We've been in Newport Beach for a couple weeks. I haven't really left the house much but I can tell than it's a whole lot different from Austin, I mean...Seattle. I'm not too good at lying if you haven't noticed.
Now today is the first day of school. I've never been the new kid before, and
I'm not looking forward to it. I wish I could just go back home. Things were so much easier there.
I grab all my stuff for school. I grab my keys and I see a little pocket sized action figure my dad got me when I was little. I haven't touched it for years, so how did it get here. I pick it up and just stare at it for a few minutes. My dad loved this thing, and so did it. I stuff it in my pocket and head off to school.
At school it took me forever just to find my locker. I look around and everyone has friends. They are all catching up on each others summers. That should be me with my own friends, but instead I'm stuck here pretending I'm someone I'm not. I miss my friends; here I'm just some loner.
I put all my books inside my locker and walk off to find the principals office. As I walk everyone's staring at me, because they don't know me. They're probably judging me already, I bet all they care about is money and sports cars. They don't need school they're just going to get there daddy's money anyways.
After walking around for a while I find the principal's office. I tell the receptionist and she lets me in her office.
Dr. Kim: Hey Ben, I'm dr. Kim. Take a seat.
I sit down in a chair across from her desk.
Dr. Kim: Is Benjamin or just Ben?
How would I know this? No one told me anything.
Ryan: Uh...just Ben...
She sighs.
Dr. Kim: It says that your name is Benjamin on here.
Ryan: Ya but I just go by Ben...
She stares at me intently. Maybe she senses my nervousness. What if she knows what's going on...
Dr. Kim: Well Ben, I'm going to have a student come down to show you around, and help you find your classes. Welcome to harbor.
She tells the receptionist to get Seth Cohen? Wait Cohen? The detective that helped us out was Sandy Cohen. Oh god this could be bad.
Seth walks in, looking a little scared.
Dr. Kim: Seth, can you show Ben to his first class? He's new.
Seth: Sure
We walk out of the office, off to our first class.
Seth: So where are you from?
Ryan: Seattle
Seth: Doesn't it rain like all the time there?
I just shrug, not really knowing what to say.
Seth: You don't talk much do you?
I just shrug again.
Seth: Well my dad says I talk too much, and I that I just ramble about everything. I really don't think that I do, I mean who does that right?
I just stare at him, not understanding half of what he said.
Seth: So you have Chemistry first? Have fun with that.
We walk till Seth stops and points at a classroom.
Seth: Well this is chemistry, good luck today.
He pats my shoulder and starts down the hallway. I slowly walk into the classroom. Everyone's eyes are on me. The teacher is sitting at his desk reading papers. I walk to the teacher and give him my pass. He gets up and hands me a book. He writes something down then looks at me.
Mr. Johnson: Take a seat next to Ms. Cooper, Mr Mckenzie.
He points to a girl sitting by herself at a table.
Mr. Johnson: Ms. Cooper, explain what we're doing to Mr. Mckenzie.
She looks up and nods and smiles at me. When I see her face it literally takes my breath away. I've never seen anyone so beautiful. I slowly walk over and sit down next to her.
Marissa: Hey I'm Marissa.
Marissa...that's a beautiful name and it suits her.
Ben: I'm Ry...Ben...
Oh god, I can't believe I just said that. She looks at me confused, but she shrugs it off and asks.
Marissa: Where are you from?
Ryan: Seattle
Marissa: Wow that's a big move.
I just nod.
Marissa: How do you like California so far?
I think about it for a moment before answering.
Ben: Well I don't really know anyone, so I haven't really left the house. But it looks nice.
Marissa: Well now you have me.
She smiles, her smile is beautiful. She's just plain gorgeous, I'm surprised she even gave me the time of day. Girls like her don't go for guys like me.
We talk about pointless things for the rest of the class period, and I actually learn some things about her. It was easy to talk to Marissa, which scares me because I'm not allowed to tell her anything about the real me, Ryan Atwood, not even if I wanted to. Now all I want to do is get to know Marissa Cooper.
The bell rings. So i grab my things, and head towards the door. Marissa is walking right behind me. I figured that she wouldn't want to be seen with the new kid like everyone else in this school is afraid of.
Marissa: So what class do you have next?
I look at my schedule.
Ben: English with Aubrey.
Marissa: Have fun in there he's a tough teacher.
I just nod and keep on walking.
Marissa: Want to walk with me? I can show you where the class is.
She looks at me with hopeful eyes. Maybe she's not like everyone else after all. I open my mouth to answer when this blonde guy walks up to us, putting his arm around Marissa. She shrugs him off.
Marissa: Luke stop.
He looks towards me, and shoves me.
Luke: What are you doing with my girlfriend?
Marissa: Luke, leave him alone we aren't together anymore.
He looks at Marissa, about to back off but he swings and hits me in the jaw. Marissa steps towards me.
Marissa: Ben, are you ok?
I ignore her and step towards Luke. The next thing I know two teachers were pulling us apart. Luke was bleeding.
They take us to talk to Dr. Kim. My first day at Harbor is going to end the same way it started.
Dr. Kim: We have a zero tolerance for fighting here at Harbor Luke you know that, but Ben you're new so I better not see you in here again. I won't be so easy on you. Go back to class Ben.
Luke: Why does he get let off and I'm going to get in trouble.
Dr. Kim: He's new he still doesn't know the rules.
With that I walk out of the office and to my class. Even though, I have no clue where it is.
The rest of the day I pretty much avoided everyone. I had Marissa in a couple of my classes but I didn't pay attention to her. I was told to not stand out and fighting people is standing out. I've only been here a day and I'm already fighting over this girl. If I keep talking to her, someones just going to get hurt, especially since she'll never really know the real me. Seth tried talking to me a little bit. I just nodded and acted like I cared but I wasn't really paying any attention. I knew that I couldn't get close to anyone here and I wasn't planning on trying to.
After school I went to my locker getting all my homework that was assigned today. When I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see Marissa standing there.
Marissa: I'm sorry about earlier...Luke's just...
Ben: Look I get it ok? Now just leave me alone.
Marissa: Ben come on, can't we be friends?
Ben: No I'm not starting trouble. I've only been here a day and I already have someone who hates me.
I start to walk away but she stops me.
Marissa: I can't control what he does, and I don't want you to stop talking to me because of him. If you do that he just wins. If it wasn't for him me and you would be friends and you know it. Now you're just letting him control you.
I look at her for a long time. She's right that's exactly what I'm doing, but I don't have a choice. I can't take any risks anymore, and in a short amount of time Marissa became a risk. If only she knew the truth.
Ben: I just can't...I'm sorry...
Marissa: Don't let him bother you.
She grabs my hand. I pull away.
Ben: Can you just please understand that I just can't ok? If you care about me at all you would back off.
She looks at me with sad eyes, and nods. With that I walk away not looking back. I exit the school and go "home."
