"Come in." A gruff, booming voice came from the other side of the door marked 'Principal McMahon'. Nervously, a young, teenaged boy turned the metal handle and pushed open the door.
He stood in the doorframe looking at the well dressed older man sitting behind his desk. "Can I help you?" He asked with a slightly annoyed tone in his voice.
The teenager took a step forward. "Hi, I'm Jason. Jason Fitzpatrick." He said timidly. "I'm new and was told to come here." He explained.
"Ah, Mr Fitzpatrick." He stood and offered out his hand.
Jason moved towards the desk and accepted the hand of his new principal. "Please, take a seat." He gestured towards one of the chairs placed in front of him.
Placing his schoolbag down beside the chair, Jason sat himself down in the rather comfortable seat.
"First of all allow me to welcome you to Saint Patrick's High, one of the top schools in Boston." He said beaming with pride.
"Thank you sir."
"I like to be the first to welcome any new students we have in our school. I have your file here." He said turning to his computer.
"Really?"
"Yes. Jason Fitzpatrick, from Glasgow, Scotland. From what I see here you are a marvellous student. A lot of passes. I understand that you're graded differently from where you're from?"
"Yeah, we don't really do the whole A+, A, B thing in the UK, just pass or fail."
"Well either way, it is very impressive. I'm also told that you're very good with a soccer ball. Or as you call it, football."
"Yeah, I played in the youth team for Motherwell before I moved here. They're in the top league in Scotland."
"I see. You could be the boost that our soccer team needs. They've struggled over the past couple of years and we need something to get to the top."
"Well, I'd be happy to help with that."
"Great. Now, I have your schedule here." He handed over a sheet of paper with all the classes that Jason would have to attend. "And I also have a copy of our sports schedule for each of the teams. Even if you don't join the soccer team I'm sure there's something else for you on that."
Jason read over the timetable but something confused him. "Uh, sir? It says for homeroom I have Mr McMahon. Aren't you Mr McMahon?"
He chuckled slightly. "I see what the confusion is. Mr McMahon is my son and one of our English teachers. My daughter and son-in-law also teach here. Mrs McMahon-Helmsley is up in Geography and Coach Helmsley teaches P.E. and also coaches the football team." He explained.
"Oh, okay. Slightly confusing but I'm sure I'll get used to it."
The door knocked again. "Come in."
A boy with long black hair entered the room holding a folded up piece of paper. "Sorry for interrupting but Mr McMahon asked me to give this note to you." He said.
"Let's see it. Mr Fitzpatrick this is Seth. He's our football teams star wide receiver."
"Nice to meet you." He said holding out his hand.
"Nice to meet you too." He said accepting the handshake. "I'm Jason."
"Nice accent. Irish?"
"Scottish." He corrected. "My surname is Irish though."
"Cool."
"Mr Rollins." The principal interrupted. "Did you say Mr McMahon sent you?"
"Yes sir."
"Good, Jason here is in your class. Would you please show him where he's going?"
"Of course. No problem sir."
Jason picked up his bag and followed Seth.
"One more thing Mr Fitzpatrick. Enjoy your junior year."
"Will do. Thank you sir." With that he closed the door and followed Seth through the emptying corridors.
"So. Did you change schools or just straight up move?" Seth asked curiously.
"I moved country. Me and my mum moved here from Glasgow during the summer."
"That's cool. The school is surprisingly diverse in terms of people from foreign countries. Russians, Bulgarians, a few Canadians and now a Scotsman." He said referring to Jason. "And of course being in Boston we have a few Irish people as well."
"Good to hear." He yawned. "It's too early for this." He joked.
"Yeah, we're all still adjusting from sleeping in over the summer."
"It's not just that. I'm not used to a 7:30 start. Back home, school starts at 9."
"9?" He asked a little shocked. "Lucky bastards. I wish."
He laughed. "I fon't mind the 2 o'clock finish though. Better than 3:30."
