Disclaimer: I do not own the Scott Pilgrim series or any of the characters mentioned in this story. All original characters and lines belong to Bryan Lee O'Malley and other respectable parties. This story is purely for entertainment purposes and not to be sold anywhere.

This is a work of fiction, any similarity or likeness to any events or persons living or dead is purely coincidental. (I actually feel like I need to put this disclaimer since I will be using names that people MAY find familiar or events that MAY seem familiar. That is PURELY COINCIDENTAL)

To get the full reading experience, set the reading preference on the top right of this screen to the following settings: (Verdana Font), (1/2), (dark)


Voice4TheMute Presents

Ever wonder how long first impressions last? Forever. That's how long. Whether it's a good or bad first impression, you and everyone else in the world will remember someone by the first initial thought of them. Now that doesn't mean that you're labeled for life. There is a way to break first impressions, but it's a long uphill battle. But who cares about how you look in front of your peers? You're your own person and you should watch out for number one, right?

well, when you're a student that's transferring into the junior year of high school, you learn that friends are hard to come by.

A story based on Bryan Lee O'Malley's "Scott Pilgrim"

"Everyone off the bus!" I heard the driver yell as I sat way in the back of the school bus. I watched as all the teenagers in their awkward black, blue, and purple uniform scurry out as I took my precious time not the rush off. Unfortunately for me, the bus driver was not so patient.

"Come on goldilocks! Let's go!" He yelled as I scowled at him and picked up my backpack. I adjusted my purple pearl hair clip one last time before walking to the front of the bus to get off. "Don't fall on the way out!" I heard him laugh as he closed the door shut as soon as I stepped off. I heard him peel out and I watched as my last chance to turn back drove away.

Now I'm stranded here…

…alone…

…at St. Joel's Catholic High School.

Life at St. Joel's 008: The New Kids

"Maybe this won't be so bad." I thought to myself as I built up the courage to walk forward towards the school. All the students were still outside the building talking to each other in their own little groups. School didn't start for another thirty minutes so everyone was catching up with one another, discussing what they did over the weekend or whatnot. "I mean…this is my fresh start. I can be whoever I wanted to be. Not that I was a nobody back at my old school, but I can actually build my reputation to what I wanted! Maybe I can be part of the cool kids!" I thought to myself as I looked around again. There were patch of students congregating everywhere. At first glance, it was oblivious which groups of kids were what. There were kids sitting on the ground playing some kind of trading card game, kids who sat in a circle with guitars and bongo drums in hands, even kids with violins and clarinets. There were groups with books, groups that carried around crochet hooks and yarn, groups with wizard hats…the more I looked around, the more I realized that this school was very diverse in interest and hobbies. But what also occurred to me was that most, if not, all of these groups were already established. They knew everyone inside and out and it would seem that they never really mingled with other people. That's when I realized that I was the odd one out. Integrated myself in any one of these clubs will be a real hassle, not to mention that I really don't have one distinguished hobby. Sure, I can sorta play the guitar, I can sorta knit…but it would seem as if these clicks were…specialized. The crotchet group was working on what looks like a gigantic blanket, the violin and clarinet ensemble were practicing a very complicated piece, and the group with the books were having a big discussion about the book that they were all holding in their hands. Most the friendships here were already established, so it's going to be very hard for me to fit in.

"Uh…Miss Miller?" I heard someone say as I looked forward to see that the double doors I was standing in front of were opened, revealing a middle age man with a brown suit. I blinked a few times as I stared at him. "…you are Miss Lisa Miller right?" He asked once again as I nodded.

"Y-Yeah. I am." I said as he extended his hand to me which I shook graciously.

"I'm Frank Thomas. I'm your Principal here as well at the Dean of Students. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to St. Joel's Catholic High School. I'm sure you'll fit right in." He said to me. It felt scripted of course, but it did feeling welcoming. Afterall, no one on the bus ride here or walking to the front ever said 'hi' to me in the first place. They were in their own little worlds. Worlds that I was still trying to figure out how to get in to. As I looked at the Dean, there was a puzzled look on his face.

"…is something the matter?" I asked as he rubbed his chin.

