A/N- thank you MarioMan67, TheZeroOfRhyme and the phantom222 for reviewing:) I appreciate the encouragement.

We made our way up towards the front doors, and so far everything was going alright. The inside of the place was actually similar looking to the middle school, only bigger. We were faced with rows of lockers and three different halls and signs everywhere, showing east halls, north, south and west.

Our first challenge was to locate the office to get our schedules. We scampered through the huge crowd of students who were walking around, whether getting to their class or just talking with their friends. We were looking for any familiar freshmen.

"See anyone we know?" I asked my friend who was shaking like he was a victim of hypothermia. He shook his head. We had just ten minutes left before our first class was to start. It was time to take action.

"Maybe we can ask someone around here," I suggested, to Rowley's discontentment. "No, no that would be a bad idea, cos what if they harass our ignorance and all?"

"Don't be a goof, Rowley. Why would they do that? They were freshmen once before too, ya know."

"...Then why do they give us swirlies?"

He had a valid point there. "Well, maybe we can find it on our own? I mean, it has to be around here somewhere…" We decided to head down the West Hall. Throughout the long walk all we saw was classrooms and many, many lockers. The end of that hallway had a sign plastered on the wall that said: Junior Lockers. We were most certainly not eleventh graders yet, unfortunately.

"Let's try East," I said with little hope. We headed down that hall, and again saw no one that we knew, then ran into a sign labeled: Senior Lockers. Ugh. We had six minutes.

"Alright...south?" I shrugged. Rowley's face was red with nervousness and frustration, as was mine.

We definitely should have attended the Orientation a couple weeks earlier. We headed down the south hall and - YES! We saw the large room with many large see-through windows and a sign that said: Main Office.

"C'mon, we don't have much time," I exclaimed, damn nearly taking Rowley's hand, thankfully not doing so. We went inside and got behind a line of seven other people. I knew three of them from the middle school. They were Chirag Gupta, Patty Farrell and Benny Wells. The other four looked new to the district.

A minute later a warning bell went off, really alerting the crap out of me and Rowley. It let us know that we had five minutes before the final bell, hence the start of first period. We were just two more people up in the line.

Finally at 7:42, I was up. The secretary was an elderly lady with big glasses and gray hair thrown up in a tight bun. She smiled and asked for my name. Once I told her she went through a stack of papers and handed me my schedule. I stepped aside and waited for Rowley to get his. In the meantime, I looked over it to see what I had.

' Locker number: 128 in North Hall - combination: 23 44 17

1st hr. - Physical Education : Mr. Hondis- North Gymnasium

2nd hr. - English 9 : Mrs. Disher - South 15

3rd hr. - Algebra 1 : Mr. Slike - East 24

4th hr. - Intro to Art : Ms. Freely - North 12

-late lunch

5th hr. - Biology : Mr. Pillup - East 3

6th hr. - History 9 : Mrs. Lukoy - North 7 '

Ugh. Gym class first period? Yikes… Once Rowley got his schedule he snatched mine out of my hand, to of course see how many classes we had together. He frowned.

"Awe, we only have English and Bio together…"

I patted him on the shoulder, since the only students left in the office were the two of us and another freshman I knew, so shame wouldn't be happening. "You'll make other friends, Rowley. This is high school. It's bound to be full of people like us," I assured him, while he continued to frown.

"Ya mean outcasts?" God, the truth hurt. Suddenly, the secretary coughed, as if to let us know that we had to get our rears in gear, whoa, that was dorky…

I glanced at the clock - crap! It was 44 after!

"Um, can we get a couple passes?" I asked her.

"You won't need them. We never mark anyone tardy until the second week of term, and you two are new here, so they're likely to be lenient, honey. But don't dawdle."

I returned a smile and the two of us headed out. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. "What's your first class?" I asked Rowley, who had a grim look on his already tense expression.

"Woodshop." His facade went even more magenta after having mumbled that.

"Sounds like fun," I replied, actually very jealous. I'd totally take that class over gym, but since a full year of gym class was required before graduation anyways then I figured that I might as well get the first required semester done and over with now. I could save building birdhouses and chessboards for another year.

"Not really. I'm kind of a big klutz, so uh, I'm afraid that I'll chop my finger off or something…" I desperately wanted to laugh at that, but he was too serious and literally anxious that I forced myself to remain stoic and sympathetic.

"Don't worry, Rowley, they wouldn't let that happen. Just stay cool and remain calm."

The bell rang after I had said that. I wasn't too freaked though since there were still many students out in the halls by their lockers. I waved my friend goodbye as he headed down the West hall for his first class, while I was left to locate the gym.

