"I'm Y/n Cunningham. I have one brother, no pets, and this is my first time in a public school." I simply said and seated myself.

"First time in a public school?" He repeated, "That's very interesting. Next."

I sighed as I felt extra, unwanted weight lift off my shoulders. We went around the room and after everyone introduced themselves, the class turned back to the teacher.

"Well I'm Mr. Oliver and I have four dogs, two children, and I teach history for seniors." He smiled, "I'll be your homeroom teacher for the next four years and that mean this will be your homeroom class, so I suggest you get to know each other now."

He gave us one more smile before walking to his desk. I didn't dare look around the room because I felt everyone look at me. They clearly knew each other, but I was the new one; no one knew anything about me.

Someone tapped on my shoulder, making me turn. There was a guy with light brown hair, a rather large forehead, thin glasses that covered his eyebrows and alluring, hazel eyes.

"I'm Craig and can you feel everyone else's eyes on you too?" He introduced himself. He had a happy, British accent.

I chuckled, "I'm Y/n and yes, I can."

"You've never been in a public school?" He asked.

I shook my head, "I've never even seen a locker till today."

He nodded, "I can say the same about school buses."

"Is it appropriate to ask where you're from?" I asked.

He chuckled, "You're very proper and polite. I'm from the U.K. but I've lived in around six countries."

I widened my eyes, "Six?"

He chuckled while nodding, "Yeah, it's kind of why my accent is all over the place."

"I think it's...um..." I started snapping my fingers, trying to think of the word, "cool."

"I know I already said you're very proper, but why?" He asked.

"I grew up in an orphanage where you had to be proper and it was adopted at age ten." I explained, "Plus, the private school I used to go to would never allow misbehavior."

He nodded, "Makes sense."

The bell rang and we all stood up. "May I ask what class you're going to?"

He smiled and pulled out his schedule. "Um...Literature with Mrs. Mattings." He said.

"I am as well." I said, "Mind if I walk with you?"

He smiled, "Sure, but I don't know where I'm going."

"I do." I said as we walked out of the class together.

~

I sat in my fourth hour study hall class, reading when the bell rang. I quickly packed all of my stuff together and headed out of the classroom. Craig was the only person I really made friends with, everyone else talked to their own friends while I read.

I got to the cafeteria and saw Marcel and Delirious waiting at the table I smiled when they spotted me.

"How's you're first day so far?" Marcel asked as he took my books from me and placed them under the chair next to his.

"Not the worst. I had a bit of trouble with my locker, but I wasn't late." I said, I quickly scanned the room and saw more people looking at me, "Why does everyone keep looking at me?"

"Because they don't know you." He explained, "Did you make any friends?"

I nodded and looked around, looking for Craig. "His name is Craig and he's from the U.K." Craig walked in and I waved him over. He walked over with a smiled and I said, "Craig, this is my brother Marcel and my friend Delirious. Guys, this is Craig."

They said their hellos and I turned back to the door to see Ohm, Scotty, Anthony, and Luke walk in. They came over, met Craig, and they started walking to this long line. They got in the back and I followed.

"What's this line for?" I asked Marcel.

He turned and raised an eyebrow, "How did you eat lunch at your old school?"

"You had to have a packed lunch or you didn't eat." I explained.

"Well that's a bit extreme." Luke commented.

I shrugged, "They said it taught you responsibility."

"Well this is a lunch line. You have to wait in it to get lunch." Marcel explained.

I nodded and we continued to talk as we waited in the line. No important topics really came up as we just blabbed on. We finally got our food and headed back to our table. I sat in between Marcel and Craig as I ate my salad because everything else looked disgusting.

"Hey guys." Some girl said and she walked by.

She was pretty, but there was something about he tone that made me think something was off about her. I looked at the rest and they all looked really confused. Plus, her outfit was super inappropriate. Her shorts were very short and her tank top showed a lot of cleavage. Her black hair was in a lazy ponytail and her orange-tented skin made it look like she sponsored Halloween. Also not helping her cause was the gallons of makeup on her face.

"Who was that?" I asked.

