A/N: I got really into SHS again so I wrote this fanfic out of impulse.

You may not believe me,

but even before he told me his name,

I felt as if…

I already knew who he was.

Nate…Crawford…

Prologue

It was the beginning of my senior year when my parents sent me to Twin Branches. It wasn't like I was a new kid or anything, just some transfer student. It had already been a week or two since orientation for freshmen, transfers, and exchange students at my new school, but I had missed it since I didn't exactly know I'd be transferring the next week over. Why was I transferring? I wish it was because I was moving, or because my mom and dad got promoted to a better location, or something…No, it was actually because those very same people that sent me away to live with my cousin, were the reason I had to move. My parents just were too young at the time when I was born to be parents. I didn't understand why they went to the trouble of having a child if they were just going to divorce eventually. I've known about this plan of theirs since I was a child.

When I was six or whatever age I was in able to understand the concept of separation, I heard them talking. It wasn't yelling nor whispering, it was kind of both. I remember my dad saying that raising a family at his age was too difficult for him.

"We've spent too much money this month on food, gas, and school for her. We won't last much longer on the wage I earn from work." I'd often hear my dad pace around the kitchen with my mom from my room, speaking softly, but I definitely could see the veins from his frustration on his face.

My mother would always try to reason with him, but at the same time, come to the same conclusion. "Don't you think I know that? This is why I told you we weren't ready to be parents when we were in our first year of college! I knew it was a mistake, but I – No, she wasn't a mistake, the only mistake I made was planning everything out."

Even if they said 'it wasn't my fault', that I was their 'baby', that they 'loved me', I only wished that they loved each other more so they could stay together. I didn't realize how complicated love could be, or what it truly was to be in love. I never had a crush or an idol; I was stuck in the Monarch Education System for most of my life. Monarch Prep was an all-girls school I was put into by my grandparents, but it was on a deal that my parents would stay together to raise me. At seventeen years old…Seventeen years of anger, sadness, and longing had manifested in both of them. They were no longer in love or blind to it, they were adults now and they decided to make lives for themselves. My mom was nineteen when she gave birth to me, my dad twenty on conception. They had their whole lives ahead of them, but because of a mistake, they had to endure a lot. They didn't really need to say much, but I knew that I was that mistake.

Weeks ago [before going to Twin Branches]

It was my last week at Monarch Prep, I was still considered a 'good apple', only because I tried to blend in, not to be seen or stick out in any way. I followed each daily schedule as planned. I had lunch like normal, said bye to my friends (who probably didn't care for me since they saw me as more of a charity case than anything), to packing my things up and leaving to Centerscore. Day to day, everything seemed so dreamlike and hazy this week = probably because the news that I'd be moving in with my twenty-five year old cousin was completely abrupt and put off to the last minute that I just couldn't fathom that this was real, this was the last time I would see this place or both my parents together again.

My cousin, Jett, was pretty well off for his age. He was an aspiring doctor, funded for life by his relatives who were oh-so-proud to see him graduate from a university, no children, and no girlfriend. He's pretty much an all-work-and-no-play kind of guy. Smart, talented, and good-looking, I don't know why he hadn't pursued a relationship for so long, but then again, I wasn't trying to pursue one either. I left it at that, if I didn't pry into his life, he wouldn't pry into mine. We kept to ourselves when I moved in, he only greeted me and headed right off to work. He, in a way, was like an older brother to me when I was younger and we used to hang out. I was his favorite cousin because he said my cheeks were soft like warabi-mochi*. He pinched them so hard sometimes that I cried, but then he'd buy me something to make me feel better. These days, though not all the time, he seemed distant.

"Olivia, I'll take you to school today." Jett said as he opened the blinds and curtains in my room. Shortly after, he continued fixing up his dress shirt for a meeting at the hospital.

"Jett-onii, nemui. I'm tired." I mumbled through my pillow.

