"Welcome to Charming; the sign says it all."
I couldn't help but roll my eyes as my father repeated what the sign we had just passed said. "Many people have told me that this is the type of place that will welcome you with open arms and help you out whenever you need it." My mom spoke as the town began to whiz past us. I was just happy that I was going to be getting out of the back seat and away from my annoying 10 year old sister for a while. "Jordan, are you excited about seeing our new house?" My dad asked as he looked into the rearview mirror. "You know it!" She exclaimed excitedly. "Are we almost there." My dad just shook his head and told her that we had a little more ways to go. Nirvana could not get any louder as my parents continued to talk about what all the town had to offer. All I could see was a town that was full of old people and not enough shopping opportunities. I hadn't seen a mall since we left Nevada and I doubt there was going to be one in this city; they probably didn't even have Walmart.
"Oh look Kate, there's the school you will be attending." My mom pointed out as my dad slowed the car. "I heard it's one of the top school in Northern California." I slowly turned my head towards the window to look at the large building. "Aren't you excited?" She turned to ask me. All I could do was give her a small smile but immediately rolled my eyes once she was facing the windshield. "Mommy, Katie just rolled her eyes at you!" Jordan tattled. I stretched my fist out and gave her a slight punch in the arm. "No one likes a tattle tale, butthead." I replied back. "You're not gonna have friends at your new school because you're always tattling." Her blue eyes soon started to well up with tears and seconds later her cries erupted from next to me. "No one likes a crybaby either." My mother turned to give me a stern look before trying to comfort my sobbing sister. "Kathryn, apologize to your sister right now." She told me sternly. I looked at her and then took a look at Jordan before mumbling my apology. Jordan's face soon cleared of tears and a smile was placed back on her face. That little dweeb was acting and she managed to get me in trouble in the process. I hated having a little sister!
About 20 or so minutes later, my dad stopped the Jeep Cherokee in front of a white, picket fence. "Well gang, looks like we're home." He said excitedly as he gave us all a smile before jumping out. My mother and sister followed his lead and exited the car as well but I just stayed put for a couple minutes. I was having such a hard time adjusting to moving to a different state. I had left all my friends and memories back in Connecticut and now I had to somehow pull my teenage existence together in Charming, California. My first day of school was tomorrow and I had yet to figure out what I was going to wear since all my clothes were packed up in suitcases and cardboard boxes. I don't know why I just couldn't skip tomorrow since it was a Friday anyhow but my mother just wanted me to suffer like always. Stupid Jordan didn't have to go to school until Monday since that's how the elementary school around here works. "Katie, will you help your sister with her things." My dad more or less told me as he walked by the window of the car. I let out a sigh and unbuckled my seatbelt before exiting the car. I grabbed the bag away from my sister before lugging it up the walkway. The house was a bit smaller than the one we had in Connecticut but I figured that this might be big according to Charming standards. It seems that people around here did not have the size house we had so I guess it was big after all.
"Katie, please take your sister up to her room and get her situated. Your father will bring up the boxes for her room and then you can help him with the boxes for your room." I just nodded my head at my mom's request and trudged up the stairs with my sister trailing behind me. "This is a lot smaller than the one we had before, Katie." Jordan told me matter-of-factly. "Do you think we'll stay?" I could only shrug my shoulders at her question. It was all up to my mother whether we stayed or left. If she got tired of a place then she would tell my father that it was time to leave and we would be on our way to the next spot. That's how we ended up in Connecticut in the first place but this move was all my dad's doing. He got a job offer for some Oswald guy and decided that it was the perfect opportunity but I also feel like it had to do with mom as well. She wasn't really getting along with the women she hung around with anymore and people were beginning to talk and my mom just couldn't have any of that. "Katie, do you think people will like us?" I stopped short and turned to look down at her. Seeing as I was six years older than her, it was my job to be the big sister and protect her. "Listen-" I crouched down to her level. "You shouldn't care if people like you or not. As long as you like yourself and keep that awesome personality of yours then that's all you need to worry about. I know for a fact though that people are going to love you, Jordanna Thompson." I told her with a smile. She smiled right back before wrapping her arms around my neck. "I love you, fishface." She whispered the nickname she had given me in my arm. "I love you too, butthead."