"That was Maria." Ohm answered, "She's really popular, but why did she talk to us?"

"Maybe she was talking to someone else?" Scotty suggested.

He shrugged, "Maybe."

"Why?" Craig asked, "Do you think she's cute, Ohm?"

"Far from it actually." He answered.

"She's a whore." Delirious added.

I raised an eyebrow at the behavior. For all I know, she could be a whore, but why are we all thinking so belittle of her? All she only said hello.

I looked at Marcel and was going to ask how his day went when something hit Craig's seat, making me look the other way instead. Someone pulled up and chair right in between us and it sat backwards.

A male sat in the seat while like that and rested his arms on the back. I looked at him and he gave me a-I hate to say it-charming smile which made his light brown hair and crystal blue eyes stand out even more.

"Hello." He said in a fruity tone.

"Hell no." Marcel said, grabbed my chair scooting me closer to him, scaring me a bit.

"Oh come on, Marcel," the guy rolled his eyes and pointed at me, "she's way out of your league."

"And I'm glad she is considering she's my sister." He retaliated.

He raised an eyebrow and looked me up and down. "How? She's way more attractive than you?"

"That's enough." Luke said.

The guy glared at him, "No one asked you, Luke."

Luke growled, not saying anything further.

"Why are you even over here, Tyler?" Marcel asked.

"Just wanted little cutie's number." He grinned at me.

"She won't be giving that to you." He answered for me.

He rolled his eyes and got up, pushing the chair back where it was. "Fine, I'll ask her when none of you asshats are around. Bye Sweetheart.~" he waved at me as he walked away.

I looked at Marcel and said, "I have literally never felt so uncomfortable in my life."

Everyone laughed and Ohm said, "Get used to it. You're new which means you're prey." He turned to the other freshman and said, "That goes the same for you, but we'll be here if you ever need help."

I smiled at the idea of having more than one person to go to.

Without warning, my chair was pulled back and it tipped forward, making me fall out. I quickly put my hands up and landed on them and my knees. I stood up as fast as possible to see the same girl from before, in my seat.

"So you're new." She said while twisting her hair and gazing at Craig.

I opened my mouth to say something, but a hand slithered around my waist making me look to who's body it belong to. It was that Tyler guy who-I thought-left.

"Why don't you just sit with me and my friends, Doll-face." He said and dragged me with him about five feet before stopping.

He turned around, making me do the same and I saw Marcel had the back of his shirt.

"Yeah, I don't think so." He said and grabbed my arm, pulling me to him.

"You guys clearly didn't say anything to Maria when she knocked her out of her chair," He defended, "so why am I the bad guy for taking her to my table so it won't happen?"

Marcel motioned to the table, "She's gone. We made her leave and we didn't see her in the first place till it was too late. Back off."

He rolled his eyes and looked at me, "I sit at that table." He pointed to a table with four other guys at it, "Feel free to sit with us anytime."

He winked and walked off in that direction. I looked at Marcel and whispered, "Thank you."

He nodded and we walked back to the table, sitting back in our original spots. I sighed as I continued to eat. This exact scenario didn't happen in one of the books, but of course it had to have happened to me. I didn't look over my shoulder, but I never let my guard down till lunch was completely over.

I said goodbye to my brother and friends and walked to my next class. I got to health and sat in my assigned seat like before and waited to do the ritual of saying my name and three facts about myself.

After the dreaded 50 minutes of the class, I had to go to gym. I walked to the large physical education room and was greeted by a couch-type person telling me to sit on the bleachers along with the rest of the students.

A few people caught my eye but the two that really stood out were my brother and that Tyler guy from lunch.

Marcel motioned for me to go sit by him and our friends and I did while trying to avoided Tyler as well as I could, hoping he wouldn't notice me at all. I hurried at sat next to him as the rest of my friends walked in and also sat with us. However, Tyler decided to move a bit closer and soon joining him was Maria and a bunch of other people.

This was going to be a fun hour.

The moment the bell rang, the middle-aged woman began to speak about rules and guidelines.