"Aishhhh, Olivia, okimasu! Wake up! Your new school is a few blocks away, but I told you yesterday, if you get up early, then I'd take you to school. So get up, or you're walking!" He was a bit harsher than my alarm clock waking me up, which is probably why I felt so sluggish when getting ready. I managed to prepare everything for this school in less than fifteen minutes because I was so used to a daily regimen. Just like that, I was dropped off at a place that looked like the projects in some third world country. I did hear that this place was still being rebuilt after an earthquake, but I didn't quite expect this…

Inside the currently constructed main building

I looked around the halls at posters, decorated lockers, display cases that had photographs in them, and it lead me right where I needed to be, the principal's office. This is where my letter told me to start for my late orientation. I looked around the seemingly empty hall. Everyone's probably in class in the other buildings…I proceeded into the office meekly, feeling as though someone was watching me like a lurking eye.

"Ms. Karamida?" The principal, Ms. Lee, approached me from her desk to my seat in the waiting room. "You are Shizuru Karamida, correct?" She waved her hand in front of me to break my trance.

"Ah, sorry, I was just spacing out. Please call me Olivia if it's easier!" I smiled nervously as she lent her hand to me.

"Oh, it's perfectly alright dear." Ms. Lee gestured to the clock on the wall and then to the door, "Heck, I used to space out in this room all the time. I even got locked in my office!" She chuckles warmly, "Don't be afraid, there's some students that may not come off as friendly right away, but I'm sure they'll warm up to you in due time. You'll make plenty of friends here, don't you worry about it!" She then dropped me off with a red-headed girl who was going to be my guide for the tour since she had more paperwork to file and a phone call to adhere to.

Cafeteria

I was given a quick tour of the school by a girl named, Amanda Applebee. She made me feel welcome at the very least, but when I got to the counselors area for my schedule, I got rather…lost. It was almost noon and Amanda sort of went through things so fast before her cheer practice that I forgot to ask where I would get my schedule. Luckily, she had dropped me off in a place that had a lot of students who seemed rather inviting as well. In fact…

"Watch it!" I bumped into this girl with tan skin and brown hair in a low ponytail. She looked at me and scowled a little while holding her lunch tray. When she saw that I had meant no harm, she let out a small smile, "I haven't seen you here before. You look pretty lost. Are you new here?"

"Uh…Yeah. I just transferred, from Monarch Pr-", I was interrupted by some guy who seemed to just come out of nowhere.

"You're Shizuru, or as you go by now, Olivia. You transferred here from Monarch Prep where you were in the honors' program, from there you were sent here to live with a relative. As for the reason you're not with your parents, I can just keep that to myself. I'm Wes by the way." He slyly grinned at me.

"How did you know all that?" I asked him, the girl in front of me seemed a bit appalled by his behavior though, but I was too bewildered at how he knew so much about me having just moved here.

The girl scoffed, "He has eyes and ears everywhere apparently." She narrowed his brows at him angrily, "So what are you collecting her information for this time?"

"My clients prefer to remain anonymous. Honestly, it's just good information to have in case of emergencies or information is needed. You know how it is Sam." He walked away from the conversation naturally, as if it was an everyday thing he did. That's just creepy.

"Ignore him, and stay away from him and his friend Nate Crawford, they're nothing but bad news around here. As you heard, I'm Sam." She frowned a little watching him leave as she spoke to me.

"Sam, if you don't mind me asking, did he do something to you?" I asked sincerely, hoping that she'd be one of the new friends I'd have since she seems to be very protective of those around her, like a sister.

"Not me. Not him." She looked at me in her periphery, and clarified to answer the confused expression I had on my face. "Just steer clear of him and Nate, but Nate especially. The guy's a total jerk. Let's leave it at that." She smiled and was about to walk to a table when she heard her name called. Well, a variation of it.

"Sam-face!" A guy behind us called out. I turned to see him, he was tan, clean cut hair, and a bit muscular. "I thought it was you. Didn't you graduate in June?"

