This is purely from my imagination. The characters are mine, and the story is mine. ENJOY!
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The maroon brick building rose up three stories in front of him. From the front, the school campus looked small but the teenage boy knew how big it was from the brochures. He clutched his black messenger bag that was slung across his shoulder. A slight breeze ruffled his black feather hair and baggy, deep red shirt. His black Converses made tapping sounds as he walked to the boarding school's front door, rolling his black suitcase behind them.
The air inside the building felt natural, not too hot, yet not too cold. He looked to his left and right, seeing closed classroom doors and janitor closets. The tiled floors were a nice color.
'Okay, according to this paper, the main offices are…right in front of me', he thought to himself, looking up.
An open door let out small noises like ruffling paper and phones ringing. An inviting atmosphere seemed to pull him in and he walked in. He stepped up to a large desk which was neatly organized. A plumb woman with chestnut brown hair sat in the chair with her back turned to him.
"Um…hello?" the boy said, leaning against the oak, waist-high desk. The woman looked at him with clear, hazel eyes.
"Oh, hello! Sorry, I didn't see you walk in. How may I help you?" she asked smiling.
"I'm the new student, James Durem," the boy replied. James pulled out a small packet of papers from his bag. "Here are my papers."
The woman took the papers and read over them quickly and nodded. "Welcome to Lucky Clovers Boarding School, Mr. Durem. I'm Ms. Scarlett and I'm glad to be the one to welcome you here. Why don't you take a seat and I'll call a student down to give you a tour," Ms. Scarlett gestured to some chairs.
James sat down and took in the large office. Off to the left and right were hallways and probably offices.
His head snapped to the door when he heard the soft tapping of footsteps, and his eyes widened at what he saw.
A girl with soft brown hair pulled back and sea-blue eyes looked him over. She wore a white button up shirt and a knee length, blue skirt; tan sandals covered her feet.
'Whoa…Usually I don't like girls like her, but I could use a change of pace,' James thought to himself.
"Ah, Lily, there you are. Thank you for being the tour guide again. I truly appreciate it," Ms. Scarlett called from behind her desk.
"No problem at all, Ms Scarlett," the girl, Lily, called back. Her gaze shifted to James. "Are you the new student?"
"Uh yeah." He stood up and offered his hand which she shook. "I'm James Durem."
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Lily Stower. As Ms. Scarlett said, I'll be your tour guide. First, we'll go to your dorm so we can drop off your suitcase. Did you get a room key?"
"Oh, crud! I knew I forgot to give him something!" Ms. Scarlett exclaimed from her desk. She typed on her computer then tossed something to Lily. "His dorm is Room 320."
"Okay, Ms. Scarlett. I'll see you later. Take care," Lily waved. She chuckled when Ms. Scarlett didn't reply. "So, welcome to Lucky Clovers, James. You're probably wondering why that's our school's name. The headmaster's mother found 4-leaf clovers all around campus and that inspired the name."
"Hm. Interesting inspiration. Where are all the trophy cases and posters?"James asked.
"In the back building; along with the dorms, cafeteria, swimming pool, and staff dorms."
"Wow. It sounds like a building to get lost in," James whistled. He noticed two sets of double doors ahead.
"Not really. The cafeteria, swimming pool, and staff dorms are on the first floor; girl dorms on the second, and boy dorms on the third. The pool is open at all times but closes at 7:30."
"You seem like you've rehearsed this tour lecture."
Lily shrugged. "I guess you can say that. Let's just say you haven't been the first student I've given a tour."
They walked through the doors and James' jaw dropped. He saw thick trees all around, a few benches set evenly throughout the area, and a dirt path leading to the back building.
"Wow…This place seems way better than a boarding school," James said.
"That was my reaction too. Now I love it here."
They turned around to see a girl with sandy blonde hair wearing a lavender button up shirt and jean knee shorts with tan sandals. She was carrying a rainbow colored backpack.
"James, this is Brandy, one of my closest friends. Aren't you supposed to be in class, Brandy?" Lily smiled, putting her hands on her hips.
