CHAPTER 5

THE BOYS

"I hate this place," Brandon muttered to his friends, gripping the two straps of his backpack, which hung from his shoulders. Chad gave his friend a little pat, as if he were encouraging Brandon. Chad didn't really mind school. He could see his friends, and all of his teachers loved him. It was going to be sad when he left this place. In high school he was famous. Everyone knew him. Who knows how it would be out there in the real world. Brandon didn't like it because he had a tutor for almost every class he was taking. Hence, why he needed scholarships to get into college. For Jason, school was school. He came in and did the work that was asked of him. That was really all it took to survive high school. They made their way to the side doors that led to the cafeteria, in hopes to get some breakfast before the bell rang. They were on their way through the steel gray doors when Brandon unexpectedly threw his muscly arms out in front of the guys, causing them to stop.

"What is it?" Chad asked, pushing Brandon's arm away. Brandon stared passed them. Jason and Chad followed his gaze across the freshly cut green grass of the school yard to Amy and Mya, whom they considered the most beautiful girls in school.

"Twin alert," Brandon said quietly, gawking at the females. They were gorgeous. They walked side by side, each stride, every movement in unison. It was said that Amy was the younger sister. Mya had the title of older sister by ten minutes. Jason had wondered if that were true. He would ask, but Amy and Mya Hancock were like royalty. You didn't just walk up to them and start talking. If you did, Mya would scare you away in a heart beat. Amy was the nicer personality, however to get to her, you had to go through Mya, and that never worked. Jason had never tried himself, but he had heard stories of other young men who had. They strutted up and down the school hallways catching the attention of every man. They acted as if they didn't know, but they did. "Good morning ladies!" Mya walked right past as if she didn't hear Brandon talking. Amy however, gave a little wave, as soon as her sister wasn't paying attention. Along with the wave came a perfect smile. Brandon looked to his left and saw Jason smiling back. "I think that was directed at you my man," Brandon spoke with a head nod that made Jason blush. Amy was the sweet one. Everyone knew that. Mya was the hardcore, possible serial killer one. Their attitudes were totally different. It was even told in the way that they dressed. Amy wore a summer dress, white with red lady bugs. Mya dressed like a boy, in baggy tan pants and a black tank top with large necklaces of crosses draped over. Even still, she was beautiful, with a side of crazy. Maybe it was their caramel skin tone, large brown eyes, and nicely outlined curves that everyone noticed. They were a mix of African-American and Native American. Their father volunteered at the school sometimes and would love to tell all these ancient stories about their ancestors from both races. Jason had always found the family interesting. Now if he could only work up the courage to speak to them. Amy especially.

KAHLAN AND ASHLEY

I watched as time seemed to pass very slowly. I waited in the front office for a schedule with my name on it to be printed and handed over to me. The only person in the office took her sweet time messing around on the computer. She went by the name of Ms. Crissy. I noticed her name tag as soon as I came in and spoke with her. I took a deep breath, sitting in the uncomfortable office chairs, crossing my legs, uncrossing and crossing them again. By looking at the ugly green and red striped cushions on the chair, you would have thought they were comfortable but that was a lie. They were hard and caused a bit of pain if you sat in the same position for too long. Tina had called ahead and let everyone who needed to know that I would be starting classes this week, so I didn't understand what was taking so long. Or maybe it was my patience. Maybe I didn't have any. I was getting ready to stand up and ask if there was a problem when a fit young girl practically stumbled through the door. She had three different bags on her; one across her right shoulder, one across her left, and then a normal backpack. Her chest moved up and down as if she were trying to catch her breath. She glistened with a slight sweat that covered her pale skin. She wore tight black leggings, a half tank top and a gray zipper sweater over it. Her dirty blond hair was in a high ponytail, but some strands escaped, and hung slightly above her bottom. Ms. Crissy gave her a disappointed head shake. I wanted the young girl to turn around, curious of what her face looked like.

"I know, I know," She spoke.

"You're thirty minutes late. I woke you up before I left, what happened?"

"I was awake, but after my jog, I passed right back out." Crissy looked. Ms. Crissy was a plump and extremely short woman. Her hair was cut very low and she had round studs in her ears. "Can you please excuse me? Give me a tardy slip?"

"Ashley, what were the rules?" I watched as the young girl shifted her weight from her left foot to her right, and she seemed to cross her arms.

"If I can't handle school and a job, you'll make me cut dance."

"Exactly," Crissy stated, "So far you're not doing too great."

"Oh, come on mom. I'll be fine as soon as I get into rhythm with things. "

"Well, you better find that rhythm and quick."

"So, are you going to write me that pass?" The sound of the printer seemed to distract Crissy. She walked away without saying a word. "I'll do anything," Ashley pleaded. Crissy wobbled around a corner, dissapearing, but was back in just a few seconds. She handed Ashley a paper.

