Disclaimer: I do not in any way, shape, or form, own Rent and its characters. Jon Larson is my hero.

Warnings: Language.

I know a lot of people write these "high school" stories, but I want mine to be different. So, I'm starting this based on my high school experience so far. These chapters come from thoughts I have as I walk past my classmates and down the hallways. Hope it's as real as it can be. Thanks guys.

Read my other stories if you like this one :)

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"Come on Sparky!" Maureen grabbed onto my hand, quite literally dragging me off the bus.

"Maureen, you almost made me fall face first into the pavement!"

"Sorry, babe. Forgive me?" She batted her big brown eyes at me.

I rolled my blue ones. "I guess so." I knew she could tell that there was a hint of laughter in my eyes. I was never mad at her.

"Now come on! We don't wanna be late for our first day, now do we?" She took my hand again.

"You sound like my mother."

She just laughed and squeezed my hand.

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Maureen's whole body bounced when she giggled. Letting go of my hand, the girl tucked a lock of curl behind her ear and leaned against the locker next to mine. She kept her eyes locked on me. She twirled another lock of hair around her finger, its nail firey red. "You got lunch now, babe? I wouldn't mind eatin' with you."

I knew she was loving how my skin turned pink under her gaze. She just loved the attention in general. I was sure of it; her eyes seemed ot grow brighter when she saw the effect she had on me.

She nudged my arm lightly, stepping a small bit closer to me. "So? Lunch? You and me?" She flashed me a smile through her lips almost matching her nails.

I opened my mouth. She didn't wait for an answer. Who would deny her anyway?

She looped her arm through mine and started to pull me down the hallway. "Come on, honey. After almost making you eat pavement this morning, I should give you lunch." Another giggle.

As the we walked down the hallway, Maureen in a more confident posture than mine, we gained a few stares; alot, actually.

One of the jocks stopped Maureen mid step, spinning her free of me, arms around her waist. His gruff voice was loud and over-confident. "Hey baby, lunch still on?"

She pushed him away, not being able to stand the sight of him or the stench of his breath. She linked her arm back through mine. Surprising, seeing as I was almost positive she was going to drop me off the second this guy showed her any kind of attention. "Um, no thanks Mike. I'm gonna eat lunch with Marky. So, later." She winked at the large boy, and turned on her heel away from the very confused jock.

With her arm looped back with mine, I felt my posture grow a little straighter.

Maybe I would fit in.

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We stopped at Maureen's locker quickly before going to the lunchroom. Maureen just had to check her make-up and hair before moving on. It was a must, apparently.

"Marky, head up to the lunch room, kay? I gotta make a quick potty break."

"Okay, Maureen."

She scampered off and I made my way towards the lunchroom.

Once I got there, it was so much different than what I had expected.

The cafeteria at Scarsdale High was like most high schools. It was filled to the brim with students, causing it to be very, very hot. There were four rows of seven tables horizontal to the door. It seemed that each row was filled with a different grade.

The one closest to the academic wing, the right side, was filled up by the freshman. The freshman knew that they had to eat, and get out soon to make it to class on time. The upperclassmen would make their way to class slow; they needed the extra time.

The next row to the left of the freshmen was the sophomore section. Sometimes, the bolder freshman would venture over to these tables, the sophomores did the same thing to the juniors. The sophomores were less worried about getting to class on time, as they had established themselves enough to be confirmed as above freshman level—they wouldn't be blocked as often or as badly. They had the time to be a little farther away from the door.

The next row was a mix of mostly juniors and some sophomores. This row of students was pretty well established. They had been there for three years and knew the ins and outs of the entire building. They knew the exact route to go in order to make good time getting to class. Plus, they were only a row away from being able to socialize with top dogs of the school—the seniors.

The last rows of course, were the seniors. The seniors were the top of the food chain, the party animals, and the ones who were able to sit closest to the teachers lounge; they were also closest to the emergency exit for the cafeteria.

I was overwhelmed with people. I searched for Maureen. Maybe she had already found a seat. I searched the entire freshman section until I came upon her massive head of curls. I came up behind her and tapped her slightly tanned shoulder.

Maureen's head turned to the side, her curls floating behind her back as it went. "Oh, hey baby!" She patted the seat next to her. "Come on, sit down. I missed you." She giggled.

Once I sat down, the diva placed one hand on my knee. Not that I was complaining, but why did she keep doing that? She scooted a tad bit closer. "Hope that big dumb jock didn't bother you, honey. He's a moron. I have no interest in him anymore." She turned to me, placed a small kiss on my now red-as-tomatoes cheek, and smiled. "Only for you." Her smile was huge.

She squeezed my knee lightly, and began to eat.

As she began to eat her salad, I watched the rest of the cafeteria. There were couples of people staring at us. Most of the jocks glared at me, some of the boys (probably her exes) turning red with jealousy. I heard Maureen chuckle next to me.

"What?"

"It's just funny how red Mike's face is getting. I mean, I'm tempted to go over and ask him if he wants to be a tomato in my salad." She wiped some dressing from her chin that had escaped in her laughter.

I couldn't help but laugh along with her; she was contagious.

In the midst of our laughter—BANG!

"Hey, Casper." I looked up at Mike. "How's about you get away from my girl? I've had enough of you hanging around her and acting like she's your girlfriend."

Maureen choked on her Coke with laughter.

"What, Reen? Is it true?" I could sense some fear in his voice.

She cleared her throat. "Yeah, so what?" She smirked at the big boy; no fear evident at all.

Then the giant got really mad. You know how your parents always told you to never poke the bear? Well, Maureen had just poked the bear.

Mike got in my face, grabbing a handful of my shirt in one of his pudgy fists. "You bastard, stay AWAY from my girl, I said!" He lifted me off the ground, in the middle of the tables; he wanted everyone to see who as boss. I was most defiantly not.

Then, I did something I never expected to happen.

I started to laugh. Feeling Maureen's big brown eyes on me, I knew I couldn't be a coward anymore. I had to be the strong man for Maureen; I had to show no fear in the face of the bear.

I laughed harder and harder. Tears started to form I was laughing so hard. I was turning a deeper and deeper shade of red.

So was Mike. He lifted me higher, cutting off some of my air.

I continued to laugh.

"AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

I went flying. The tables and Maureen got smaller, as I flew.

BOOM!

I must've hit the wall…

"Mark….Mark…Mark…"

Her voice is far off. I don't feel so good. The throbbing in my head is getting louder. Someone do something. It's so painful.

Thoughts are fading….fading into….

BLACKOUT.

Maureen?

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What's gonna happen to poor Marky? Will he be okay? Will he lose memories? Will he have a concussion? Wellllll, stick with me and find out! R&R! ;)