It was taking my dad forever to get everything settled with all of my classes and my new locker and such, and I sighed in annoyance. It was a two building school, but I lucked out. All of my classes, except for one, were in the same building. I heard the bell ring and glanced out the window into the courtyard. A minute later, kids started passing between the buildings to get to new classes. There was nothing more boring and humiliating than sitting in the principal's office of a new school with my arms crossed as my dad and the principal went over my schedule. The windows were wide open for all to see as students passed by, gawking at me through the glass like I was some stuffed exhibit on display.

At least that meant I was important enough to be interesting. I frowned and rolled my eyes at how unimportant each of them was. All of them were just like ants. Non-unique, boring, and just one of millions.

"Jacob?" My dad's voice drew my attention away from the window and I looked at him. He held out my schedule. "Ready?" he asked.

I stood and took the schedule. "Yeah," I said.

We walked out into the hall and my dad shook hands with the principal. Then he turned to me seriously. "I have to get to work. Can you find your classes?"

"Yeah," I said. I moved my backpack to my other shoulder and started walking away.

With little interest, I walked slowly to my next class. The period had already started and I'd be late anyways, so there was no need to rush. When I arrived I was about twenty minutes late, but I opened the door without hesitation. All eyes turned to me as I stood in the doorway. A slight chill ran down my spine at how interested in me they all looked, but I held my head high and walked to the back of the room to an empty seat in the far corner. Everyone was still watching me, but I ignored them and pulled out my books. The teacher also seemed surprised by my sudden entrance and was silently frowning in my direction, book still in her hand.

When the lesson still didn't continue, even when I had finished pulling out my books and pencil, I sighed. "Don't mind me," I said, sarcastically polite. "I'm just the extremely interesting new kid."

Everyone immediately looked away and the teacher cleared her thoat. "Oh, yes," she said, and continued her lesson. "I was just asking if anyone remembers what the Romans did for fun back in the days..."

I tuned her out shortly after she began speaking and turned to stared at a poster on the wall of a play the school's theatre club was putting on. I didn't need to know what the Romans did for fun. It wasn't like I'd go out naked and throw disks around a field.

The day passed at the pace of a snail. I wished I could sleep. I'd rather sleep then be there, but I guess that goes for anyone. By the time my last class came, I was bored out of my skull and ready to happily tell the my teacher no the next time I was asked to introduce myself. I considered going home, but I decided starting off at a new school with a skipping record probably wasn't the best idea.

With hurried steps, I walked through the courtyard, wanting to get to my last class as soon as possible so I could continue sulking in the back corner to ward off an passing students considering asking my name. When I reached my classroom, I stepped in and found I was the first one. I sat down in the back and slumped into my seat, closing my eyes. A few minutes of silence passed and I felt my nerves relaxing and melting into an easy mood. Then the moment was ruined by the door opening. I opened one eye to watch another kid walk in, faintly wondering where I'd seen him before.

Then he looked at me and his eyebrows shot up. "Hey, it's you," he said. "From the park."

I opened my other eye to frown at him. I remembered now, he was the boy who trampled me the day before when I was sitting on the swings. With narrowed eyes of distrust, I crossed my arms and looked away. This was just great. I wasn't entirely surprised that we would run into each other at school, especially since we lived in the same neighborhood now, but I silently hoped never to see his face again.

He didn't take my disinterested hint and hurried over to me, smiling. "I didn't know you went to this school. Are you a new transfer or something?" he asked. I didn't reply and pretended I hadn't heard him. He frowned. "Hello?" He waved a hand in front of my face. "Are you purposely ignoring me?"

I gave a fake scoff of surprise. "Wow! He actually figured that out? I'm so shocked," I said.

His frown deepened at my sarcasm. "What's your problem? Did I do something to offend you?" he asked.

I made a small hm, turning to look at him. "Well, I do remember a certain time when you stepped on me," I said.

He stared at me then said, "Oh... Yeah." He chuckled like it had merely been a simple mistake of someone picking up a book that wasn't theirs. "About that, sorry. I really didn't mean any harm by it. I just wasn't looking."

I was starting to get annoyed. "Okay? You apologized, so why are you still talking to me?" I asked.

I turned away and looked out the window, hoping he would just go find his seat and leave me alone. If I was lucky, maybe he'd spread a rumor that I was an ass and I'd catch hell with some of his friends. However, this was not the case as the kid crossed his arms and walked around so he was in front of me. "Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed today or something?" he asked, grinning lopsidedly at me. I rolled my eyes and he shrugged. "Then again, maybe this is just how you are everyday. If I remember correctly, you were just as sour and rude the last time we spoke."

I leaned towards him. "Leave me alone," I said.

He smiled at me. "Yeah, I think that's it. You're just a sour puss," he said. I stood up, fists clenched and ready to swing; and I would have if a bunch of other students and the teacher hadn't walked in at that very moment to begin class. The kid grinned and said, "Got to go. I'll find you after class."

"Please, don't," I growled as he went to his seat and sat down. When I had taken a deep breath, I sat down myself. Guess I'd just have to be fast and get home before he caught up, I decided. I prayed I was fast enough. The kid waved at me a few times during class, but I ducked my head and pretended not to see him. The sooner this guy realized I didn't want to be friends, the better.

The bell finally rang forty-five minutes later and I grabbed my bag, leaving the room before anyone else had even left their seats. I hurried down the hall and saw the doors in front of me. I was less than ten feet away and I would bet anything that that kid had barely left the classroom. Just a few more for steps and I was out the door.

"Hey," a voice said. I jumped out of my skin and almost slapped the kid who had apparently been following me all the way down the hall. "You left fast," he said. "Have somewhere you're going?"

"Please, go away," I said, continuing on my way towards freedom.

"I completely understand if you're nervous about meeting new people," the boy said. "I used to be the same way, but I just told myself that I had to make friends, so that's just what I did. We could be friends. I could show you around the school if you want..." He rambled on and on and I grew frustrated by the constant noise.

Trying to remain calm, I pushed through the doors and headed in the direction of my dad's house. I expected him to eventually go his own way, but after five minutes of listening to him talk as I tried to lose him, I stopped and glared at him. "Please, stop following me. I don't want to talk to you and I don't want to be your friend," I said.

He shrugged. "I'm not following you," he said. "I'm walking with you."

"Don't walk with me then," I pressed. I turned to keep going. He continued to walk next to me and I resisted the urge to give him a very large bruise; on his face.

"So, what's your name?" he asked after a moment of silence. "I'm Ryan."

I sighed. Maybe he'd leave me alone if he got an answer. I shifted my backpack. "Jacob," I said.

He smiled, pleased with my cooperation. "So, did you just move here? Did you come from somewhere far away?" he asked.

"Do you're questions ever stop?" I countered.

He smiled proudly. "When I get answers they do. Well, if I like the answers, that is," he said. With a sigh, I sped up my steps and turned the corner that lead to my dad's house. I could see it in view and I walked faster. He was right on my heels. "So, want to exchange numbers? It'd be fun to get together sometime," he said. I ran up the steps to the house and unlocked the door. "If you ever want to hang out I have-"

I hurried in side and slammed the door in his face. I didn't realize I had practically been running until I had to lean on the door to catch my breath. I dropped my backpack on the floor and let out a sigh of relief. He was unbelievable, I told myself. Absolutely unbelievable.

Just as I was walking away, I heard his shout from the other side of the door, "Talk to you at school tomorrow!" I couldn't help but chuckle at his persistence.

Whatever you say...

*******

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