After helping Jordan unpack and then unpacking half of my own things, I was still tired as I awoke the next morning for school. The alarm clock rang right at 6:50 but I reached over and slammed my hand against the snooze button. It only lasted five minutes but that was a much needed five minutes. "Kathryn Lauren, time to get up!" My mom yelled from outside of the bedroom door. I let out a groan but decided it was time to get up anyway. I did my usual business of taking a shower and brushing my teeth before I started working on my outfit and then my hair. I had already picked out my outfit for the day, which was a dress since my mother insisted that first impressions are lasting impressions. Whenever we went somewhere new she would always make us dress up or at least look presentable. Going along with those guidelines, I decided to braid my hair over my shoulder and place a little makeup on so I wouldn't look so tired or washed out. "Kathryn Lauren, you have 10 minutes to be ready and downstairs or else you are walking to school!" I rolled my eyes as my mother yelled her empty threats. I picked up my backpack and slipped it over my shoulders before taking a look back into the mirror. I was sure that I looked good enough to leave so I headed down the stairs to find my parents and Jordan eating breakfast at the kitchen table. "It's about time, Kathryn." My mom sneered as she poured orange juice into one of the glasses. I just sat down next to my dad and started eating my bowl of Fruity Pebbles. "So are you ready for your first day of school?" He asked between bites of waffle. "I guess so." I simply replied. The conversation ended with that as the table went silent once again. I looked down at my watch and saw that it was nearing 7:40 and school started at 8:00. "I think it's time to get going." My mom stated as she stood up and started to clear away the dishes, even though I wasn't really done. I picked up my bag once more and followed my mom out the door and towards the car. She got in the driver's side while I entered the passenger side.
The car ride was silent until we reached the school. "Have a good first day, Kate." She said a bit icy. I didn't even bother responding as I exited the vehicle and jogged up the steps of the school. There were quite a few kids standing around out front and every single one of them stopped what they were doing as I walked by. I could hear their whispers as I passed but I just kept my head up and ignored what they had to say. I was getting the new kid treatment but it didn't really bother me all that much. The only people who treated the new kids like outcast were the ones that have the most problems themselves. It was the kids that were part of the "popular" crowd because they honestly thought they ran the school. They thought that the kids around them idolized them for their popularity but it reality every single one them really hated one another and sometimes even themselves. I would rather be considered the outcast than be known as one of them. My mother would think differently on the subject but this is my life and i'm gonna live it the way I want too.
After I got the staredown from most of the student body of Charming High, I managed to finally find the office so I could pick up my class schedule. "Can I help you?" The secretary, who looked like she had been here since the beginning of time, asked slightly annoyed. "Uh, I-I need to pick up my schedule. My name is Kathryn Thompson." She slowly got out of her seat and walked back to the filing cabinets. "What did you say your name was again?" She asked. I told her my name once again, which earned a grunt to escape her throat. After going through all five cabinets, she directed me to take a seat since she needed to get the assistant principal's help with finding my schedule.
"Listen here asswipe, if my son said he didn't do it then Jax didn't do it!"
I looked up just in time to see where the source of the yelling was coming from as she began to walk towards the office door. "Mrs. Morrow, we have video footage of Jackson and Harry vandalizing the agricultural building wall. I am more than happy to let you see the footage yourself if you like?" The man told her as she just rolled her eyes and started digging through her leather bag. "Why don't you go and shove that video up your ass, Dick." I couldn't help but smile slightly since this lady was giving the guy hell for whatever reason. He looked like he had come out of the type of circle my parent's friends were apart of, while the lady looked like she had just came out of heavy metal music video. I watched as she pulled a cigarette out of the pack and stuck it between her lips before lighting it right in the office. "If I ever find out that you brought my son into this office for disciplinary actions ever again, i'll make sure someone disciplines you as well." She removed the stick from her mouth and blew the smoke right in his face before walking out of the room, her heels clicking the entire way.
I guess the guy was a bit shocked since he stood there for a couple seconds before snapping out of his trance. "M- Ms Nickels, pl-please send in the ne-next student." He stuttered as he walked back to his office. The secretary motioned for me to follow him, which meant that this guy was the assistant principal. I picked up my backpack and followed the directions to his office. "Ms. Thompson, I presume." I just nodded my head at his question. "It seems as if we misplaced your schedule for the semester but don't you worry about that." He said as he began to type on his computer. "Okay, here we are." Seconds later the printer started up and my schedule was slowly being made. "I just want to apologize for what went on in the lobby. Mrs. Morrow is a regular since her son is what we call a bad egg. Those type of people aren't from the ride side of the tracks such as ourselves." I just gave him a small smile since the whole conversation was a bit inappropriate to be having with a fellow student. "Okay, looks like your first class is in Building C and that would be Honors English." He handed me my freshly printed schedule with a smile. "Welcome to Charming High, Ms. Thompson."
After introducing myself to three different classes and eating lunch by myself, I was finally about to let out my aggression on the court. Ever since I was in the 3rd grade, basketball had been my favorite sport. I played it, watched it, and sometimes dreamt about it. My mother was not very happy that I chose such a boyish sport to play but there was no way I was going to be a cheerleader like she had been. I was just lucky that I had made the team here in Charming or else I don't know what I would be doing right now. "Okay ladies, since the season is about to start I thought we could just run some plays and let Kathryn get used to them." All I eyes turned to me but I just held my composure together. "Why don't we start off with Cali 3." All the girls, including myself, all nodded their heads and went to form the play. I stayed off to the sidelines to see how they ran the play but I soon picked it up after watching it for the second time.
