Heylo! Yeah…writing two stories at the same time. But I hope you like this one. I've had the idea for a long time and never put it on paper…so enjoy!

Chapter 1: Opportunities

I sighed as I stepped into the schoolyard. The building looked just like every other school building, gray with the school's mascot plastered near the top. I frowned as I studied my new mascot. Great. I was a parakeet this year…I had been a wolverine last year…and a coyote the year before. I almost laughed! A parakeet was a huge step-up to a wolverine!

The Hurben Parakeets…that sounds intimidating. I allowed myself a snicker then and ducked my head, thinking about my experiences as a frequent mover.

Moving around had come to be a sort of normal thing for me. Here I was a junior in high school and yet I hadn't been able to stay in ONE school for more than that year…since the fifth grade. But I was used to it so it would be fine. It made me wonder where my last hurrah would be. Where my senior year would take place…but only a little. A little.

"Hey watch it!" Someone snapped as I felt a shove from behind me. I whirled and sidestepped out of the way just as a boy toppled to the ground at my feet, glaring fiercely at another boy standing yards away. Figures. A fight on the first day.

I shifted pass, taking a small pleasure in the fact that they hadn't noticed me. I counted on that. I went through the shining double doors and slipped down the halls. I hadn't been assigned a locker yet so I was stuck lugging around my bag the whole day…joy.

The bell rang then and I moved to class, my hopes beginning to rise. Hey, maybe my teachers would be nice. I'll admit…I was kind of a teacher's pet. But…getting good grades was easy to concentrate on when you don't have friends.

I was glad I had done my research on this school before I got here. I knew where all my classes were now and I knew about all the bathrooms and stuff. I even knew about the off-limits hallway down on the first floor. It was easy.

I slipped into class and scooted into a seat in the middle of the room. Not to far up in the front, not to far behind…completely invisible. It was perfect! I mean…I didn't really like attention. I got some anyway since I couldn't help but answer questions…I mean how can you not? The poor teacher asks a question and no one bothers answering because…I don't know, why do teenagers not answer? Anyways, what I meant was…I'd rather none of my peers notice me. It helped moving become easier and…well, it saved from getting picked on.

Students filed in around me but I kept my head lowered to my desk, using my safety shield of brown hair and my lucky baseball cap. It was the first day so new students were expected…so if I just blended in maybe…

The late bell rang and the students were quiet. I glanced up then and took in my new first period teacher. He stood at the front of the room look expectantly at the students. He was kind of a plump man with graying hair on his head and a pair of reading glasses on the bridge of his nose. He was the perfect English teacher.

"Good morning class!" he said eagerly. "My name is Mr. Shotts…and I'm hear to make your high school experience absolutely miserable."

I blanched but the students around me snickered. Was this normal behavior for a teacher? I lowered my eyes so no one could see the color rushing back into my face…redder than before.

He continued to introduce himself, talking about the activities we would be doing and how we would be getting ready for our senior year and all the big tests we need to complete to make it to college.

That was when something flicked across my head. I blinked and held still, trying not to turn around. I mean, after all…I could ignore it and whoever did it might give up, you know? It couldn't been an accident too! And I'm just expecting the worst of people.

I sighed at that thought. Definitely an accident.

Until I felt it again. My shoulders tensed and I felt the heat rushing to my face harder than before as Mr. Shotts started calling off role. Who was this person who had chosen to single me out before the year had even had a chance to fully start??? Why me?

"Mya Evans?" Mr. Shotts called, moving down the role.

"Here, Mr. Shotts!" the girl called form behind. I frowned. I didn't know if it was Mya doing it…but she was a suspect alright.

"Mya where is your brother?" Mr. Shotts called, his face twisted into a bored scowl. I wondered why that was.

"I don't know," Mya replied. I almost heard her shrug. "You know him…school isn't priority."

I watched Mr. Shotts shake his head and look back at the role. "Sharee Farrers?"

"Here!"

