g w e n:

I usually don't mind change. I mean it was my idea to finish up my last year of high school as an exchange student in Australia after all. If I weren't so open to change, I would not only be back home in the U.S. but I wouldn't have half of the amazing experiences in my collection. Zip lining, bungie jumping, or scuba diving wouldn't be possible if I didn't keep my mind open to trying new things. Despite it all, I was still very much nervous the morning I stepped out of Luke's car and followed him up the pathway my new school.

Mesa Vale High was one of the many schools in Sydney, Australia. The institution was broken up into three separate buildings and the main structure stood at the center with three different flags in front of it. The flag of Australia, the flag of Sydney, and the flag of Mesa Vale. It was an enormous, 3-story building made of red brick and white window panes. Students brimmed every corner, and with everyone wearing a school uniform, it was easy to get lost in the crowd-- except for Luke, who was tall as a tree and towered over the majority of students.

"This way Gwen," Luke stopped walking, turning back to look at me through the crowd of people. Several students often stopped to say hi to Luke, and asked about his summer. In the short period of time at Mesa Vale, I could already tell that Luke was somewhat of a popular kid.

I caught up to him, "sorry. Easily distracted. This place is huge."

"It is when you first get here," Luke started, placing his hand on my back and pushing me forward, "but after about a week you'll know this place like the back of your hand."

"Easy for you to say... it looks like you've got this whole place wrapped around your finger," I observed. "You some kind of big shot?"

"Please, I am no big shot," Luke denied with a laugh.

"Hey Mister Hot Shot Hemmings," a blonde walked passed, giving him a wink. I looked at him with an expression that clearly stated my disbelief in Luke not being a big shot.

"Hot Shot Hemmings?"

"Ugh, bad timing. I'm not a big shot, hot shot, shot of rum... whatever,"

"Mmhmm, alright. Whatever, Hot Shot Hemmings," I teased.

I looked up at him with a smirk. It was so weird to see him in articles of clothing that weren't a pair of skinny jeans or singlets. But the black ring that adorned his lip was his signature, and made him look like Luke despite the navy blue blazer, red tie, and khaki pants.

As I continued to follow Luke up the grand, concrete steps, I caught glimpse of a beautiful willow tree. Its branches were full of bright green leaves, and they cascaded to form a natural umbrella. Beneath that tree was a white stone bench. It looked like a peaceful place to relax and other students did too, because sitting on that bench were a duo of boys. I couldn't make out their faces, but I could make out the head of one.

Lilac hair.

One of the boys had a wild mane of Lilac-colored hair. It was different, and even though I was originally from California-- a state that knew all about crazy fashion choices-- I was still very much surprised. Nonetheless, it was a great color and the boy oddly pulled it off. Next to the boy with the lilac hair, was another boy with dark hair peaking from his beanie. His blazer was hanging off of the bench next to him, and his white button up shirt was folded up to his elbows, revealing an arm full of tattoos.

I was raised to never judge a book by it's cover; to always give each person a fair chance to show their true colors. A sleeve of tattoos could mean nothing more than an arm brimming with stories.

"Don't even think about sitting on that bench," Luke interrupted my thoughts.

"What? Why?" I asked. His eyes turned from the direction of the willow tree back to me,

"That bench belongs to Calum Hood."

Why did that name sound so familiar?

"What do you mean belongs? Did he bring it from home?" I raised a brow with a smirk. Luke chuckled with a shake of his head.

"Follow me," he gestured his head towards the entrance of the school, and continued up the steps. I followed suit, into the main corridor of the school where students flooded the insides.

On the other side of the large space, against a wall in between two grand staircases was a glass cabinet illuminated with lights. Luke stopped at the cabinet and pointed to it. At the very center of the uppermost shelf was a framed photograph of a girl. She was beautiful-- thin face, shoulder-length brown hair, green eyes, and a mesmerizing smile. Beside the photograph were other candid photos of the girl, along with a few awards and ribbons.

"This is Janet Riley," Luke informed. "That bench outside was donated by her family. She was the star student at this school. Captain of the decathlon team, a great rugby player, and not to mention she was nice to everyone. Janet Riley, is Calum's ex-girlfriend."

"Where's Janet now?" I questioned, my eyes still glued to the glass cabinet, examining the inside contents.

"She unfortunately died," Luke said, the tone in his voice becoming more dismal.

"Oh my gosh," I gasped, "that's terrible? What happened?"