"Obviously we're not dressing today," The teacher said, coming to a close for the rules, "but if you forget your clothes, you have five laps around the gym. And that's pretty much it. Now I have all your names, locker numbers, and combinations on a sticky note..."

I stopped paying attention for a small bit and whispered to Marcel, "I already have a locker though."

He shook his head, "This is a P.E. locker. They're in the locker room and it's for your clothes when you change into the gym uniform."

I nodded and continued listening as the woman spoke. "I'm going to call your name and you're going to come up here, take your sticky note, find, and unlock your locker. Gil Adams. Chancy Anks..."

I looked at Marcel and said, "Is it one big locker room?"

He looked at me and explained, "No, there's one for boys and another for girls."

I nodded and suddenly heard, "Tyler Comes. Marcel Cunningham. Y/n Cunningham..."

We both got up and headed to the hallway everyone else was going and Marcel pointed to the room I was supposed to go in. I thanked him and walked in to see some other girls already there. I quickly found my locker and opened it and stood by it like everyone else.

"I'm sorry," someone said, making me look, "but I've never seen you before."

I turn and see a girl with light brown skin and really long hair. She had beautiful brown eyes that shined really bright. She was about my height and thin.

"I'm new actually." I said, "I always went to private school till today."

She gasped, "That's so cool. How does it feel?"

"Not as bad as the books and movies but I still don't understand a lot." I explained, "My brother is trying his best to help me."

"Who's your brother?" She asked.

"Marcel Cunningham." I answered, "I'm Y/n, by the way."

She put her hand out and I grabbed it and she said, "I'm Lily."

We shook hands and pulled away and I said, "Is P.E. fun? So far I've heard a lot of different things."

"Well I'm not going to add my opinion to that list because you honestly have to experience it yourself to understand." She said, "Did they not have gym back in your old school?"

I shook my head, "They said it was unnecessary."

"Girl, where did you used to go to," she laughed, "I'm suddenly thinking about transferring."

I giggled, but our laughter fell short when Maria walked passed us and commented, "I'm pretty we all wish you'd transfer."

Lily sent her a glare, then rolled her eyes. "I'd say the same about you but your pimp wouldn't allow that, would he?"

She quickly stopped in her tracks and turned around, "You should your fucking mouth right now."

"You started it." Lily replied, "I'm just finishing it."

She just shook her head and rolled her eyes as she continued on with what she was doing. Soon the teacher walked in and when you conformed that you had your locker open, you could close it and leave. Lily and I let our conversation continue until she checked ours.

I walked out with Lily and we kept talking. "What grade are you?" She asked.

"Freshman." I answered, "You?"

"Senior." She answered.

We walked into the gym and saw that nearly all the boys were already in there. I scanned the room for my brother, but didn't see him or our friends. I looked at Lily and said, "I don't see my brother."

"He might be using the restroom." She suggested, "Don't take offense to this, but why are you hanging out with your brother?"

"I don't know anyone else." I explained, "No girl here is from my old school and I've never been in a school with boys. Marcel's pretty much the only person I know."

She chuckled, "Well now you got me."

She threw her arm around me and motioned for me to go play basketball with her.

"I really don't know how to play." I warned her.

"Neither do I," she said, "but I still just shoot the ball into the hoop."

I laughed and nodded, "Not sure if I'm even capable of doing that, but let's see."

She laughed and we went to one of the small hoops beside one of the bigger ones and Lily grabbed a ball, quickly coming back.

She bounced the ball to me and I grabbed it. I dribbled it a few times then looked at her. "I have no idea what I'm doing." I laughed.

She laughed too. "It's not that hard." A familiar voice said.

I took a deep breath before looking at Tyler and saying, "I think I'll be fine, but thanks."

He smiled, "I love that you're so polite." I glanced at Lily to make sure she was still there and she was closer than I expected.

"These are my friends." He said, motioning to the four other people that sat at his table.

They all looked very strong and a bit worried.

One was Asian and had a nice tan to his skin and chocolate brown eyes. He was behind everyone, but the closet to Tyler.

The one in front of him had dark brown, curly hair and hazel eyes, glowing with wonder. He was obviously shy because he just didn't look like he wanted to be here, talking to people.

