Pain. Coursing through his veins. That is all there is. That, and screaming coming from his own lungs. He was vaguely aware of the screams slowly becoming quieter.

And then darkness. All that was left was a voice. A very familiar voice.

"Jeff?" it said, the voice lined with worry.

"Jeff? Buddy, wake up"

'I can't!' I wanted to scream back.

"Jeff! wake up!"

He bolts upright in his bed, the sheets tangled and sweat covering his body.

Oh, right, just a nightmare.

I should be used to those by now. But no, I shouldn't. It's only been a week since Jeff was discharged from the hospital. A month since the attack. A month since his entire life changed.

"Jeff! c'mon! hurry up!"

I got out of bed wincing as I caused the stitches to move in my lower stomach.

I pulled up my shirt and just looked at the long incision from the right side of my ribs down to my left hip.

That is going to be a nasty scar. I get ready slowly for the day, and brush my teeth before opening my door.

I slowly walked up the stairs and was greeting by my dad looking at me worriedly.

"Are you okay?"

I shook my head, no.

He pulled me into a hug, and I flinched. I saw the concern in his eyes. He couldn't even hug his son without causing him pain, whether if it was physically or mentally. But then again, maybe the concern was my imagination, my dad have never shown in interest in me. He just pretends he's a good father.

"Will you ever talk to me, son?"

I just shrugged.

He sighs, "Well we better get going, we have to the tour for you at Dalton."

I immediately panic. I don't say anything. I haven't spoken a single word since the attack. I haven't wanted to. I feel like I shouldn't. I'm nothing, why should I waste the oxygen?

My dad doesn't know I feel like this, but now, of course I wouldn't tell him.

I grab a pen and a pad of paper before climbing into the car. My dad follows closely behind. I look out the car window for the whole drive. Soon enough, we're here. I haven't done much research on this place, all I know is that it has a no-tolerance bullying system. But I'm still scared.

I get out of the car and shut my eyes in pain as I the car hits a bruise of my shoulder.

We make our way up to the office and my dad asks to see the principle.

I tune out of the conversation when the principle walks up. I look around my surroundings and take in the beauty of the school I will soon be boarding in for the next two years, not including holidays and breaks.

The place is really magnificent. My father didn't want me board but the drive was much too long to make every day, so he reluctantly agreed.

"Jeff?"

I look over, the principle is holding out his hand, "Hello Jeff, I am Principle Smith" (LOL sorry couldn't think of a better name!)

I look at his hand and slowly shake it. Personal contact is not something I enjoy anymore.

I nod and turn away as I hear my dad explain that I don't talk anymore.

"Oh Nick!" I hear the principle shout.

"Aye' Whats up T?" the boy says

"well I was wondering if you wanted to give a tour to Jeff over here, seeing as he is going to be attending Dalton starting tomorrow" he said clapping a hand on my shoulder.

I flinch away from the touch. Nick seems to notice this as he smiles sadly at me, "Sure. I'd love to"

"Well, I better get going, son, you're boxes are all up in your room, okay?" my dad asks

I nod.

"I'll see you later." he says

I look up at him.

"okay, umm goodbye son"

I turn back towards Nick and he is rubbing the back of his neck.

"okay, um hi I'm Nick"

I nod and do a 'half-wave'

"whats your name?" he asks

I take my pen and paper out.

'Jeff'

He looks at me, confused.

"oh, um you don't talk?"

I shake my head at look down at my shoes.

"Hey, its okay, no one will treat you differently here."

I look up at him in utter disbelief, but all I see is reassurance in his beautiful brown eyes.

'beautiful? where did that come from Jeff? you JUST met him'

I shake myself out of my thoughts and give Nick a small smile.

"okay, well how about I show you the senior commons?"

'okay' I write

We walk into the senior commons where there are two boys talking to each other.

"Hey Wes, David." Nick says

"What's up man?" The one called Wes asks.

"Just showing around the new kid. Guys, this is Jeff."

I give them a nervous smile.

"Hey." Wes says. and David waves in my direction.

Nick whispered something in their ears and their eyes widen in concern and confusion.

I vaguely heard Nick say 'He doesn't talk'

I just stand there fiddling with my hands.

"you don't have to be nervous" David says "C'mon, I'll introduce you to some other Warblers"

My eyebrows knit together in confusion. What are Warblers?

"It's okay, we don't bite" Nick says smiling "Let's go"

I turn around and follow Nick, Wes, and David slowly into the halls of Dalton Academy.

So um, yeah, that was my attempt of a first chapter. I really don't know when I'll be able to get the next chapter up. Hopefully, tomorrow(:

Hope you liked it ;) R&R