Chapter 1

Summer Love. I didn't think the summer part mattered. Sure we did fall in love during the summer. That doesn't mean I didn't expect it to last past that. It didn't matter to me that he was Nathan Kalis's school-bad boy. To me, he was just Nathan. The man couldn't go more than ten minutes before demanding a kiss. Who always wanted me to cuddle into him. And who loved listening to me read my books out loud.

As summer got closer and closer to the ending he started drifting away. It surprised me a little bit but I brushed it off. It was the last day of summer when I realized it wouldn't work. Nathan had taken me to star gazing. We sat in the back of his truck gazing up at the stars. I was cuddled into his side like usual when I asked.

"Are we going to tell our friends about our relationship? I know you wanted it just between us during the summer but schools tomorrow."

He had stiffened and shifted slightly away from me.

"I was thinking of just keeping it between us. I have a reputation at school as a bad boy and I wouldn't want to ruin it."

He went to settle back down but I jerked away from him. I had tears in my eyes but I was not going to let them fall in front of him.

"Take me home."

He looked like he wanted to argue. Before he could though I said.

"Either you take me home or I'm walking."

After that, he took me home and I spent well into the night until I cried myself to sleep. Now I was walking into the first day of school. I didn't expect to see much of Nathan. Before this summer I had only seen him occasionally in the hallways of the school. He and his friends usually ditched class. So if he was in any of mine I wouldn't know. I never expected to spot him waiting for me at my locker.

He was just leaning there right next to it. From what he had said yesterday about reputation I thought he wouldn't Rick it. Then again I am an hour early. Since I live so close to school I can get here quite early. I usually just sit somewhere and write until class starts. I need my books for class though. Since we are assigned a locker for all four years. Most just keep their books in there for the summer.

I don't think Nathan even has books much less a locker. So I doubt this could just be a coincidence. I needed my books though so I couldn't avoid my locker. I walked up and used the combination to unlock it. I didn't even hear him move before I felt a hand tilt my head up. A familiar pair of lips were placed on mine. I didn't bother to pull away. I still didn't kiss him back though.

He must have realized that because he pulled away. Before he could say anything I had already turned back to my locker. I put my books into my bag before locking my locker. Then I turned to face him.

"Please refrain from kissing me we aren't together anymore."

He looked like he was about to say something when his phone rang. He turned away from me to pick it up. I used that as my chance to get away. To get my schedule for this school year I needed to visit the office. Plus I have to figure out which books I have to return. And what new ones I must get. I made my way to the office. If Nathan knew me then he would know that is where I am going.

So I hope that I don't have to wait for anyone. I wasn't in the mood for him to corner me. He will only try to corner me when no one is around. Other kids start coming around half an hour from now. So all I have to do is avoid him until then. He wouldn't risk his reputation just to talk to me. Thankfully Mrs. Holin was in the office. I approached her with a smile and said. 

"I'm here for my schedule and to return old books."

She smiled back "welcome back Grace here's your schedule, do you want Nathan's also?"

I froze for a second before clearing my throat "why would I want his also?"

"Well, Nathan had called up to ask if I can schedule you guys in all the same classes. I told him I was unsure since some of your classes are advanced. But he insisted saying he would do the work."

I nodded a little bit shocked, "um no I'm sure he'll come to get his schedule himself."

She nodded before handing me my schedule. I glanced over it to see what books I had to return.

Period 1: English 4 Room 400

Period 2: Geometry Room 220

Period 3: Free Period

Lunch

Period 4: PE Room 300

Period 5: creative Writing Room 100

Period 6: Science Room 110

Period 7: History Room 320

I pulled out my old English book and handed it to her. Knowing that Nathan could be here any minute I was already walking out the door. I didn't need a new English book since it will be given to me in class. Once I was out the door I caught sight of Nathan. He was just down the hall walking in the direction of the office. When his eyes locked on mine he grinned and sped up. I spun on my heel and took off. I kept running until I was sure he wasn't following me.

When I glanced around I noticed I was in the three hundred building. This means I had thankfully run in the direction of my first class. I watched the numbers as I walked counting up to four hundred.  Once I got there I sat down on the floor next to the door and pulled out my phone. I always put my phone on silent during school. I didn't want to get in trouble if it rings. Most of my notifications were messages from Nathan. That boy was confusing the heck out of me.

