Based on my own play through of Gameloft's High School Hook Ups(great game, you should play it if you haven't! Unless, ya know, you don't have a phone...) as Ben. The reason I felt a need to write this was due to Ethan's list of Loves having 'cute boys' and then not having an option to get closer to or choose him. Hopefully I'm not alone in wanting that to be a thing(then again, you probably wouldn't be reading this if you didn't like the idea, soooo...)!

I don't own, work for, or represent Gameloft or HSHU(otherwise I wouldn't have to write this - it'd be an option!) and this work will stray from canon(only slightly, except for pursuing Ethan rather than Lena). The straying from canon outside pursued romance is only to keep the time between events and the time skips from being boring and hopefully fits the involved characters well.

It was my first day at my new school, Greenfield High. I was pretty excited in the car ride, but now that I'm standing in the archway, I can feel my stomach flip. "This school is huge..."

"The principal said he'd be at the entrance to give you a tour," my dad calls, pulling me from my trance. "Don't make him wait!" I put on a grin, despite my sudden nervousness.

"Okay! Thanks, dad. I'll see you later!" I waved, letting my grin fade to a nervous half-smile when he drove off. It was just a new high school, I could handle this. It wasn't like I was a freshman. I was from a different country, though, even if it was just above the US.

I took a deep breath, reassuring myself that everything would be fine and that I have nothing to worry about. Then I headed to the entrance, to go meet the principal and get a tour. Last thing he needed was being lost for the first week or so when he just transferred, even if it was to be expected.

Nobody paid me any mind on my way through the courtyard, which was probably for the best. I'd rather lay low until I learned a few things. I turned my attention to the intimidating looking man standing by the door way to what looked like the main building. That must be the principal.

"You must be Ben Wright," the man said as I walked up, confirming my assumption, "the Canadian transfer student, right? I'm Principal Gottlieb. Welcome to Greenfield High School. Let me introduce you to your tour guide, Sheena."

I looked over to the approaching girl, eyes widening slightly. She looked terrifying, and judging by her expression, it was fully intentional. I swallowed then pushed myself to smile, offering my hand to shake, though I had a feeling she wouldn't reciprocate. "Nice to meet you. I'm -"

I pull my hand back suddenly when she growls at me, and suddenly those nerves from earlier are back. "Don't worry about her. She knows the campus well. She repeated the last grade three times!" Gottlieb chuckled, patting me on the shoulder. It did nothing to calm my nerves. "When you two are finished, come to my office. I like to have a brief meeting with every new student."

Sheena did nothing to hide her glare at the principal as he walked away. Though... that might just be how she looks. I can feel myself pale when her gaze suddenly turns to me. "Okay, let's make something clear," she all but hisses, stepping closer, "I'm not your friend, and I'm not gonna be your friend. Showing newbies around is just my punishment for burning my desk last year." That last part pulls a smirk to her face, and my whole brain is telling me I should avoid getting that look intended for me.

"Oh, are you a pyromaniac?" I questioned, trying to ease myself and maybe make her a bit less intimidating. Her eyes narrow.

"I'm gonna pretend you didn't just ask me that." Her tone makes me want to shiver, but my nerves are doing a good job at keeping me completely still. "I'm too busy to show people around, so here's a map. Good luck." She shoves a folded up paper at me, and her demeanor tells me she doesn't really wish me luck.

I clutch the paper nervously as I take a moment to focus on calming myself, then unfold the paper. Looking it over carefully, I frowned, struggling to deciper the violent chicken scratch that I assume is Sheena's writing. "How am I supposed to read this...?"

Thankfully, it was in pencil. I sighed, erasing the writing so I could at least write the places down myself. At least it didn't take long to go to each building and write down which building was which. Now all I had to worry about in that sense was classrooms, which wouldn't take long to figure out once I got my schedule. Speaking of, it was time to head to to Gottlieb's office since my 'tour' was finished.

As soon as I walked into the main building, I spotted Gottlieb scolding one of the students.

"Maddox, enough is enough! This is your last warning!" He sounded serious. I hope the majority of the school isn't troublemakers...

"But the course just started!" The girl retorts, and I can't help but think she deals with his scolding often. "And that fire extinguisher was half empty, anyway..." Yeah, her mischievous look definitely says she deals with it often. Sounds like it's for good reason, though.

"I son't want to see you around here anymore! Get out of my face!" He stomped into his office fuming, and the girl cheered right up before running off. I took a deep breath.

Now I had to be extra careful talking to him after he got that mad... Awesome. I let the deep breath out as a sigh, walking a bit slowly to Gottlieb's office. My heart began to speed up again as I walked in.

"Have a seat, Ben. Let's chat." It sounded like he calmed down quickly, which helped calm me down as I settled in the chair across from his desk. I still needed to be careful. If I didn't make a good impression, he'd probably be keeping an eye on me, and I don't think my nerves could handle that currently. "I've been reviewing your transcripts, and I'm very impressed." I smiled, a bit relieved already. "But, you're in a big city now, with lots of distractions. Can you maintain your grade point average?"