I found it towards the front of the building a few minutes later. I just hoped that I wouldn't be the last one in, cos that would be very awkward. I inhaled and told myself that everything would be fine.

I opened up the semi heavy 'push' door that led inside and walked in. My face burned like it was aflame when I saw that there were already around thirty kids sitting in the bleachers while a middle aged man was lecturing before them. Apparently, I was the last one in.

The teacher stopped what he was doing and turned his attention to me. "Tardy on the first day, hmm?" he nearly mocked, while I heard sneers and giggled come from the crowd of students in the bleachers. I continued to blush as he walked towards me.

"You a freshman?" he asked, scanning me over like a lion over its prey. I gulped and rubbed the back of my neck on impulse.

"Yeah."

He smirked. "Alright then, just take a seat somewhere over there with the rest of the students." I nervously made my way over to the bleachers; a good ten other students were looking me over and giggling away. Morons.

I sat next to a tall blond guy with glasses and shorts on. He seemed nice, and kind of dorky like myself. I stared ahead at the stout, graying man before me, apparently yakking on about the rubric for the class or something like that. He was reading over a blue paper in his hands, at this point going over penalizations for being tardy and proper behavior for the class. He made a strict side-note telling us that any 'pantsing' will be punished with a detention, or worse, depending the amount of clothing that goes down, whether just the 'pants' or the underwear as well.

I had never been pantsed, thank God, but I have witnessed a pantsing session before when I was in seventh grade. So, this big and tough bully named Benny Wells (the guy I'd seen in the office earlier as well) had gotten the small drawers of George Fleer down, whom had an intense outie navel might I add. Not even Rodrick had done such a thing to me, since he quoted the elementary act as "just gay."

Once the teacher was through with lecturing the classroom syllabus, he briefly talked about himself, telling us that he had been working there for the past fifteen years and that he enjoys fishing at the lakes. He seemed nice, like the secretary. I was relieved at this, since Rodrick had been telling me that all of the teachers in high school are "just complete a-holes and nasty-ass sticklers." Maybe for him, the incompetent slacker, but not myself. Sure, I was lazy here and there, but at least I managed to keep my grades neutral and study when I needed to, unlike my older bro, who just barely made it out of high school - oh yeah, he didn't graduate officially anyways...moving on.

The guys had to go into the locker room that was across the gym and the girls had to go to theirs. On the journey across the huge room, I got a chance to meet the blond guy with glasses on who I sat by.

"Hey, are you a freshman?" he asked walking by me.

"Yup, unfortunately…" I put gloomily, getting a small chuckle out of him.

"Yeah, I was just one last spring… I'm a sophomore. Name's Earl Dere. What's yours?"

"Greg Heffley, nice to meet ya."I smiled to myself. I was already making a new acquaintance.

"Heffley? Sounds familiar...do you have a brother?"

He knew Rodrick?

"Yeah, he just graduated - I mean, uh...he's no longer in high school. He was a senior last year."

"Oh, wait, yeah, I think I've heard of him - names Rodney or something like that, right?"

"Rodrick," I politely corrected.

"Oh yeah! My brother told me all about his speech at graduation. Said he was freaking hilarious. He swore and bad mouthed a ton of teachers and went on about he was 'gonna be a rockstar' and such," he finished with a chuckle. Oh yes, I recalled that night. I'd never be forgetting it. Ever.

"Huh, yeah that's him. He's kind of a lowlife…"

"Eh, aren't we all?" Earl chipped in. I don't know about him, but I was certainly not a lowlife.

"So, what's high school like?" I asked as we sat down on one of the long benches in the locker room.

"Oh, it's really not too bad. Just a little more work and less play is all. I know that being a freshman is tough though, not work wise but social wise. I remember that. You just have to be yourself and act natural. You'll be a sophomore soon enough, anyway."

Wow, this guy was so chill. I liked him. (No homo, just had to make that clear).

"Hey, do the freshmen ever get *gulp* hazed?"

"Hazed? Like how?"

"Like getting our heads shoved down into toilet water and flushed on repeat. Or maybe, I don't know, wedgies?"

He laughed. "Not that I've seen, except maybe in some eighties flicks… who gave you that idea?"

"My brother, Rodrick," I grumbled, now beyond pissed at his deceit, yet very relieved that he was just pulling my leg all along.

"I guess he just wanted to mess with ya."

I sighed. Messing with me was his favorite thing to do.

…

The rest of that hour was just talk of proper locker room behavior and shower usage. My stomach turned when he announced that showering was required after each class. I preferred showering alone in my bathroom at home, thanks.