He tells me he doesn't want anyone to know about us because of his reputation. Then I learned about this. I'm not sure if he knows this. If he goes to class it changes his reputation. From what he had told me. Nathan barely goes to class and even if he does he doesn't do the work. Hell, the only reason he is even passing is that he bullies kids into doing his school work. You might be wondering how we even got together. Well, let's just say when he cares he can be sweet.

I should push that out of my head though. Whatever is going on with him he has already chosen. It might still hurt since it was just yesterday but I'll be fine. So I took a deep breath and pushed those thoughts out of my head. Then I glanced at my phone again looking through my messages. As I said most of my messages are from Nathan but one or two are from Lucas. We didn't talk much during the summer because I was so busy with Nathan.

So I have to admit I miss him. I clicked on the notification to see what he had texted.

Idiot Best Friend: As soon as we see each other at school I wanna know why you ditched me this summer!!!

GrayGray: I didn't ditch you, I was just hanging out with someone this summer.

Idiot Best Friend: Who???

GrayGray: Someone who I figured out wasn't even worth my time.

Three dots popped up indicating he was typing. It did that for a couple of seconds. Then it stopped for a couple of seconds before the message was sent.

Idiot Best Friend: WHO HURT YOU???!!!

I winced at the all-caps message. Lucas was harmless. Until you decide to hurt someone he cares about. There was this one time back in Elementary. I was being bullied by this boy. I think his name was Emit. Well, he liked to break my stuff and make me cry. I just tried to ignore him though since I wasn't one for fighting. Lucas on the other hand decided to retaliate. He shoved a blue crayon so far up his nose that he was sneezing blue for more than a week.

We weren't even friends then Lucas just hated bullying. After that, though he insisted on being my friend so he could save me from other bullies. I didn't know how to say no so I said yes. Since then I haven't been bullied once. Well besides Cathy and those are just harmless pranks. I waited for him to continue since the dots popped up again.

Idiot Best Friend: Sorry caps lock was on.

That was a lie and we both knew it but I let it go.

Idiot Best Friend: Seriously though, who hurt you?

GrayGray: No one of importance.

I knew he wouldn't let it go but until we got together in person he wouldn't get it out of me.

Idiot Best Friend: 😑 Fine don't tell me I'll figure it out when we meet after school at our hangout.

I wanted to tell him I probably won't be able to do that when a  voice asked.

"Are you going to come into class or not Ms. Grace?"

I practically jolted when I heard that voice. When I looked up I saw Mr. Odin looking down at me with a frown. I knew who he was because many of the 12th-grade students last year complained about the new English teacher. He was supposedly a lot more strict than Mrs. Allie. The seventy-something old lady who was the History teacher two years back until she retired. Supposedly since she was around eighty-something she just let the class do what they wanted.

Then she would hand out the worksheet for homework. The principal got wind of that somehow and told her she could either retire or get fired. Everyone complains that Mr. Odin is too strict of a teacher. I think they were just complaining about having to do work. I put my phone away and grinned at him as I stood up.

"Sorry I lost track of time."

He continued to frown at me as I walked past him into the classroom. It was already filled with kids who probably had to walk past me to get into class. I'm not surprised I didn't notice. When I'm focused on something whether it's my phone or my writing I tend to tune everything out. I never really mean to do it, it just happens. There were just a couple of seats left. I took a seat in the one closest to the window. Mr. Odin eyed me as if he expected me to do something wrong.

I hope he didn't already think I was one of the bad students. I might not always focus as I should but in the end, I always get the work done and on time.

"Alright class as we wait for the bell to ring I might as well tell you your assignment. Sin-. Hope we're not too late." Another voice said interrupting Mr. Odin.

I didn't even have to glance to see who was the owner of the family voice. It was Nathan and if I looked I would probably see him with the rest of his friends. I didn't though hoping he wouldn't see me. Of course, I knew that wasn't possible since the only open seats were behind me. I heard the gasp of surprise and for some reason, even the teacher looked surprised. He recovered quickly though as he said.

"Why don't you and your friends take a seat. Oh and please next time please come earlier not right before the bell rings."

"We're here though," Nathan stated as he went to sit down.