"She was hit by a drunk driver and fell into a coma. Her parents pulled the plug about five months ago," Luke explained, shrugging his shoulders. "So that bench out there underneath the tree is off limits to anyone except Calum, his friend Michael, and anyone he invites. If you want to stay out of trouble, then I suggest you stay out of Calum's path. He's kind of a resident bad boy."

I suddenly felt sorry for the boy. Calum didn't just lose his girlfriend-- he watched it happen. He probably visited her in the hospital, watching as her life wither away, hoping that she'd open her eyes again. Pulling the plug was probably the hardest thing Janet Riley's parents ever had to do, because there's always the possibility of what if? What if they pulled the plug too soon? What if Janet Riley was supposed to wake up from her coma that evening, or the next day? It was scary to think about as a person on the outside, but for Calum, I bet he thought about it everyday.

I nodded my head at Luke, "yea, for sure... I'll stay out of Calum's way. Thanks for explaining everything."

"No problem. We're friends aren't we?" Luke grinned, back to his normal, happy self. "Shall we go to homeroom?"

Luke and I walked through the large school, to a classroom at the end of the wall. The wooden door was propped wide open and only a few students sat inside. A woman with blonde hair sat at a desk placed at the front and off to the side of the room. A few students were talking amongst themselves while others sat with buds in their ears, quietly bopping their heads. Luke and I sat towards the back of the class, against one of the walls.

I watched as more students filtered into the room, taking their seats and embracing one another after a whole summer apart. A petite girl with long, jet black hair and side-swept bangs walked into the class, taking the empty seat next to Luke. The color seemed to drain from his face the moment the girl sat down and quickly he looked away.

"Hey Luke," the girl smiled sweetly, dropping her backpack to the floor. Luke didn't respond, and instead waved his hand awkwardly. "Did you have a good summer? I like your lip ring."

Again, no verbal response from Luke, only a stiff nod of his head. He couldn't even look her in the eye. I was surprised to see this because only less than 30 minutes ago did I witness Luke act like a total cool kid, and now he acted like a goober. I stifled a giggle and kicked Luke in the shin.

"Ow," he grumbled, sending me a death glare. "What the hell Gwen."

"She's talking to you," I whispered, "answer her back."

Luke suddenly buried his head into a notebook, completely ignoring me. I rolled my eyes and turned to the girl, holding my hand out, "hi, I'm Gwen. I'm new here."

"Whoa, American accent," she chuckled, taking my hand and shaking it, "nice to meet you. I'm Charlotte, but call me Charlie. So what brings you out here to Sydney?"

I wasn't even exactly sure how to answer Charlie. I couldn't exactly explain to her that I didn't want to leave Australia after getting into a car accident over the summer. That my boyfriend died in the same accident and given up his heart to some lost soul, whom I was determined to find.

"Mmm... faith," I simply answered. Not exactly the best answer, but it was good enough for right now.

"I like that," Charlie stated, and I smiled. The bell rang and the voices slowly filtered into silence. I turned around in my seat to face the front but not before hearing Charlie add, "welcome to Australia."

I turned my head back around to face Charlie and with a whisper I said, "thank you."

The teacher stood from her desk with a clipboard in hand. She walked to the front of the class and took roll. Once completed, she grabbed a stack of papers on her desk, passing them out to each row. Just as the stack hit my desk, a pair of feet heavily thumped its way into the room. I looked up from my desk to meet eye to eye with none other than the boy with the tattoos. He held his blazer in his hand along with a single notebook.

"Mister Hood," the teacher spoke, "so nice of you to join us. Please take that empty seat next to Miss Guzman."

I watched Calum trek from the front of the class down the aisle of desks to the empty one next to mine. He sat down, slumping in his seat.

"Oh and Mister Hood, your hat," the teacher pointed to her head, prompting Calum to rip the beanie off of his head with a scowl. "And your sleeves."

Calum rolled his eyes, unfolding his sleeves and slipping on the blazer. If it weren't for the glare etched on his face, I would've pegged him for a normal school boy. That's when it hit me-- the wallet. I grabbed my school bag, propping it on my lap. I unzipped the smaller compartment, and right there, in between my lip gloss and pens, was a black leather-bound wallet. With the wallet still inside the bag, I opened it up and peered at the ID. It was him. The same boy sitting in the desk next to me, was the same boy who vandalized the outreach center.

Oh, dear.