The first day back to school was obviously not going to be any fun. But with the stress of annoying moms, writing essays for bullies, and getting fired from jobs, everything felt worse.

Mark and Roger walked together down the hallway, purposely trying to be late. And Mark wanted to lighten the mood.

"I could throw my body out the window right now. My brains would splatter and my guts would steam on the sidewalk. No one'd still care."

Roger laughed, "I could pay attention in school, study for something that pays a salary. I would have to work illegally at the bar just to get a gig every now and then with my band." True, Roger wanted to be a rockstar, but sometimes money proved to be essential.

"The wheels in my mind just aren't turning." Mark slowed his pace, really not wanting to go to any Welcome Back to Hell assembly.

"I could tap my forehead with a hammer and I wouldn't have to wake up and suffer through the school week. It's boring and brainless and I can't stand the dull teachers."

Mark nodded in sympathy, "I should stand on the roof and hurl my body onto some rich kid's sports car. Maureen could kick my frozen body, shout my name then drop dead." Maureen… he still wasn't over her. And the news he had received from the ever over dramatic girl didn't help his happiness meter rise.

Roger knew Maureen had dumped him… but that couldn't be all, "She's got a new man? What's his name?"

"Joanne." Roger burst out laughing. Oh that was good. Only Mark could turn a girl gay. Only Mark.

"Mark, I think it's clear that we're gonna have one hell of a year."

Mark sighed, "Unfortunately it's not looking too great. Come on let's go to the gym… get this thing over with."

Meanwhile, over in an abandoned side hallway, three punks were seeking out a new victim. Tom Collins had transferred back to Alphabet Academy, his best friends Roger, Mark, and Maureen had all gone there freshman and sophomore year. Collins' family moved to Boston and Collins hadn't visited any of his friends. Sure they might be pissed. But imagine the looks on their faces when they noticed wandering down the same good ole hallways again.

The three miscreants cornered in on Collins, "Hey man, good to see you back."

Collins who had been looking down answered, "Good to be back." Then he looked up. Shit. He had gotten those three jerks in major trouble two years ago. He had snuck some weed into the leader's car, they were gonna smoke it at lunch time. But it just so happened that the campus police were doing a routine drug test and saw the four boys in the car.

Yep. They were busted. Collins had booked it out of there ASAP. The three in the group were expelled for the rest of that year and had to be homeschooled. Collins wondered why they never ratted him out… guess they wanted revenge.

The two guys on either side of their leader grabbed onto Collins arms, making him drop his junk. They took turns shoving him, throwing kicks and punches. The bell rang and the three dispersed.

Collins moaned and put a hand to his nose. Oh god, blood, what a perfect way to be welcomed back to town.

He let out another groan of pain and leaned his head against the wall. Collins let his eyes flutter closed for a moment when he heard the pitter-patter of sneakers against the linoleum tile.

Okays, this will be having everyone in it. :D I'm gonna throw Angel and Joanne and Maureen in the next chap. Yay! Thank you if you're reading. Hehe!