Her smile was a bit brighter, "Yeah, I came back for some volunteer work. I have a week before college starts, so I think I'll be here throughout this next week." I looked at the both of them conversing, but I was kind of let down by the fact that Sam would only be here for the week. I think we would have been awesome friends. I waited until there was a pause to excuse myself from their reminiscing to find where I was supposed to go and that's when I found myself in trouble.

I was outside the counselor's office with a student who was a bit taller than me. He had blonde hair that was well-groomed, blue eyes, and he was wearing a black tie with a white shirt. He didn't seem to notice me, but I managed to get within range of him to acknowledge my presence.

"Are you a freshman?" He cocked an eyebrow at me. I was relatively short, but not as short as a fourteen year-old, I probably have about four inches in height to their average girl. I shrugged it off, "No, I'm a senior. I just transferred here. I'm a week late so I have to pick up my schedule." I tried to not look at him even though I could already tell he was still looking at me with his back to the door.

I heard him laugh silently, "You know, you remind me of someone. You try to be nice even if you are insulted. Just like her."

"Like who?" I tried to seem uninterested, like this was just some small-talk I was used to. I flipped through the messages in my phone to fit the part. I'm usually not so nosy, but this guy could be a good friend too. I should at least make one friend before I have to go home.

"You…You wouldn't know her, she graduated last year. You don't look like her though, just your personality." His voice quieted as tried to force a smile. Didn't Sam graduate last year? Do she and I have the same personality? Is this guy…

I broke our silence by smiling and extending my hand out to shake his, "I'm Olivia Karamida and you are?"

He relaxes into a natural smile, "Nate. I'm Nate Crawford."

My jaw dropped on the inside, but my outer façade shook a bit, creating a pained look on my face as I held his hand in my own. My smile faded quickly as our hands parted. If I know anything about school, it's to stay away from people who you're told to stay away from. I backed away from him a few steps.

"I don't bite you know." He seemed perplexed by my reaction. "If you're in a hurry you can go in front of me." He made way for me like a gentleman. He was sweet, curt, a little bit obnoxious, but it seemed in good nature. I began to wonder why someone like this was someone I was warned about. Surely there's more than one Nate Crawford at this school…right?

"Nate, you're next, come on in!" One of the counselors opened the door in front of me and greeted Nate.

"I'm in no rush, sir. Actually, I think she may be in one, so I let her cut in front." The counselor's eyes shifted to me.

He smiled purely, "Splendid, she must be our new student", he pauses to adjust his glasses, "Olivia, is it? Why you must feel pretty special to be in the presence of Mayor Crawford's son." Mayor Crawford? What did I just get myself into? "He's an outstanding student and you would do well to befriend him." He continued to build Nate's pedestal, "Why in fact, Nate, come right over here, you can be her buddy for the next part of the month until she gets familiar with her surroundings!" Please just stop. Stop. Stop talking man, this isn't cool. "Why not show her to her classes? Here's her schedule. It'll be a lot easier for you to find it if you have a buddy who knows how to get around the town." He does have a point. Is this really okay though?

I spoke up before things ended up set in stone, "Sir, Amanda Applebee is supposed to be my buddy!"

"Nonsense, Amanda Applebee is only here for volunteer work, much like the other students. It's a great thing to put on your resume and for college applications." What volunteer work could Sam and Amanda be doing?

Nate looked at me with a serene look and laughed, "If I don't turn out to be a good buddy by the end of the month, go ahead and replace me." He's joking, I can tell since he's laughing, but if he really isn't that good, I'll surely replace him. That's right, keep laughing and you'll be replaced by the end of the month. It struck me through that if he is the mayor's son, maybe, just maybe, this won't be so bad since he does have to keep appearances up. I agreed to exchange numbers and we found out we were in a few classes together. And that's how I ended up in this predicament.