"There should be one more…" He said as he stared at me. But whatever was on his mind at the time, he quickly dismissed it. "Oh nevermind. Come with me. I'll get you your class schedule and one member of the ASB will show you where your classes are." He said as we walked into the main hallway. The walls of the hallway were lined with lockers…as far as the eye could see! There were a few people inside already, taking out their books and talking among friends as the quickly glanced at the dean then at me. I caught them staring at me and they just stared right back.

"Creepy…" I said to myself as I saw Dean Thomas look behind his shoulder.

"Did you say something?"

"N-nothing sir!" I said quickly, adding the 'sir' at the end out of impulsion. It was a bad habit of mine to add that at the end when talking to people who have a greater authority than me. "Um…Dean Thomas? Sir? You said that someone from…what was it? ASB…? They were going to show me around? Who are they?"

"The associated student body, Miss Miller." He simply said as we rounded a corner. The walls of lockers continued down this hallway as well. It was like a metal deathtrap that it just waiting for you to be alone in the halls so that it can smash you in with its grey, metal doors.

"Man of few words." I said aloud as he turned his head to me again. I felt my body tense up from his gaze.

"I'm going to forget I heard that Miss Miller." He said as he turned his head forwards and kept walking. We finally came to a door with a brass sign that said 'Principal' on the front. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that this was his office. "Come on in." He said as he opened the door. It was a typical office. Nice wooden Desk in the middle with a name triangle in the middle, picture of him, his wife, and kids on the side, selves of books all along the walls, and a lamp that hovered over the writing area of his desk. I took a seat in his rather comfortable chairs as he took a seat behind his desk.

"This is a nice place you have set up." I said to him as he paid no attention. I saw him open his drawer and pulled out a vanilla folder and opened it on his desk. On the tab was my name on it and inside was a file about me with a paper-clipped picture of me taken during my sophomore at my old school. He pulled out another sheet of paper that was behind my file and looked over it.

"Ok Miss Miller, according to your transcript from your last high school, these classes was chosen for you. Should you find any difficulty please seek help with the teacher first before coming to the office. We wish to see you succeed, not fail." He said, scripted again. I knew that was scripted since he wasn't even looking at me while he said it. His vision was concentrated on a book that was on his shelf or something in that general direction. He went to his intercom which was off to the bottom corner of his desk and pushed it. "Miss Adams, can you please inform the ASB guide that Miss Miller is ready." He said as there was a confirmation from the other then.

"Alright Dean Thomas."

"Thank you so much Dean Thomas." I said to him as he looked straight into my eyes. I clammed up again as he had a serious face as he looked at me.

"Miss Miller, I take it that you'll be a good student and a productive member of our school, right?" He said, almost rhetorically but in a serious tone. "I will see you around campus, but I pray that I never have to see you in my office, is that clear?"

"C-Crystal! …sir!" I stammered as I tensed up. He kept his gaze on me for another minute before looking up.

"Ahh. You must be the guide." He said, in a normal voice as I looked over my shoulder. A girl stood right behind my chair. She had shoulder length brown hair and wore the St. Joel's school uniform with the plaid purple skirt on. I opted for the black skirt since I already had my purple clip and purple bracelet on. "Miss Lisa Miller is ready for her tour."

"Okay. Shall we?" She said to me as I got up and waved the Dean good-bye as we walked out the door. We walked down the locker-filled hallways before the guide talked to me again. "I'm impressed. You manage to survive a talk with our Dean." She said to me as looked over at her.

"Why do you say that?"

"Well…he's a very serious guy, if you couldn't tell." She said to me as I reverted back to his warning.

"Yeah…no kidding."

"That, and it would seem that our graduating year has brought him a couple of troublemakers. It had kept him…on edge…" She said as she brought me to my first class room. "Here it is, 143. You'll have Geography here." She said as she continued to walk. I quickly followed right behind her.

"What do you mean 'troublemakers'?" I asked as it finally donned on me that we haven't introduced each other. "I'm Lisa by the way." I quickly added.

"Lauren. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too."