I sighed. I hadn't felt the attacker in a minute or two. Maybe they were done. Maybe the subject of Mya's brother had distracted them. Maybe they didn't care about harassing a lowly new student anymore. Oh I so hoped so. I so hoped so.

"Andrew Hiller?"

"Here."

Something snapped against my head sharply this time and rolled onto my shoulder and into my lap. My head stung and I resisted the urge to rub it. Snickers sounded from behind me from more than one person as I picked up the thing they had thrown. Half a pencil.

I felt the oncoming of tears start but I should them back down. Just ignore them…that was probably the most harm they could do. They have to give up now since I showed no reaction to it. They got to…

"Ashley Miles?"

"Yep, I'm here!"

I sat a little deeper in my seat. Suddenly, a whisper trailed up the isle. "Hey…hat girl…what do you have like a numb head or something?"

I lowered the cap so not even Shotts could see the oncoming of tears. I had been used to being picked on…but not this much. These kids were cruel. Absolutely cruel.

"Serenity Willows?"

Something else flicked my head and this time it hurt hard enough for me to have to touch my head. I cringed, feeling the tender spot through my brown hair, discreetly rubbing my eyes as I pulled my hand back.

"Serenity Willows?"

The snickers came louder. Maybe I didn't move to a very good neighborhood. Maybe I'd have to switch schools…I wondered if my dad could home school me. I frowned. No. He can't He had work…he needed to be there. It was the only way we were making a living here anyway.

"Serenity Willows, last call!"

I jolted upright as I finally realized he has been calling my name. "Here, Mr. Shotts! I'm here!" I cried, holding up my hand.

The laughter from behind me came louder. Maybe I should've sat near the front. Maybe that would've been a better idea than sitting in range of all the cruel, underhanded fools who reigned the back of the room.

Mr. Shotts nodded and looked at me. I tried to avoid his eyes. "Yes…are you okay, Serenity? Do you need to see the nurse?"

The laughter was full blown and I recognized the haughty voice of Mya. So she was part of it. She had only paused while talking about her brother because all the attention had been on her. I swallowed back more tears. How would I survive?

"Y-yes sir," I replied softly. I wasn't sure if he heard me. Maybe I could call my dad and he could come pick me up from school. But I couldn't do that…I mean…he worked so hard to bring home money. Calling him meant he'd have to leave work. And my car was still broken in the shop…

Could I walk? No…they'd never let me out. I'm still seventeen.

Mr. Shotts slipped a note on my desk to the nurse and I took it, holding my bag close and heading to the door with my eyes lowered beneath my only shield: my cap. Bless that cap…

Shotts walked me to the door and when he opened it and let me out, he turned to me. "Serenity, I'll have a talk with the other students about their behavior. That was completely unacceptable…why don't you go wash up and come on back. I'll have a new seat ready for you and have them mellowed…" His eyes flashed dangerously as he finished.

All I could do was nod and start off blindly down the hall. I heard the door shut behind me and I swallowed a sob and wandered. I didn't understand. How could my first period have gone so…wrong? I mean…this Mya girl must be incredibly vicious…if she just picked on random people in the class. I didn't even talk to her. I mean…I didn't even look at her.

Normally, at my old schools…I got picked on because I was smart. Because I always got A's and answered everything right and turned my homework in on time. Okay…I am a geek…when it comes to that stuff yeah. But what did I do first period? I sat in the middle of the room! That's it, though! That's it!

I blinked and looked around me then. I suddenly realized I was near the empty classrooms. Half of the floor I was on had unused classrooms because of some rat problem they had that summer that the school didn't have money to take care of…only seclude to the rooms that were already infested.

My heart leapt to my throat. This wasn't good. I wasn't supposed to be on this side of the school. I could get into big trouble. And during class too! A teacher might find me or a security guard or someone and they could give me detention! They could suspect me of –

"Ditching?"

