*REWRITTEN*

Hello everyone! Just a heads up, this is the first time I have ever attempted to write and publish a story before. As a result, I would really appreciate if you could leave a review. Please, tell me what you think about the chapter, and possibly write any questions or ideas for upcoming chapters. By the way, this is the first chapter and I am posting it to see if y'all like it. All rights go to Hasbro and Toyota (for the car) and anything that you recognize does not belong to me. I just own the OC and the impact she has on the storyline.

(A-POV)

After what felt like an eternity, the bell rang and I breathed out a sigh of relief. After all, it was the only way to free me from the terrible Family Genealogy reports that were being presented in history class. I had been one of the first people to go a couple of days ago. My teacher offered to let volunteers go first. I was the second person that hadn't volunteered to go. What can I say, I was anxious to get it over with, but not anxious enough to be a volunteer.

Grabbing my bag, I swung it over my shoulder and walked out of the classroom. I spotted one person, a dark-haired boy, walk over to the teacher and start a conversation. It was the same guy who had just finished presenting to the class. I didn't stick around long enough to overhear any words, but any person could deduct that he and the teacher were discussing his project grade.

I'd say that it was a solid B+. He had done better than some kids in the class because he had actually prepared for it. He even brought in the actual equipment. Some simply printed pictures. The kid did attempt to make money by selling all of his family's crap, though, which lowered the grade a bit.

When I reached my locker, I opened it and placed the few books I wouldn't be needing for homework tonight inside. I had a whole bucketload of work tonight. I was definitely not looking forward to it.

Slamming it shut, I pulled out my phone and rested my shoulder against the wall. At that moment, Trent breezed by me, giving me a wink and his "classic" smirk. He didn't even try to hide the fact that he looked me up and down, too.

I rolled my eyes and ignored him, hoping that he would get the message. Against my prayers, he didn't get it. I swear, how idiotic could he actually be?

"Hey Alestia," Trent murmured, getting closer to me. "Why don't you and I ditch this place and go somewhere? It's boring here, and I'm sure you could teach me a few things."

What the hell was that supposed to mean?

Of course, the first thing that came to his mind was to ask if we could hook up. Even though his girlfriend was standing at her locker ten feet away from him. Apparently, in his tiny world, none of that mattered. Getting a chick in bed, though. That was another fucking story.

Not giving him the attention he so desperately desired, I put my hand on his chest and pushed him out of the way. I walked towards Mikaela Banes, my best friend, and the girlfriend that Trent has just attempted to cheat on. I joined in on the conversation she was having with a couple of other girls, knowing that Trent wouldn't try to make a move in front of her.

Mikaela turned to me and gave me a smile. As soon as my bright green eyes met her baby blue ones, a pang of sympathy shot through me. I knew that having a boyfriend like Trent wasn't easy, but did she know how bad he actually was? Of course, she did; it wasn't something Trent tried to hide. She was a helluva lot smarter than most gave her credit for. It was the rumors that gave her the reputation now pinned to her like a badge. Instead of trying to fight them, she knew it was no use.

She might not have the best book smarts, but she flourished alongside her people smarts. And on many occasions, that has proved to be more important than all the book smarts in the world.

Once the student body clung to something, they usually clung to it forever. That's what happens in a relatively small town such as Tranquility; people latch onto whatever they can get their hands on. So, Mikaela just rolled with it. How she's maintained appearances for so long will forever be a mystery to me.

"Hey Lest, are you joining us at the lake for the party?" Mikaela asked in her usual bubbly tone.

I smiled at her apologetically. "Sorry Mik, I have a crap ton of homework and I can't allow my grades to drop more than they already have."

Mikaela snorted. "Please! To you, the definition of grades dropping means an A+ changing to an A. For an average, not just on a test or quiz. "

I chuckled at her comment. However, she didn't truly know the importance of keeping those grades up, and what it would mean for my job. My duty.

Not that anyone knew that, anyway.

"Alright girly, I have to head out now, but I promise we'll hang out again soon. It's your turn to pick the place." I said as I began to swivel around.

"We better, or I'll kick your ass, Barone!"

Grinning from ear to ear, I glanced back at the group and shouted, "I'm looking forward to it!"

As I rounded the corner of the hallway, I faintly heard her laugh bounce off the walls.

I walked out the double doors and tied my long, curly hair into a ponytail before climbing into the driver's seat of my car. Setting my bookbag on the passenger side, I leaned in and pressed a kiss to the steering wheel of my 2007 Red Toyota Camry. To say that I loved my car would be an understatement. I abso-fricken-lutely adored my car to bits and pieces. I pulled the car keys out of my pocket and inserted them into the ignition. I started the engine, put the car in drive, and pulled out of the school's parking lot.

As I was driving to the small one-bedroom apartment I called home, I felt a sudden burning sensation in my chest, I sped up, anxiously racing to get to my destination. As I expected, my phone rang and I glanced at the number. I made sure it was connected to Bluetooth before answering rapidly.

"Barone," I sharply responded.

"Agent Barone, your presence is required. You are needed immediately."

"Understood. I will be there in no more than 15 minutes. I'm on my way home from school, so I might hit some traffic. Await my arrival."

When I heard the click from the other end of the call, signaling that the person had hung up, I spun my car around. Looks like homework will have to wait, I thought grimly.

-0-0-0-

I opened my front door, truly breathing for the first time since I had been called to work. I plopped my bag on the small kitchen table and walked towards the bathroom. Exhausted, I turned the water onto the hottest setting it could possibly reach and stripped myself of my clothing.

I stepped into the shower, feeling my muscles relax after the strain they had received. I washed my hair and my sore body thoroughly, scrubbing at the dirt stuck to my skin. It had been little rougher than usual today. The fact that I still had schoolwork to do didn't help. It was late: almost 10:00 pm. There was still about an hour and a half of homework to finish. I had a study hall earlier in the day, but it hadn't been enough time to get the brunt of it complete.

I stood under the hot water and closed my eyes, relishing in the feeling of it beating against the surface of my body.

I continued to stand there until the water began to chill, signaling that I used up my reserve of hot water. Turning it off, I stepped out of the shower and toweled myself dry. Slipping into my pajamas and grabbing my work, I plopped myself at the wooden desk in the living room and got to work. Procrastinating wouldn't help me now. It may be Friday, but I didn't want to deal with this shit on Sunday.

I already knew I wasn't gonna do any of it tomorrow. It was the weekend.

So I figured I would do most of it tonight, even though it was pretty late. I'll see how much I'll finish and then work from there.

I made the executive decision (if it could even be considered that) to start off with a bang. Meaning my math homework. I took a few seconds to read the question and groaned, rubbing my temples. Oh, it was going to be a long night, indeed.

Here is the rewritten version, and I hope you enjoyed it! I definitely added more detail and writing throughout the chapter. This was the first chapter I ever released, and it was just as much fun going back through it as it was when I first published it!

Until next time!