Hey there, and welcome to my very first story here :)
Be prepared for an author's note (I'd be thankful if you read it before reading the first chapter);

Since I'm digging stories that revolve around the canon characters being in High School, and since I'm also in love with RE, I thought I'd combine these two.
Of course I know I'm not the first to do this, and I sincerely respect the authors here who already wrote stories with a similar theme - but I promise not to copy them.
This here is a standalone story that does not copy someone else's. It only got some inspiration by others.

Before you ask, let me clarify some points:
• If you prefer HS stories that jump right into romances etc. quickly, you may not like this one. I take my time to develop detailed characters and events
→ however, if you like detailed stories containing realism and plot twists, you may like this one :)
and most importantly:
• English is not my mother tongue. Because of that, it can happen that I don't use certain words, phrases, or idioms correctly. If I do so, don't be shy to tell me :)
I'd love to improve my language skills and you could help me to do so! :)

Also, here's a little disclaimer: I respect the characters of the franchise, and do not earn any money by writing about them ( would be great if I did, though c; )

Feel free to let me know whether or not you'd like me to add some characters of your liking, or maybe some events.
I'll definitely take your suggestions into consideration.

With that being said, let's jump right into Claire's first morning before entering her new adventure ...

Chapter 01 – The Morning Before

"C'mon, you can't just give up without even trying!", Chris sighed in disbelief while pouring his little sister a cup of coffee, in secret hope to lighten up her spirits.
After all, being the big protective brother he was, he certainly knew that his sister wasn't quite known for being a morning person.
Rather for the exact opposite. A late riser with a tendency towards a night owl.

"I know, Chris. You're right. I know. But-", Claire stopped while scratching her forehead; a gesture she grew used to while being in deep thought and scrutiny, "But still … maybe I've done the wrong thing. I mean, don't get me wrong, I really love living with you and I missed you like hell, but-"

"You're scared.", he interrupted her roguishly.

"No, I'm not!", she insisted heavily, not without staring at the cup of coffee her brother held in his right hand.

"Then what's this whole thinking about?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe I'm a little nervous. After everything I've heard of public schools, especially high schools, I can't help but feel misplaced already. I'm gonna stick out so much!", the younger Redfield groaned, however, her fierce mimic began to loosen up a little when Chris finally put the coffee right before her on the kitchen table. "Thanks."

"Don't be over-dramatic, Claire-bear, I-", he was hastily interrupted by his sister's voice.

"Hey! We had an agreement! Stop it with that silly nickname! I'm not a child anymore, got it?"

"That's exactly what children say."

"Jesus …", she couldn't help but sigh silently. She sincerely hoped that Chris was just teasing her and wouldn't actually call her "Claire-bear" inside of school. In all honesty, she was able to hear the laughter already. And see herself not being taken seriously anymore. Not that she would be anyways. After all, she strongly believed in not fitting into public schools. At least, that's what her friends always used to tell her. Asking her whether or not she was sure to do this. To move away. To change schools. Especially to transfer into a public school. Finally, the questions moved into her head, haunting her the morning before her first day of Raccoon Senior High.

"Anyways, what I was going to say – before you rudely interrupted me", he took a seat closely beside her, "I'm sure you'll make it easily. You're a Redfield. And we're tough. You know that."

Uplifting, he patted his sister's shoulder softly while she sipped the black coffee.

At first, he hadn't been fond of Claire's plan. All of a sudden, she had called him, asking if she could move into his small home, and applying to Raccoon Senior High. She was in need of a change, she had been saying, she wouldn't endure the boredom of the countryside any longer. A few discussions later, he had given in.
He couldn't deny that he hadn't had his own favors in mind while agreeing upon it. He had missed his dear sister after leaving their grandparents' hometown. They had never been separated up to this day. Since both their parents died, they had strongly relied on each other and had formed a bond beyond the one of normal siblings.
He liked to refer to it as the "Redfield's bond". They always sticked together. No matter the cost.

And he was glad to have her in Raccoon City.

"C'mon, let's move. School's starting soon.", Chris got up from the cozy chair and grabbed Claire's empty mug while being at it. He placed it besides the sink and left the open kitchen, moving into the connected living room.

