Chapter 2

I take a quick look at my schedule as I make my way out of the cafeteria, finally free from my new "friends." That's what they said they were, but I wouldn't hold my breath for any of them to follow through. The room is decently filled with students so I make my way to one of the back lab tables. Science has never been my favourite, so I'm not looking forward to taking this chem class... although to be honest I'm not looking forward to much this year.

"Nico!" One of the guys from lunch plops down next to me. "Fuck me." I mumble under my breath, already pissed off by his big smile.

"What's your name again?" I ask, trying my best to not sound too rude. His smile falters for a second, "It's Percy. Percy Jackson." I nod and look back to the front of the room. A tall man walks into the room with an air of authority.

"Alrighty class, welcome to chemistry, with yours truly." He pauses to take role, and then continues on with his speech. "Well I'm sure some of you already know each other, but I'd like to have you do a few trust exercises to get to know everyone a little better. We are gonna be working with some dangerous chemicals this semester, and we all need to have a little understanding and mutual respect for this environment to work well. So pair up with someone and come grab a list from up here and choose some activities. Don't worry, tomorrow we'll get right on into the fun stuff: learning." Man this guy is trying so hard to be fun and hip, all his charisma is lost on me. Percy hops up, "Let's group up, Nico!" Before I can complain, he's off to the front to grab one of the slips of paper.

"The first one on here is a trust fall." He tells me as he gets back to our table.

"No. Next." I state, crossing my arms. Apparently though, Percy is not used to hearing that word, because he grabs my arms and tugs me up.

"Common, it'll be easy. I'd rather that than tell each other our deepest darkest secrets." His eyebrows raise up and down a couple times.

"That can't possibly be on there." I reach for the paper, but Percy slides it away before I can get to it. "Mhmm, it's right here: number two, recount your childhood trauma." He chuckles at my not amused expression, but doesn't back down. Little does he know, I am the king of stubbornness.

"Yeah, and what are you gonna do Jackson? You think you can make me?"

"You think I can't?" I roll my eyes and retake my seat. He looks me up and down, "Get me up and I'll just sit back down." He looks stumped at my statement, and I inwardly gloat at my victory until he gets a mysterious look in his eye once again.

"So if we aren't going to do the trust fall, I guess we ask each other questions." I give him a look that screams "seriously," but he just grins.

"I want to know if you, Nico, are ticklish." This boy.

"No I'm not."

"Oh really, so you wouldn't mind if I just," His hand reaches out, and I slap it away.

"No touching, Jackson." To be fair, that's a rule I have for everyone.

"But if you're not ticklish, then it shouldn't matter, right?" Gods, him and his friends are all so touchy-feely it's disgusting.

"Doesn't matter, I don't like people touching me. Now stop it." I figured my death glare would have discouraged his next actions, but a moment later he proves me wrong. There are hands at my sides, and I don't have a chance to stop him before I'm curling in on my stomach trying my best to not out any audible laughs.

"Ah ha! You little liar you!" Jackson is practically wrapped around me to keep up his attack, and let me just say it is not too pleasant. I can't keep back my giggling, which in turn makes him laugh as well. His assault finally comes to an end, and I am completely out of breath and I'm sure as hell my face is all red.

"Well I think that counts well enough for the falling one." I glare him down, which he only laughs off. Man, it's like this guy has a permanent smile glued to his stupid, pretty face. Uh no. Not pretty. Definitely not pretty. My face flushes even more at my own thoughts.

"Piper's right, you know." I look at him, confused, "What?" He pokes my side once more before continuing, "You're adorable." The way he says it is so nonchalant, like it doesn't even matter. My face must look like a tomato by this point, and I quickly turn away after my initial shock from being complimented. He grabs my face in his hands and tugs at my cheeks.

"Aw, is little Nico embarrassed."

"Knock it off Jackson." I brush him away.
"Common, Neeks, you know we're right." I huff, "Don't call me that."

"What? Neeks, but it fits you! Everyone gets a nickname, so you're gonna have to just deal with it." I squint my eyes at him, but he just throws his arms up to look innocent.

"Hey, I don't make the rules."

"Uh huh." With that the bell rings and I rush to grab my stuff and get out of there.