"The bell just rang and I was heading to my dorm," Brandy stuck her tongue out which caused Lily to laugh. "So I'm guessing that you're giving a tour again?"
"Yep. We were just heading to his dorm. We can walk together."
"Sweet." Brandy took the lead and began walking backwards. "So what dorm do you have?"
"Room 320," James replied. He turned around and begun walking backwards as well and Lily followed suit. James started laughing at the other students as they shook their heads and smiled.
"Hm…so you'll be rooming with Shane. Lucky. He's one of our best friends. I just hope…" Brandy didn't finish her sentence and James raised an eyebrow.
"Oh my gosh, you're right Brandy! I hope the same thing," Lily stated. She began walking normal again and put a hand to her chin. "I think Shane should be in there by now and if not, you'll meet him at lunch. He's a really great guy."
"So James, where did you transfer from?" Brandy asked. She also began walking normally.
"Actually I moved from the East Coast. My mom, sister and I don't live far from here; maybe about five miles but the other school didn't really interest me so my mom enrolled me here," James replied. He started walking normally between the two girls.
"Oh you mean Storm's Cross? Yeah, a lot of students transfer from there. They say the school is just way too strict, like no colorful banners or anything. I was gonna go there but my parents and I quickly changed our minds," Brandy said.
"So is there a rivalry between Clovers and Cross?" James asked. Brandy and Lily looked at each other and Brandy pointed to her.
"Well…sort of…You see Cross is upset that many students are leaving to come here. They've changed a lot of things to appeal to the students but nothing really helps. I've got a cousin that goes there and he hates it. He really wants to transfer but his parents won't let him; they think he's over exaggerating. I believe what he says," Lily explained. "Clovers and Cross are really competitive when it comes to sports; they may have the better athletes, but we have the better spirit and that really boosts our players."
They stepped through some double doors and James saw many students walking into the cafeteria. He was worried that he and his new friends wouldn't have anywhere to sit. He also saw two staircases on each side of the cafeteria and he groaned which caused Lily to laugh.
"Don't worry, there are elevators near the staff dorm," Lily explained. James sighed in relief.
"Hey Lily, would you take this up to my dorm? I'm going to see if Shane is already in the café," Brandy asked while handing Lily her backpack and key ring necklace.
"Sure. Oh, and if you see Derek in there, tell him that I was a tour guide and there's no reason to worry about me being late," Lily rolled her eyes.
"Copy that good buddy." Brandy saluted and walked into the cafeteria.
"So who's Derek? An obsessed boy?" James asked.
"He's more than that. He's my boyfriend…" Lily mumbled. James rose his eyebrows.
"I'm not surprised."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm not surprised that you have a boyfriend. You seem like an awesome person." James turned to look at her and the seriousness in his expression caused Lily to blush.
"Well, thank you. Thank you very much."
They made it the elevators and rode up in an awkward silence since Lily was still blushing. They walked to James' dorm first and Lily unlocked the door. James had to admit: it was fairly nice. There were two beds, two desks, two dressers between the beds, and a door off to the right. They walked in and James set his suitcase on the unoccupied bed.
"Shane? Are you in here?" Lily called out; there wasn't a reply and she shrugged. She walked to the unoccupied desk and opened a drawer then handed James a chain necklace. "This is for your key. The staff refers that you wear it as a necklace so you won't lose it." James slipped on the key then slipped the cold, silver chain around his neck. "Now we just have to stop by Brandy's dorm then down to lunch. You chose to come on a good day: its pizza day."
"You and Brandy don't share a dorm?" James asked; Lily shook her head. "I assumed you did since you girls seem really close." They walked back to the elevator and pressed the "2" button.
"Many people assume that so no worries. We're just close because she was my tour guide. I started here the same year she did, just a month late. Ever since, we've been like sisters. She does get a little eccentric though but she knows how to make anyone smile and laugh. She says she hates it when people frown when it isn't raining," Lily explained.
They made it the second floor and walked to room 220. Lily unlocked the door and placed Brandy's backpack on the unmade bed. Then they took the elevator to the first floor. They could see that very many students were in the cafeteria and not many open spaces were left.
