The popular couple sat themselves in their self-appointed thrones and a hush fell over the cafeteria. Even Mrs Boswell, the main dinner lady, stopped in her tracks, anticipating their next move-a bead of sweat teetering at the end of her nose.

Just look at them. Just like Theo. Centre stage. His pretty girlie by his side.

But he could do better than ... Stephanie!

I suddenly became aware of words snapping me back into reality. "Apparently he's from Chicago. He looks like he's already settled in."

Chicago, huh?

Angel waved over to a group at a table by the window. A pang of nerves gripped me once again but I gulped them down as I was introduced to Charlotte.

"Who's this Angel?" Charlotte asked and Angel came to sit down next to her. She patted the seat beside her and I nervously took the seat.

"Everyone, meet Willow. I thought she can hang out with us." Angel said, as she took the last piece of Charlotte's pizza with a smirk on her face.

"It's nice to meet you Willow. I'm Charlotte." She gestured to herself. She was a girl with jet black hair and a line of black eyeliner over her eyes. Even all of her clothes seemed to be black but still trendy. "That's Cadence." Charlotte pointed to a red haired girl sat across from me. The girl gave me a little wave before she took a sip of her drink. She seemed to like very bright colours, for example, her clothes and makeup.

"So tell us about yourself Willow." Charlotte asked, and I could tell she more on the talkative side compared to Cadence. I sat up and glanced around the table, growing nervous when I saw they were all staring at me.

Cadence interjected. "You make it sound like an interview."

Charlotte rolled her eyes. "I'm just trying to find out what she's like."

"Sorry, Charlotte tends to do that a lot." Cadence told me and I nodded slowly.

Breath. In, out, in, out.

"Don't worry, I'm not some mass murderer or anything." I reassured them. Nervously I bit down on my lip. What? Why did you just say that? Now you totally sound like a mass murderer!

"Okay. I like her." Charlotte pointed to me and Angel and Cadence smiled at one another.

Charlotte leant back in her chair, her arm resting on her stomach. "Anyone coming up to grab food with me?" She asked and everyone stayed quiet apart from me. I hesitantly nodded and she stood up, waving for me to walk with her "Thank fuck for that."

I followed on behind Charlotte until we were in the queue. "Are you a Senior too?" She asked, not looking at me as she grabbed a couple of sandwiches and a few other bits.

"Yes." I nodded, hesitant to say anything more in case she thought I was weird. I grabbed myself some food too, Mom would be happy to know I was eating. She always seemed to get worried about me when she saw I wasn't having anything to eat. It wasn't that I didn't eat or that I didn't enjoy food, it was just that I simply forgot to eat.

"I've seen you around school a couple of times with Betty. Shame she had to move." Charlotte's tone softened and I looked up at her with my brows furrowing.

"You know Betty?"

She shook her head, moving her tray down the line. "I know of her. She was apart of the music club I was in. We didn't talk much though." She told me and I nodded understandingly. "Is she coming back anytime soon or is she staying for good?"

I bit the inside of my cheek. "She's staying in London with her parents but I'm seeing her this Summer."

"Oh, are you going down there?" Charlotte asked but I shook my head. She picked up a bottle of water and kindly offered me one. I nodded to her and she placed it down on my tray.

"She's coming back to for the entire Summer before going back home."

"Oh, right. That'll be nice for you guys then." She said and I smiled happily. I couldn't wait to see her and tell her about all the things that had happened since she was gone. I just hoped they were good and happy things! "I used to have a friend who moved away." Charlotte curled her lips inwards in thought but quickly, she cleared her throat, almost like she was trying not to show any feeling towards the topic.

We continued to walk down the line until we were at the end, unsure whether or not I should pry on what she told me.

"Used to?" I hesitantly asked, wary if she'd tell me since I barely knew her.