The final twenty minutes were left to us. I got the chance to get to know Earl a bit more and his depictions of high school.

"So the thing about Mr. Slike is that you have to get on his good side. I had him for math last year, and he was strict, just to warn ya. He can be cool too. Just be sure to take notes and do the homework he gives ya, and you'll be all set."

"Thanks for the tip. Now, what about Mr. Pillup?"

"He's cool. One of my friends had him for Biology last year. He said that he's nice, but I can't give the final say since I had Mrs. Kyle."

"Oh, there's one more, Ms. Freely?"

"She must be new. I haven't heard of her. What does she teach?"

"Intro to art."

"Well, I haven't taken an art class yet. I've taken environmental science and woodshop; those are good electives."

"Really? My friend is having woodshop right now. He was really nervous about it. Afraid that he'd chop his finger off…"

His laugh gave the answer to just how ridiculous that was.

…

The bell rang at 8:45. I waved goodbye to my new friend and headed towards the South hallway for my English class. I'd be meeting Rowley there, so at least now I had friends for my first two classes of the day, so it wouldn't be too bad. I got to the class in just a couple minutes, Rowley already there sitting in the back of the class, his face red and shaking still prevalent.

I went down the second row of seats and sat next in front of Rowley, then turned around to greet him and ask him how his first class went.

"How was woodshop?"

He held up the finger of his right hand. The tip of it was red and swollen and there was a small splinter in the middle, sunken deep into the blotchy crevice; the guy had already hurt himself...

"Not fun, buddy. Not. Fun."

"How did you - I mean, already?"

"Yep, we had to deal with some poorly cut boards, and I got this little present in return."

"Well, sorry about that," I said, still a bit shocked at how he was already hurt. What if he did end up taking his whole finger (or hand) off? It looked like that could definitely be a possibility.

"Huh, whatever, so, how was gym?"

"Not too shabby, actually. Well, at first I was embarrassed because I was the last one to arrive, and a few moron's laughed like schoolgirls because of it, and the teacher teased me, but then I met this cool guy named Earl. He's a sophomore."

"Oh, so you have a new buddy, already, huh?" He seemed somewhat disappointed.

"Well yeah, I guess I do." When he frowned I knew I had to assure him of something.

"He's not replacing you, Rowley. He's just a new friend is all…" His face lit up.

"OH, good, that's a relief." He then sighed triumphantly. Moron.

The bell rang and class began. I looked ahead and scanned the room to see if I knew anyone else in the room. Crap. Fregley was seated up in the front row to the left. He was digging for treasure again.

Then, oh man, there was my crush of the past three years, Holly Hills, seated over in the next row towards the front. I began to blush again. I was just glad she couldn't see me.

Suddenly, a middle aged woman walked into the room holding a list. "Hi, my name is Mrs. Disher. I've been teaching ninth grade english for twelve years now, and I love doing it. It's always great getting to know all of my students, and helping you all get to know each other. Now, I'm going to take attendance real quick, then I have an activity for you guys to do."

As she called out the names, I drew my attention back to my future wife. I didn't get to see her beautiful facial features, but I got a nice view of her long, blond locks and her lovely backside. Pure heaven, this was. I got overly excited upon hearing her speak for the first time. First my last name was called. I quickly threw in a "here!" then stared back at my lady.

"Hills?"

"Here, ma'am."

WOW! That voice, like angels singing...so soft and gentle, yet confident all at the same time. I was freaking swooning like never before. Then came that dreadful activity…

"Alright, class, now I have a social activity for you all to do in an attempt to help you all get to know each other better. You just have to approach people around the room and ask them one of the questions listed on this sheet, then right down their answer and their name. We'll spend around fifteen minutes doing this before we move on to the next task, okay? It'll be fun." She passed out our sheets and told us to begin. Students got out of their seats and went around the room and played the little useless game. Rowley and I preferred to not to part in this.

"This is stupid, dude," he sighed, actually taking me by shock. Previously, he was one for pointless social activities and childish recreation. Now he was...not? Just your typical teenage couch potato? Huh.

"Yeah, it is," I replied while crossing my arms. After a couple minutes the teacher approached us and asked us to participate. I shrugged and decided to get this over with, while Rowley came up with an excuse, and a poor one at that.

He raised his thorned index finger. "I have suffered an injury, ma'am. I'm going to have to wait this one out, I'm afraid." God, that was pathetic, but she seemed to acknowledge it.

She frowned and gave him a funny look, that he deserved. "Alright then...I suppose you can just relax."

Dammit, Rowley…

I got up and headed over to Chirag who was standing by awkwardly in the corner of the room. "Hey, Chirag. How was your summer?" I asked, trying to break the ice. He shrugged, his hands deep in his pockets and his eyes glued to the floor.

