RETURN
Disclaimer: These characters belong to Joss Whedon and the WB. I am only using them for fan fiction.
Author's note: Hello! I really like being here so far. The reviews are great and very much appreciated. You guys are great.
CHAPTER 5Gunn pulled up Angel's car (his truck was on the fritz that morning) in front of Connor's new middle school. Gunn and Fred drove in the front seats. Connor sat in the back. It had been a very silent ride. Connor looked at the school through a window. He had a sense of nervousness going through him.
"OK, sparks, you're here. Don't forget what your dad said," Gunn reminded him.
"Uh-huh," Connor said quietly. He was too busy looking up at the school. Connor climbed out of the car, book bag in hand. He headed towards the front of the school. Crowds of kids were out in front.
"Connor," Fred called to him. Connor turned back. "Have a good day, sweetie."
Connor gave her a slight smile and headed inside again. As he was walking in a blonde stray cat ran to his feet. Connor was surprised by the animal and moved away from it. Once inside he pulled his list of classes out of his book bag and unfolded it. The first place he was supposed to go was a social studies class in room 212 with a teacher named Mr. Josie. Connor went into the class and took a seat way in the back.
"Good morning," said Mr. Josie, turning to the children. "Today we—" He was cut off by a young blonde girl rushing into the class. She was wearing hot pink jeans, a white t-shirt with a cat paw printed on it, and a pink jacket to match the jeans. "Good of you to join us, Ms. Timber. You do realize class started three minutes ago?"
"I'm sorry. Something came up," said the girl.
"Something came up for the third time this week. One more time and you have a week of detention. Now sit down," said Mr. Josie.
The young girl took the empty seat next to Connor. Connor looked at her. The girl was pouting but she didn't look like she had a real attitude problem about the detention thing.
Connor's third period class was gym. The teacher, Coach Kane, was having try-outs for the basketball team. Coach Kane was a tall grumpy teacher. He was also very strict. A couple of girls were watching the try-outs from a bench, including the girl from Connor's social studies class.
Several boys, including Connor, were lined up to be picked to try-out. The coach was looking them over with a grimace on his face. He quickly noticed Connor. He was at the end of the line. In Coach Kane's eyes he looked like a scrawny, bush haired kid.
"Well, what do we have here?" the coach asked. "What's your name, skinny?"
"Um, Connor," Connor replied silently.
"Connor? Connor Angel?"
"Yes."
"As in angel from the heavens? You look like a reject to me," the coach taunted. Kids began to snicker. "Show me what you got." Kane shoved the basketball in Connor's arms.
"Um, OK," Connor agreed.
More kids began snickering. How was Connor supposed to make a shot? Connor went out to the far back of the court. He stared at the basket far away from him. Connor tossed the ball with great effort. It landed straight through the hoop at the opposite direction of the court. The room became full of gasps. The girl from Connor's class gave him a "what was that" look.
"Impressive, Angel," said Coach Kane. "You just made the team."
"I did?" Connor asked. "OK."
After gym class ended Connor changed back into jeans and a t-shirt and headed out in the crowd of other boys. The blonde girl from his social studies class ran up to him.
"Hey. That was a great shot back there," she said.
"Uh, thank you," said Connor, turning to her.
"Who are you?"
"Who are you?"
"I asked you first, bush head."
"OK. My name's Connor."
"I'm Alicia Timber. That shot you made was weird. You made it from all the way back in the court. No offense but you're not the most well built guy in the sixth grade. So what's the deal?"
"Nothing. I'm just good," Connor told her.
"Ha!" Alicia scoffed. "Right. Do you practice a lot or something?"
"No. Not really."
"What's the real deal, Connor?"
"I'm… … let's just say I'm different.
"Join the club on that front."
"What?"
"Nothing. Listen, do you want to have lunch with my friends and me? You know, outside near the benches."
"OK? Fine."
"Great," said Alicia, pulling back some of her long hair from her eyes. "Later."
Alicia ran off. She turned a corner. A young boy and girl walked up to her. The boy had short, black hair. He was wearing black jeans, a white t-shirt, and a leather jacket. The girl was wearing tight blue jeans and a red turtleneck.
"Hey, guys," said Alicia.
"Hey. Who was that?" asked the boy.
"I guy I saw in gym. He is really weird."
"That's a good thing then," the other girl smiled.
"Cool," said the boy. "The weirder the better."
A/N: I usually hate cliffhangers. But I don't want to dish it all out in one chapter. Could I get some more reviews? That'd be cool.