His eyes locked on mine for a second right before he sat down. I glanced away wondering what he was doing here. "Before I was rudely interrupted I was trying to tell you your first assignment. What I want you to do is get into groups. You will write an essay where one page will be for each person. The people in your group will be the ones you are working with for the rest of the school year. This essay will be due by the end of the year as your final and most important grade. That doesn't mean you get to slack off. Now get into groups and talk quietly amongst each other."

There was a lot of scraping and shuffling. Before I could even move though I was surrounded by desks. When I looked up I locked eyes with Nathan who was right across from me. His dark brown eyes sparkled with amusement. His slightly long brown hair was slicked back. He usually lets it go during the summer and complains about it getting in his eyes. Something I found cute every time he did it.

Not that I had ever told him that. Usually, if I call him cute he would scoff and say.

"Don't you mean hot?"

Not wanting to offend him I would agree. Plus he is quite hot. Never told him that either since he has too much of an ego. Nathan always smiled around me with an occasional smirk. Now he was just smirking at me. I gotta admit I miss his smile. Next to me on the right was Adam Dalin. From what I had heard he and Nathan have been friends since they were younger. He has long black hair that was always tied back. His eyes are light green. 

Oh, and Lucas has had a crush on him for the longest time. Lucas has never been one to get flustered. As soon as he sees Adam though he doesn't even have to talk to him to get flustered. It's kinda amusing seeing him like that. He teases me about everything and anything. So for me to be able to tease him is fun. To my left is Jane the only girl in the group. She is the girlfriend of Thane the last one of the friend group. Her brown hair is cut short in a pixie cut. 

Her eyes were a light green she looked at me with amusement. She had a piercing on her lip and eyebrow. I even heard a rumor once that said she has a tongue and belly button piercing. I don't know if it was true and I was too shy to ask. Thane was the only one who you would have a hard time believing was a part of the group. He has light blonde hair and light blue eyes. Not only that but he is a jock on the football team. 

Plus he passes all of his classes without having to bully someone into doing the work.

"If you're going to try to bully me into doing your work that's not going to work."

"Your quite bold for a little nerd," Adam told me.

I just rolled my eyes and then I realized something.

"Adam, what is your sexuality?"

He smirked "Why are you interested in me sweetheart?"

Out of the corner of my, I saw Nathan clenching his jaw. I just ignored him as I said.

"You wish. Are you going to answer my question or not?"

He looked at me amused "alright I'll bite I'm bi sweetheart why?"

"Just asking for a friend" was my answer.

Before he could ask me who the bell was ringing. I quickly packed up my stuff and was out the door. I knew that we were going to the same place. I still didn't want to be near Nathan if I could help it. Nathan and his friends tried to sit next to me in my second class too. Thankfully the teacher had already assigned seats. So far I didn't have Lucas in any of my classes. My next period was my free period.

I usually spend my time writing in the library. When Lucas has his free period he usually helps in the library. So if he is in the library I will know that third period is his free period like mine. If not then I can continue with one of my books. I am unsure if I want to see him. He will want to talk about it this summer and I don't want to talk about it yet. I don't think I have to worry about Nathan.

He's already gone to his first two classes. There was no way that he would go to the library. It didn't take long for me to get to the library. I always came here to get away from things. It's a place that most don't visit unless they have to. My spot is at the back of the library. It is right near one of the windows. There was a window seat with cushions that I love laying on. I laid down on the seat slipping my headphones on. 

I put on an alarm so I would be able to know when the bell rings. I always have my music on 100%. When the music started I closed my eyes and just listened for a second. I love music because it was so easy to lose yourself in music. I would listen to music when I wanted to block out the world. Another thing music does for me is calm me down. I tilted my head back and let the music flow through me. 

I was so focused on the music that I didn't even notice them. Not until someone grasped me firmly on the arm. fear shot through me. I reacted instantly and tried to pry the hand off me. I was digging my nails into the hand to get it to let go. As the hand refused to let me go I started letting out panicked gasps. The headphones were ripped from my ears and a hand guided me to look into their eyes.  

The eyes that I was looking into were quite familiar. They were Nathan's eyes and I could see the concern in them. I slowly started to relax as I looked into his eyes. The person who grasped me on my arm slowly let me go and I relaxed fully. 

"Damn Nerd you got claws." A voice told me. 