"Okay, I guess," he mumbled. I glanced down at my sheet. There were twenty questions about personal interest on there. Huh...

"So, what is your favorite...color?" I sighed.

"Um, orange, I guess?" Yeah, okay, I wrote that down. This was so elementary.

"Thanks," I grumbled then moving on to some red headed guy, then an asian, then some short blond guy, then - Gasp! Holly! She was suddenly right before me. My knees damn nearly gave out from the bewilderment.

"Hey, Greg. Let's see...what is your favorite hobby?"

I shook and angst hit me like a freight train. I was so paralyzed in fear that I could hardly give my answer. "U-um, I like to play...Skyrim?" I choked, my face turning into a freaking tomato.

"Skyrim...okay, I wrote it down, now ask me a question."

Dear God.

"O-okay…" I scanned my list, practically memorizing each little inquiry. "W-what did you do over the s-s-summer?" Man, was I messing this up!

"Gosh, I did plenty, actually. Well, I skied in Colorado in June, then I spend three weeks in France with my friends and grandma, then I went to Disneyworld on the fourth of July, then I traveled around in Los Angeles with my cousin's friend's friend's sister, then I-"

She just went on and on for a good minute and a half. I couldn't possibly take all of that in...I was too busy gazing at her luscious lips that were moving a hundred miles a minute. I fantasized kissing them.

I couldn't help myself!

"Greg? Greg?"

I snapped out of my trance and met her blue eyes. "Oh, sorry, yes?"

"Just write any of those down, okay? It was nice speaking with you." She smiled, showing off her straight, pearly whites and cute dimples, then took off in the other direction.

Hmm, I wrote down Disneyworld. It was the most cliche amongst the list. I figured that enough was enough, and I was about to take a seat, until Fregley approached me. He had the creepiest grin you can imagine plastered on his acne covered face. His oversized glasses really made his black eyes stand out more. Whoa, the willies I was getting were unbearable.

"...Fregley…"

"Heyyy, pal. Wanna shake hands?" My stomach turned and I felt nauseated. I'd just witnessed him picking his nose ten minutes earlier, and no, he didn't go and wash his hands afterwards, not that I would have even thought about touching them anyways if he did.

"I'm cool. Okay, let's see here...what do you like to do for fun?" I was almost afraid to ask him that. He was so freaking unpredictable.

He grinned wickedly and raised his lone right finger, index, to be precise. He then shoved it up his right nostril, and began moving it in a circular motion. I nearly vomited.

"Besides that," I grumbled. He simply continued his unsanitary and obscene gesture, all the while looking me dead in the eyes. Very well. Digging for treasure, I wrote down.

After I had written that, the teacher stopped us, bless her soul.

"Okay, everyone take a seat. I hope you found this to be an exciting activity. Now, you can just hold on to those and look over them, just to get to know your peers, you know? Keep in mind that we'll be doing this kind of thing here and there."

Oh, great… Just great.

"Now I want you to write a brief paper about yourself, answering the questions that I'll be presenting on the board in either one big paragraph or bulleted notes. I'll give you the remainder of the hour to work on them, and then you will present them to the class at the beginning of the hour tomorrow."

Damn!

"Any questions before we begin?"

My stomach yet again turned as Fregley raised his hand.

"Yes, um, what was your name?"

"Fregley!" he giggled, while she nodded and let him ask his bound-to-be disturbing and irrelevant question.

"I was just wondering… can I write about my friend, Mr. Bogus?"

I saw what he did there. She did not.

"Sure, yes, you may reference your friend. That's fine."

He smiled wickedly and and nodded, pleased with her permission. Ugh… She turned on the projector and presented six questions on the board.

1. Name one interesting fact about yourself.

2. Name one of your talents.

3. Who do you see as an idol?

4. What do you want to be when you grow up?

5. What is your favorite subject in school?

6. What do you look forward to learning in English 9 this year?

I sighed to myself and got busy. Rowley took out his iphone and snapped a shot of the board, too lazy to whip out a pencil and answer some simple questions, apparently.

"I'm unable to write, unfortunately, with my 'injury' and all," he excused, while I rolled my eyes. If he kept up that attitude then I feared that he'd be in detention by the end of the day.

I had just completed the final question when the bell rang. I packed away my notebook and waved goodbye to my bitchy friend once out in the hall. I hadn't even bothered to ask him where he was headed. I was headed to East hall for Algebra with a potentially strict 'Mr. Slike'. The name itself was chilly sounding. It's so close to 'spike.'

I kept my fingers crossed as I took off.