Halfway through practice, the gym doors slammed closed as two upperclassmen walked in and took a seat in the upper part of the bleachers. I didn't pay attention to them at first but it was obvious that they were there since most of the girls couldn't keep it together long enough for the play to go through. They would keep looking up to where they were and smile before Coach Andersen would blow her whistle. It didn't take long before we all were running laps because of their foolishness. After completing the mandatory 15 laps, I collapsed down on the court and just laid there for a couple minutes as I tried to get my heart rate regulated. "Can't handle it newbie?" I looked up and saw the brunette who had elbowed me in the side earlier now standing above me. "Maybe you should go back to where you come from." She said snidely as she walked away and up the stairs to the bleachers where the two guys were. "Don't listen to her; she thinks she's the next Lisa Leslie." I sat up and saw another brunette was now standing over me. "I'm Penelope, Penelope Nelson." She said as she held her hand out for me to take. I placed mine right hand in hers as she helped me up. "Thanks, i'm Kathryn-Kathryn Thompson."
"Well it's nice to meet you Kathryn, maybe we can hang out or something. What time do you have lunch?" I began to tell her that I had 2nd lunch but the sounds of heavy footprints stopped me from doing so. When I looked to see where they were coming from, my heart literally skipped a beat when my eyes landed on the culprit. He had to be around 5'10 and had the brightest blue eyes and blonde hair i've ever seen. He was dressed as if he was going to a party later on but with a little bit of Kurt Cobain mixed in. "Who is that?" I asked a bit breathless. I know it sounds so cheesy that I would be feeling this way about some strange kid that i've never seen before in my life but he was the most gorgeous guy i've ever seen in my life. He was prettier than John Stamos and Luke Perry put together. "Looks like you've officially fell under the Jackson Teller spell." Penelope said from beside me. "Jackson Teller. Sophomore. Ladies man. Regular badass in training." I could barely pay attention to what she was saying, especially since the guy's eyes were now connected with mine. My heart really started to beat out of control when he smiled and began to walk right over to where I was standing. I forgot all about Penelope being next to me and the only thing that mattered was that he was making his way over to where I was and I didn't know what to say. I had never been so nervous in my life and I could have looked a hell of a lot better. I was still in my practice clothes and sweating like a pig. "Hello girls." He stated as he stopped right next to me. He was about to start talking again but Coach Andersen stopped him short by calling Penelope over to help her out with something. He waited until she wa gone before he started to speak again. "She wasn't the one I wanted to talk to anyway." I couldn't help but start blushing. "So, what's your name?" I slowly looked up at him and smiled. "Kathryn, Kathryn Thompson." He started to smile back. "What about you; what's your name?" It took him a second to answer me, "Jackson Teller but everyone calls me Jax." I just nodded my head and continued to smile. I don't think I ever smiled so much in my life. "Well Jackson Teller, it's very nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you as well, Kathryn Thompson." He replied back. "What kind of things do you like to do when your not on the court?" He questioned as the rest of the kids went off to class since the bell had just rung. This was my first day at my new school and the bell had just rung for 5th period but yet here I was talking to this guy instead of making my way to my math class. "I guess I like to hang out with my friends and listen to music." He just nodded his head. "What about you?" The gym soon became empty and it was just the two of us. "I hang out at my dad's auto shop and help out. I also like riding my Harley; maybe I could give you a ride one day." M cheeks burned even more and my heart literally stopped beating for a second. This guy that I had just met, who just so happens to be the most gorgeous guy on the planet, told me that he would give me a ride on his Harley…. Was this really happening right now?!
I was about to stutter something out but the warning bell rang out and I knew that I needed to get changed so I could get to class. "You have to go?" He asked. I just nodded my head as I looked down at the ground and then back up to his eyes. "Maybe we can hang out sometime. I'm free almost everyday so-" I told him that I was basically free whenever as well but I guess he knew that I needed to get to class since I kept looking over at the door to see if the hall monitor was anyways around. "I'll see you around, Kate." He told me with a wink before strutting out of the gym. I could have died right then and there and I would be totally okay with that.
A/N: Here it is!
Hey guys! I got such an outpour of people saying that they would love a prequel and I figured since I already had this written up, that I would just post it and make y'alls day :) Now, this won't be updated all the time just yet since Monster is still going strong but I may surprise you all with little updates here and there. Once Monster is over, this story will be updated regularly, along with Shotgun Rider. I have posted the link to photos of young Jax and Kate on my profile, so make sure you go check them out! Please let me know what you think and I hope you all have a great night!