Chapter 1:

Starting School

AN: So, here's my new story! I hope you guys like it! I just want to say thank you to everyone who has followed and supported me since I first started writing on this site. It means a lot to me. Anyway, read on! Have a great day! God Bless You, fellow writers! :)

If people are trying to bring you down,

it only means that you are above them.

14-year-old Luke Ross, still half asleep, groaned as he stepped out of the elevator of his house. Walking lazily, he stumbled into the kitchen, and was met with his twin sister's agitated voice.

"Toast! Come on, toast you stupid toaster!"

Mary, his twin sister, was hunched over the counter, banging her hand against the side of the metal toaster.

Luke gave her a weird glance as he opened the fridge. "You alright there?" he teased, reaching for the carton of orange juice.

Mary resorted to staring at the toaster. "The stupid toaster won't work," she explained.

"Why don't you use your bionics?"

"I can't. They were going haywire this morning."

"Why?"

Mary shrugged sarcastically and turned to him. "Gee, I don't know. It's only the first time I'm going to ever step foot in a school, let alone interact with more than two people at a time. I'm just a tad nervous."

"Mary, it's school. It's not that bad."

"Really? Did you see your last report card?"

"Oh, come on! That was middle school! This is high school! We get freedom! Power! We get to be treated like adults!"

"The freedom thing doesn't concern me at all."

Luke rolled his eyes.

Mary finally ripped the plug from the wall. "So, tell me. What are the dos and don'ts?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean about school. What should I do and not do?"

"Mary, I wouldn't be asking him if I were you," said their older sister Emma, entering the room. "He's in the principal's office almost every day."

Luke turned to her indignantly. "Hey, it's a new school, and a new principal. Course, that also means new pranks." He smirked.

Emma roller her eyes. Then she turned to her sister. "You're nervous, aren't you?" she said with a smile.

Mary grimaced. "Is it that obvious?"

Emma chuckled and put her arm around Mary's shoulders. "You'll be fine. Just stop stressing. All the kids at Walden Academy are super nice. Just act like you know what you're doing, and you'll get through fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Um, keep in mind that you're talking to one of the leading fashion experts of the 10th grade. Of course I'm sure!"

"Guys!" came Jessie's voice from the living room. "If you don't hurry, you're gonna miss your bus!"

Mary looked confused. "The bus doesn't wait?"

Luke chuckled. This should be interesting, he thought to himself.

Mary found out about the cruelty of the bus the hard way. She was the last of her siblings to get on, and she had barely taken two steps down the center aisle when the driver had slammed on the gas peddle, making Mary fly backwards.

"Hurry up and get in a seat," he called back to her.

Luke stood from where he was sitting, grabbed her arm, and hauled her into the seat next to him. "You okay?"

Mary nodded. "Yeah. Is he always like that?"

"Only when losers get on the bus," said a snobby voice behind them.

Mary turned to see a red haired girl sitting about two seats behind them, and on the other side of the isle.

"Leave her alone, Bryn," Emma said from the seat next to them.

Bryn gave Mary a dirty look, but said nothing.

Luke pulled on Mary's forearm to get her attention back to him. "Now," he said in a serious tone. "When you get to school, remember that I only have gym, computer, and Spanish with you. The rest of the classes, you're on your own. And whatever you do, DON'T mention anything about Detroit."

Mary was confused. "Why?"

"Just don't say anything. They don't need to know that you just got adopted, and they really don't need to know that dad is in prison."

"But, what do I say?"

"Just think of something. Got it?"

Mary nodded.

Ten minutes later, after dropping off the middle schoolers, including Ravi and Zuri, the bus pulled up in front of Walden Academy High School. As the high schoolers shuffled out, Mary cast a look behind her, and did a double take.

Bryn was staring at her, as if her eyes were boring through her head to try and make it explode. Mary must have looked a little confused, because then Bryn mouthed, Watch your back.

Mary felt her stomach do a flip-flop, but quickly shook it off, and hurried after her brother, stepping off the bus into the cool September air.

AN: So, what'd ya think? I hope you liked it! This story is dedicated to all those who have been bullied, like me. I know it's hard, but it always gets better! Trust me! Anyway, I hope you like this story! And remember: Please review! Have a great day! God Bless You, fellow writers! :)