Next week over

I met a lot of students over the course of the week and by the start of the new week, I had almost forgotten the names of most of the people I met. One person in particular was a girl running for student body president her second year in a row. I think her name was…Ta...Tanisha…Talia…Tasha? I know it starts with a 'T', but I can't remember the rest…Doesn't Nate have that class with me? I text him describing the girl with blond hair who wanted to run for president again, but wanted someone to nominate her.

"Remember to nominate me in class today, I'm counting on you!" She smiled kindly as she walked away towards our class. In a few seconds, I got a text back from Nate. 'Did you mean Kayla?' Kayla? I thought it started with a 'T'? Maybe I was wrong? I heard the bell ring and ran to the classroom where I saw Nate sitting there looking bored and about to fall asleep.

In class

"Nate Crawford, you'll be a nominee for class president." The teacher called him out as some students chuckled in the background.

"Don't you think choosing me is a bit arbitrary?" He seemed as charismatic as ever as he stretched his arms in his seat.

"Oh, but nobody nominated anyone else or themselves, so…" Our teacher tried to reason out his decision in choosing Nate, but as Nate is always the one to be melodramatic…

"I'll nominate someone!" He stood up and I looked over to him. Is he going to say me? He smirked, "I nominate myself as vice president." Some people in the back burst into laughter. I should have known he was going to take the easy way out. Wait! Kayla wanted me to nominate her!

I stand up from my seat, "Ah, I want to nominate someone for Student Body President. For that role, I nominate Kayla Vale!" The room was silent a moment and everyone looked confused.

The teacher looked at me and asked, "Did you mean Taylor Vale?" I knew it started with a 'T'. Among the laughter, I heard Nate laughing. Darn you Nate!

End of Class

So in the end, I ended up getting Taylor on the ballot. Of course, I did endure some degree of embarrassment and I did apologize to Taylor for forgetting her name. I was forgiven, but I still felt terrible. I even nominated myself as class president to compensate my screw up.

I approached Nate at the end of class while he was packing his things for the end of the day.

"That was pretty rude of you. You lied to me before, didn't you?" I smiled even though I truly wanted to choke him death.

He smiled as usual, "Oh, that…was that more rude than forgetting someone's name? Or already judging me based on someone else's story?" This guy is kind of annoying. Did he hear what Sam said? Either way, both are truly my fault. He's right about that. Then he pointed at me, "What was your name again?" This guy…

In the school hallway

I hear people whispering down the hallway, it looked like two freshmen girls.

"I think he's really cute. I mean he's the mayor's son and he looks so handsome!"

"I'm not really into him, I like Cameron Clark a bit more, but Nate Crawford is alright."

"I wonder if Nate's had a girlfriend before. Probably, right?"

"I've heard he's been with a lot of different girls. Both younger and older! I think I heard he was with Zoe Davis last year, let's ask Sam, maybe she can tell us."

"Seriously?"

"I'm not sure, they could just be rumors…"

As I hear their voices linger the further into the hall they get, I still feel as though someone is watching me. Who would? Why do I even care what those girls think and why does talking about Nate sound…interesting? I go up to my locker and see Sam peering out and away from those girls as they turn the corner into the next corridor. She then spots me and frowns.

"Listen, what happened between him and my cousin is between them. So please don't ask me about him. I'm not interested in what the rumors say in the least either." At least Sam and I share a common dislike of him, maybe I can be her friend even though she's done helping out after today.

I pat her on the shoulder, "Friends?"

She laughs heartily, "You dork. I don't go here anymore." Of course, upperclassmen, don't really hang out with underclassmen. As I felt the last amount of my self-worth slipped from under me as I was about to walk away, she called out, "Sure, maybe we can be friends."

