NOTE: This is a sequel! I'm not going to be doing much summarizing of the previous story, and if you read this chapter, you'll get spoiled pretty bad. Though, if you decide you want to read the first story, beware. It's pretty slow-moving; plus I wrote it about two years ago and even editing couldn't really help it

WARNING: This story is really cliche. I felt the need to say that. I consider this a "practice" series of sorts (this is a website to post stories, after all) so I don't take it too seriously. Some plot lines are total rip-offs. I came up with them back when I was way younger and now I'm kind of locked into them. I'll try to make this sequel a little bit more different and unique, though.

One

I was on the beach, looking at the sky. Staring right at the sun. When I looked away, Cassie was there in a bright yellow sundress, a huge grin on her face.

"How was your summer?"

I sat up. "Shit."

Cassie pursed her lips. "Because I'm dead."

I nodded. "That's part of it. And Mitchel."

"Are you saying you care about him more than me?" Astonished, Cassie put a hand to her chest. "How dare you."

I couldn't help but grin. "I do miss you."

"I miss me too," she replied, and then smiled and grabbed my hands. "Get wasted every night for me, okay? And don't let that bitch of a roommate take my spot."

I looked down. "She's not so bad."

"But nobody's as good as me." She fell back on the sand next to me. "Being dead sucks."

"I wouldn't know," I said softly, lying back down.

"Yeah, well, it does. Especially when your business on the earth isn't complete." She made a mock creepy sound and waved her hands.

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Well, for one, I never slept with an Australian guy. That was number one on my list of things to do before I die," she replied, and then narrowed her eyes. "And, of course, my killer hasn't been found. I'm fucking stuck here until they catch the creep."

"But they found that hobo. He had the weapon," I said in confusion.

Cassie's laugh sounded like chimes. Angelic. "Oh, fuck, babe. Really? That guy was such a red herring," she scoffed. "Like I would let myself get killed by someone so dirty, anyway."

"Then who is it?" I asked, hoping she'd tell me when I knew she wouldn't. She shrugged innocently.

"Bridget. Bridget. Bridget!" someone yelled.

"Bridget you bitch!" Someone pushed me and I opened my eyes groggily. Looking around, I saw my new roommate Ash straightening herself up with her hand on her hip. Her roommate had transferred last year, so we had been placed together. She grinned suddenly. "You're lucky I woke you up because otherwise you'll be late."

I looked at my alarm clock and rubbed my eyes. "You couldn't have woken me up any later?" I asked sarcastically. I didn't have time to eat breakfast now.

Defensively, she crossed her arms. "Hey, I thought you'd be up when I got back from my shower. I'll get you a bagel while I'm there."

"Gee, thanks." I rolled my eyes and she kicked me.

"Shut up." She left and I sat up, going over to my dresser.

Instead of a colorful variety of clothing, what met my eyes was plaid, white, and black.

Uniforms.

They had had them a couple years ago, but they had dropped it because of a huge student petition. But because of the "wild behavior" of last year, it was back on. The freshmen class wasn't the only grade that had gone crazy; apparently the seniors had gotten into some deep shit too.

The summer dress code allowed shorter skirts this time around, at least. Originally they could only be mid-calf, but parents complained of the heat. (Which they really just did because their daughters want to show off their legs and their sons want to see the girls' legs.)

So, because of this, after my shower I pulled on a red and blue plaid skirt with a white blouse and black tie. I was originally planning on wearing tights, but it was too damn hot. Let the boys gawk, though it would only be the freshmen who didn't know I was Satan. Yet.

I was way too early for class but way too late to make it to the dining hall, which was far away from my new dorm building. So I went into the academic building to get reacquainted with my locker, ol' Bessy Lou.

I was walking through the empty halls and studying my schedule when I heard someone swear. I rounded the corner and my eyes found a guy struggling with his locker. He had dark, caramel skin and was tall; he couldn't have possibly been a freshman.