I probably should've joined track and field if I knew I could jump that high. Because that new voice, so rudely interrupting my panicked thoughts came out of nowhere…well, from behind me…and it scared me. Bad.

I whirled around, ignoring the fact that my bag had fallen off my shoulder and spilled open onto the possible rat-infested floors of the floor and met the person in authority who found me.

Needless to say I was incredibly surprised when instead of a teacher or security guard or even a principal…I met a guy. And not just any guy…a good-looking one…but not the good boy good-looking. The bad-boy good-looking. I frowned. I didn't even know until then that I found bad guys good-looking. Weird.

But anyways, here I was, a complete klutz, standing in the middle of the forbidden rat-infested corridor of Hurben High with all my books splayed cross the ground. And her he was…like a work of art. He was leaning against the wall, his lean build apparent from under his dark clothing. He had on a leather jacket…a nice baggy one with his hands shoved into the pockets. Underneath that was a Linkin Park shirt and dark grey jeans on his lower half. I frowned then as I realized he had chains looping his pockets. This was a bad boy.

The thing that threw me off though was that he had no piercings...not even in the ears. No tattoos…nothing like that. His hair wasn't overly long either. Just a longish kind…and a very light blonde. Completely contrasting his outfit. And then his eyes. They were green, amazing green. Amazing…

He snickered. "Are you going to talk?"

"Oh!" I jumped again, not expecting that. I guess it hadn't really hit me then that he was talking to me. I mean….when do attractive looking guys address someone like me? When pigs flew I suppose but not now!

He laughed again and pushed himself off the wall, starting towards me. I didn't know what to do. Raise my fists and prepare to defend? Demand what he wanted? Run? Sure…because I could outrun him…running was not something I could do very well. I'd start rasping the second I moved.

I realized I was being a bit paranoid when he bent down to help me with my things. And I just stood there. Like an idiot.

"You know, ditching is against the school rules," he said, his voice light and conversational. I liked his voice. It reminded me of the husky tones of Nick Carter when he sang. Any closet Backstreet Boys fan would know what I was talking about.

I finally registered that he was still accusing me. "Uh…no! No…I'm not ditching!"

He looked up at me from his bent position with raised brows. He had such pretty eyes. "Uh huh. Sure."

"You're sarcastic," I said, blinking at him.

He stood and laughed again. I had to lean back when he straightened. He was taller than he had been against the wall. He held my books in his arms, not offering them back. "You're funny! Yeah, actually, I am sarcastic…I mean, here you are standing in a forbidden hallway in the middle of first period-"

"I know, I know…but…" Where was my excuse? I got picked on in the first five minutes of first period and left because I had hurt feelings? He'd laugh again, realize me for the geek I am and walk away. "…but I'm not ditching. I was going to the nurse's office."

"Which is on the other side of the school," he pointed out, gesturing to the hallway behind him which would've been my escape…had he not been taking up space.

I frowned at what he said and lowered my head so my cap could cover my face. Great! All I needed to do was blush in front of him…another wonderful way to make myself look like a complete idiot. Score one for you Serenity!

"I…I was lost. It's my first day-" I panicked and lowered my head farther. "I mean- I know it's everyone else's first day too but- I've never been here before- I just moved and I-"

"Slow down!" he said as I looked up. He had his hands up in a defensive position, looking at me with amused eyes. "All right, all right…you weren't ditching. Whatever you say…"

I lowered my head again, this time in defeat. "There's that sarcasm again."

The guy was silent and when I peeked a look at him, he was grinning. I scowled. "Well then…what are you doing here? In a forbidden hallway with no school supplies and during class then, hm?"

His grin became wider. "Ditching."

"Yeah well-"

"Isaac! What in the world are you doing over here?" a woman's voice snapped from behind him.

The guy flinched visibly, threw me an exasperated look and turned to face the newcomer. I liked that look, I decided. It was one of those familiar looks friends threw each other…like they were exchanging a secret or something only they knew. I haven't seen that look since elementary school. It was…nice.

