Author here just so you know. The story is all from DANNY'S POV. Enjoy the read 😉

Chapter 1 : Anethema

Work?

A waste of time of you ask me.

As much as I'm happy my dad got a new job, I absolutely HATE moving. It means work. Carrying boxes to and from,the car which is hella annoying if I do say so myself. So okay it's not really that far from my old home but seriously work is work! And I think I made it pretty clear that I despise work. From my old home at Thornfalls I'd say Holdenbridge is approximately three hours away so I'd probably be going to this this high school. Definitely makes more sense then taking a plane everyday.

Yip, just three hours. Which also means a new life for me.

I could use that.

In my old school I was what you would label a nerd. Apparently that means I'm unpopular because I want a 'good job'. And Hell no I'm not changing my rep to some wannabe just to fit in. Nah, I'll be the same old kid that wears glasses carries books everywhere, find me at the library, or studying on a party night. That's just mostly who I am. I don't see why society doesn't like it.

Well that's not precisely who I am. It's just what others know. They don't know the rollerskater, skydiver, fearless, cold-blooded, heartless,

Home sapien (gotcha !)

This isn't some vampire book dude, I'm exaggerating.

But the popular ones knew I was captain of the girls football team and they bullied me. That is when my best friend wasn't in sight Thomas Woods. The most awesome bff and amazing football player. Blue Black hair (that I call iodine) and striking, warm brown eyes. I'll miss him and all the memories we cherished for twelve years. The only thing I'll miss from Thornfalls high-my ex school. Not that I'm excited about going to a new high school but c'mon how hard can it be.

Sarcasm. It's sarcasm. Please like I can manage people.

"Hey Danny how's it goin ?" my older brother Peter pops his head through my door.

His sandy brown mop of hair, the same colour as mine that we inherit from my mother, though he has deep black eyes and I have green from my father's side. My brother is at home for the weekend to help mum and I unpack since dad's busy with work before leaving for campus. Last year and he's out free. Lucky bish.

I kick a soccer ball to him grinning, "Catch!"

He does followed by crazy knee trick and then kicks the ball back. Show off. Peter has a daring look in his eyes. "You're on"

I lift and eyebrow and smile. Soon the ball is out of bedroom and rolling down the stairs, we're kicking it, going towards the lounge dribbling cardboard boxes. I topple over one bringing Peter with me and we hit the floor with a resounding thud. Eventually mum throws us out of the house muttering something about immature teenagers and we decide to finish the game outside. We drag two flower pots as a goalpost and continue playing. Moving the ball with our feet and shoving each other roughly.

"GOAL!" I yell breathlessly when I manage to hit the flower pot.

"No, you cheated, that was totally offside," Peter argues. I roll my eyes trying to catch my breath.

"Dude, there's only two players you can't expect it to be onside," I retort.

"Whatever, I still won," he says lying flat on the soft grass, arms behind his head. Sore loser.

I sit next to him breathing heavily. I'm too tired to argue and I really want enjoy this few moments we still have before he leaves. I lie down next to him and close my eyes.

"School starting soon you ready sis ?" Peter asks.

"Nope, not at all," I hum.

"You'll be fine, just be yourself," is the last thing I hear before falling into a slumber.

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I wake up on something slightly hard. With my eyes too lazy to open, I feel around.

Duvet - check

Pillow - check

Then why is it so hard and cold around me? I sit up and rub my eyes, looking around I realise I'm in my room. The red and grey walls, matching curtains drawn dimming the room so you can faintly make out the football posters hanging . Why does everything look . . . Higher? Then I realise I was sleeping on the floor. I wake up cracking my knees and elbows making satisfying 'pop' noise and bend backwards to relieve my aching back. Gosh I sound old. Thankfully I do a lot of crazy soccer tricks so my body is quite flexible. (Don't take it the wrong way) It really helps that your father and brother are huge sport fans because trust me, I'm a girl who knows what they're talking about .

I go downstairs yawning, dad is home and sitting at the dining table with Peter. Mum is bringing a pot of stew and sits down, I do to.

"You look tired, what did your'll do today?" Dad asks me after we four talk for a while mostly nonsense though, or debating about some other nonsense. That's how family meals often worked. I like it like that.

"Boring, unpacked mostly, Peter and played a bit of football . . . That reminds me, hey mum why was I asleep on the floor ?" I reply.

Peter chuckles and mum shoots him a glare, "I told you to bring up your sister and put her in her bed"

"No you told me to dump her in her bedroom," Peter counters crossing his arms with a five year old pout.

