Chapter I

Welcome to Neptune Academy

"Are you going to be sulking for the whole trip?" Aaron Echoll's glared at his son through the mirror. Logan Echolls was slouched in the car seat, staring out the window, his brows heavily drawn and his mouth curved down in a determined scowl that showed he wasn't about to compromise.

He was twelve years old, a child bordering on the unknown world of gradually growing up, that world for many years to come would still lack any maturity, and Logan was expressing his anger in the only way he knew how. He felt free to do so, after all once he was dumped at the doorstep of his new school he wouldn't be near Aaron for many months to come, that was the upside of this, the only good thing in this dreary predicament he found himself in.

"This is for your own good you know that Logan." Aaron was playing the part of a stern father on the moral high road, he played it well better then any of the roles he'd taken over the years. He had to, after all it was his career, his life on the line, if he ever stuffed that role up. "We've been at our wits end with you, your mother and."

Logan winced at this as he saw his mother shift in her seat. She wore sunglasses which obscured his ability to see her expression, but he knew she was cut up. She and Logan were a team, they'd always been a team. He knew she didn't have any part in the decision, she just went along with it for peace sake, maybe she even thought it would be better for him to be away from Aaron, even though it cut her up inside to let him go, like it did him

. "We just don't know what to do anymore son" Aaron's words pierced the moment, making Logan quickly turn his head and glare out the window, "Tell us what we can do?"

He couldn't hold his silence any loinger. "I'll tell you what you can do," Logan snapped, "You can not send me to some crap boarding school just to get me out of the way so you can go on having aff…"

"Enough!" Aaron snapped, giving him an ice cold look that made Logan shut up even though he was shaking with anger. That look told him that Aaron would stop the car and drag him out and none of them wanted that.

"Where else are we supposed to send you Logan huh? You've gotten kicked out of every school, from L.A, from New York, and now from here. We've only been in Neptune for a few days and already you've been expelled." Aaron was venting now, he'd meant to start a big shoot that Tuesday, instead he'd been called to the local school at Neptune to be told his son had assaulted another student and would be expelled. Logan thought Aaron probably could have gotten him out of it with a generous donation, but he never bothered to waste money on Logan, no Trina in her fancy European boarding school got all the perks, Logan was just a nuisance to be rid of.

"Do you realise how that looks, how that reflects on me, on your mother? We've given you the best things money can buy, and still you insist on getting in trouble, on doing your worst at school. We've gotten you checked out, you don't have a problem, we've gotten you the best tutors, put you into all the sports we could think of, and you still stuff up. This is the last resort, we've given you chance after chance, this is it Logan do you understand me? If you stuff up here…"

"What are you going to put me up for adoption?" Logan asked snidely, glaring at Aaron's backseat as if he could drill a hole in it to the back of his head.

"I'm warning you," Aaron said in that icy voice which instinctively made Logan push back into his seat, as if he could melt into it. Aaron turned his hard eyes on his son, taking his eyes off the road, "If you mess this up Logan, if you get expelled from here, I will personally…"

"Honey I think that's the turning," Lynn quickly put a soft hand on her husbands shoulder, distracting him for the moment and preventing him from continuing his threat. Logan didn't need it anyway, he knew Aaron, he didn't need threats from him to know he wasn't playing around. But then again neither was Logan, and anything that pissed Aaron off was worth it.

The car passed under a large arch which had on the top Neptune Academy in large brass letters, a stone wall with iron spikes surrounded the school, the gates were automatic obviously because they closed behind them with a resounding clang and Logan already felt like he had entered a prison.

There was a car park here in the front, and a large grey stone building, again bordered on each side by a large stone wall. Logan guessed that this was just the outside of the school, the entrance. There were some pretty nice cars peppered around the car park, a mixture of students and teachers, and large yellow school busses all in a row. Logan supposed that the older students were allowed to drive into town while the younger ones, including himself, would have to take a bus.

Aaron parked the car and Logan hopped out as quickly as he could, leaning against it and staring at the large grey building that served as the entrance to the school, while Aaron got his luggage from the back. Administration in large brass letters like the front, was attached to this building. They were pretty clever, Logan gave them that, if students had to go through here and the car park to leave then it would be pretty hard to sneak out. Of course there were other ways, the wall for instance, it was large but Logan had climbed worst.

Lynn Echoll's came to stand beside him as Aaron struggled with the luggage. She hadn't sadi a word during the whole trip, and it was about a half hour drive out of the town Neptune, which was odd seeing as it was called after the town.