I shifted to the side so I could look around my black-clad companion at the lady coming towards us. I immediately shrank back, recognizing an authority too late. She was even dressed to make her look in charge- with a clean, crisp suit and her hair pulled back into a severe bun. Her nose was long and sharp her brown eyes watched us both accusingly as she clacked over to us in high, angry heels.

The guy – Isaac – glanced at me out of the corner of his eye as I stared fearfully at the woman. I didn't miss his short laugh as he took a step forward to greet the lady.

"Well, hello and good morning to you, Ms. Charleston. Fancy seeing you around these parts," he said, his voice as smooth as silk. I looked at him fast and was immediately grateful he hadn't tried to use that on me. I would've melted.

"After all," he continued. "This corridor is forbidden to all."

"Including you, kid," Ms. Charleston snapped, crossing her arms over her chest and throwing him a withering look. "You are supposed to be in first period right now. Only I knew you'd ditch the first day…we're not repeating the habits of sophomore year, Isaac."

He shrugged and gave her a lazy grin. "What can I say? I have English first. I already know how to speak it. What's the point?"

I watched with growing amazement as his smooth voice, now patronizing, seemed to boil the teacher over. Her sharp, angular face seemed to be turning redder with every passing second.

Furious and exasperated with Isaac, she turned to me. "And who are you and what do you think you're doing outside of class at this hour? No doubt another one of Isaac's hallway friends. Well, I won't have it."

I stepped out all the way, my head ducked and my hands clasped. "I'm not ditching! I-I swear! I got lost- I-"

"No excuses!" she snapped. Now both of you, come with me! I'll have detention write-ups. Why you shouldn't make out in the hallways!"

I wanted to cover my eyes and my cheeks then. She had just accused me of making out in the hallways with Isaac. And I was blushing viciously. Which probably wasn't helping my cause. But Isaac was looking at me when she said that.

"I'm not! I swear! I don't even know him!" I cried as she turned and began stalking off down the hall.

"Ms. Charleston, I really don't know who she is," Isaac said then, watching me with his brilliant green eyes. Only he was thinking something and it was bothering him. "I know I was ditching…but I came across her as she was about to go down the rat corridor and was stopping her and giving her directions when you came along."

The woman stopped abruptly and whirled to face us. "I can't trust you Isaac. This sounds too familiar to that last girl you tried to get out of detention."

I frowned and glanced at him. He was watching my expression again so I cleared it. After all, why should I care if he's a player or not? I don't even know him.

He turned back to Ms. Charleston. "Honest, ma'am, she has nothing to do with it. Want proof? Watch me the next couple of weeks and see that I don't even talk to her."

I was startled by that and looked at him fast. So this wasn't a blossoming friendship then? Just a "help the girl" and never speak to her again. I'm sure he wouldn't. An attractive bad boy like him can't ruin his rep by associating with the smart geeky girl. We didn't mix.

Ms. Charleston narrowed her eyes at him and he refused to look at me. I decided to glare at the floor. How did I end up in this mess anyway? Oh. Yeah. Mya. Witch.

"Fine," the woman finally said stiffly. "What is your name? I'll be sure to notify your first period teacher of this little incident." No problem. Mr. Shotts was the one who told me to take the walk.

"Serenity Willows…" I replied with a shrug, looking down.

"Serenity Willows?"

I shot my head up looking between Ms. Charleston and Isaac who were both now staring at me with wide eyes. Startled by the bewildered and fierce expressions on their faces, I ducked my head again.

Ms. Charleston broke the silence. "You're Mike's daughter?"

I nodded.

"Well…I didn't know he had moved back to town," the woman said, surprise still in her voice but the usual hardness lost. "I'll have to meet up with him. Or your mother-"

"She died," I replied softly.

"Kara died?" Ms. Charleston demanded, her voice sharp.

I nodded once more and turned. "I'll be heading to first period now, Ms. Charleston. See you Isaac…or not or whatever."

