13: Back To School.

Sarah.

I am so not psyched about this whole back to school thing... and that should really say something considering I'm the biggest nerd at school. School is my happy place... my safe haven. Or it was, before Casey came along and spoilt everything. He has been doing everything in his power to ruin my life ever since he transferred here... and so far, he's basically been successful.

And now I'm here at the school gym, as is everybody else, waiting for the principal's announcements. They said it was 'super important'... a 'life-changing' announcement. Nobody seems to have a clue as to what he was talking about, but I guess that was why we were all here.

A paper ball landed on my head, and I heard a few laughters from behind me. I turned my head towards the voices... and of course it had to be Casey and his dumb friends, sitting about five benches from the one I was sitting on. He gave me the same annoying smile-smirk he always does. And the mere sight of him made me feel sick to the stomach... something I guess we have in common. The hate is mutual.

"What happened to your arm Vance?" Casey shouted, loud enough for me, and everyone in the gym to hear, "Did you slip and fall in a ditch or something?"

'slip and fall in a ditch?' Was he kidding me?! He did this to me! Twice! I shouldn't have had my cast put back on. But at the same time, I guess I'm kind of grateful I did.

I had considered giving him a nasty come back, but it didn't end well yesterday. And he'd kill me if I embarrassed him in front of the entire school.

Speaking of, Casey came to the restaurant I work at, together with Connie, Natalya and perverted Mike. Why they went there? Well, even I don't have the answer to that. Though I'd like to think that them being there was a total coincidence, because if they stalked me to know where I worked. relax Sarah, stop overthinking everything. It isn't all about you.

My friend, Leah, came yesterday speaking really great things about people named Connie and Natalya. It was too much of a coincidence for it to be a totally different Connie and Natalya, so of course I had to see for myself. And when I went to check, it really was them! And obviously, Casey was there as well... and he was hugging Connie, and in the process, our eyes locked. He seemed to be the only person who spotted me, and anger was evident in his eyes... and he didn't bother hiding his hate for me.

He mouthed me a 'get lost' before breaking his and Connie's hug. Now I don't know about you, but I did what my heart told me to... run as fast as I could away from them! I had suffered enough pain already and I wasn't willing to have more pain inflicted upon me for matters I could easily avoid... so I quickly went back to the kitchen, where Leah was happily singing... luckily, too happy to notice my stressed out mode.

Another paper ball landed on my head, snapping me out of my trance. Don't they ever get tired?

"Settle down students," the principal shouted... but people barely even heard him... or they did, but they simply pretended not to.

The principal is a forty-something-middle-aged man with wrinkles on his forehead and below his eyes. He has dark eyes, no hair, and wears spectacles because he says they make him look smarter. He's a bit plump, so all his movements are usually slow.

All his time as principal here, people have never really seen him smile. they say he's an 'Old-stone-grouch-faced' man. And I can totally agree with that.

Truth is, I don't like the man. When I went to him regarding Casey bullying me, he simply shrugged it off. In fact, he gave me a lecture on it, told me that I should quit making up absurd stories to extort money from the Larson's. And later, when he found out the truth, he told me that I should keep it to myself. That all I would be doing is staining Casey's good image. He went ahead by adding that Casey's uncle makes, and I quote, "major contributions and donations this school can't afford to miss out on," So long story short, he said I should just bear it, that things will eventually get better.

I hate that everyone knows and sees what Casey does to me, yet they're all just going to turn a blind eye.

"Silence!" a voice echoed throughout the entire gym, and it caught everyone's attention. An authority figure everyone, even rebels like Casey , listened to and respected... our school president... Rory!

I never really understood how he gained the respect of everyone at school... the teachers, subordinate staff, all the students, I can't think of a single time I heard anyone speak ill of him. He's the perfect student... and he has it all.

Perfect hair, perfect brown eyes, actually kind of muscular. And the guy plays basketball, he can play the piano, sing and dance. Not to mention he's one of the kindest people in school... and he's student body president. I mean come on, what more could a girl possibly ask for? Rory is basically our school's 'Justin Bieber'. Which is why I'm always left wondering why he isn't dating... in fact, that's basically what everyone at school wonders.

But oh well, maybe he's scared of commitments or something. Or maybe he has too many responsibilities to juggle to even have time for a relationship. It's really none of my business.

"Let's not waste anymore time than we already have. Prolonging this assembly any further is unnecessary and pointless. You all came here to listen to today's announcements... so listen,"

The gym went quiet, and all eyes were on Rory.

"I welcome you all back to Berry High, and I'm glad to see the same familiar faces,"

"We're happy to see you too Rory!" a girl randomly shouted from the top benches, and people chuckled. Rory smiled, and he tried to hide it but failed miserably.

"Thank you Rinna," he simply said, clearly knowing whoever it was that shouted, "As I was saying, due to an unfortunate turn of events___"

"Thank you Rory, I'll take it from here," the principle interrupted, and Rory, despite looking a bit offended, smiled, and then stepped aside, leaving Principal Greot. That was honestly a bit rude, but of course Rory wouldn't tell him that.

"As most of you may know already, yesterday, Crown Academy got burnt down,"  People began murmuring. It seemed everyone was just as shocked as I was. Connie's school got burnt? Maybe that was the reason she was in such a hurry yesterday?

"Luckily," he continued, "nobody got hurt. But their facility was greatly damaged. So being that they've got nowhere to school at, they shall come here,"

This time, it was Rory who interrupted him.

"It was decided by the board of management of every neighboring school, that Crown students shall be divided into groups of twenty six... and shall study in other schools, including ours,"

People began murmuring and whispering even louder, some due to excitement, others due to anger. I, on the other hand, was freaking out. All the alarms in my head were ringing.  Connie studying at Berry High could be bad for me.

What if she decides to join the 'bully Sarah' club. What if she decides to help Casey make my life more miserable? I don't know Connie that well, she may secretly have a dark side as well. Plus Casey seems to have a certain influence on people... and it isn't usually in a positive way.

And even if Connie decided to not bully me, Casey will do everything in his power to make sure that I don't talk to her about his abusive habits... that is, if she doesn't know about it already. I know that I said Connie's a great person, but it has just crossed my mind that she may actually know about Casey bullying me... but like everybody else, she ignores it. I guess that doesn't make her any better than Casey. I mean come on, there is no way that she hasn't noticed it. In school, fine, maybe she doesn't know about that. But when it happens right under her nose? I hate the thought, but maybe she even invites me over at her house intentionally.

"How are we supposed to study together with Crown students when we've been rivals like... forever!" Kenzie shouted from the top benches, clearly not at all ecstatic about this.

"I'm very happy you mentioned that point Miss Kenzie," the principal continued, "I'm sure I don't need to remind you how 'well' your cheerleading squad performs against Crown. You and the school band should use this opportunity to learn from them. They could teach you a thing or two... and then maybe, for once in your lives, you wouldn't be competing for position two!"

There were a couple of people who laughed, others giggled, and some 'oooooohed'  Kenzie stomped her foot and then angrily sat back down on her seat, clearly not happy by the way the principal embarrassed her in front of everyone.

"I expect you all to be on your best behavior, and make the feel welcome. I don't want any complaints about the issue. The last thing this school needs is a bunch of government officials knocking at my office because a Crown student didn't feel welcome. So prepare yourselves, because starting tomorrow, we will be having visitors,"