"Troublemakers as in guys who, for lack of better words, are bullies. They cause trouble and even start fights every once in awhile. If it weren't for the parents being huge donators to the school, they would have been kicked out by now." She said as she showed me my second classroom.

"Wow…that sucks. So I should avoid…?" I trailed my voice, hoping she would fill me in.

"…avoid the three man group who call themselves the Joel Bruisers. Subtle, I know. Watch out for a man in a black bennie…a high 'big' guy with the thick eyebrows, and the blond that has a receding hairline. Edward, Austin, and Andrew."

"Good to know. Thanks Lauren." I said to her as she nodded in acknowledgement.

"Also, find a club to join. If you haven't noticed, this school is very…club oriented." She said as we stopped in the hallway in front of my third classroom.

"I noticed. So everyone outside is part of a club then?" I asked as she nodded.

"Basically. Clubs usually hold their recruitment during the second month of the semester. But that's still a long time from now. If you don't want to feel out of place, then I suggest during lunch, you should wander around the campus and see what clubs interest you. Figure out what your hobbies are and just…join."

"But what if I'm not really 'good' at my hobby?"

"…well, this school is pretty diverse in clubs. I'm sure you'll find something." She said as we continued the tour.


And so…lunch started…

"Hi." I started as I stood in front of the group that was strumming their guitars on the benches outside. The seven man group stopped their playing and looked up at me. I was a bit startled by their sudden attention, but decided to continue my introduction. "Um…I'm Lisa. I'm a transfer student and I couldn't help but notice that you guys play the guitar." They continued to stare at me. Or maybe my breast…I wasn't sure now. "Um…I play the guitar as well." I said to them. Truth was I only played maybe three times but I can read tablature…maybe that can pass?

"What kind of guitar do you play?"

"Who's your favorite guitarist?"

"What cord is this?"

"Where is your guitar? We should jam together!"

They all started to ask me guitar related questions so fast that my brain just couldn't keep up. "I…uh…nevermind…" I said as I slowly started to back up and then fully turned around to walk away from them. "Alright…that didn't work. But there are other clubs I could join…"

Crochet Club

"What's your biggest project that you've done?"

"Uh…" I hesitated. "A sock?"

Literature Club

"We're currently reading 'Love in the Time of Cholera' in its original Spanish version. You're welcome to join us and read along with us as we explore the characters and figure what the author means behind each person!"

"…I can't read Spanish let alone understand it."

Gaming Club

"Awesome! A fellow gamer! Please tell my fellow 'friend' that anyone with a brain should always go for a fourteen pool to fourteen hatch. I mean, that build order can survive anything!"

"I don't even know what game you're talking about!"

TCG (Trading Card Game) Club

"….girl…"

"…ok. I'm not sure what I was thinking…" I said as I left the club room.

With lunch half way over, I found myself alone at a lunch table in the middle of the cafeteria. It was the only table that the clicks and the clubs haven't taken for some reason, and I found it to be a very comfortable place to just wallow in my failed attempt to join a club here.

"I can't believe this…I don't fit in anywhere. I was a nobody back in my old school and I'm a nobody here…" I sighed as I looked around the cafeteria. Everyone was talking among each other…having fun…being with friends…being with people that share the same interest… "Huh?" I noticed a small group of girls who were sitting off to the right corner of the cafeteria. They didn't seem to be doing anything but talking to one another. Maybe they weren't part of a club. Maybe they were outcasts…outcasts like me. It brought my spirits up as I built up the courage to go talk to them.

The Outcast

"Uh…hi." I said rather weakly at them. The group consists of three girls: one blond with a long ponytail, one brunette with short hair, and one black hair girl that went down past her shoulders. As I said hi, they all turned and looked at me, one with a raised eyebrow. "Um…can I join you gals?" They all looked at each other for a full minute before scooting over. "Finally! A break!" I sat right down next to the brunette who scooted away from me to give me more space…or just to get away from me. I wasn't too sure. "I'm Lisa."

"Britney." The black-haired girl said.

"Michelle." The brunette spoke.

"And I'm Alice." The blond said to me as they looked over at me.

"Pleasure to meet you." I said, hoping that would get their judging gaze off me. "…soooo what do you girls do? Are you a club?" I asked as they looked at one another before the brunette spoke up.

