The next morning was the same as always. I woke up around 5:30 so I could get breakfast ready before my dad woke up, and also prepare lunches.

The house was quiet as I moved around the kitchen. It was a welcome reprieve from the constant yelling and old liquor bottles flying at my head.

I was so deep in thought that I didn't hear my dad come into the kitchen and sit down at the table.

"Where's my food, girl?" He barked, shocking the life out of me.

"Right here," I said, quickly dishing out the oatmeal I had made. I grabbed butter and brown sugar and set them on the table for my dad, then went to clean up the kitchen a little bit before heading to school. I left a little bit of money for my dad to get lunch, since I didn't have time to make lunch.

I headed to my room, grabbed my backpack, and stuffed my homework in. Then I grabbed my phone off my nightstand and keys.

As I walked out the door, I could hear my dad rummaging through his beer fridge. Yes he had a separate mini fridge for his beer, and yes, he was drinking first thing in the morning. I'd tried to tell him that it wasn't good for him to be drinking so early, but all I had gotten was a beating, and a warning that next time I interfered with his life, I would get more than just a beating.

I reached my car, a 2016 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, tossed my backpack in the passenger seat, then climbed into the driver seat. I started the engine, and pulled out of my driveway.

As I drove, I listened to the radio, singing along to my favorite artists. It was a beautiful week, no rain in the weather forecast, so I had taken off my roof. Now, with the sunlight streaming through the open roof, the smell of desert pine filled my Jeep. It was a comforting smell, just as some people might find the smell of lavender or vanilla comforting.

When I pulled up at the school, I found Bailey and Oliver standing by their cars in our usual corner of the parking lot.

I parked my car, then hopped out and went to the back to grab the panels to put back on so that the interior didn't get sun damaged.

"Hey Brookie!" Oliver said as he came over to my car and grabbed the passenger panel to help me out.

"Hi, Ollie." I said with a smirk, knowing it would bug him, because he doesn't like being called Ollie.

He glared at me from across the roof of my Jeep, prompting a snort from Ruben, who had followed him over. I just smiled sweetly at him.

"Where's Ruben and Devon?" I asked as I grabbed my bag from the passenger seat.

"Probably sticking their tongues down some unfortunate girl's throat," Bailey said as we walked toward the buildings.

My guys were the players of Wilson High. Devon and Ollie were the most attractive with tall, muscular builds that girls tend to drool over. Devon had emerald green eyes and black hair, whereas Ollie had hazel eyes and light, almost caramel brown hair. Bailey was also fairly attractive, with blonde hair and stormy grey eyes, and a tall, toned build. Ruben was more of the nerdy type, with dark brown eyes that looked almost black, and milk chocolate brown hair, similar to mine. He also wore glasses, which just added to the whole "nerdy" appearance.

As we walked through the halls, girls giggled and waved at Bailey and Ollie, which just emphasized their player status. When we reached our lockers, Devon and Ruben were there, talking about something.

"I'm telling you, I've got good feelings about this guy," Ruben said as he pulled a text book out of his locker and slammed it shut.

Devon just rolled his eyes. "You say that about everyone."

"I know," Ruben said, his ears turning pink. "But I mean it this time."

"Mhm. Where have I heard that before?" Ollie said, looping his arm around Ruben's shoulders.

"You guys are mean," Ruben said with a pout. Bailey snorted as he pulled a notebook from his locker.

I smiled as I watched my guys. We had been in the same school our whole lives, but it had taken me years to let them in. I was painfully shy, and I didn't make friends very easily. So the fact that I had five guys as friends, and outgoing ones at that, was an earth shattering miracle in itself.

"Shoot, we gotta go," Ollie said, snapping me out of my daze. "Dashner's gonna kill us if we're late."

I nodded and grabbed my history textbook out of my locker, waved by to the other guys, and headed to class with Ollie.

We made it just before the bell rang, so we weren't technically late, but Dashner still gave us his world renowned stink-eye.

I muttered a sorry as we headed toward our desks. Thankfully Dashner didn't have assigned seating, or else I don't know if I would have been able to bear his class.

He glared at everyone as if we were the spawn of the devil, and then opened his text book and started lecturing about the Civil War. I zoned out, having read up ahead of time, and also because Dashner's teaching style was extremely boring.

"Sorry I'm late sir."

My head shot up. I looked over at Ollie, who seemed just as confused and worried as me. You don't come late to Dashner's class. Never.

I looked at the door to see what unfortunate soul had the honor of being "decapitated" by Mr. Dashner.

A boy of about 18 stood in the doorway, looking slightly amused as Mr. Dashner chewed him out for "interrupting his lessons." I stared in shock as the boy stood silently while Mr. Dashner went on and on about how rude and disrespectful it was to him and his time. When he finally ran out of steam, the boy calmly asked if he could sit down, and let Mr. Dashner go back to his lecture.

