So hay there my little minions. I decided that I'm done with one-shots. How about a nice chapter story? Renee White is, what most people call an Army Brat. She's seen millions of places due to her fathers position in the military. They were always moving. When Ren was seven, her mothers brutal suicide left Ren scarred, and reluctant to let many people back into her heart. She couldn't help in in eighth grade though with Melony, Loralee, and Ashleigh - don't let Ash catch you calling her that though, unless you want your face smashed it. She was Ash as far as she cared - they all became best friends intsantly. Even as Ren moved all over the place, they some how stayed friends. Through all the long distance calls, web-caming and texting, they'd some how kept their connection. Now back in London On, Ren can't help but remember one more person she let into her heart. Noah Riley. Will she keep away, to stop herself from a pain she doesn't want to go through again? Or will she completely open up, and let him know everything? Will things stay easy for Ren? Or will she soon discover that her life, isn't exactly as easy as she'd thought it'd been?

Chapter 1

Back in London Town

"Get it together Ren," I said to myself as I paced outside my new schools doors. School had started about an hour ago, but I hadn't wanted to go that morning. Dad had been fine with that, and said as long as I was there by second period, I was safe in his books. "I mean come on, it's just a new school. You always go to new schools!"

Dad was what they call the military man. We always moved. He was hardly home either. Instead it was Mom who was always home. Janey White. Beautiful. That was the only way to explain my mother. She had these amazing grey eyes, that shone with her every emotion. Her long dark curls were always pulled back into this sloppy bun, or a pony tail. At least that's how I remembered her hair was. She was a small thing. No taller than 5 feet. Some how, she seemed to be the biggest person in my life. Until I was 7 anyway. I'll never understand why she did it. Took the knife to her wrists. Never understand why she killed herself. She'd been happy. At least she had seemed happy to me. I still hadn't forgiven her for leaving me for something the psychiatrists say, my mother thought was an easier place to be.

I'm always told I look like her. Except I had Dad's hair. Straight and black. It hung down my back like a black veil. But my eyes, were exactly like hers. Bright and grey. My nose was small and angular to my face, and my lips were lop sided. Full on top, thinner on the bottom lip. My teeth pulled at that lip now. Worrying it until it became swollen and red. I Renee White, was nervous of going to a new school, for the first time in my life. Why? Well let me tell you.

Dad, Lesley and I had moved to London about a week ago. Lesley was the nanny Dad hired after Mom died, because I wasn't old enough to take care of myself. We still had her because she'd become part of the family, and I don't think we'd be able to survive another lose. She was cheery, Lesley was. A bright sun beam. Blond hair and bright blue eyes, made her seem like a stupid ditz along with her amazing enthusiasm over anything and everything, but she was actually the smartest person I knew. Anyway, back to the original discussion.

We'd just moved to London a week ago. We'd lived here once before, and I'd gone to school for a whole year that time. I think it was the most amazing of my life because I actually got to make friends. Most of which I still have, and who are all ecstatic that I'm back. But my main dilemma was Noah Riley. Last time I was in London was for the year of grade 8, and I'd had a major crush on Noah. Secretly, I still had it. And that's why I was freaking. Melony had lovingly informed me Riley had gone buff... like Taylor Lautner buff. She'd shown me pictures, but he wasn't that buff. Then again Melony was all for anything that walked so I wasn't expecting much. The kid was ripped though. Amazing stomach, the kind that makes your tongue loll out the side out your mouth, and shoulders that make your knees shake. My little, harmless, elementary school crush, had obviously increased greatly.

So, I stood outside the high school doors, and paced, trying to build up the courage to walk inside and go to second period, which Mel had once again informed me, I had with Noah. Someone please shoot me? I paced back and forth worrying myself into a state. 'Did he remember me?' 'Was there going to be weirdness between us if he did?' Those sorts of questions ran round and round inside my head like a roller coaster; going up and down, round and round – oh don't forget the loopty loop. Please, please, please someone just shoot me.

The bell rang. The ominous first-period-is-over bell. If I didn't go in now, Dad would send me to military school for sure. Let's not bring up that conversation. It's just to gross to even imagine. No offense to those who go to military school or anything, but it's just not for me. I get enough military from my father. So I pushed the door of the school open, because really, when it came down to it, I wanted to not go to military school, more than I didn't want to face Noah again.

The school smelled like most other schools. Books, man sweat, girlie perfume, with an underline of greasy cafeteria food. I took a deep breath of it hoping it would calm my nerves and walked towards the front office which was right beside the door I walked in. I had to pick up my official time table (I was currently living off the hope that my second period had been changed from English to something – anything really - else), and figure out where I was going, because I didn't know my way around this school.

"Ohmygosh! REN!" I heard my name and turned. I was then immediately assaulted by three different girls. Melony, Loralee, and Ashleigh. Don't let Ash catch you calling her Ashleigh though, because she's the major tomboy type. Dark hair, dark eyes, pony tail, plays soccer. The list goes on. She hates being called Ashleigh, says its girlish and degrading. I think it's gorgeous, but my opinion really doesn't matter in the case of her name. Her exact words when we first met were:

"Call me Ashleigh again, and you'll never be able to speak again. Got it?"

How we got from that, to what we are now, I'll never know. But it really doesn't matter. I was being jumped up and down, thrown from side to side, in a big bear hug surrounded by people who had some how stayed my best friends for the past three years despite the fact that I haven't even been in the same province. It was a huge comfort to know that I wouldn't be facing this new school all alone like I had so many before.

"I can't believe you're back Ren. I mean, after grad we all thought we wouldn't see you again." Ash smiled.

"I know, same. But Dad said he had some business to take care of here, and that we should be here for at least 6 months, if not longer."