I ignored them still fully focused on Nathan. I could tell he wanted to ask me what had happened but thankfully the bell rang. In an instant, I stood up nearly knocking Nathan to the ground before I ran out of there. Why the hell he was in the first place confused me. This man didn't want anyone to know we were together. What he is doing though is making it too obvious. At least to me, it was. 

I completely hated it. He was making me want to hope that he and I could be together even though that was not an option. I was not going to be with someone who cares more about their reputation than the ones they supposedly love. So I pushed him to the back of my head as I walked into the cafeteria. I always hated lunch during high school and the reason for that can be summed up in one word. 

Or should I say one person? Cathy. Cathy Lilok. Cathy might only do useless pranks but they hurt a lot more than I would like to admit. It's not because of the people who laugh at me. I really couldn't care about that. Why the hell should care about people I don't even know laughing at me. Cathy however is completely different. The reason for that is before she was the Cathy she is today she was my best friend. 

Before high school we were inseparable. As soon as high school came though she went into the cheerleader crowd. At school, we don't know each other but during the summer it's quite different. We catch up during the summer and she acts like we are still best friends. As long as no one from school sees us. I can never fully trust her because of that though. It's one of the main reasons it hurt me so much when Nathan cared about his reputation so much. 

I already lost someone else because they cared more about their reputation than their friends. So when he suggested it I broke it off with him before he could break me. Since I started high school Cathy and I always had the same lunchtime as me. And whenever she and the other cheerleaders always see me the others would try to get her to mess with me. She never did anything really bad. The worse thing she ever did was fill my whole locker with slime. 

Sure it ruined quite a few of my books but since it wasn't even my fault I didn't even need to pay to replace them. It caused more of an inconvenience for the school than it did to me. So I glanced around the cafeteria looking for her. Thankfully I didn't see her. I did however see my best friend Lucas. I didn't want to see him because he would ask questions that I didn't want to answer. 

Of course, knowing him I couldn't not talk to him about it. That would just make him even more persistent. So I walked up to his table knowing he already got me the only thing I ever eat here. The tuna sandwich is the only thing I bother to eat here. If you ask me it is the only thing that is edible. As soon as I sat down he handed it to me knowing I didn't eat breakfast before I came here. 

I always want to leave before my father woke up and if that means not eating breakfast I was ok with that. Lucas always gets a little bit irritated about it but he knows I wasn't going to change my mind so he stopped arguing about it. I do hear the occasional comment about it from him but I usually just ignore it until he talks about something else. Something else that irritates him to no end. 

Once I was finished eating he spoke up. 

"So?"

I frowned at him pretending I didn't know what he was talking about "so what?"

He glared at me and then asked. 

"Why the hell did you ditch me this summer?"

I sighed knowing I couldn't lie to him so I decided to be as vague as possible. 

"I met someone during the summer and I thought it was love. He cared more about his reputation at school so I broke it off." 

As soon as I finished I heard a snap and I looked up to see the spoon Lucas was holding dropped to the table. It was broken into four different pieces and I winced at the anger in his voice as he asked. 

"Who was it?"

I smiled at him hoping that would calm him down as I said. 

"No one important enough to go to jail for."

Something that would happen if I told him Nathans's name. When he was younger he would probably be able to get away with that. Now though I wouldn't be surprised if he is arrested because he attacked Nathan with a sharp object. He would do it too I have absolutely no doubt about that. I mean last year after the slime incident he tried to attack Cathy with a sharp object. He would have succeeded if I wasn't there to stop him too. 

I was able to hold him back saying she is not worth going to jail for. He thankfully agreed and promised me he would leave her alone and not bother her. Though every time he sees her I think he might attack her again. That is another reason I try to avoid her at school. She thinks him threatening her is a joke since he never really did anything. I don't want her to see how serious he is. 

I could tell he wanted to push more on the subject. Before he could though someone sat down next to me. I prayed to God that it wasn't Nathan who sat down next to me. Unfortunately, I realized I got my wish when Lucas hissed out.

"Cathy."

I wanted to laugh at how mad he sounded but decided not to. I didn't want his anger directed at me for even a second. Cathy decided to ignore him irritating him even further. I didn't even have to bother to look at him to realize that. I also knew for a fact that she was just as stubborn as Lucas so she wasn't leaving until I at least talked to her. So I turned to her and asked nicely as I could.

