My mom once said, "When you care for some more than they deserve, you get hurt more than you deserve."

She told me in my room as she was sobbing on the floor, after my stepdad had just hit her. It was the first time I had seen my Mom cry so hard. She was usually strong and composed but my 7 year old self watched my mom break down. My mom is a smart woman and she didn't want me to get into the same kind of situation which is probably why she didn't like Francis or Byron, my old ex-boyfriends. Nevertheless when life has something in mind, there's nothing you can do but follow it.

|Hawkins, Indiana| 7:30 AM|

When I leave my room and head downstairs, my stepdad is sprawled across the couch drunk and asleep while Mom is in the kitchen quietly making breakfast. She smiles as she sees me approach.

"I like your outfit" She smiles setting toast in front of me.

𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓸𝓾𝓽𝓯𝓲𝓽

"Thanks Mom." I grab my backpack from the floor and start heading to the door.

"Try to make friends please, I know we just moved but it would be nice if you tried to make some friends"

"Alright" even though I really didn't want to, I wanted Mom happy so I'll just let people come to me.

"You better get going, I don't want you to be late on your first day."

"Bye Mom" A quick air kiss and I'm out the door.

I walked out and headed to my black Honda parked out front. I got in and started the car before backing out of the driveway and heading to school.  

At School

There was a lively buzz as friends met up with each other and talked about what they did over the summer. I grabbed my bag and slowly started making my way into the school. It took a few minutes to get through but eventually I reached the main hallway. Now all I need to do is find Mr. Kaminsky for my first period. 

I was looking around for a nice looking person when a boy with curly hair with a cap that says Thinking Cap and lightning bolts, a white Hawaiian shirt over another white shirt that I can't see the words to, looks over at me and he smiles. He starts weaving through the crowd while I just stand there awkwardly trying to figure out if I should wait for him and leave. I decide to stay because it's not like there's anyone else willing to help me.

"Hey." He says out of breath when he finally reaches me.

"Hi"

"You're new right?"

"How'd you know?"

"Oh, just the fact that you're standing in the middle of the hallway looking confused with a schedule in your hands and no one talking with you." He smiles.

"Heh, guess that's true. Could you by any chance show me the way to Mr. Kaminsky's class."

"Sure, let me see your schedule, maybe I can find someone to take you to each class." He replies while reaching for my schedule."

"...and Eddie will take you to math with Mr. Mundy."

I listened as he gave me a list of people who can take me to each class explaining what everyone looks like, but that name stands out to me.

"Who's Eddie?"

"Oh, everyone calls him Eddie 'the freak' Munson, but he's not actually that bad. He's pretty cool."

The way he speaks of him makes me think that this Eddie kid is an older brother to him. Honestly that's really sweet.

"I almost forgot my name is Dustin Henderson." He extends his hand for a formal shake.

"Nevaeh Davis" I say as I shake his hand. He gives me another smile before leading the way to my first period class.

♡♡♡

To say walking into class was weird is an understatement. It was so quiet you could hear a pin  drop, it seemed so unnatural, so strange. Probably considering how loud everyone was outside. Literally everyone in the room was watching as I entered the classroom and made my way to the front. Their eyes follow me like magnets. Mr. Kaminsky had obviously been in the middle of attendance when I walked in, yet he didn't seem to mind my intrusion.

"Who might you be?"

"I'm Nevaeh Davis, I'm new"

"Oh, well then take a seat somewhere."

I nod my head and make my way to the back of the classroom. Mr. Kaminsky continues on with attendance before moving on to the first lesson. I zone out and completely ignore what he says the entire class period.

♡♡♡

Lunch is always the worst at a new school because you have nowhere to sit. I mean, I did meet Dustin but I wasn't sure if the interaction/conversation we had this morning would be enough for me to just saunter over to his table. I decided to just follow the line and if he called me over I would. 

I prayed to whatever God was out there that he would call me over. And whichever God must have heard me because he walked over to where I was at the line and invited me over to his table. I noticed two more people at the table with him. One seemed around Dustin's age with black maybe brown shag cut hair and blunt bangs. The other one is really beautiful and handsome at the same time. He has russet brown eyes and a brown shaggy mullet. He has such a nice smile. '

Who is this fine man and why have we not been introduced yet?'

I grab my lunch and walk towards them. They all look up when they notice me at the end of the table. I give a nervous smile. I look to Dustin for help. 

"Nevaeh, this is Mike Wheeler and Eddie Munson. She's new." Dustin explains pointing at Mike and the infamous Eddie Munson. "She's new."

"Nice to meet you Mike" I say nodding my head to them. "Eddie." I greet the others sitting next to them.

"Same to you princess." Eddie smirked, his eyes full of mischief.

Just as I was about to sit down, a random guy gets up and yells out.

"Looks like the freaks recruited a new member!" The guy who just yelled out has blond hair with hints of brown parted to the side. He gives off rich, athletic, jock vibes.

"Yeah well I'd rather sit with freaks than dumb asses!"

"Who even are you?"

"The names Nevaeh Davis, you pompous dick. Now please shut the hell up and let me try to enjoy my lunch after the 'pleasant' welcome you gave."

'Who the hell is he telling me who I can and can't sit with'

The whole cafeteria is deadly quiet and so is the blond guy. I sit down next to Mike and start eating.

"Who the fuck is that guy?"

"That's Jason Carver. He's the rich basketball captain." Dustin explains slowly recovering from the shock. 

"That was pretty badass sweetheart." 

"Why thank you kind sir." I grin. 

**RING**

"Well that's the bell. I have History with Mrs. Click." I grab my tray and make my way to the trash.

"Here, I'll escort you, make sure you get there safe. Now that Carver's out to get you after the first hand embarrassment you gave him."

"Alright but hurry, I don't want to be late." For some reason, I liked the fact that Eddie volunteered to walk me way more than I probably should've.

On our way there, we conversed with each other. We talked about the places we've been, where we'd like to go, what we'd like to do after high school. It was nice talking to someone, to tell that to someone and for them to listen. Before I knew it, we'd reached Mrs. Click's classroom making me wish we had more time.

"Well this is my stop," I turned and smiled.

"See you in Seventh Sweetheart " He smirked before turning around and walking out the school doors.