"Okay so we can go get food first or go to the table first. It's your choice," Lily said.
"Let's go get food first. I'm starving," James put his hand to his stomach and make a sickly expression which caused Lily to giggle.
They went through the lunch line then Lily scanned the area for Brandy and smiled when she saw her waving crazily. She motioned for them to hurry. Lily and James managed to walk through a maze of students and tables and saw that there were two empty seats at the table where Brandy was sitting.
"Thanks Brandy. Here's your key back," Lily took off the necklace and tossed it to Brandy then sat down next to a boy with blonde hair and an awful sneer.
"Hey babe. What took you so long?" the boy put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her on the cheek then sneered at James. "And why were you with him?"
"I told you Derek, she was his tour guide and I asked her to stop by my dorm," Brandy explained, rolling her eyes. The boy, Derek, shot her a nasty look.
"I don't see why you couldn't do it yourself, Brandy," he said her name in a disgusting tone.
"She didn't know if I was in here or not and she wanted to be nice and save us a table. Thank you, by the way, Brandy," another boy said. This boy had black hair and wore a Venom baggy shirt. He was casually sipping Coca-Cola. Derek rolled his eyes. The boy turned to James and looked him over but in a nice way. "So Brandy tells me you're my new roommate. Sweet, I've been lonely with that extra bed."
"Way to sound like a creeper Shane," Brandy playfully punched his arm and he chuckled.
"She tells you the truth. My name's James Durem and I just started here today. Thanks for being my tour guide Lily," James said, opening a Pepsi.
"No problem. I enjoyed giving you a tour," Lily replied. Derek's grip tightened which caused her to flinch. "Cool off, Derek. You have no reason to get jealous or anything."
"Yeah dude. I don't flirt with taken girls," James stated. He could already tell that he wasn't going to like this guy; just like the others.
"Smart move. I didn't want to kick your ass on your first day here, James," Derek sneered.
"Language!" Brandy called out. Shane just rolled his eyes. "Oh yeah, James, what is your opinion on gays and bisexuals?"
"They don't bother me at all. At my old school, my best friend was gay. He was eccentric and he flaunted it but I didn't mind at all. I'm glad that he wasn't afraid to be gay," James replied. "I figure the world is harsh on them enough yet they've done nothing wrong so why should I be the same?"
"You, kind sir, are my new best friend," Brandy got up from her chair and came over to hug James. Everyone else, except Derek, laughed as James tried to hug her back while sitting in his chair.
"You hear that, faggot? You've got nothing to worry about," Derek called out.
Shane crushed his Coca-Cola can and was about to throw it at Derek's head which would've been funny. Luckily, it didn't seem as if the surrounding tables heard what he said. Shane got up and grabbed his black backpack and stormed off. Then Brandy turned to Derek and glared.
"You're a real asshole, you know that?" She let go of James and chased after the pissed off boy. Lily got up to do the same but Derek grabbed her wrist.
"You're not going anywhere babe. That faggot can cry to that bitch Brandy," he said harshly.
"You know what? We're through Derek. I've gotten really tired of your bullshit. You had no reason to go and say that," Lily broke her wrist free and looked to James.
"I'm right behind you, Lily," James stood up and took off after her. Derek sat there in shock.
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In the weight room beside the swimming pool:
Lily and James walked in to see Shane hitting a punching bag rapidly and harshly; he had a pissed off look on his face.
"Shane!" Lily called out and rushed over to him. He stopped to turn and look at her. "You have nothing to worry about. I broke up with him. He's just lucky I didn't let you kick his ass or he would be in the hospital." That made him smirk; then he saw James.
"Look…James…" Shane just dropped his arms. "I'm sorry about what happened back there… It's just if I didn't get out of there, I would've fought him and I really don't want to get suspended." James came forward and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry about it dude. I don't blame you. If you didn't fight him, I would have," James smiled. "But he was right; not about the faggot thing, 'cause you're not a faggot, but about the part where I don't mind. It doesn't bother me at all. Just don't start drooling when you see me come out of the shower in a towel." That statement caused everyone to laugh.