"It doesn't look too bad," she said, touching Logan's shoulder and squeezing it reassuringly.

"Mom it looks like a prison," Logan snorted, glaring at the offending building. "I don't know how I'm going to survive it here. Really could he have chosen a more depressing place."

"It might be good," his mother said, attempting to make the best out of the bad situation, "You might make some friends here Logan, that would be good. The Casablanca's kids go here, you know those nice people your father had over for dinner on Monday."

"Yeah and there only going here because there new step mum doesn't like kids, but there dad doesn't want to send them to a European school because it's too far away. They're unwanted just like me…"

"You know that's not true Logan," she said it so sadly that he shut up, "You know that if I could find a way to keep you with me I would. But you haven't made it easy honey getting expelled from all those schools…" she sighed as his head fell unintentionally, she was the only person who could ever make him feel bad about all the trouble he made. "You're not a bad kid Logan I know that," she said quietly to him, lifting up his head. "You just have had to deal with a lot of things, and I'm so sorry, I wish... I wish I was stronger for you…but maybe it'll be better here honey, maybe things won't be so bad."

"C'mon," Aaron grunted at them both as he carried Logan's suitcase, "And for Christs sake Logan get your damn backpack I can't carry everything."

He extricated the backpack from on top of the suitcase and slung it over his shoulder. It was the only thing he had packed, the maid had gotten the rest, before he'd even been told where he was being sent to. The backpack held all his worldly possessions, the stuff that meant something to him. It was relatively light, but Logan clutched at it as if it contained gold.

He trudged behind his parents as they entered the administration, his eyes adjusting slowly from the bright sun outside. It was nicely furnished, with oak tables and chairs, a fake potplant and book shelf in the corner with sophisticated texts found in old library's to give it that academic touch. He saw that the infirmary was to the side and a couple of chairs in the corner surrounded a small table which had a newspaper on it and some school annuals, that was obviously the waiting area, the principles office was behind the administration desk, a large oak table.

"Good morning," Aaron said, putting on his public face and directing the stern faced receptionist with a smile, she gave him a thin smile back. "I'm Aaron Echoll's, this is my wife Llynn and my son Logan." He grabbed Logan and pulled him forwards, rather harder then necessary.

"Ah yes, the late applicant," the receptionist said in a nasal voice that grated on Logan's nerves. He scowled up at her as she surveyed him with a disapproving look and raised eyebrows.

Unfortunately Mr. Bull will be unable to see you, something unexpected came up. But I'm sure in a few minutes he'll be available if you just take a seat over there." She indicated the waiting area, Aaron smiled and thanked her as Logan immediately went and slumped in a chair.

Twenty minutes went by and Logan was had read the newspaper, and was now resorting to counting the floorboards. Finally Aaoron sighed impatiently and checked his watch.

"We have to go," he finally said after checking his watch for the twelth time. "I have to catch that plane honey, I've already missed two days of shooting because of him. I can't miss another one."

"But honey won't it look bad," Llynn said, her voice soft as usual.

"I've already met with Mr. Bull," Aaron brushed it aside "There's nothing else we need to know. I have to go Llynn."

Logan stared at him shocked at the news that Aaron had probably been planning to send him to this place maybe before they had even got to Neptune.

She sighed, but he had already risen and gone to make his excuses to the receptionist. She got up and Logan rose with her, a heavy feeling in his stomach.

They looked at each other awkwardly, then she grabbed him and held him to her, squeezing him tight. For once he didn't fight her, just held her as tightly and buried his head in her clothes, taking in the smell of her perfume which masked the smell of alcohol.
"Try your best okay honey," Llynn said quietly to him, stroking his hair, "Just try your best for the both of us."

Logan nodded and then she let go of him and he quickly stepped back from her, the choking feeling getting worse. He was only twelve years old, and here he was facing the prospect of actually living in the place he hated most in the world, high school.

"Be good son," Aaron said, play acting again, "I'll miss you," he ruffled Logan's hair and he quickly stepped out of his grasp and glared at him. Aaron was about to say something, but then thought better of it and merely finished with, "Be good," and then walked out. Llynn hesitated.

"Be safe okay Mum," he said quietly to her.

"Don't worry about me honey," she smiled at Logan sadly, "You just be happy okay." And then she followed Aaron out the door.

Logan slumped back into the seat, feeling lost already. It wasn't that he wasn't a survivor, it was just that he had always felt the need to protect his mum, and now she was on her own, and he didn't know if she was safe and that felt a lot like failing to him in the one thing that he was good at.