I could almost hear the collective gasp from the rest of the students. This was unheard of behavior. No one dared to talk to Mr. Dashner or ask him for anything. He would probably just bite you first.

Dashner just nodded, seemingly taken aback by this new student's cockiness. The boy walked through the silent classroom, eventually settling on the desk next to me. Mr. Dashner pinched his nose bridge, which was about as sharp and narrow as the rest of him, and looked up at the ceiling, as if to say Why me?

The rest of the class period was uneventful. The bell rang after what seemed like an eternity, releasing us from Mr. Dashner's grasp. Everyone left quickly, not wanting to aggravate Mr. Dashner any further. I could tell Ollie wanted to talk to the new guy, but he disappeared in the crowd before Ollie got the chance.

The next few class periods were the same. I didn't see the boy again, but the whole school was buzzing about him. I heard a few rumors that he was a drug addict, that he had been caught selling weed and had gone to juvie. I heard rumors that he was a fuck boy, never staying with one girl for too long. I'd even heard that he'd killed someone, but I doubted that one.

Finally lunch time came around, and I hurried to the cafeteria so I could get in line before the food was completely gone. Unlike most cafeterias I'd heard about, ours was really good about the food they served. They would always serve a different cuisine each day, and today was one of my favorites, Thai. I got through the line and paid for my food, then headed toward our table.

I sat down and started digging into my Pad Thai noodles, relishing in the flavor.

"Slow down girl! It's solid food not air," Devon joked as I inhaled my food. I looked up as the rest of our group sat down at the table.

I stuck my tongue out at him and continued to enjoy my noodles.

"So, where is this new guy?" I heard Bailey say.

"Not sure, I told him where we sit normally," Ruben said, pulling out his salt and vinegar chips. I pretended to gag when I saw them.

"Oh come on!" Ruben complained. "They're not that bad!"

"Are you serious right now? Those things are nasty!" I said and took another bite of my noodles.

"You know what's nasty? Those noodles," a voice said. We all turned to see who had decided to grace us with their presence.

It was the new guy, the one from History. I glared at him. How dare he insult my noodles?!

"What? Why are you all looking at me like that?" He asked as he sat down in front of me. The rest of the guys looked worried. Probably because they knew better than to insult my Pad Thai.

I decided to let it go, but only because he was new, and he didn't understand the love I had for Pad Thai. I took another bite.

Ruben just shook his head and tossed a chip in his mouth. The others turned back to their own food.

"So, I just realized we don't know your name," Bailey said, looking up from his book. He's a serious book worm.

"Asher McLean," the new guy said with a big grin. He had perfect teeth that would make any dentist cry for joy.

"Nice to meet you," said Bailey. "I'm Bailey Clayton, this is Ruben McIntyre, Oliver Keystone, Devon Marshall, and Brooklynn Jones." He pointed at each person in turn.

Asher nodded, and went back to his food.

Ruben and Bailey started arguing about something, a video game maybe? I didn't really care, so I just tuned them out. My hand went to my neck for the hundredth time that day, only to remember that my necklace wasn't there. I had gotten into quite the habit of playing with it absentmindedly, and it was a hard habit to break. I'd have to pick up another chain on the way home.

I must've lost track of time, because the bell rang, signalling the end of lunch. I slung my backpack over my shoulder, and walked out of the cafeteria.

"So, how'd you end up with a bunch of boys as friends?" A voice at my shoulder said.

I may or may not have jumped a little. I glared at Asher.

"They kept bugging me to hang out with them, so I did, and I enjoyed it, so we kept hanging out, eventually becoming good friends." I said as I pushed through the crowded hall.

"So, what would you say if I asked if you wanted to hang out?" Asher said as he walked next to me. Now that we were standing up, I could tell that he was a good ten inches taller than me, making him seem like a giant.

"Why would I say yes? I don't even know you!" I said, reaching my locker. I opened it up, changed out the books I was carrying, slammed it shut and turned to face Asher.

"Well, isn't that the purpose of hanging out? To get to know each other better?" He said, casually leaning against my locker.

I gulped. Damn, he was hot. He had jet black hair and crystal blue eyes, almost icy. His dark navy sweatshirt accented his eyes, making them seem like they were glowing. And his glasses? Ugh.

The first bell snapped me out of my daze and back into reality. I knew my dad would never allow me to go out. It was bad enough with the guys, sometimes I would have to cancel stuff because my dad wouldn't let me go.

"Um, i gotta get to class. So I'll see you around." I spun around on my heel and marched away, leaving Asher standing there. I could feel his gaze burning into my back.

Well, life was about to get a whole lot more interesting.