"Sorry, but you're not my type exactly," Shane replied. He and James shook hands while the girls just stood by and smiled.
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'Man this has been one hell of a first day,' James thought as he and Shane walked back to their dorm. Lily and Brandy had already gone back to their dorms to prepare for the afternoon classes.
"So what am I supposed to do? I've got my schedule but…" James asked; Shane shrugged.
"Maybe you should try the office. Your official first day doesn't start until tomorrow. I should tell you: classes start at 7:15 AM and I usually wake up at 6:15. Sometimes I like to go down to the café and get breakfast," Shane replied. "Dinner is served in the cafeteria at 7:00 and curfew is 8:30."
"Sounds good to me. How much time do you have until your next class?"
"I've got about six minutes. Why?"
"I wanted some advice about Clovers while I unpack." He unlocked their dorm door and went to his suitcase. Shane sat down in his desk chair and smirked.
"Okay. First piece of advice: swing by the staff dorms and get some blankets for your bed," Shane said chuckling. James looked at his bed.
"I knew I forgot something! Thanks for telling me. What I really want to know is how many classes I have with you, Brandy and Lily."
"I'll just make you a chart." And with that said, Shane began writing.
Within minutes, James had finished unpacking and Shane handed him a chart with everyone's classes on it.
"Thanks man; this'll help me," James said.
Just as they began walking down the stairs, the elevator came to a stop and Lily walked out.
"Hey guys. I'm glad I caught up with you," she said waving.
"Hey Lily. I was just going to get some blankets," James told her.
"That actually works out because we haven't finished our tour and I figured we could get your textbooks," she explained.
"Sure but what about your classes?" James asked as they boarded the elevator.
"My fifth slot is being an office aid."
"Slot?"
"Not everyone can think of enough credited classes to take so they can choose to be an office aid or a library aid," Shane explained. James gave him a look of understanding.
"So basically I don't have a fifth class," Lily put in.
They made it to the first floor and Shane left for class. Then Lily and James made their way to the staff dorms and she knocked on the door. A woman with dark brown hair answered the door; she was wearing a dark green dress with black sandals.
"Hello Lily. How can I help you?" she asked smiling.
"James here needs some blankets and a pillow," Lily replied. James gave a slight wave.
"I'm afraid you'll have to give me some time to wash some. What color would you like? We have blue, black, green, red, yellow, pink and white."
"Black, please," James requested.
"Okay, come back in about ten minutes and I'll have them for you."
"Thanks Ms. Scott," Lily said and she waved.
Once they were walking on the dirt path, James decided to ask Lily a bothering question.
"Lily…why were you dating Derek? He's such an ass. I assume that he's always been that way," he asked with a concerned look.
"My father and I made a deal. Last year, he was going to transfer me to another school but when he met Derek, he said that if I started to date him, he would let me stay at Clovers. So I told him yes," Lily explained sadly.
"Your father approved of him? I'm guessing that Derek is an athletic star or something for a parent to like him."
"You've got that right, you little punk."
A few feet ahead, Derek stepped from behind a tree. James stepped in front of Lily and got into a defensive stance.
"What do you want, Derek?" Lily called out.
"Well that should be obvious, Lily dear. I want you," Derek said pathetically. "And if it weren't for James, you would still be mine."
"You're wrong! I was going to break up with you, James or no James," Lily took a step towards him. "I got sick of you mistreating my friends! I-"
She got cut off by Derek who slapped her across the face. She was so surprised when he slapped her that she fell to the ground. Then she saw James tackle Derek and they both went down. Lily rushed forward and threw her arms around James when he made a fist.
"No! James, he isn't worth it! I don't want you getting suspended on your first day!" Lily sobbed. James lowered his hand then helped Lily to her feet.
He gently turned Lily's head so he could see the wound; her cheek was really red. He would've started pummeling Derek if Lily hadn't been holding onto his arm so tightly.