The one next to him was taller than the other two by a few inches and very pale. He had bright, blue eyes and light brown hair. He had a strong jawline and didn't have any noticeable characteristics.

The last one was the shortest and had naturally tan skin. He had dark hair and eyes too; not really brown but not exactly black. He seemed like a bubbly person because he was not paying attention to us and looking around the room, smiling.

Tyler pointed to the Asian, "That's Evan."

Evan moved his head to me and I nodded.

He then motioned to the guy with curly brown hair, "That's Brock."

He did a half wave and avoided eye contact.

"That's Brian." Tyler said, pointing to the pale one.

"Hello." He greeted happily. I was taken back a bit at the sudden Irish accent.

"And that's Lui." Tyler said, pointing to the last guy.

Lui quickly whipped his head to me and smiled.

I looked at Tyler and he looked at me, as if he was waiting for something.

"And I'm Y/n?" I said, confused on what he wanted.

He smiled another charming smile and said, "Do you want me to teach you how the play basketball?"

"Yes!" Lily said.

"No." A voice said behind me. I nodded, knowing who is was. "I can do that." Marcel added.

"You play basketball?" Tyler questioned him.

Marcel raised an eyebrow, "Better than you."

Now it was Tyler's turn to raise an eyebrow, "Oh are you?"

He shrugged, "If you can play, it can't be that hard."

Tyler bit his tongue, glanced at his friends then back at him, "You really want to go there?"

"Where?" He said, "To the top because I'm already there."

They started walking to each other and Tyler growled, "Wanna put your money where your mouth is, Dumbass?"

"Try me, Bitch." Marcel responded.

"Right here, right now, Motherfucker." Tyler said and held his hand out. Lily put the ball in his hand and he stood up straight.

Marcel turned and made Lily, Craig, Ohm, and I get off the court so they can duel each other out. It was Tyler, Evan, Brian, Brock, and Lui versus Marcel, Luke, Delirious, Scotty, and Anthony.

I looked at Ohm, "You're not going to play?"

He shook his head, "I'm really bad at sports, plus it's even right now."

I nodded as they all got together, made a game plan and got in position. The gym was quiet, everyone stopped what they were doing to watch this.

"Why is everyone watching?" I whispered to Lily.

"Tyler, Evan, Brock, Brian, and Lui are the most popular guys in this school." She explained.

"Why?" I asked.

"Are you kidding me?" She said, "Look how hot they are."

I wasn't going to admit it out loud, but they were pretty cute. It was something about all of them that was charming in some way, shape, or form.

I didn't respond to that and looked back at the game of basketball that was bout to start.

"Whoever gets ten points first wins." Tyler said.

Marcel scoffed, "Okay, but I'm pretty sure you won't make it pass five."

Tyler rolled his eyes and looked at the four of us. "You guys should keep score. You do have a lovely brain over there." He winked and Lily was the one who really took it as it went to her while I just continued to watch.

"Wait," Brian said, "what are we playing over?"

Tyler looked Marcel dead in the eyes and said, "We'll see after I win."

Marcel rolled his eyes and the teacher blew the whistle. He started the game and everyone cheered for their side. All of the guys cheered for Marcel's while all the girls cheered for Tyler's. I would've too, but I honestly had no idea what was going on. The main thing that happened was once Tyler's team made a point, Marcel's team would, leaving the score to 9-8 because Delirious magically made a three pointer in the middle of the game.

The gym was roaring with cheers and Tyler's team started to get cocky and not really try. Marcel's team knew it and used it to their advantage. While they were all distracted, Scotty got in the middle of the court and shot the ball. The gym fell silent again and the ball hit the backboard, the inside of the rim and swished into the net.

After another pause of silence, Ohm said, "That's game."

The gym, once again, howled with cheers and chants. I looked at everyone gathering around my brother and his team as they said their chants.

I looked at Tyler and them and they looked beyond pissed. I clapped as my brother came up to me and wrapped his arm around me.

"And that's how you win." He said and the gym went crazy once more.

I looked at him and asked, "Now what?"