A/N: Hey!! Sorry I haven't been able to update for so long. Exams and stuff have been a pain. I have my majors next week, so I probably won't be able to update for a week or so. Also I was going to update a couple of days ago, but the internet crashed and stuff so I'm sorry. Also I will update It's One Hell of a Ride within the next few weeks, so sorry for the wait.
Ok so this is a story based on the novel 'Wings' which I read the other day and totally loved. And once I was finished I was like... I can totally see a TDI version of this, so I decided to write the first chapter and see what you think. This is a test so review and let me know what you think. If you guys like it I will continue!! So R&R people!! =D
Disclaimer: I don't own TDI/TDA or the novel Wings.
Courtney's high-heeled wedges made a cheerful, precise rhythm that completely defied her depressing mood. She walked quickly through the halls of Wawanakwa High, people eyeing her curiously. She double checked her schedule and went off in search of the biology lab. She managed to reach the room with a couple of minutes to spare, and immediately seated herself near the windows.
If I can't be outside I want to at least be able to see it…
As she was gazing dreamily out of the window the rest of the class drearily made their way into class. Courtney quickly glanced around the room, stopping when she saw a boy smiling in her direction. She tried to muster one in return, hoping desperately that he didn't think it was a grimace.
A man in his late twenties strolled into the room. After checking his already meticulously sculpted hair in the reflection of the window he turned and addressed the class, introducing himself as "Mr McClean". He called out a thin, busty blonde girl from the front row and had her passing out textbooks. When Courtney received hers she immediately began flicking through the chapters.
Okay… Classification of plants, animals. Easy enough. Human anatomy. Basic structure… and now… cells? Homeostasis? Ugh! This is going to be a looong semester…
Mr McClean began calling out the roll, with Courtney recognising a few names from her earlier classes. Lindsay, the girl who handed out the textbooks was the ditzy blond from art class that morning. But the rest of the names were lost in the sea of unfamiliar faces that surrounded her.
Her mother had assured Courtney countless times that every new student would feel exactly the same. First day jitters. But everyone else managed to fit in, whereas Courtney stuck out like a sore thumb. Her eyes flickered with fear, and her face was constantly scrunched in worry.
Maybe fear is something that people got used to after spending years in high school…
Homeschooling had been perfect for Courtney. The past eleven years had been just fine and she saw no reason for the sudden change. Her parents however were determined to do everything right for their only child. When she was five that meant homeschooling, but now at sixteen it meant highschool in new town.
The room was silent and Courtney's head snapped up when Mr McClean repeated her name.
"Courtney Davis?"
"Present," she hurriedly replied.
He chuckled. "Glad to see you're there bra."
She sighed in relief as attention diverted elsewhere as he went onto the next name. Courtney pulled out her notebook, taking notes to remove any further focus on her. As Mr McClean then began talking about the semester's work, Courtney's eyes strayed to the boy who had smiled at her earlier. She stifled a cheeky grin when she noticed him sneaking glances at her in return.
After a dreadfully slow period, Mr McClean finally released the class for lunch. Courtney smiled slightly, sliding her thick textbook into her book bag.
"Hey."
She glanced up and saw the same boy from earlier. He was standing at her desk with a small smile. His eyes captivated her. They were a deep green that made her feel as though she was in a lush forest. The green complimented with the light tan of his skin. His thick black hair was slightly long and fell in a messy arrangement, framing his face and making his eyes stand out even more.
"You're Courtney? Right?" He had a warm smile that made his eyes light up.
"Yeah…" She breathed out. However her breath got caught and made her cough. She blushed slightly.
Great… the first time someone talks to me I cough and stutter… Great way to make a first impression Court…
She snapped to attention when he spoke up.
"I'm Trent. Trent Robertson. I-I wanted to say hi. Umm… welcome to Wawanakwa High… I s'pose." He chuckled lightly and scratched the back of his head.
Courtney forced a small smile. "Thanks."
"Wanna sit with me?" Courtney tilted her head slightly. "Uh… I mean with me and my friends."
"Oh." Courtney said. "Where?"
Trent's face furrowed in confusion. "Um… The cafeteria?"
"Oh…" She murmured disappointed. "I was going to sit outside somewhere… Thanks anyway."
"Outside is good." He smiled at her. "Want some company?"
Courtney's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Trent chuckled lightly. "Sure. I've got a packed lunch in my bag. I'm all set." He shifted his bad more securely on his shoulder. "Anyway, you shouldn't sit alone on your first day."
"Thanks." She smiled sweetly. "I'd like that."
They left the lab, with Trent leading them out the doors to a small grassy spot. When they arrived they placed down their bags. Courtney took off her jacket, placing it on the ground before sitting on it. Trent kept his on, staring at Courtney in amazement.
"Aren't you cold?"
Courtney raised an eyebrow. "Why would I be?"
"Maybe because you're dressed like it's the middle of summer and it's freezing." He said whilst gesturing to her tank top and shorts.