He kicked it and swore, and I couldn't help but feel bad for him. So I walked over.

"What's your combination?" I asked, and he jumped slightly before handing me the sheet. I spun it and yanked on it, but it wouldn't open it. I kicked it and fiddled with the knob again before pushing against the dial and pulling.

It swung open, and he looked at me with complete and utter confusion. For a second I floundered, because he had amazing eyes. They were brown, but they had flecks of green in them that contrasted with his skin. I blinked, and then my composure was back. "You new here?"

He nodded. "I'm a sophomore, but I might as well be an honorary freshman."

I chuckled. "Don't worry about the locker. It takes a little getting used to. They're old and rusty."

"Next you're going to tell me not to worry about school," he said with a groan. "How it's amazing and the experience will be wonderful-"

I held up a hand to cut him off. "No, this place sucks." He laughed, and I felt the side of my mouth quirk. "Believe me, you will not be getting any speeches of recommendation from me."

"I think we'll get along just fine."

My smile faltered when I realized the ramifications of helping him with his locker. Was he expecting friendship? Or something more?

"I have to get to my own locker," I said, turning around and leaving before he could say anything else.

It was in another hall at least, and other kids were starting to trickle in. Mostly freshmen, so I didn't have to deal with the dirty looks just yet.

I managed to make it to my locker and put all the books for this year inside. I didn't feel like decorating, so I put a plain dry-erase board in the door. There. Now it was more homey.

Someone knocked on the locker and I closed it just as Ash shoved a muffin in my face. "Here you go," she said happily.

"How do you know where my locker is?" I asked, suspicious.

"After last year, I'm pretty sure everyone knows where your locker is," Ash said, biting her lip in embarrassment. "Ready for English?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," I muttered, shifting my backpack on my shoulder and walking next to her through the halls.

And there were the stares. And the whispers. Luckily it was only the sophomores and a select group of juniors who were doing it. The seniors could care less about the underclassmen drama.

The odd thing was that I had managed to get the seemingly only person in this school who didn't hate me as a roommate. And she didn't look like she'd be the type. She was a cheerleader for one, with bright blonde hair and a golden tan and the perfect body. And she loved the color pink. But she was nice. And that was what mattered.

Ash steered me to the middle of the class and we sat next to each other. Most of the students were the regulars, a lot of them from my previous English class. I was relieved that Derek wasn't walking in, until I caught a familiar head of blonde hair.

I grimaced slightly and slouched deeper into my seat, and when I looked at Ash, she was giving me a curious look. "Avoiding someone?"

"Is it obvious?" I asked.

Tyler either didn't see me or didn't care, because he sat on the opposite side of the room. And even when the teacher, who happened to be severely perky and young, got up and gave us our assigned seats, we were still on opposite sides and I was even placed near Ash.

Ignoring the teacher's babble, I re-examined my schedule. Study hall wasn't available anymore, and the classes were longer, but we only had them four days a a week. The fifth day included one or two electives. I was only taking one, Intro to Photography.

I continued to drown out the talking until somebody said something stupid and the class laughed. Then the bell rang.

I said goodbye to Ash and walked through to the halls to my world history class. Mr. Thompson smiled at me when I walked in.

"How was your summer?"

"Awful," I said.

He tilted his head. "I'm sorry to hear that. This should cheer you up." He handed me the aide sheet, and I grinned.

"Thanks."

"I'll let you know when you need to come over after school. There are a couple other kids aiding, so you'll have company." He meant this as reassuring, but I grimaced.

"Great."

I was glad I had Mr. Thompson as my teacher as soon as the bell rang and he opened his mouth. He was the funniest teacher I'd ever had, and I thoroughly enjoyed the class up until the bell rang.

He waved at me and I waved back, and then it was off to Spanish.

As soon as I walked into the class, I wished I hadn't. Sitting in the corner goofing off were the group of popular kids. And in the middle were Oliver, Derek, and Tyler.