I took off down the hall, my head lowered and my cheeks flaming. I was through crying over it but it was still painful to hear that friends of my family were barely finding out about Mom.

I guess I should explain. The move here was one…that wasn't completely different. Me and my parents lived here in Hurben, California when I was born. They had lived here all their lives and knew…well everyone. But then Mom got sick…and we moved to the east coast and had to keep moving around there until we found a spot perfect for Mom. She was fine there for about a year when her sickness came back even harder than before last winter…and it took her. My dad decided at the end of the school year last year that we should move back…and that's how we came here.

I didn't remember anyone of course…I was only out here until I was three. But dad said I used to play with the neighborhood kids…two little girls and a little boy. But like I said, I didn't remember anything at all.

"Serenity!"

I was halfway down the next hall when Isaac's voice called me back. I turned around to see him wheeling around the corner. I stared enviously at his smooth gait. Even in jeans and a leather jacket he could run with ease. Punk.

But I frowned for a different reason and he must've seen it because he slowed to a stop and looked at me with a strange expression. There was something different about his mood. It was no longer the same casual feel that there had been when he had first caught me in the hall.

"Look," he said, his voice slow and reasonable but without, I noted with relief, the smooth persuasive tone he had used on the unaffected Ms. Charleston. "I didn't mean that back there, you know. She'll forget it tomorrow anyway, she always does."

I raised a brow and fought back another blush.

"I meant she always forgets stuff," he snapped, studying me face again. "Not that I've pulled that thing more than once."

I guess my gaze was still accusing because he sighed and walked next to me, nodding for me to begin walking with him. I frowned but went along with it. Apparently it was dangerous to stay in one place for too long.

"I do…" he hesitated as we walked. "…want to see you again."

I couldn't hide the blush anymore so I ducked my head and let my hat covered my face. How I loved this hat. I don't think I've had to use it so many times in one day but boy, would this day have been a lot worse if people could actually see me blush.

But something was bugging me.

"Why?"

He was silent then too and when I looked at him, he had his hands shoved into his jacket and was staring pointedly at the ground.

I looked up farther and realized that my first period was nearing. I frowned, thinking about Mya sitting in the back, waiting for me to come back in just so she could pester me to death. I kept walking by it and showed no recognition of it as we slowly made our way down the hall.

"Because…" he finally spoke. "…because you're interesting. And a ditcher like me."

"Isaac-" I began, my tone warning.

He cut me off though with a shrug. "Yeah, yeah, okay…"

I sighed and glanced at him out of the corner of my eyes. He caught it and touched my arm then. I was completely startled by it and froze in place on the spot, looking up at him with wary eyes.

"You want to ditch the rest of the day?" he asked, his voice quiet.

I met his eyes and I have to say it was fairly tempting. But then…thoughts of my father flooded my mind and what it took for him just to keep me in school. That and the fact that I was already extremely guilty for having ditched first period in the first place.

I slowly shook my head, unable to tear my gaze away from his. "I'm not like this, Isaac, I swear. I'm a geek…basically. I get straight-A's and I listen to the teacher and I never…never-" I stressed the word and looked him straight in the eyes. "-ditch. Never."

He looked at me for a moment and then his eyes narrowed and he dropped his hand as if he had just been shocked. "Because I ditch, you automatically assume me to be a trouble-maker…an F student and someone who doesn't listen when the teacher asks for me, is that it?"

I blinked, startled. That wasn't what I meant at all.

He glared at me. "Well, fine then. Maybe I will take up my previous offer. You're too much of a school brat anyway."

With that he whirled around and shoved his hands into his pockets once more. I was so flustered that I ducked my head instead of calling him back. I mean…what would I say? That I didn't mean it? That I didn't think he was a bad boy when I first saw him? That I wanted to go with him.

