"No," It seems like the fiftieth time that I've said the words but it doesn't seem to be having to desired effect.

"Amy," My mother chastises in her polite, three seconds away from bringing the wrath of Satan down upon you, tone of voice.

"Mom," My tone is significantly more exasperated than hers.

"Liam is a nice boy, and you two got along so well over the summer. I don't know why you are being so difficult about this," Mom justifies and I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

"He moved in next door, I was trying to be nice so I hung out with him. Just because I befriended and continued to tolerate him, doesn't mean I want us to be joined at the hip."

"You are his only friend Amy; all I'm asking is that you help him out on his first day," Mom is still using that tone but I'm not ready to give up just yet.

"It's Hester, Liam will probably take one step into school and people will smell the fresh meat, he'll be rolling in friends in no time,"

"Amy,"

"Yes Mother, that is the name stated on my birth certificate," I respond dryly but she just shoots me an unappreciative look.

"Why don't you just ask Lauren?" I ask, gesturing towards the 5'0 bundle of evil inspecting her nails at the kitchen table.

"I love Lauren to bits, but she isn't always the friendliest person. Especially not to Liam after the Wonka incident," Mom replies and when Lauren arches an eyebrow at her she gives her an apologetic look

"Oh for the love of God, fine, I'll show Liam around. One day, one day and then he is on his own," My tone is firm but my mother smiles in victory.

"Thank you Amy, now go get ready or you're going to be late for school,"

"She is ready," Lauren scoffs from her seat and I look at my mom.

"But thanks for the ego boost," I reply in a sarcastic tone but before Mom has a chance to respond I start towards Liam's house next door.

Unsurprisingly, Liam's parents aren't home and I open the front door before heading up the stairs to Liam's room.

"Yo Booker, it's time for your guide to surviving high school, Hester edition," I yell out after banging on his door a few times and swinging the door open.

Liam pokes his head out from his bathroom door with his toothbrush in his mouth and I take a seat on his bed after he ducks back into the bathroom. About thirty seconds later Liam emerges from his bathroom, tugging a t-shirt down over his head and searching around. Before long Liam finds his wallet and keys and tucks them into the back pocket of his jeans before scooping up his backpack and turning towards me.

"Do I look okay?" He seems genuinely concerned and I simply nod my head in approval.

"I'm kinda nervous, what if people don't like me?"

"Hester is a big place, statistically speaking, there has to be at least one person that will like you. Besides, worst case scenario you can be buddy buddy with Satan's Mistress,"

"Hey, it's not my fault Lauren doesn't like me," Liam responds.

"You played songs from the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory soundtrack every time you two were in a room together," I point out and Liam shoots me a look.

"Oh come on, that was funny," Liam retorts and I can't help but agree with him.

"We have to go or we are going to be late," I tell him after and he nods before grabbing his phone from the nightstand and heading out.

It only takes about ten minutes before we step out of Liam's car and look over at everyone roaming around the place.

"Did you print of your class schedule like I told you to?" I ask and Liam gives me a weak smile.

"Um about that," Liam begins and I roll my eyes before pulling a printed copy of his schedule out of my bag.

"Here you go idiot, I knew you wouldn't remember,"

"You're the best Amy," Liam says after taking the paper from me.

"I get that a lot," I respond with a roll of my eyes.

"Do I have any classes with you?" Liam asks and hands his schedule over to me.

"Yeah, I'm in most of your classes, I have a free period when you have Art though," I tell him after scanning the paper in my hand and returning it to him.

"Okay awesome, what class is first?"

"I've got AP English; but you have regular English, so we'll have to find somewhat in that class to show you the ropes,"

"Okay, do you know anyone that can help me out?" Liam asks and I think about it for a second.

"Oh wait, I think Shane Harvey is in that class, I'll introduce you guys if we can find him," I respond and Liam nods his head in agreement.

"Just look for a large group of people, Shane is likely to be inside of it,"

After a little bit of searching we do indeed find a large group of people, and we head over towards the growing mass. I spot Oliver near a gap in the circle and I walk up beside him, "A little early in the morning for a protest isn't it?"

"It's Hester; it's never too early for a protest. But no, Shane is just being his usual eccentric self and inviting everybody to his back to school party this weekend," Oliver explains and I sigh.

"Why am I not surprised?"

"Are we even capable of being surprised anymore?" Oliver asks and catches sight of Liam a second or two later.

"Who's this?"

"This is Liam, he moved in next door over the summer and I'm showing him around," I explain adn Oliver offers Liam his hand.

"Hey, I'm Oliver,"

"Liam, it's nice to meet you,"

"Oliver, you are in my English class aren't you?" I ask once the two are acquainted.

"Yeah, why do you ask?"

"Liam is in the other class but I have things I need to do and won't have time to show him where is class is," I respond and Oliver nods in understanding.

"I actually have a few errands I need to run before class and I'll be heading in that direction, I could probably show him where it is if you'd like?" Oliver suggests and I send Liam a questioning look to which he shrugs his shoulders.

"Yeah, that'd be great Oliver," I reply with a smile and Oliver adjusts his glasses before responding,

"It's not a problem at all, I'll probably have to be going shortly though,"

"I'm sure that will be fine, won't it Liam?" i ask over my shoulder but when Liam doesn't respond I turn around to look at him.

"Who is that?" Liam asks, in a dazed voice.

I turn to see who he is looking at and I stop suddenly, Oh shit.

"That, is Karma Ashcroft,"

Hey guys, new story. I don't really know where this is gonna go but I hope to upload it with a few other updates so if it is sucky at least that might make up for it. I'm seeing a little more Liam hate at the moment and decided to write something that will hopefully make people like Liam a little bit more. Anywho, Enjoy. -Zahli