"Kahlan Redding, come here darling." I quickly approached the counter, standing right beside the young girl. It was then that I saw the resemblance between Crissy and Ashley. They both had almond shaped blue eyes. The same curvy lips and light freckles on the nose. "This is my daughter Ashley." The girl looked at me, giving an unsure and confused smile. "She's going to be showing you to your classes today. If you have any questions or concerns you're going to ask her. And she's going to help you. Isn't that right Ashley?" Ashley nodded, and her grin was brighter. Her mom grabbed a pink pad and wrote her initials, the date and time, and then slid it across the high mahogany wood surface to her daughter

"That is correct," Ashley replied, grabbing my arm. My first thought was to push her away. You don't just go around grabbing on to people you don't know, but I gritted my teeth together and said nothing. "Come on, let me give you a quick tour. Thanks mom." Crissy's disappointment never left her face.

JUSTIN AND JAMES

Justin walked quickly down the halls of the school, avoiding every administrator possible. The last thing he needed was to get caught ditching first period again. His grandmother would be upset, especially since he made her the promise that his senior year would be different. He'd do his home work. He'd be in by curfew. He'd focus on life after high school rather than females, parties and all the drama that comes with both. He had broken his promise way before today, but he figured she'd never know if he was to never get caught. As Justin walked, he noticed the faint fragrance of Lysol, the janitors cleaner of choice when mopping the tan tiles of the halls.

"Skipping again huh?" A male voice said from behind him. Justin stopped in his tracks, looking back over his shoulder, his body going into defense mode. He was so close to escaping this hellhole called high school. He assumed every student would be in class. Leave it to him to be wrong and be discovered by James Blake, the only guy on campus he hated with every bone in his body. James stood tall and straight as if he were trying to scare Justin off, but he never fell for it. James wasn't so tough.

"Isn't that what you're doing?" Justin asked.

"Unlike you, I have a reason to be out of class. I'm heading to the library to see my girlfriend. You see, she got a student aid position for first period." Justin stared. "You do remember my girlfriend right?" James gave a grin. It was a grin that Justin despised. He remembered James's girlfriend. After all, she once was Justin's. And James used to be his friend.

"Beat it James," Justin growled, walking to turn the corner. Scratch what he was thinking before. The last thing he needed was to get into a fight. Sure his grandmother would hate that as well, considering he would be suspended, or worse, expelled. When it came to James though he always felt he had no self control.

"Oh I do. All the time," Blake said with a chuckle. "If your small mind couldn't understand that, Carly and I have a great sex life." Justin spun around. He may not have been in a relationship with Carly, but she was still a friend. And the fact that James would talk about her in such a degrading way pissed him off extremely. "You wouldn't know anything about that would you?" Justin said nothing. "No, I didn't think so. I heard you and Ashley broke up. I'm sorry. I'm going to try not to steal her from you too. I mean, they say the grass is greener on the other side. I'm that other side Justin." Justin clenched his Jaw, balling his first up as well. He tried so hard to stay in control, but that large, cocky grin that showed up on James's face wouldn't disappear. He just lost it. Justin went running at him first. James tried to meet him equal speed, stopping him with a punch. Justin stumbled back, a bit shocked, but that didn't stop their encounter. Justin went running again, crouching, hands grabbing James's sides as he picked him up and threw him on the ground, back hitting the tile hard. After that, it was nothing but heavy breathing, rolling around and hard punches.

"HEY!" Micheal Meir yelled. He had turned the corner, seeing the two guys wrestling. Micheal reacted quickly, hurrying to separate them. He pulled Justin Cross off his friend, throwing him back against the durable lockers, and then helped James on to his feet.

"Let's not forget James, Carly was with me first," Justin snarled, "That means you just took my sloppy seconds." James's eyes darkened.

"I'm going to kick you ass!" Bellowed James, pointing a finger at him. Micheal stopped him from doing anything stupid. Justin's' face went soft and regretful soon after. Behind James and Micheal stood someone Justin tried so hard never to hurt. Ashley Lauder. She looked upset, almost like she wanted to cry. Justin walked around the two boys, and was making his way over to his ex.

"Ashley--."

"Save it!" Ashley cried. My eyes glanced back and forth between the two, being a confused bystander. "I'm tired of this Justin." She then turned and walked away, not giving Justin any time to explain. I stared at the handsome young man, and he looked back at me. I felt sorry for him, though I had no idea about the situation. "KAHLAN!" I may not have liked the way she screamed my name, but right now, I didn't think I was in the position to complain. She seemed really upset, and I wasn't going to add to the list of whatever problems she had.

"Coming!" I shouted, running to her side.