Outside the main building [After School]

I look up at the under-construction part of the building. Maybe I won't have friends at this school either. I pass by the classroom window I was sitting near during my last class of the day, yet another I had with Nate. I didn't expect anything as I strode past it, but then someone opened the window. Low and behold, it was that devil…

"Hey, did you manage to figure out your schedule? Do you need me to walk you home today? I can if it's not that far." He smiled as if he was sincere, "How long does it take to get there?" He sat on the window pane awaiting my answer.

I decided to mess with him just a little, "Twelve minutes."

"Twelve minutes?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Twenty minutes." I pause for a moment, "No, it takes forty-five minutes. Seriously though, it only takes five minutes." I smile at him and begin to walk as I say, "Just kidding, it only takes about fifteen minutes."

"Are you going to get lost again? You may need your buddy, you know. I suppose even an airhead like you can't get lost that easily since you walk home every day." He wryly grinned.

"I don't want to hear that coming from you of all people." I say as I walk away with my hands in my pocket about to grab my headphones to listen to music. I walk past him on the panel and don't bother to turn around. Sometimes, he can catch me off guard.

"Bye." He says quickly enough for him to leave the window before I can see him leave. The window is still open, maybe he's still there? I ran back to it because I thought I'd be polite, but when I looked inside, I didn't see him.

Quietly, I say, "Bye by – ", suddenly I was caught off by the sound of him laughing quietly near the window against the wall where I wouldn't see him. I feel kind of disappointed.

"What was that?" He said as he leaned over to me with his stupid smirk.

I feel myself blush slightly. It's out of embarrassment again, isn't it? "I thought you didn't hear me so I…"

"You…"

I lean backwards, "Um, bye…Bye bye." Then he begins to snicker again.

I turn even redder, "Why are you laughing?" I ask nervously feeling as if something is on my face or in my teeth or anything is wrong with me.

He perks up, "Bye bye."

I walk away after that encounter as fast as I can with so many thoughts racing through my mind. No. No. NO! My heart is beating really fast because I was just surprised is all, not for him. I just didn't think he'd call out to me so suddenly like that. That's why… That must be why.

School Parking Lot

I hear a car screech in front of me and Sam manages to stop me from crossing the street by yelling, "WATCH OUT!" When I come back to my senses, she looks at me and asks if something's wrong.

I don't know why I'm thinking so much about what just happened, but I lie to her, "I…I don't think I'm fitting in very well right now is all. I was getting frustrated."

She smiles to reassure me, "Don't try so hard to fit in, Olivia, it's your last year, just do what makes you happy. Everything else should fall into place. That's what my mom tells me anyways.

"Well, when you don't have very many friends…" I began trying to piece together my argument.

Sam retaliated calmly, "Wouldn't it be better for you to just be yourself? If you try to be someone you're not, nothing will come from it and it'll be totally useless." She actually has some decent words of advice. "If you try to do something you wouldn't do normally, it won't help you. I never understood why some people do useless things they don't even enjoy." Even though this wasn't my real issue, I feel like asking myself, 'who am I really?' I looked at the pavement below me. Feelings of guilt, shame, and rejection flowed through me. "I'll see you again soon, my cousin is coming over today." Just like that, she too, left my line of sight. I put my headphones in and make my way out of the school zone.

On the way home

I was already halfway to my house when I notice someone behind me. I walk faster to keep my distance. The shadow quickly follows on pursuit again, lurking in the bushes and behind the fences. By the time I reach my neighborhood, I stop and turn around with my backpack in my hands ready to hit the sick-o following me. When the footsteps have gotten within range that they sound so close, I shut my eyes real tight and swing as hard as I can.

"Oof! What was that for?" I heard a familiar voice as my pursuer fumbled to the ground. "I've been calling your name for a few minutes now, and you've ignored me every time!" My assailant was none other than Nate who now had a bruise on his arm and a cut and tear on his left elbow. I once again apologized and helped him up as he walked me home. I invited him in since my cousin wasn't going to be home until the next morning and so I could at least bandage him up for hitting him.