"I guess you can say that we're a club."

"We make sure 'order' is sustained in school. Kinda like…" Britney started as she stalled, trying to think of a good word.

"…police." Alice said as I raised an eyebrow. I wasn't sure if that was the word Britney was looking for, but neither she nor Michelle was disagreeing. "Nothing happens on these grounds without our knowledge. I guess you can say we're the un-deputized field monitors around here. So tell me blondie, what brings you here? You don't look familiar. But you don't look like a freshman. You new?"

"Yeah." I admitted, scratching my head. "I'm a transfer student. Family moved to Northern Ontario a month ago so I had to move from my old school to here. Lost all of my friends back home and was hoping to make new ones." I said to them. They didn't say anything at first. But they all looked up at Alice for some kind of response.

"You're looking for friends?" She said to me, almost condescending.

"…um. Yeah. I mean…if you want to be friends…" I said, starting to feel unwanted.

"…well you came to the right place. We know everyone who's anyone on this campus. If you stick with us, you'll get plenty of friends." Alice said to me as I felt my spirits picked up again.

"Really?" I said jumping out of my seat excitedly. They all looked at me as if I was crazy so I calmed myself and said back down. "I mean…really?"

"Mhmm..." Alice said as she looked at Britney and Michelle. "We'll gladly help you get on your feet here in this crazy school…but first! How about you buy us some drinks? You know…to toast to your new start." She said as I got up.

"O-O-Of course! Yeah! A toast! Three…no, four people. Ouch…that's a bit of coin. But you know, anything for my new friends!" I said, unsure at first since it will deplete my weekly allowance, but anything was worth it to get friends. I rushed over to where the vending machines that were in the room and started to put in my money. "I can't believe it…I hit the jackpot! I guess things really work themselves out eventually!" Another girl came besides me and started putting in money for the other vending machine. I didn't get a good look at her, but her voice was a bit monotone.

"I'd be careful if I were you…" She said to me, but I didn't pay attention. All of my attention was putting the coins into the machine. "…mix in with the wrong crowd and you'll find yourself at the bottom of the chain." She said again as I saw her get whatever she was purchasing and walk away. I turned to see who she was, but she somehow disappeared in the crowd that was walking around the cafeteria.

"…uh, ok. That was weird." I said as I reach down and picked up four cans of soda and placed it against my body. Holding four cold cans was harder and more complicated than I thought as I started to make my way back to the table in the corner. "Ok…let's not drop any of these. These cost me the rest of my allowance for God's sake! The last thing I want to do is…."

"MOVE GIRLIE!" A guy said in a loud, but raspy voice as I saw a big hand move towards me and shoveled my shoulder out the way. I did my best to hold the cans of soda against my body as the guy shoved but I felt one slip from my grasp and fall onto the ground. My eyes widen as I saw it hit the ground and bounce up, flipping in midair for a second. Holding three in one arm, I quickly caught the can in mid-flip and sighed with relief, seeing that there was no visible damage…but it was intensely shaken up.

"Man, oh man…this thing is ready to blow…Okay. I'll take this one. Last thing I wanna do is spray my new friends…"

"What's the holdup?" I heard Britney yell as I perked back up and pressed the cans against my body again.

"I'm coming!" I said as I carefully walked back to the table. I watched as the girls watch me as I placed the cans down. But when I did, instead of the cans staying in a straight line where I can identify the shaken can, they all fell over and started to roll away from me. "Oh crap!"

"Don't worry about it. Dibs" Michelle said as she took the closest can to her. Britney and Alice also took a random can as I was left with the last one. I hesitantly took it and looked at it, then looked at the others.

"Oh no….oh crap…which one is it? Am I holding it? Or one of them? I have a twenty-five percent chance of getting it right! …no. I think I have it. This was the far right can so this has to be it."

"To our new friend! May she find the friends and popularity that she seeks by hanging out with us!" Alice toasted as she lifted the can in the air. Britney and Michelle did the same as I raised my can half of my arm length.

"Here here!"

"H-here…here…" I softly said. "I have the can…I know I have the can….but crap! Now I can't open it! It'll explode on me and everyone will see it!"