They noticed me, and now I couldn't look away because I couldn't show only way to escape them was to sit in the front of the room, and that's exactly what I did. But their conversation still drifted to my ears.

"How did you survive a whole summer with her, Blackwell?" someone asked.

"I was never at home, are you kidding me?" Derek replied, his voice saturated with arrogance.

"I'd still tap that." Only Tyler would say this.

I clenched my pencil in my hand. I was bigger than them, I would not succumb to their teasing. They were just stupid, wimpy teenage boys.

"She seems too slutty for me. Did you hear about that party last year?"

I slammed my pencil down and turned around, sending them the hardest glare I could muster. "Can you guys shut the fuck up?" I asked harshly.

Derek burst out laughing and before any of them had time to respond, the teacher stood up. "Um, class, can we settle down?" he asked. His voice was high, he was young, and I would bet a hundred bucks he was gay. He was a new teacher, that much was obvious.

"I was being harassed by the blonde chick," one of the boys said lazily, raising his hand.

"Bullshit," I said, sending a pleading look to the teacher.

"Swearing isn't allowed in my class," the teacher said, somewhat doubtfully. "And if you boys would settle down back there. I'm assigning seats."

When all the seats were assigned, I got the sick realization that I was right in between Derek and Tyler. Though Derek and I were separated by another girl, I was still blocking their conversational path.

Tyler leaned back in his chair, turning around to look at me. "Hey babe, ready to spend all of first quarter together?"

I ignored him.

-

"Have you noticed we have a lot of easy teachers?" Ash asked as we walked through the hallways out into the fresh air.

I gave her a blank look. "Yeah, and I noticed that I'm hungry. Let's get to the dining hall."

The problem with Ash was that she was popular. She had friends. She invited me to her table but I declined, preferring to eat alone. She gave me one last sympathetic look before disappearing into her group.

Once I had my food, I sat at the table and opened the book we had to read for English.

I was trying to figure out what the fuck was even going on in the book when someone cleared their throat. I looked up.

"Hi?" I said, recognizing the boy whose locker I had helped open this morning.

"Can I sit here?" he asked.

"Um," I said, at a loss for words. "Yeah, it's not like I can stop you." I turned back to my book, hoping I could ignore him, but he powered on.

"I never got your name." He smiled at me, and I visibly winced.

"Bridget," I said, and to be polite asked, "Yours?"

"Emmett." I tried to smile, but I probably failed. "How come you're sitting here alone?"

"Hasn't anyone told you yet?" I said with fake astonishment. "I'm the bitch of the sophomore class. Your popularity level is going down just talking to me."

"Like I care," Emmett scoffed. "There are so many douches in this school already. Like those." He pointed to the table in the corner. The table I could have been sitting at.

"Oh, I agree. And here's the killer." I leaned forward. "I used to be friends with them."

"Seriously?" Emmett said, completely amused as he leaned forward too.

I nodded, happy with the chance to badmouth them with someone else. "Yeah, the lanky kid with the brown hair? He's my stepbrother."

"Oh fuck, you have to live with him?" Emmett's mouth twisted. "He's in my Geometry class."

I nodded. "The blonde guy is the worst of them, though. The rest are okay, but that's not saying much." I noticed Devon didn't sit with them anymore. In fact, I hadn't seen him around. I already knew Lucas wasn't here anymore, since he had just been a transfer student.

"That guy looks thrilled to be with them." Emmett jerked his head to inconspicuously point out the guy sitting next to Derek. He was leaning back in his chair, seemingly in his own world.

"Yeah," I said, my voice softer. "That's my ex-boyfriend."

Emmett let out a quick breath. "You were really in there," he said in awe. "What happened?"

"My roommate was killed," I said without any emotion, and his head snapped to me.

"Seriously?"

"Yeah. She ran away after we had a fight. I'm blamed now. I corrupted her or some shit." I shook my head, and he shifted in his seat.

"Wow. I'm sorry."