Melony squealed in my ear. Always the dramatic one. She was bouncing on her toes, which were clad in an amazing pair of flats if I may be so bold. They were white, with an abstract design of different sized squares in a lime green. Her legs were sheathed in dark denim which clung to her body like a second skin. Her shirt was baggy though, and off the shoulder, though it got elastic-y at the waist. As always, Melony looked amazing. She had plait her long blond hair into a French braid, and it hung almost all the way down her back. Her green eyes sparkled with delight as she bounced.

"That's exciting! Oh I hope it's longer." She mused.

I rolled my eyes at her. "I was heading into the office before you guys so rudely interrupted me."

"We'll go in with you." Loralee spoke for the first time. Always the shy one. Her dark eyes were always sheltered, as if she had something to hide. I often times wondered if I was the only one who noticed, because I'd never heard Melony or Ash ask Lora about it. She tucked a piece of her short, bob cut, red hair behind her ear before looking away from me. Tall as a tree Lora was, and shy. It was really cute sometimes, because she'd blush over the silliest things. She hasn't been shy with me since the beginning of the eighth grade. I guess because we haven't seen each other in a while she felt a little shy again. I'd crack her shell soon enough though.

"Don't you guys have to go to class though?"

"Naw, we can be late today." Melony said pulling her braid over her shoulder to play with the tail.

"Exactly. The fourth musketeer has just returned and we must fully incorporate her back into the group before anything else can be done!" Ash stamped her Nike clad foot, and did a fist pump. I looked at her for a second, raising my eyebrow before laughing.

"Come on Ren, it'll just take a few minutes anyway. We probably wont be that late." Loralee smiled at me now.

With a sigh I gave into them, and allowed myself to be dragged into the school office with the three best friends I had ever known.

I'd dressed pretty simple that day. Deciding that because it was nice out, the weather actually very mild, that I'd put on some shorts. I'd pulled my jean ones out. The ones I'd cut from an actual pair of jeans, and then completely killed the ends of just to get the frayed look. I'd done a pretty good job on them if I do say so myself. And yes, I do say so. Instead of fussing, I'd just reached my hand into the box that held my t-shirts, and pulled one out at random. I'd come up with the one that said:

'oh, I see you typed ;) back. I'm assuming that means you're DTF?'

It was probably highly inappropriate for school, considering what DTF meant, but I didn't really care. As if any teachers would know anyway. Figured people might get a kick out of it, I know I did every time I looked at it.

Over my DTF shirt, I'd just pulled on a cardigan. A white one because I didn't want to seem to over coloured considering the t-shirt was a bold red, with bright yellow writing. I figured that white cardigan would down play it a bit. At least I hoped it did. I wasn't a fashionista like Melony. I was more laid back when it came to what I wore. Usually I just did what I did today; shove my hand in a box – because that all anything was ever in was boxes – and pulled something out. It'd been working for me my whole life and I wasn't about to stop it either. I like the sense of surprise. I'd even made a promise to myself to wear whatever I pulled out, no matter what I pulled out. So far I'd been lucky and hadn't pulled out anything that didn't look too bad together.

"Hi," I said as our group reached the front desk. "I'm Renee White. New kid. Army brat, whatever you want to call me." I smiled at the secretary who was an old woman with a tuft of white hair sitting on her head. She looked at me over the rim of her fifties retro glasses, and I tried not to squirm under her scrutiny. Finally she smiled. I think I let out a sigh of relief.

"Ah Miss. White! We've been patiently awaiting your arrival. We were told you would be here this morning when school started." She raised an eyebrow. I caught on quickly. She was trying to be subtle in her attempt to figure out why I wasn't at school during first period. I just shot her a smile back.

"I had to do a few things for my father. That happens a lot. Him being in the military and everything. Sometimes I have to skip whole days if he needs something! If it's a problem, perhaps you should call my father and speak to him about it? I'm sure he'd be happy to oblige you while he's training the masses." Now it was my turn to raise an eyebrow.

I heard someone snicker behind me. If I was correct, I was guessing it was Ash. But the snicker seemed a bit to deep to belong to her. I didn't dwell on it, instead I focused my attention on the now flustered secretary.

"Quite right. I almost forgot your fathers profession. Well dear, here is your timetable. I'm sure these girls behind you wont mind showing you around the school considering they are already late for class." She looked at Ash, Melony, and Loralee over the rims of her glasses, each in turn.

"Sorry Ren, gotta run! I can hear my teacher calling my name! See you later!" Ash dragged Melony and Loralee behind her and out the office door as she spoke.

"Thanks for the support guys." I mumbled. "What happened to the four musketeers?" I yelled that, but the door had already closed behind my friends.

"Perhaps Mrs. Home, I could show Miss. White around the school? I've already been marked present, and we have a supply teacher today."

I stiffened slightly at the voice. I knew that voice. It was deeper, rougher, more masculine now, but I sure as hell knew that voice. Mrs. Home's voice didn't even register in my brain as I slowly turned around. There stood a smiling Noah Riley with an attendance sheet in his hand. I think my stomach dropped down way past the heels of my feet and sunk into the floor. Dear God, not this soon!

Here we go minions! Are you guys ready for a new adventure? I myself, am sort of excited for this story. I haven't been able to write for a while, something clogging the imagination. But now I've got my groove back, and congrats you guys are the first the experience just how much of a groove I got back. Let me know what you think. I'd love to know how you guys think this is going to go. I know it's early on yet in the story, but the guessing part is twice the fun! Review minions, if you want another dose-age ;)

Love you more than valentines day loves flowers... now that I think about it... that's a whole lot!

Mychayla! ( L )