Ten more minutes passed leaving Logan to hide his face behind the newspaper again and feel miserable, then suddenly the principals door opened. He lowered the newspaper to see a blonde girl leave the office. She wore her green plaid skirt too short for uniform regulation. Her blonde hair hung loose and long, she was obviously wearing makeup and her shirt was fitting enough to the new curves she was beginning to develop. She looked like a model, and Logan couldn't take his eyes off her. Her very eyes sparkled with fun.

She turned to the office desk, leaning against it. "Bull said I needed a late note, for my next class."

"It's Mr. Bull to you," the office lady glared at her. " And I see you're in trouble again Ms. Kane, and the year has barely begun."

"IN trouble," she said in mock horror, "Why no Ms. White, me and Mr. Bull were simply speaking of the merits and demerits of the school regulations."

"You'll never learn," she shook her head but turned to get the girl a late slip.

She turned and her eyes fell on Logan, her red lips curved into a smirk as she appraised him and Logan almost blushed. He met her gaze with an appraising one of his own and then grinned at her as if in approval.

"Mr. Echoll's," the principal came out of his office, looking at Logan. "I believe I can see you now, unless you have anything more to argue about Ms. Kane."

"Nope I'm good," she said flashing him a pearly smile.

"Then get to class," he replied.

As Logan passed her on his way into the office, she grinned at him.

"So Logan," he said sitting down behind his old mahogany desk, Logan kept standing opposite him, looking around. "You have a very colorful past I must say, not that there are many students who don't at this school."

"I like life to be interesting."

"Yes, well I think you'll find at this school Mr. Echoll's we don't, we proffer life to be dull, as dull as it can be. Unfortunately we don't always get our wish, but those that disrupt the peace are disciplined, which is why I imagine your parents sent you to this school."

"No actually I think it was for the amazing academic record," Logan replied sarcastically.

"Yes, well even your grades are below our standard," he said unmoved by Logan's glare, "You'll have to attend extra tuition classes until they pick up above an F."

"What," Logan spluttered, "But I haven't even attended any classes, how do you know…"

"Because I doubt an F student is suddenly going to surprise us all and manage a C Mr. Echoll's, even with our amazing academic record. And if you don't get a C in your subjects you don't pass, and if you don't pass you don't graduate, and I'm sure your parents and this school would like you to graduate."

"Graduation is ages away," Logan snorted, "Besides I probably won't be graduating from this place."

"You may think that now," Mr. Bull said in a superior tone, "But let me tell you something Mr. Echoll's, short on committing murder, there is very little you can do which will surprise me, and that means that the chance of you being expelled are almost nil. The disciplinary action however probably won't be to your liking. The rules are up around the school and in the dorms, read them, learn them and obey them, because even if you don't you won't be achieving your aims of expulsion, so why go through all that trouble?"

"Like I said I like a little colour in my life," Logan said dead pan.

Mr. Bull ignored him this time, "Now there are some things I need to make you aware of, younger students are not allowed off school grounds, that includes you right up until sophomore year. You are however allowed into town on certain Saturday's, but you must go via bus, and have permission from both your parents and us, and if you should disrupt order your privileges will be taken from you. There is a curfew 9pm for you and 10pm lights out. Here's your timetable, you must attend all classes, teachers and prefects regularly patrol the grounds, and if your caught out of class expect to be punished. You will share a dorm with one other person, Younger students have the two last floors, and Sophmores have the top. Then there are separate dorms for seniors. Here's a map of the school, your dorm room has been highlighted for you, and here's your swipe card, all doors will be automatically locked after curfew, no exceptions. You'll find in your dorm your uniform, put that on. And one last thing, don't go anywhere near the girl's dormitories or you'll find yourself scrubbing toilets every spare minute you from now until your graduation. Did you get all that?"

"I think so," Logan muttered.

"Good, have a pleasant time at Neptune Academy Mr. Echoll's."

Taking that as a dismissal Logan grabbed the swipe card and map off the desk then left the principal's office. He saw the glass doors which opened to the rest of the school, the Neptune crest on them. Students were walking around, he paused in front of the doors for a second, then pushed them open and went outside.

I just felt like writing this, so I did. It's a sort of take off of the Bullsworth Academy game, lame I know, but I couldn't help myself. Tell me what you think. And don't worry I'm not ignoring my other stories, and Intentionally Blank chapter will come up soon for anyone whose read it. I just started uni, so I was kinda swamped. Anyway please review and please ignore my spelling mistakes, I'm too lazy today to check them.