Unwillingly, Claire got up as well, stretching her tired muscles and sighing melodramatically. She followed her brother's steps – as usually – brushed her teeth, slipped into her black Timberlands, and watched Chris leaving the house through the front door. Ultimately, she put on her loose, matte black jacked that looked like the thinner version of a bomber jacket, and left too, closing the door behind her.

Sitting on the passenger seat and absently watching the roads, shops, buildings, and some trees of Raccoon City's downtown roll by, she couldn't help but worry about her decision.

She knew that it didn't matter anyways, it was irreversible and already done, yet she still pondered over it. Would she really fit into the mass of people who probably knew each other since first grade? Suddenly, she would come across and expecting to be accepted as a friend amongst people who've never even heard of her.
Surely, this was going to be a mess.

'Your damn fault, Claire. You should've thought this through a lot more than you did. Great job.', the little voice of her anxious thoughts claimed. 'Here comes your great adventure. This is what you've wanted. Adventure. Remember? Don't screw it up.'

"Claire?"

She startled in surprise and realized they weren't driving anymore. Had she seriously missed the whole drive? Damn.

"You alright?"

"Yeah, I'm as fine as I've ever been. Thanks for asking though.", her ponytail wiggled along to her nodding, she unbuckled the seat belt and got out of the car as fast as she could.

"Here we are. Not as scary as you imagined, huh?", Chris asked enthusiastically and put his arm around her shoulder, seemingly lifting her whole torso up into his firm grip.

"Yeah.", she replied scarcely and started to move forward across the parking lot. It was surrounded by bushes and some tiny trees. All in all, the whole schoolyard seemed quite promising. Sure, there was some trash lying around, but as long as she didn't encounter any human kind of trash, she would be just fine.

The first thing she noticed, right before entering the main hall through the huge double-winged door, was an almost unseen emblem printed besides the entrance. She had seen it before; the shape of an umbrella, colored rotational in red and white. And she had certainly heard of the belonging company, too.
Umbrella, a pharmaceutical enterprise that was well known for funding most of Raccoon City's public institutions.
So Raccoon Senior High was funded as well?
'What a big surprise', she thought, 'the whole damn town is just an Umbrella-themed theme park, to be honest.'

Focusing on her impressions of Raccoon City as a general – she hadn't come to know much about the city yet, by just living there for approximately one month now –
she almost forgot her worries about being the "new kid".

"You know where to head now, right? The administration is over there, just follow the hallway and you'll be fine.", Chris pointed on a sign that read "Administration Office".

"Thanks, Chris. Honestly. Thanks for having me here.", now, she was the one patting on her brother's shoulder that was harder to reach than she remembered. He sure had grown in size during her absence in his life.

"It's alright.", he bent his back a little and moved closer to her ear, whispering as he silently added: "Claire-bear."

She chuckled a bit and nudged his breast firmly.

The school bell rang, and suddenly, the quiet peace was swapped by the loud noises of several people rushing through the big main hall, babbling while doing so. Their noises were mixing into a medley of busy people, Claire felt out of place already. Chris moved his head around, seemingly searching for someone in this mess of people.

"I'm gonna head to the science lab now, if you need any help, don't hesitate to-"

"Chris!", a girl with hazelnut brown, chin-length hair suddenly confronted her brother and began to push him away from Claire, "You're finally here! Ms. Gione is gonna tear your head off if you're late to hear class again! Move you idiot!"

"You're Claire, if I recall right? I'd be glad to talk to you now, but your brother really needs to move his ass quick! I'll see you around, though.", while tightening the grip on Chris' sleeve with her left hand, she wove with her right hand: "I'm Jill, by the way."

"Now let's bail!", she finally grumbled into Chris' direction, not paying anymore attention to Claire and dragging her brother along with her. However, he threw a quick glance over his shoulder and indicated an eager thumbs up into her direction, only to disappear in some hallway.

"Well …", she mumbled almost inaudible, for her ears only, "here goes nothing."

Then, she went towards the administration office with a queasy feeling striking her, trying to ignore all the students that rushed through the hall and sometimes crossed her way.