"Don't be." I found myself unable to look away from the "cool" table. They were so happy, so carefree. So fucking in love with themselves. I scowled just as Derek looked up at me. His eyes met mine and challenged me. He smirked, throwing an arm around Micael and whispering something in his ear.

Micael looked at me, and that was enough for me to turn my head back to Emmett.

"He looks like he's in pain." Emmett showed no shame in looking right at them.

"He's an asshole." I put my food down, suddenly not hungry anymore.

Emmett seemed to sense that a change of subject was needed. "So, uh, what clubs are you taking?" he asked.

"None," I replied. "I'm doing tennis, though. Just because I have to do a sport."

"Oh, I don't know what I'm doing yet," Emmet said. "I guess soccer."

"Beware," I warned. "Soccer is the cool kids' sport. You'll be scorned like nobody's business."

"But in the end, everything belongs to the cool kids. Doesn't it?"

I shrugged just as someone sat down next to me and said loudly, "Well, someone happens to be sitting at our table!"

"Well," I said dramatically, looking at the guy who'd disrupted us. "It also happens to be the first day of school. And I've been sitting here since I got here." I glared at him for added effect.

"So you're a boarding student, huh?" he asked. "Rich, I'm guessing."

"So you're a day student, huh?" I repeated. "I guess that's why I don't know you."

"William, pleased to make your acquaintance," he bowed theatrically. "Now get up."

"Bite me," I retorted.

He leaned towards me and murmured, "If you really want to."

"Uh, hey," Emmett said, somewhat nervously. "Mind leaving her alone? Go harass someone else."

"Uh, hey," William mimicked. There was a lot of repeating happening in this conversation. "Stay out of it."

"Get the fuck up and get the fuck out," I said, and then looked at his goons, who were beginning to sit at the table. "You too."

William raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you." He pointed at Emmett. "And you, especially. I don't like you."

Emmett raised his eyebrows as William motioned for his crew to follow. I rolled my eyes. "God, another group of losers to deal with. And did you see his watch? He's rolling in it."

"Or he stole it," Emmett commented. I laughed.

"Too sheltered. Wannabe bad boy rich boy, I've seen it before."

"In your stepbrother, maybe?"

I couldn't help but grin. "You hit the nail on the head."

-

After Trig class, I made my way to the last class of the day: chemistry. As soon as I walked in, Ash ambushed me and grinned. "This is class is going to rock!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah," I said doubtfully. I noticed Tyler in the back, leaning towards Olivia. He looked to be flirting with her, but she was completely shutting him down. "Awesome."

Ash steered me over to her friend, who gave me a dirty look when Ash wasn't looking. Great.

This teacher was the easiest of them all, so after twenty minutes of him talking, Ash and I talked, much to the dismay of her friend.

Eventually the bell rang and I walked towards my locker. Somehow Emmett caught up with me while I put my books away. "Hey, where's your dorm?"

"Thomas Hall," I replied, suddenly nervous as I gripped my locker door.

"Oh, I'm right next door," Emmett replied, grinning again. This boy smiled too much. "I'll see you around."

He walked away, and I bit my lip and waved as he walked away. This would either end badly or well. I couldn't tell yet.

"Aw, you made a friend," someone said in a baby voice behind her as he walked past. Derek. He pouted at her and said, "Good for you," before smirking and catching up with Micael, who was walking ahead.

I rolled my eyes. There may be Ash and Emmett, but everything else was going to be shit.

---

AUTHOR NOTE: And so begins the "OH GOD I HATE THIS" authors notes! Yay! I pretty much hate all chapters I write in sections. I like writing chapters straight through. I'm so excited to write this story it's not even funny. I'm glad to have some Bee back. Updates will be slow, however, because my other story "One For Zach" is going to be my number one priority. I have pictures up of some of the characters on the "homepage" link of my profile, so check that out. Also, William, Emmett, and Ash are the only new characters, so no need to worry about an overload of characters.