Different faces walked passed me. I studied those I saw walking. Their styles, face expressions, accents, and anything that stood out to me. My heart felt like someone was squeezing it over and over again. My nerves were uneasy, and I sat restlessly in my seat. My mind only thought about everything except my education. Who would I make as friends? Who would help me when I needed them? Would I ever be close to someone? What would my teachers be like?

"Penny for your thoughts," Rose said, snapping me out of them.

I faced her. "Huh?" I said, unsure of what she meant.

She chuckled. "What's on your mind?"

I let out a weak laugh that mixed with a sigh. "This whole school thing."

"It's just like middle school," she said.

"The food is better," Maddy said then took a bite of salad. "In middle school, we couldn't choose what to eat. It's really, really different here."

Rose nodded. "Exactly."

"Actually, this is my first time in a school," I said.

"What? You've never been to public school?" she asked.

"I haven't. This is my first time."

She thought about it for a second then nodded her head. "I don't think I caught your name."

"Olivia," I said.

"Pretty name," she smiled at me, making me feel a bit awkward inside. "I hope you have a great experience here. It's not so bad."

"Yeah, but she's in for it. She bumped into Megan Vose," Maddy said with bulging eyes as if she said a bad name. From the looks on her face, Megan didn't sound like a real pony at the park.

I was about to ask a question, but a loud bell interrupted us. Rose explained how my class would be on the schedule they had given us before we started. I did have that schedule. My first class was with a woman named, Mrs. Bamlin in room 736. After the bell had rung, I let Rose lead me to my class. Maddy had left to her class before us.

As we walked through the hall, I felt a hand intertwine with mine. "Hey, you're shaking like a leaf," Rose said, stopping us in a room full of lockers. She moved me towards the wall so others could get by. "It's going to be okay, and if you need anything or have any questions I can help you," she said, letting my hand go.

I smiled at her. For some reason, her touch calmed me down. I was not used to human contact, especially with other people. I've had maybe as many hugs as I can count in my life, which was probably an even six. I don't know what I felt exactly. It was a mixture of calm and panic. "Thank you, Rose," I said.

***

I've managed to finish five periods of classes without dying. I didn't have to introduce myself, and I didn't make any other friends than Rose and Maddy if I could call them that. My teachers were kind, the classmates were wild but decent at the same time, and no one bothered me. I listened to the teachers who didn't talk about much in general except what to expect after today. It was okay.

When we were given a break to go out, I placed my headphones on my ears and walked out onto an empty field of grass behind the school. I sat down next to an Apple Tree full growing with red apples. I thought it was pretty cool because I've never seen an Apple Tree before. Taking out my phone, I put on a song by Paramore, put my headphones on, and sat back against the trunk of the tree.

"I should be over all the butterflies but I'm into you, I'm into you. And even baby our worst nights. I'm into you, I'm into you. Let 'em wonder how we got this far. 'Cause I don't really need to wonder at all. Yeah, after all this time. I'm still into you"

The song Into You by Paramore reminded me of Vlad. It reminded me of how long I went gushing over him, thinking one day we'd be something more than friends. However, he ripped the love out of my heart but replaced it with a beautiful friendship. I was all right with that. I mean, I had to be.

All of a sudden, someone jumped in front of me and waved. I took off the headphones and looked at him. He smiled. "I said you must be new here," he said. I couldn't help but study him. Mostly because he reminded me of someone from a boy band and I loved his style. His hair was dyed black with red tips that rested on his shoulder. The front of his hair hung above his hazel colored eyes. He had a nose and lip piercing. He had a bad case of acne as well.

"I am," I said.

Without asking, he sat across from me and folded his legs as if he was going to lecture me about something. I read his shirt and couldn't hold my smile in. He pointed to it and grinned. "Nirvana lover?"

"Definitely," I said.

"Where have you been all my life?" He asked.

The two of us laughed. His laugh was loud and came with a few snorts here and there. "I'm Robert," he looked at me. "Robert Parker."

"Olivia," I said, not finding it crucial to say my last name.