"Forget about him. He'll get his punishment. Look, Mr. Aarons is coming," Lily pointed to a short man, about 5'5", jogging towards them.
"What on Earth is going on? Lily, have you fallen down or something?" he asked.
"Derek slapped her, sir," James explained, finally cooling off. When Derek stood up, James fully blocked Lily so he couldn't hurt her again.
"Is this true, Derek?" Mr. Aarons folded his arms across his chest; Derek just shrugged. "Very well. All of you come with me. We're going to see Mrs. Bethell."
The three students and teacher walked to the main offices while being stared at by others. James noticed Lily was still holding onto him but her grip had loosened. He wanted to tell her but it felt nice. The redness of her check had decreased but you could still tell something had happened. They stopped in front of a large office with its door open. A woman with silver hair pulled into a bun was sitting at a very large oak desk. She looked up when Mr. Aarons cleared his throat.
"Mrs. Bethell, I found these students walking towards the main building when evidently, Derek slapped her," Mr. Aarons explained.
"I see. Children, please take a seat. Thank you, Mr. Aarons. Was there a witness?" she asked.
"Yes." He motioned for another person to enter the room. "This is Amy. She informed me of what happened."
The girl had hazel eyes and light brown hair pulled into a messy bun. She was wearing a blue sun dress and tan sandals. Her cheeks were tinted pink so she appeared to be very shy.
"Very well. Please take a seat, Amy," Mrs. Bethell motioned to an empty leather chair; Amy sat down slowly. "Now, why don't you tell me what happened?"
"I was walking towards the main building when I heard people yelling. I got closer to the commotion and hid behind a tree. I heard Derek blaming the new boy for being dumped. Then when Lily tried to explain, Derek slapped her. The new boy tackled him to the ground and was about to punch him, but Lily stopped him. That's when Mr. Aarons came in," Amy explained. Mrs. Bethell nodded.
"Thank you Amy." Mrs. Bethell turned to Lily, James, and Derek. "Derek, you're suspended for three days and James, you get one day of detention."
"What? He tackled me to the ground!" Derek jumped up, enraged.
"Did it hurt severely?"
"Yes!"
"Fine. James you get two days of detention." Mrs. Bethell pushed a button on the PA system. "Officer Davis, please come to my office." She released the button. "James, Lily, and Amy, you may leave. James, your first day of detention will be tomorrow at 2:30."
They left the office and stood outside in the hallway. James was still upset that Derek had slapped Lily. Her cheek wasn't swollen or red anymore but everyone was still upset. Then he turned to Amy and decided to properly introduce himself.
"Thanks for that. I probably would've gotten the same punishment as Derek if you weren't there," he extended his hand. "I'm James, by the way. It's nice to meet you."
"I'm Amy. I'm glad I could be of help," she shook his hand, and then turned to Lily. "Are you okay? That was awful when he slapped you." Lily nodded in agreement. "Well, I've got to get to class so I'll talk to you guys later." Amy then waved and walked away.
"James…" Lily said softly. She was fidgeting with her hands and looking down at the ground.
"What's wrong, Lily? Are you still in pain?" James asked with full concern. He placed a gentle hand on her arm and she gave him a small smile.
"Just…Thank you for defending me. I know I may seem overdramatic but…" she looked away, blushing and James just smiled a little.
"It's perfectly understandable. And don't worry about it; no way was I going to let Derek just slap you and get away with it." Lily smiled at him again.
"C'mon, let's go get your textbooks."
The two friends went to each of James' classes yet he ended up only having five textbooks. Afterwards, he headed to the back building to get sheets and a pillow then headed to his dorm to get fully settled in.
'This is going to be one very interesting year,' he thought to himself as he organized his desk.
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Me: so please review!
The reason I'm re-submitting this story is that it was getting too confusing with the split days…I've decided to just combine the chapters so they form one whole day. I'm really, really sorry for being so all over the place…I just needed some time to get my bearings together. Chapters 1 & 2 combined
What will happen when Derek comes back from suspension? How will James adjust to his new friends and classes? How will he react to Lily's secret? And why am I asking you all these questions? XD