In Olivia's Room

I knelt beside him to apply some bandages. "So, why were you chasing me again?" I asked pitifully as he removed his tie.

He started to unbutton his shirt as he turned to face me, "You were talking to Sam and she dropped this earlier." He saw us on his way home as well I suppose. "She's probably already told you all about me which is why I can't be the one to give her back her address book." He smiles looking at one of the pictures on her cover. It says Zoe and Sam, so did he and they used to be friends? The way he smiles at the picture is different from all the other times he has smiled since I've met him. I don't think I've met anyone with as carefree a smile as his…After awhile of using a first aid kit on his injuries, he left.

A few weeks later [In class]

I managed to talk with Nate and Wes a bit more. Wes doesn't seem as bad as Sam described either, and Nate had told me his relationship with Zoe. Not quite a lot, just that they had some sort of fling. Whether or not he's over her is something I don't quite know yet. I wonder if things will get as bad as Sam had said. During the weekend, I managed to hang out with her and her college friends at the beach. I'm not much of a swimmer, so I stayed on the shore for most of the time and got pretty sun burnt. I guess it really is the hottest near school season. Regardless of my complexion, I still went to school.

"Morning." Taylor greeted me as I got to class.

"Morning." I responded as I yawned and sat beside her.

Her mouth gaped at my rosy red face, "You're totally sun burnt!"

I startle a bit by her bluntness, "Yeah…I-I want to peel it all off when I can." I said as I tried to cover my face.

Nate sat down beside me again, "Nice face you have there." I should have expected he was going to be critical.

I grimace, "Is that really something you'd say to a girl?"

He turned towards me as he set his books down, "Oh? How about, 'that's quite a face you've got there!'

"That's the same thing!" I say as I blush and grab the top book from his pile and give him a good smack. He lifts his arm to block me from hitting his face and smiles.

He's so shameless, irresponsible, stuck-up, and impossible to deal with, but I think I like him a whole lot.

"What is it?" He notices that I refrain from continuously hitting him. At that moment, I think back to the time when I spoke with Wes about Nate and Zoe.

Flashback

"I can tell you for free this time, but next time you'll have to pay a fee, alright?" He said as I met up with him in the main hall near my locker. He and I had traded numbers as well. I had just asked him about Nate and Sam's relationship, not realizing that it wasn't Sam in the picture he was looking at, it was Zoe.

"You mean about Sam, right?" I asked curiously as he looked over to me.

"No, he and she don't have anything going on." He smiled as placed my things into my locker. "3-29-23?" He repeated quietly as I put the last of my things away.

"Hey! That's my locker combination!" I frowned at him. "You better not tell anyone!"

He shifted his glance to the fountain behind me as he placed his back on the locker next to mine, "I'd only tell someone who'd pay for the information, remember?"

I frankly responded, "Well, then let's just hope no one needs it." I closed my locker and turned to him.

"If it's Zoe you want to know about, he liked her for a long time, but was shot down by her." He said quietly watching for unsuspecting eyes down the hallway.

Present time [in class]

"It's nothing." I say remembering him telling me the other day that there was nothing between he and Sam or Zoe as I bandaged him up. You big liar. I smile as I sit down next to him, ready for another day.

Warabi-mochi - A soft, sweet, dessert in Japan. Some Asian cultures eat this as well.

A/N: I'm not sure if this will be a thing I'll continue on or not, but I really like playing this series of games and would like to write more fanfiction about it. I like Nate when he's nice, but I dunno, I kind of like his jerk-ish side too. In case anyone was wondering, Olivia is of Japanese/English blood and has long light brown hair that's tied in a side fishtail braid with brown eyes and a fair skin complexion. I sort of want her to be Nate's new love interest or something…Now if only she could be in the game XD Please favorite, review, or follow if you like the story!~

Edit

I just changed her name and nationality. Her appearance is still the same. You can see what she looks like if you go to my tumblr, Deviant Art, or look at the cover photo :D