"What do you want?"

She laughed before pulling me into a hug "God I've missed you."

I one hundred percent didn't know what to do in this situation. After a moment or two, she must have noticed I wasn't hugging her back because she pulled away with a sigh.

"I should have realized this wouldn't be easy." She told herself before giving me a small smile.

"I guess I should probably explain myself."

"Ya think?" Lucas snapped at her.

She ignored him again and continued with what she was saying.

"I want to apologize for everything. I realize during the summer that those girls weren't my friends. I wanted to fit in with them so bad that I either did things I would have never done before. Or take credit for things I didn-."

"And you're just expecting her to forgive you." Lucas interrupted.

This time instead of ignoring him she turned to him with a glare. Then she turned back to me not contradicting what he said.

I sighed "as someone once said. I may forgive but I will never forget much less trust again."

"Then I will try my best." She said with a smile. 

Before I could say anything she had already gotten up and walked away. I could tell Lucas wanted to comment about what had just happened but before he could the bell rang. In an instant, I was up and out of the cafeteria because the next class was my favorite. It was a creative writing class and over the years many of the short stories that I made in this class turned into full-blown novels.   

The only ones who know about those novels are Nathan and Lucas because quite a few of them are my more mature books. Lucas is my best friend so it is quite easy to tell him my different stories. It took a lot more time to be able to tell Nathan about them though. I guess I should be afraid that he would tell the whole school. For some reason, though I can't bring myself to be afraid. I guess I just can't see Nathan ever doing that to me. 

I was the first one to class. I was here even before the teacher since she must have gone to use the bathroom. Thankfully she always leaves the door open so I slipped in and took my seat in the front right next to the window. Once I was completely settled I read what she had written on the board. Adventure. Write a story where your main character is on a grand adventure. This adventure must include treasure hunters in it. 

I grinned to myself as I got to work. 

I grinned at the rest of the crew around me as we got on our scuba gear. There was Micheal, he studies animals sea and land creatures alike. I'm pretty sure the only reason he is coming with us is that there is a chance we could meet undiscovered marine animals. That is something he will never miss the chance of. Then there is JP he usually stays in the boat, ship, or this time the sub to make sure it stays running. He is a great engineer and weapon designer but don't expect him to have your back during dangerous missions. That leads me to Greg. Greg is someone who will always have you back when it is needed. I am Issa Lowu and I am the leader of this expedition. We are looking for the lost city of Atlantis. It is a city many have tried to find but never really succeeded in finding. They weren't a Lowu though. My family has treasure hunting in their blood. Plus a nack of finding things that are lost. One of my ancestors had been the one who found the Rosetta stone. Another had found the long-lost tomb of king tut. Atlantis has eluded many generations of my family. My great grandfather Richard Lowu had gone missing looking for it. My father spent years trying to retrace his father's footsteps. He quite literally worked himself into an early grave and was dead before I reached seven years old. My mother always claimed that he was bitten by the adventure bug. She was always afraid it would bite me and my sister so she distanced herself from us. The bug completely skipped over my sister though and bit me. When she realized that the coldness she showed both of us fell just to me. Which in turn drove me to find adventure even more. It was just little things at first but each adventure became bigger and bigger. So when I found the journal my father used to try to retrace Grandfather Richard's steps I just had to try. I knew I couldn't just go alone though so I created a team. Greg had been on many adventures with my father and was an old family friend. He suggested JP because my father's old ships and subs were a little worse for wear and I needed someone who could fix them. I wasn't one hundred percent sure about him but Greg vouched for him. I was even less sure after JP told me he wouldn't be leaving the sub with us. We're more than six thousand miles under the ocean now so it's not like I can kick him off this expediti-.

My focus was cut off when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I looked up and my eyes connected with the teacher Ms. Alia. Once she realized I was paying attention she started to sign. Ms. Alia is deaf and also runs the after-school sign language class. I always wanted to go but I have to pick up my younger brother so I don't have enough time. She taught me enough in between classes that I can understand what she says. 

'The bell just rang you should pack up and get to your next class. That boy Nathan is waiting for you at your next class. He wanted to stay but I convinced him to leave.'

I nodded 'thank you.'