She took off her wedges and dug her toes in the cool, thick grass. "I don't normally get cold… well not here. I don't agree with snow, but this weather is perfect." She smiled slightly. "My mum jokes I'm cold-blooded."
"Lucky you… Me and my mum moved here from L.A six years ago and I still haven't gotten used to this temperature." He chuckled.
Courtney shook her head lightly. "It's not that cold."
"Yeah." Trent grinned. "But it's not that warm either. After surviving the first year I checked the weather records. Did you know that the average difference between July and December is only fourteen degrees? Talk about messed up."
They chuckled lightly before turning to their lunch. It was a comfortable silence as Trent ate his sandwich and Courtney nibbled on a salad.
"My mum packed an extra cupcake." Trent said breaking the silence. "Want it?" He held out the blue frosted cupcake. "It's homemade."
"No thanks."
Trent looked at her salad and then back at the cupcake.
Not again… Not him too. Everyone always thinks that. I can't be the only person who adores vegetables.
Courtney lightly tapped her fingers against her Coke can she had packed that morning. "It's not a diet or anything."
"I didn't mean-"
"I'm vegan," Courtney interrupted. "Very strict."
"Oh yeah?"
She nodded, forcing a laugh.
Trent scratched the back of his head. "So when did you guys move here? I haven't seen you around."
"In May. I work with my dad a lot. He owns the music store. You know the one downtown?"
"Yeah!" Trent exclaimed. "I went there last week. It's really great. Got some more stuff for my guitar. Don't think I saw you though."
Courtney laughed shaking her head. "Mum's fault. She dragged me out all last week shopping for school supplies. First year in a public school and I swear I have more supplies than everyone in our bio class combined, and mum still thinks I don't have enough."
"First year?"
"Yeah." Courtney smiled. "Been homeschooled my whole life. But now I'm forced to go public."
Trent grinned at Courtney. "I'm glad you did." He looked down for a moment. "Do you miss your old town?"
"Sometimes." She smiled softly. "It is nice here though. My old town Moore was miniscule. Like five hundred people."
"Woah…" He smirked. "L.A's a tad bigger than that."
He beamed as Courtney laughed, chocking slightly on her Coke.
He went to ask something else, but stopped when the bell sounded. He hopped up and helped Courtney to her feet. Once they had grabbed their stuff Trent turned to her once more.
"Can we do this tomorrow?" He chuckled lightly. "Maybe with my friends?"
Courtney opened her mouth to speak, but stopped herself before nibbling her lip lightly.
Should I? I don't really want to… but mum always talks about socialising more, and how public school helps this…
"Sure. That sounds like fun." She smiled slightly at him.
"Cool. Well… Guess I'll see you around."
He offered her a smiled before turning and walking away. His loose-fitting jeans and jacket helping him blend in with the throng of students. His confident stride however made him stand out…
Maybe someday I'll be that confident… Maybe someday…
The rest of the day passed quickly, including the walk home and before Courtney knew it she was home. She placed her bag on the kitchen counter and slouched on a conveniently placed barstool. Her mum, Bridgette glanced up from the bread she was kneading. "How was school?"
"It sucked!"
She stopped kneading the dough to fix the brooding teen with a scolding look. "Language Courtney."
She rolled her eyes blowing a strand of hair away from her face. "Well it did mum… And there is absolutely no better word to describe it. "
Bridgette smiled at her daughter. "You just have to give it time hun."
Courtney sighed before resting her head in her arms. "Everyone stares at me like I'm a freak."
"They stare because you're new. Trust me honey it'll pass."
She lifted her head up fixing her mum with a weary look. "I don't look like everyone else."
Her mum grinned. "Would you want to look like everyone else?"
Courtney rolled her eyes but smiled slightly at her mum. "Not really…"
She grinned and dusted off the flour on her hands. "Exactly. You have lovely tanned skin that has always been clear. Beautiful soft hair that is never greasy-"
"A perfect heart shaped face and deep, thoughtful onyx eyes. An hourglass figure with perfect curves. Long slim limbs, and a walk with the very grace of a professional dancer. The very grace you could never hope to have…" She smiled slightly. "I know mum."
Bridgette smiled at her daughter again before returning to kneading the dough. "Exactly sweetheart. You look like a model. There's nothing wrong with that."
Courtney smiled before sighing in defeat. "But I dress so differently to them."
"You could change."
"Ugh! They all wear tight clothes with like three layers of tops, and skin-tight jeans. And their shoes are huge and closed in!"
"And?"
"I don't like jeans. And three tops? Mum that's ridiculous! It's not that cold. And don't even get me started on the shoes!"
Bridgette sighed. "Then wear what you want. If your clothes drive your friends away, then they're not the kind of friends you want."
Mother advice… Sweet, honest and utterly unhelpful.
"It's so loud… I can't concentrate."
Bridgette stopped kneading, brushing her bangs away from her face. Flour streaked across her brow and in her bangs.
"Sweetheart it's an entire high school. It won't be anywhere as quiet as it is with just the two of us. Try to be reasonable."