"We've got you guys there. Don't worry, you'll get used to it." He assured him.
"To be honest, I'm still trying to get used to the fact that I don't have to wear a school uniform. That's another area where you've got us."
"Yeah." He agreed. "I'd hate to have to wear a school uniform. I much prefer my own clothes. So, why did you move here?"
Jason paused. "I'd rather not talk about it. It's kind of personal."
"That's fine. I don't want to overstep any boundaries."
"Thanks."
"No problem." He said stopping in front of a door marked 'Mr McMahon: English'.
Seth opened the door and walked in being closely followed by Jason. A man who Jason assumed to be Mr McMahon sat at his desk staring intently at his computer screen.
"Thanks for that Seth." He said noticing the two. "Who's this?"
"Sir, this is Jason. What did you say your second name was again?"
"Fitzpatrick."
"Right. Jason Fitzpatrick. He's new here."
"Ah, right. You're on my class list. Please, take one of the empty seats. Actual classes will start in around 5 minutes time."
"Come on. You can sit next to me." Said Seth.
Jason followed him through the maze of desks. Rather than the single desks he'd seen countless times in TV shows and movies, the room was instead filled with tables big enough to fit two people to each all facing the front of the class.
As they sat down, two boys turned in their chairs to face them. One had long black hair tied up in a ponytail with dark skin. Oh, he was also fucking massive. The other much smaller one had shorter shaggy light brown hair and wore a leather jacket.
"Who the fucks this?" Asked the smaller one bluntly, giving Jason a sort of dirty look.
"Down boy." The bigger one said mockingly. "Sorry. He doesn't like strangers. Don't worry though, he doesn't bite." He said laughing causing the other to roll his eyes.
"Shut up. You're the one everybody calls 'Big Dog."
Seth laughed. "Jason. This is Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose."
"Sup." Roman said while Dean just turned away. "He takes some getting used to. But when you do get to know him, he's cool." Said Roman.
"Roman is the Quarter Back on the football team. And the captain. And our best player."
"The only reason people say I'm the best player is because your always there to make the catch." The two fist bumped before Roman turned back to Jason. "You play?"
"I do play football just not your version."
"Soccer player, huh? What position?"
"Striker. And a pretty good one if I do say so myself."
"Really? You better be. We're at the top of every sport in the state apart from soccer. Of course the fact that students don't really show up to support the team doesn't help things." He said looking at Seth accusingly.
"Not my fault I find soccer boring. And it's not just me. Most of the school doesn't show up to games. Even the cheerleaders." He said defensively.
"That's a great argument for me joining the team. Thanks Seth." He said jokingly.
"Don't listen to him man. I go when I can. You should join."
"Incoming." Dean said suddenly.
"What?" Asked Jason confused only to have Seth motion to look to his other side.
He turned to see a tall blonde girl approaching them.
"Hey Seth, Roman." She said casually. "Dean." She said making it clear she didn't like him. "And you are?" She asked curiously.
"Jason."
"Hello Jason." She said with a bit of a flirty tone. "Pleasure to meet you. I'm Charlotte. Charlotte Flair. And you are cute. You're obviously new here so how about you come out with me tonight and I can show you around." She said confidently.
Behind Jason, Seth was shaking his head not that he could notice. Before Jason could answer, a tall guy with a shaved head butted in. "What's going on over here?" He asked with anger in his voice.
"Hey baby, I just came over to talk to Seth and this new kid started hitting on me." She said now acting disgusted.
"Is that so?" He said now directing his anger towards Jason.
"No. Listen, I wasn't hitting on anyone." He said defensively.
"Are you calling my girlfriend a liar?" He got right in Jason's face.
"I. I. No." He said giving up.
"That's what I thought." He backed off. "But if I ever see you hitting on my girlfriend again, I'm gonna kick your ass. Come on baby." He walked off with Charlotte following behind. However, she turned and blew Jason a kiss when the big guy wasn't looking.