"I'm pretty smart. I've never had any trouble getting good grades." I realized he did have a point about distractions. City life already proved to be drastically different from when he lived in a small town back in Canada. I hope I don't struggle with it...

"You know, your mother studied here also and she was a brilliant student." He smiles a bit, thinking back to his own high school days. My smile falters slightly. "Did she ever tell you that we were classmates?"

She didn't really get much of a chance to clue me in on anything about this school. We had only recently moved down here for dad's work. School wasn't even in session at the time, but we were preparing my transfer anyways. Mom did tell some stories, however, fondly remembering her high school days whenever she remembered them, usually as we passed various places that sparked old memories. We were walking when...

I shake the memory away, forcing a smile. "Of course! She never shut up about this place. That's why I'm so excited to be here." Well, at first at least.

"Those were the good ol' days, when kids were hard working!" I try not to chuckle at him showing his age. He seemed a lot older than my mom. Did they really go to school together? I notice his expression change, and I realize my own had dropped again.

"...Sorry, I get sad when I talk about her." I look into my lap, rubbing my wrist. "I just... she's missed. Nobody expected that pizzeria sign to fall." My voice drops near the end, and I try to keep my eyes from watering.

"She was a model student," Gottlieb offers forlornly. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought her up." I smile, albeit sadly.

"It's okay." I breathe deeply, looking back up. "She wouldn't want us to be sad over her."

"That's very mature thinking for someone your age." He smiles warmly. "Do you know what you want to do after high school?"

I took a moment to think about that. I had always imagined myself just staying in Canada, still helping my dads parents on their farm. It would be a simple life, but something he was used to and enjoyed. But after I came to the city with my parents and saw so many things, my mind strayed some from that. Especially after I took to accompanying my dad on business trips when I could. Most would have found them boring, being a teenager around large groups of business men and women all discussing things like financing and promotions and the like, but I enjoyed them. I got to spend time with my dad, and I always thought all the different businesses and the things they showed to each other were fascinating. Maybe I'd follow in dad's footsteps with that.

I snapped out of it, realizing I hadn't answered. I might as well be honest. "I have so many different interests, I can't really make up my mind. Is that an early sign of multiple personalities?" I joked, calming further when it got a chuckle.

"Hah, you're just full of energy. It's great to see!" He stood from his desk. "Well, you'll have to make some important decisions this year, but I'm sure everything will work out. I can tell you're smart, honest, and hard-working. All important traits in our students!" I smiled widely, relief filling me. Gottlieb was intimidating, but he didn't seem so bad. "Well... New city, new school. How do you want to start this new stage of your life?"

"I think I'll head to the library. I need to get my books in order." My answer seems to please him.

"Good, focusing on work from the beginning is the best way to succeed. Avoid the distractions!" He claps me on the shoulder, shaking me slightly. "Here's your schedule. The librarian will help you get the books for each class." I thanked him before leaving, headed straight to the library.

So far, my timing was proving to be amazing. So amazing, in fact, that some guy scarier looking than Sheena seems to come right for me with a frightening smile. "Hey you! Insignificant bookworm, get out of my way." He snarls, shoving me aside. I grimace, nearly knocking the small table over behind me. The kid who was using the table glares, steadying it and muttering angrily, and it sounds like the guy I just encountered is Sid. I should do my best to avoid that guy.

I sigh, then realized I've been sighing a lot today. Maybe it was just hard because it was my first day... I'm sure not everyone is out to get each other.

Then again, I've been wrong before.

"Hi, can I sit here?" I smile at some boys, reaching for an empty chair. The one wearing shades swats me away.

"Of course not! We're gossiping," he sneers, "Go somewhere else!" I frown, leaning away.

"Where are you from? You're too nerdy, even for a library." I scold myself for jumping slightly at the overly deep voice for a guy in high school - then again, the guy's everything looked like he should be long out of school.

I swallowed, walking away as they laughed. "People are so nice here..." I muttered to myself, pinching the bridge of my nose as I looked for a seat far away from them.

A girl motions at me, and after making sure she meant to direct it at me, I walk a bit closer and she leans some so she can talk quieter. "Hey, no offense, but what are you thinking trying to talk to the Alphas?" Seriously? The Alphas? This year was gonna be great... "The Alphas are the most popular guys in school. And you... well, let's just say you could improve your style a little." Her scrutinizing gaze tells me that by 'a little' she means 'change everything about you and then we'll talk'.

"Hey, Kaitlin. Let's go." I turned to look towards the voice, a dark-skinned girl walking towards us and giving me an almost disgusted once-over. "Didn't know you talked to the outcasts..."

My entire body slumped at that. I felt a bit better when the girl gave me a small pat with the back of her hand, wishing me luck before leaving. I smiled weakly as she walked away, then all but collapsed into the lone chair she was previously occupying.

"This school is pure evil... Will I even manage to blend in?"