But the truth was…

…I didn't have it.

Alice did.

As soon as Alice pulled the tab forward, she was greeted by a constant spray of cola all over her face and all over her body. Britney and Michelle shrieked as they back way from the cola geyser that was unleashed on her as Alice was left in a sloppy mess. Her hair, her clothes, her face was completely drenched and her gaze was fixed on me.

"…here here?" I said, lifting my cola in the air again as she glared at me with all her might.

"YOU! You unbelievable BITCH! Who put you to this? Who are you working for?" She yelled at me as I backed up. I wasn't sure what she was talking about, but I guess she thinks someone as put me to this.

"I-I'm not working for anyone! It was an accident I swear!" I defended myself as she continued to yell at me.

"Do you have any idea what you've DONE? ANY IDEA!" She yelled as I started to hear the murmurs behind me.

"I can't believe that new girl soaked the most popular girl in school…"

"She completely hosed down the Dean of Student's daughter…"

"Ouch…spraying her was probably the first and last thing she'll do at this school. She'll have to transfer out of her."

"Wait…" I said, looking back at her. "You girls aren't outcast…like me?"

"OUTCAST?" Alice yelled at me again. "We're the most popular and the most influential people at this school! Seniors look up to us! And missy! You made the biggest mistake of your young, high school life! I will PERSONALLY make sure NO ONE will be your friend!" She yelled as people started to gather around to see what I did.

"I…I didn't know! I'm sorry!" I pleaded

"You won't get away with this Lisa! I swear it!" Alice said as I saw Britney suddenly appeared and right behind her, was a field monitor.

"See? That girl sprayed her with soda!" Britney said as the field monitor looked over at me. I suddenly felt betrayed. The people I thought could be my friends ended up being the worse people I could have tangled with.

"It was an accident!" I said to the field monitor as he pointed his finger towards the direction to the door.

"Principal's. NOW!" He said to me as everyone quieted down. I looked over at Alice, Britney, and Michelle who were all looking at me with death stares. I looked at the people in the crowd and saw that they were all judging me at that second.

At that instant, I knew where I stood in this school. I knew what everyone was thinking about me…

…I knew what their first impression was…

I turned towards the door as saw the students create a path for me to take straight out the door. I took my walk of shame and went through the double doors, and heading towards the Principal's office.


From one day I went from new kid to outcast. I knew my social life was now official dead and everyone at school will be talking about me behind my back. It was a terrible feeling and I wish and pleaded that somehow, God would turn back time so I can prevent that incident from happening. But even I knew that was no possible. So I sat in the chair outside the principal's office and sulked into it as much as I can. But soon, someone else came by and took a seat right next to me. I raised an eyebrow as I carefully inspected him. He was around my height, messy light brown hair, uniform torn to shreds, and what looks like two black eyes forming. As he sat down, he leaned forward and propped his head up with his hands and sighed.

"Maybe this is my crowd. Maybe I'm doomed to hang out with the troublemakers of the school. Afterall, I'm now one of them."

"What are you in for?" I asked as he looked over at me.

"I got in a fight." He said as he made eye contact with me. "An awesome fight."

"Did you win?"

"Uhhhh…not really." He said, looking away from me, clearly frustrated by that fact.

"Well, at least you're honest." I said to myself, relieved that this guy wasn't a total meathead. "Are you new?"

"Yeah."

"Me, too. I'm Lisa."

"Scott Pilgrim."


To Be Continued…

A/N: So there you go! The first of many many chapters of this story! This first chapter is a bit boring since it is just establishing the scene where this will all take place and some of the important characters had to be introduced and…well, you know how story telling is in the first chapter: all info, not enough original content. BUT I do have stories planned for Lisa, Scott, and soon to join them, Kim. So keep an eye out for the update dates on my profile page, PLEASE review of what you guys think. Should I continue? Do you have any ideas you wanna see? Do you want your NAME or WANT TO NAME a character in this story? Just send a PM or send in the review since I'm desperate for names to add into this ever-grown high school. So that's my author's note. Please review and keep an eye on my profile page for the next update.

Until Next Time…!