Completely shocked, Jason turned back to the others. "What the fuck just happened?"
"That was Baron Corbin. He's one of the defensive tackles. And a Class A asshole." Explained Roman. "Probably best to just avoid him when you can. And his girlfriend. No matter how much of a liking she's seemed to take to you."
"Good to know." Jason said now calming down.
Just then, the bell rang indicating the end of homeroom. As people started to file out of the classroom, Jason pulled out his timetable.
"What class have you got?" Asked Seth.
"I'm staying right here. English with Mr McMahon."
"Cool, same here. Let me have a look at your timetable."
Jason placed it on the table in front of him.
"Alright, let's see here. English with Mr McMahon, P.E. with Coach Helmsley, Math with Miss Young, Religion with Mr Regal, Chemistry with Mr Heyman and Theatre? Seriously?" He asked shocked turning to him.
"What? I like acting." He said defending himself.
"Whatever. Apart from that we have the exact same schedule which means I can show you around."
With it being the first period of the first day back at school, Mr McMahon went relatively easy on the class but promised that that wouldn't happen again.
Coach Helmsley on the other hand, wasn't so forgiving and made everyone run laps from the start as a way to "get everyone back into things" as he put it. As much as Jason loved P.E. he was more than happy to leave that gym, even if it meant he had to go to Math.
Despite the fact that Jason was very good in school, Mathematics was one thing he was dreadful at, always had been. He just couldn't get his head around it. Sure he could do the basics but why add letters into the mix, that's what English is for.
Anyway, knowing this would likely be the worst hour of his day he took a seat next to Roman and prepared to suffer.
"Looking forward to this Ambrose?" Roman teasingly asked the boy in front of him.
"Shut up." Was the reply.
Roman and Seth started snickering. "Math is Dean's favourite class." Roman said laughing.
"Why? It's Math." Said Jason failing to understand why anyone would like the godforsaken subject.
"Oh it's not the subject he likes." Said Seth turning to face him. "He has a massive crush on Miss Young."
"No I don't."
"Dude, stop denying it." Said Roman.
"I will continue to deny it because it's not true."
"It is though. This is the class you pay the most attention in, you're always asking questions and getting her to come over to check your work. In other classes you wouldn't even consider doing that." Said Seth.
"I'm ignoring you now." Said Dean clearly annoyed.
"Just watch him during class." Said Roman. "You'll definitely notice it."
Sure enough, throughout the lesson Dean did exactly what Seth said he would. The amount of times Miss Young had to come over to 'help' Dean was ridiculous and the three others couldn't help but snigger throughout.
Apart from that entertainment however, Jason had a torrid time of it. He struggled throughout and was constantly asking Roman for answers. The silver lining was that Roman had offered to tutor him if he continued to struggle. Turns out Roman was actually pretty good at Math.
Religion was much more easy going compared to everything else. It was pretty much an hour of Mr Regal talking and having the class take the occasional note.
"By the way, if you wanna join the soccer team he's the man you need to talk to." Said Seth at the end of class.
"Mr Regal?" He asked surprised.
"Yep. He's taking over from last year's soccer coach Mr Brookside. I'll wait for you before we go down to lunch if you want."
"Thanks. I'm gonna go talk to him now then."
Jason walked over to Mr Regal's desk.
"Mr Regal?"
"Yes?" He said looking up from his computer.
"I was told to talk to you about joining the foot-...soccer team." He corrected himself.
"You heard correctly. And you can call it football with me. We both know the Americans have got it wrong." He joked earning a chuckle from Jason. "Tryouts are on Friday after school on the soccer field as the yanks call it. Just one thing, what position are you so I can note it down?"
"Striker."
"Great. I look forward to seeing you there."
"Same here." He replied before meeting Seth outside the classroom.
"Ready for lunch?" He asked.
"You bet. I'm starving."