Mum has bloodshot eyes glaring at him. He gulps. Nervous? He should be. Mum and dad almost never scold us they're too lenient because they trust us.

"I'm sorry but she's just so heavyyyy," Peter whines.

"It's alright but you owe me by carrying up my other two boxes from the lounge," I say. He sighs and mum makes him agree reluctantly.

"You have a horrible attitude," he says.

"Thanks petey," I reply sarcastically my smile sickly, "And you're to arrogant "

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First day of school sucks.

I slam the stupid alarm clock finally shutting that annoying beep beep sound that now drumming in my ears. I lazily kick of my red duvet and walk to my bathroom dragging my feet. I study myself in the mirror. I am definitely not a morning person. My short pin straight sandy brown hair is sticking out everywhere, bushy and untamed. My forest green eyes have dark circles around them. I brush my teeth because who wants dentures and take a long relaxing shower before changing into a pair of dark jeans, t-shirt and a red hoodie because it's a bit chilly outside.

"Morning mum," I greet running down the stairs, my maroon bag bouncing on my shoulder. She gives me a kiss on the for head and I sit down taking a toast and the jar of marmalade.

"Hey champ," Dad greets ruffling my hair. He looks neat and ready for work in his white shirt and dark grey suit.

"Daaaaddd," I groan, "Today I actually brushed my hair"

"That's new," Mum says coming with a pot of tea. She pours me a cup before disappearing upstairs.

I roll my eyes, and quickly devour the rest of my food. Dad went to the garage and was waiting outside for me. After tying my white and black converse I sprint outside, hopping into the passenger seat of our family car. A silver Ford ecosport.

"You have everything for school?" Dad double checks with me pulling out of the driveway.

I nod. Thinking about my first day at Holdenbridge high. I wonder what's is going to be like? When we got there, I became hesitant to jump off. I'm nervous and when I'm nervous I blurt out stupid facts. It's the nerd in me I guess.

Did you know uranium is the heaviest element on the periodic table?

See? What I said.

Finally after a bit of wise words from my father, I pick up my schoolbag sling it over my shoulder and get out closing the door tentatively. Dad gives me a small wave mouthing good luck. I wave back forcing out a smile. He isn't driving me tomorrow. The bus will take me. I turn and face my new school.

"Holdenbridge high, here I come," I sigh to myself reading the giant blue letters on the board. After a few breaths I gather enough courage to walk up the stairs ignoring the other kids and go into the building.

Why is it called buildings when it's already built?

I find myself in a crowded hallway, lockers fill every inch of the walls. There is a blue door in between reading principals office in bold black writing. Some unlucky kid might already be in there. I see students walking past some chatting, others quiet, many aimless. Against the many lockers I see kids talking to their friends couples that are already sucking off each others faces and one or two trying to remember their locker combination.

"Oh. Em. Gee who the flip does that girl think she is, X-ray is mine," I hear a screeching voice say bringing me out of my daze.

Who the heck names their child X-ray?

Wait, is it a person?

Great, my first day, I overhear something I shouldn't have and already confused as ever.

Turning to my left, I see a group of girls surrounding a strawberry blonde that looks like a model with her soft curls and long legs, all are dressed in designer clothes matching handbags with tons of makeup. What the hell is the point of dressing like that to school? Apart from labello and eyeshadow or blush mum forces me to wear to weddings I don't ever wear make up. To school especially. It feels like betraying your own image.

"What are you looking at," one of the girls sneer at me.

A flawless skinned ebony coloured ravenette with a high pony tail Ariana Grande style and huge gold earrings matching her tight gold sequined jersey and black denim shorts with knee high black boots. She is chewing furiously on a piece of gum.

I raise my eyebrow but choose not to reply. They're not worth the effort. Did you know you can probably remove 99.9 % of their beauty with a cheap tissue? I told you I say facts when I'm nervous. I walk away ignoring them, the last thing I need is a fight on my first day. My big mouth and rudeness isn't exactly what people like to hear.

Eventually I do find my locker and put my stuff in. My books, a small toiletry bag, a snack, soccer ball and a gym clothes. Also mum made me take a spare set of clothes-a grey hoodie, jeans and t-shirt.

When I'm done the bell rings and I takeout my timetable to find my class.

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Author here again how was that ppl?

I'd love to know how I can improve. That was a bit boring sry but it gets better don't you worry. This was simply and intro to Danny's world.

Thoughts? Votes? Comments?

Do tell, do share!