The thought of leaving school…to hang out with a boy I didn't even know was frightening and exhilarating at the same time. I moved, heading down the way Isaac and I had been going and into the girl's bathroom. I wasn't a risk taker and I never broke the rules. I've always wanted to…to see what it was like not to care about what the teachers or Dad would think if I ditched. I always wanted to feel that sense of ownership. That I was my own person and not just here because Dad wanted me to be. That I could leave and go wherever I wanted anytime I wanted.

Come to think of it…missing first period was exciting. It had sent my heart going when I thought a teacher was going to catch me. Instead I found something better. A handsome guy who was providing the opportunity to do the very thing I've always wanted to do. But…I couldn't bring myself to do it.

I was a coward.

The bell rang overhead and I sighed and moved to my second period as students trailed out of the classrooms and moved along noisily to their next classrooms. Luckily for me, no one else decided they hated me in any of my other periods. And lunch? Hah…well I sat quietly by myself and nibbled on my sandwich. I had to admit…I looked for Isaac everywhere. I wanted to apologize…and tell him that maybe I'd consider it. Honestly? I just wanted to see him again. He was gorgeous and fascinating…which is probably why I lost him so fast.

I was glad though because apparently I didn't have anymore classes with Mya. I only had honors classes the rest of the day, so I was pleased. But I did have classes with her mysterious brother. Almost every single period The teacher would call out, "Mr. Evans?" And the usual reply either came from some giggling girl or a grinning guy: "Ditching."

I thought maybe it could be Isaac…but he hadn't shown any signs of recognizing Shotts' room so I pushed it aside. Besides…how many classes could Isaac ditch in one day and still hang around school? And why do I have to keep thinking about him?

When the final bell rang that day I was more than eager to escape the insane halls of school and leap into my dad's awaiting car. I couldn't wait until mine came back from the shop. Then I'd be able to escape anytime I wanted during the day…

"Hey, honey!" my dad cried eagerly as I hopped into the car and shut the door.

I loved my dad. Considering he was the only person I could really talk to when things got rough, we were basically best friends. There were some hard parts in our relationship, especially when it came to Mom's death last year, but I think it made us a little closer too…because we felt so attacked by anyone who dared to ask about it.

Dad was a tall man, big and buff and kind of intimidating…polar opposites to my tiny 5'4" size and skinny build. He had my light brown hair though and we both shared dark brown eyes. He might've been intimidating to look at, but my dad was a puppy in personality. He was really sweet and kind of a ladies man. And he was always so happy to see me!

"Hey, Daddy!" I grinned, pulling my seatbelt over as he pulled out of the front of the school. As I turned to glance back at it, I noticed a handsome blonde figure watching me from the bike racks…but we were out and away before I could make out for sure if it was him.

"Hey hun," he grinned. "First day at work was great! The Carpenter family says they really can't wait to see us again and have asked us over for dinner tomorrow night. And the Coltens' too."

"Ms. Charleston asked about you," I said suddenly, remembering the way she had reacted to my name. The way Isaac had reacted…

My father looked a me fast before looking back to the rood. "Layla…?"

"Sure," I shrugged. I didn't know her first name.

"Huh…" he was quiet for a moment. "What did she say?"

I frowned a little but hid it from him. "She wanted to know how you were…how Mom was."

My father visibly stiffened at the mention of Mom. His voice was gruff. "And…what did you tell her?"

"How you were," I said promptly. "And the truth."

He knew what I meant and we were both silent. We hadn't talked about it. Not really. But there was no need. We were both Christian but we weren't very active…but still we believed she was okay. We didn't need words to acknowledge that.

As we pulled up to the front of the house, Dad looked at me. "So how was your first day?"

I thought about it. "Interesting."

"Meet any friends?" he questioned.

"Nope." I replied.

"Any cute boys?" he questioned, permitting himself a face as he used a "girl" word to describe what he meant.

My thoughts immediately traveled to Isaac. Linkin Park shirt…lean build…blonde hair…amazing green eyes…it would raise questions.

"No," I said, finally deciding telling Dad about a handsome guy…who hated me, probably wasn't the best idea. "None.