"I am being reasonable, and fair! But they don't need to run around like monkeys and Neanderthals. They shriek and laugh and scream at the top of their lungs. And to top it all off the make out at their lockers. In full view of everyone!" Courtney rolled her eyes, running her hands through her hair. "It's totally uncivilised." She paused a moment. "And gross!"
Bridgette chuckled. "You might not mind the making out bit later on. But while you're complaining… anything else?"
"The halls are really dark."
"Courtney the halls are bright. We went on the tour last week together so don't even try to tell me they are dark." Her mother scolded.
"It's so fake. Just bright fluorescent lights. There are no windows in the halls and one per classroom. There's no real light. It's so dark… I miss Moore."
Courtney hopped up. She made her way over to the fridge, but was stopped by her mum.
"One good thing about today." Courtney sighed. Her mum kept persisting. "There must be one thing."
Courtney bit her lip slightly. "Um… I met a really nice guy." She opened the fridge and grabbed another Coke. "Trent… Trent R-something."
Her mum rolled her eyes. "Of course the first person you meet is a guy. New town, new people, and the first person you hang out with is a guy."
"It's not like that mum."
"I'm kidding Court."
Courtney stopped. She watched as her mum methodically kneaded the dough. Slowly working out the air. She was silent for a few minutes before speaking up.
"Mum?"
"Yeah?"
Courtney nervously nibbled her lip before taking a deep breath and asking the forbidden question.
"Do I really have to keep going?"
Bridgette rubbed her temples. "Courtney we've been through all of this.
"But if we just-"
"No. We're not arguing about this again." She leaned in close to Courtney looking directly in her eyes. "I don't feel I can homeschool you any longer. Your father and I were discussing whether we should have put you into middle school. But at the time it wasn't possible. It was such a long drive from Moore to here. And your father was busy. But now… it's time."
"You could order a program for homeschooling. I looked it up." Courtney rushed as her mother went to interrupt. "You don't have to do the teaching. The material covers it all. Please mum?"
"Uh huh…" Bridgette mused. "And how much does this program cost?"
Courtney looked at her mum. Her blond hair dusted with flour, as well as her face. Her olive green eyes curious, one eyebrow raised. Courtney sighed in defeat, but didn't utter a word.
Her mother spoke up after a moment. "Listen… in a few months we can consider it if you're still miserable at school. But until the house in Moore sells we can't afford anything extra. You know that honey."
Courtney slumped in the chair and looked at the speckled countertop. Ever since they moved she'd been miserable. They'd had to move for her dad's work. He bought the music store downtown, after having seen it earlier that year. When they found out it was for sale, her parents talked long and hard about it. It had been a long time dream of her parents to own a shop. They'd been dreaming about it since they had gotten married. The numbers just hadn't added up until earlier that year.
Then in late April a guy named Mr. Hatchett had expressed an interest in purchasing their house in Moore. Her dad, Geoff had come home that day almost bouncing for joy. Claiming that a party was needed in order to celebrate. Everything after that happened so quickly. Within a few weeks the music store was theirs and they were moving. Their small cabin traded to an even smaller house in Wawanakwa. Despite purchasing the shop and moving, the deal hadn't been finalised with Mr. Hatchett. Until the deal was settled, money was restricted.
Her mum reached over and gently squeezed her hand. "Courtney aside from the cost you need to be able to overcome your fears and conquer new things. This experience will be good for you. And who knows? Next year you could be in AP classes and be head of the debate team or music club. All of those things look really good on a college applications."
"I know… but…"
"I'm the mum." Bridgette grinned. "And I say school."
Courtney groaned before turning back to the countertop, grumbling to herself. "School it is."
The ticking of the clock seemed deafening to Courtney as her mum put the dough in the pan and slid it into the oven setting the timer.
"Mum… Do we have any canned peaches? I'm hungry."
Bridgette spun around quickly, almost tripping over herself. "You're hungry?"
Courtney tapped on her Coke can. "I got hungry today. During last period."
Bridgette's eyes widened as she stared at her daughter in shock. She quickly turned and began looking for the peaches in the pantry.
No wonder she's shocked… I'm never hungry. I've never really liked eating anyway. Normally just at meals to make my parents happy. I don't even like eating… that's why I always have Coke… well now that mum's relented. This is weird. School must be getting to me…
Courtney focused again as her mum placed a bowl in front of her.
"Here you go."
The bowl had half a peach and half a cup of juice. It was obvious that her mum was paying it safe. Once she placed the bowl down she turned around and busied herself with washing the dishes. Courtney began to eat the peach in small bites, constantly looking to see if her mother would turn around to make sure she was eating. Her mum was relentless however and didn't turn once. Courtney felt like she had lost some unspoken battle, so when she had finished she slipped quietly away and out of the kitchen before her mum could turn around.
As Courtney lay in bed that night, she tossed and turned, worry filling her head.
I hope tomorrow will be better… There has to be something good about highschool… Something special or good about me... There just has to be…