"Bye Neeks!" Percy practically yells as I leave. I spare him one last glare over my shoulder, to see he is smiling lightly and waving like a maniac. He's going to be the death of me.

At least I'll have a bit of respite, as I'm on my way to orchestra. I had visited the band room when I got to campus this morning so I could drop off my case and not have to carry it around all day. I gotta give myself props for that, cause it was genius, and now I don't have to make any extra stops before getting some nice peace for a while.

I pick up my case out of the locker I safely stored it in, and open it up to see my baby. I run my calloused fingers over her strings without making any noise. It's as if my whole body lets out a sigh. I plop myself down on a chair I am assuming is gonna be in the string section--we haven't done chair tests so we'll be sitting at random anyway. I start to tune up, and am joined by many other musicians, tuning as well. My bow runs over the strings once I am finally in tune, and I see a few other cellists sitting around. Maybe I can find my people here.

The conductor hasn't made his way to the podium yet, so I relish in the waves of sound bouncing around the room. I happily add my own tune to the chaos, starting with a light warm up. My fingers move across the neck agonizingly slow. It's been a few weeks since I've had the chance to practice, so even my quiet improvisation feels lovely. I'm pleasantly surprised when our conductor starts passing around sheets, on the first day, and even before introductions. A man who cuts straight to the chase. Good. I look over the paper that is passed to me, and start going over the notes silently fingering the patterns. He's testing us with an easy piece. The music should be able to show off our different levels, and check out our ability to blend without practice. I'm happy I've honed my sight reading skills over the years. When I'd first started playing it was abysmal, but that was due to the fact I'd learned entirely by ear for a long time before seeing any sheets.

After a few minutes of letting us sit and digest the music in front of us, he takes to the podium and gives a quick speech about how this class will work, as well as tells us to just call him Artie. He explains how everyone is in here due to their love of music, and the orchestra is open to all grade levels, so to be kind to each other. I try to take this advice to heart, but I know I won't be making leaps and bounds towards being friendly to anyone in this place--but respectful towards my fellow musicians I can do. And without any further ado, he counts us off and we play. I try to do my best to impress him, without standing out too much--the goal of a group is to sound good together, not as individuals.

The whole period is filled with the same piece, and I am dismayed to look up at the clock and see how quickly the minutes have gone by. It feels like we are packing up just mere seconds after starting, but I am glad to know that I will get to return tomorrow. After packing up my beautiful cello, I head to my last and most dreaded period: phys ed.

No matter what school or country even, I can tell you one thing: phys ed is a total and utter nightmare. But maybe, just maybe, this class won't be quite as bad as past ones. Though I don't hold my breath for much. Actually I do hold my breath, due to the absurd amount of BO in this locker room. The changing process alone was enough to make me want to die. All the guys in here are huge in comparison to my small body, both in height and in muscle. I shrink into myself and try to change as quickly as possible. I already know I'm scrawny, I don't need everyone poking fun at me for it. These uniforms are awful to boot, dark blue shorts and gold shirts, I don't do bright colours.

As soon as we are in the gym, the coach starts yelling his head off so loud his pudgy face turns red instantly. I can already tell he's going to do his best to pretend to be a drill sergeant. We start with laps outside, despite the fact that it's cold and rainy. Our wet entrance back into the gym is followed by first day testing to see "how we improve" over the course of the year. There's no way I'm improving in anything, I hate working out. Luckily enough, the period passes quickly, and I can make my escape, but not before having to brave the locker rooms again. Since it's the end of the day, I decide to walk there slowly hoping to avoid everyone rushing to get home. If I take a few minutes extra, then there will be less people to see me change, and I won't feel as self conscious. My plan works perfectly, and basically everyone has left the stinky room, while I'm just now switching out the blue shorts to my black skinnies. I tug off the offensively bright shirt, and grab my regular one, pulling it over my head as I make my way to the water fountain. After getting a quick drink I run my hands through my hair a few times. The rain made it curl up even more, and I grimace as I try to make it less of a mess--though I can't do much to tame the untamable. I pick up my bag off the floor and realize it's still raining.

Well I guess I get a miserable end to a mostly miserable day. This is gonna be a long walk home.