"So new," he crawled towards the tree and sat back against it. Since he got comfortable, I turned off the music on my phone that was still playing. "Fun."

"Not really," I said. "This is my first time in a public school."

His jaw dropped. "No freaking way. So you don't know anything about school?"

I shook my head. "Nothing."

"Do you have a TV?"

"I do now. Also the first time," I said.

He stood up and placed his hands on his hip. "Stand up," he ordered. A bit nervous again and freaked out, I slowly stood up. He pointed out towards the field. "If you want to survive here, you have to know how school works my friend," he winked at me.

"Okay," I said looking at the other people.

"To some," he continued. "It's a popularity contest, and a lot are trying to get to the top. Some are trying to survive. And some, just don't give a fuck what people think about," he wiggled his finger at me. "But you. You look like you care. So I'll tell you who to look out for, what to expect, and how the school system actually works."

"Alright," I said, ready to pay attention.

He pointed to a group of girls who looked like they were practicing a dance routine. "The cheerleaders. Top of the school popularity food chain."

"Isn't that a little judgmental to say that?" I asked.

"I'm just honest. Most of those girls are top notch stuff. Not all, but most," he went on. "They're the ones who get the most attention. The football players usually hang with them, and they sit together like they're a big family. Don't get me wrong, there are some nice girls there, but there are a few bitchy ones who will roast you for even looking at them. That's just how it is. Been there done that."

"Okay," I nodded. "Who's next?"

"Aside from them you have the rest of the athletes," he looked at me. "The girls and boys love them, but only few can have them. After that, you have the smart people who are quiet but liked by the others in the higher group because they're pretty, nice, or just need a paper to copy off of. A lot of them have hidden talents like art, singing, and dance but are too shy to show it. So they may linger around here and there."

"Sounds like a crumby deal," I said.

He smiled. "Just be the pretty one," he winked, causing me to blush a little. "Then you have the emos, scene, and goths."

"Emo," I repeated. "Someone called me that earlier."

"That's what group we're considered to be in."

"What is an emo anyways?"

He stared at me as if he couldn't believe what I had just asked. "Emos are probably the most misjudged people in the school along with goths and scene kids. In school, they think emos are suicidal kids who want to die and dress in black all day. Or just cut their wrist for attention. It's sad how people think like that. I've been called an emo most my school days. I don't even cut, but people call me Emo Arms. There's also a lot of racial tension around here. Color seems to scream louder than words. Which is dumb."

I shook my head. "Seriously? That's so unfair."

"After the Goths, you have the nerds and people who are considered slow," he went on. "Sadly that's just another way of saying you're too ugly to be with us. Or stupid."

His definition of school was different than I had thought. Way different. I looked at everyone in their groups, talking and laughing with each other. Is that how things were in school? Everyone was separated into groups because of their looks or their weaknesses? It's like judging a book by its cover.

"Olivia," he said my name with a smile on his face. "If you try to be something you're not, it'll destroy you. Always be yourself. The school will make some of us want to reach the top and for what? A few compliments and praise from people who will fuck you over later on? It's going to be a roller coaster, and people are going to judge you. But you're fine the way you are."

I smiled at him. I didn't expect someone to be that nice and honest with me. "Thank you," I said.

He jumped up and pulled down the nearest apple. Two fell, and he caught both. Handing me one, we sat on the grass against the tree. It was nice. My insides were fluttering like crazy, and I had no idea why. However, in a way, I loved it. This moment was nice. I wished it never ended.

"There are a few kids who can't talk, walk, or do things as we can," he looked at me. "If you want, you can help me pick a few apples for them. Maybe even stop by with me. They can be difficult, but I promise it's just their way of saying thanks."

I chuckled. "Sounds like a very good idea."

***

Hope I didn't offend anybody? Not all people go to shit schools like most of us did so they probably don't know much about the chain. I'm sure a lot of us experienced that. If you haven't, don't take this as an insult. Some of this is just real life experiences in a story:)  

Who do you ship? Olivose? Or Olivert? xD