Grounded, that would be the one word to describe my life. I was always grounded, and it was all my step dad, Kevin's fault.

It was a Monday morning and I was getting ready for school. I planned on going to my friend Trish's house after school, to "study" which meant sitting around watching t.v. and that kind of thing. But, no! I was grounded...again. This time I was grounded for sneaking my best friend Adam into the house through my bedroom window. Two months was a little irrational for something like that, at least in my mind it was.

I let out a frustrated sigh and continued getting ready. My shower was done and I was dressed in my usual, black skinny jeans and an All Time Low t-shirt. I plugged in my hair dryer and turned it on. The breathy scream drowned out the song of my iPod so I cranked the volume.

Once my dark brown hair was dry I put on a thick line of black eyeliner and a coat of clear lipgloss.

"Annabeth Mitchell!" My mother screamed.

I frowned but replied, "Coming, Ma!"

I grabbed my book bag and headed downstairs.

"It's the first day back after Christmas break and you're already running late!" My mom scolded.

"It's not like I have anything important first period." I shrugged and reached for an apple.

"Don't you have English?"

"Exactly." I said and bit into the apple.

"God, you are so stupid!" She shouted.

I rolled my eyes and walked out the door without saying anything else.

I got into my car, a 1967 Chevy Impala, and started the engine, the sound immediately calmed me.

I drove to school but didn't go in right away, I sat inside listening to All Time Low's new cd Dirty Work.

Someone tapped on my window and I turned to look who it was.

"Hey, girly! Get out of there!" Shouted Trish.

I grinned and got out.

Trish gave me a quick hug and looked over my outfit. "Do you ever wear anything but band shirts?"

"Never." I laughed.

"Who's that?" Trish asked and looked over my shoulder.

I turned around and said, "Who?"

"That super fine boy who's totally staring at your tits."

I folded my arms over my chest and turned away, I was very self concious about my boobs.

"You shouldn't be calling anyone that, you have a boyfriend." I said.

"Pssh, he don't even need to know." She laughed.

I didn't find it very amusing.

"Just because he doens't go to our school doesn't mean you can act like a slut when he isn't around." I informed her.

She rolled her eyes, "It's not my fault he graduated three years ago."

"It is your fault that you're 16 and you're dating a guy that's 21." I cocked my head to side, knowing that I was right.

She frowned, "I'm aware."

"Sorry, I'm kind of being bitchy today, not a good morning." I explained.

"No, it's cool, I get it. Was it Kevin?"

"No, actually, it was my mom this morning."

"Oh, I'm sorry." She grabbed my hand and squeezed.

"S'okay." I mumbled.

"Let's head to first period, 'kay?"

"Yeah, let's go."

We hurried inside and took our usual seats at the back of the room.

"Yo." Kyle said as he took the seat in front of me.

"Hey, dude, what's up?" I asked.

"Not much, man, Christmas was shitty this year." He said.

"Yeah, bro, I know. I would've rather stayed in this fucking shit-hole."

"Well, I wouldn't say that." He laughed.

"Nah, man, we got glee club here!" I said with a grin.

He fake-shuddered and I laughed, I loved glee club.

Kyle opened his mouth to say something, probably something about how glee club sucked balls, but the bell rang and Mr. Cothern walked into the room.

"Hush up!" He shouted.

I groaned, there was a reason I hated English, and it was him.

"I see you haven't changed a bit." Kori Miller sneered at me when I caught her looking at my outfit.

"Nor have you. You still dress like a prostitute and you still smell like chlamydia."

Her jaw dropped and she turned back to the front of the room where Mr. Cother was writing today's notes on the board.

"Annabeth, can you believe All Time Low is playing here in two days?" Olivia Littleton whispered to me when she stopped laughing at Kori.

"I know right! Oh my god, I want to see them so bad but it's sold out and I don't have ticket. I have to meet them!" I whispered back.

"Oh, you do have a ticket!" I heard Trish whisper.

"Huh?" I asked.

"What?" Her eyes got wide. "I didn't say anything."

I shook my head and turned around.

"Attention Brooklyn High students and staff." The principal's voice bleated over the intercom. "Mrs. McNary needs ALL glee club members in the auditorium immediately. I repeat, all glee members need to report the auditorium immediately."

Kori and I grinned at each other and stood up.

We grabbed our bags and headed for the door.

"Thank you, Jesus!" I said as soon as we were in the hall.

"Yes, everytime I doubt you, you make me believe again! I love you, Jesus!" Kori laughed.

We skipped down the hall into the auditorium, it smelled funny, like wet paint and sushi.

"James!" I yelled and everyone turned to look.

"Annabeth!" He yelled back.

I ran into my gay best friend's arms. "I missed you!"

"I missed you, too, Bunny!" He said, using his nickname for me.

"I would complain about PDA but I don't think it applies in this situation." Mrs. McNary gave us a smile.

We laughed and separated.

"Alright, I need everyone to take a seat, in the first few rows, please!" She shouted.

Everyone took their seats and quieted as Mrs. McNary walked onto the stage. "I have some very exciting news."

"Did we get more money for costumes?" Asked Tori Otloe.

"Well, besides that." She said.

"New...new...heck I dunno!" Tori yelled and threw her arms in the air.

We all laughed and Mrs. McNary announced, "We are going to be performing in front of the entire school exactly one month from now. And we will be performing Bad Romance by Lady
Gaga!"

"Yes!" I shouted. "This is awesome! We're finally doing a song people know, 'cause well, to be honest, no one really knows that disco stuff you have us do."

"Well, perhaps you should audition for the lead, you are one of our best singers." Mrs. McNary compimented.

"Thank you very much."

"Now, auditions will be tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock sharp, sign up sheet will be in my office, you can stop by anytime." She said.

A few people whooped and cheered but most of us remained quiet, it was early and not many of us were "morning people."

"That part is so mine." I smiled confidently.

"Maybe Stacia will get it, she's uber talented." Trish said.

"Hell nah! I was born for this."

We all dispersed and as I stepped into the hall I bumped a guy.

"Oh, shit, sorry dude." I said.

"Oh, Annabeth. I missed you." My ex-boyfriend Mitch grabbed my and crushed his lips to mine.

I shoved him away, "Dammit, Mitch. I broke up with you for a reason!"

"Don't be such a bitch." He said.

"Fuck off."

His temper flared and he punched me in the face.

Blood filled my mouth and I fell to the ground, my head hit the wall and next thing I know, everything is black.