A/N: Here's my second chapter or whatever, since the other one was just the prologue. Thanks to those who reviewed. I know this is not that long, and I'll try to make the next chapter longer (and it does get more interesting, I promise), but here it is anyway. Enjoy!

Chapter One

I leaned back on my chair, shook my hair out, and stared up at the ceiling. Around me, the chatter grew louder, and there was a sudden eruption of laughter from the back of the room. No doubt it was the 'cool kids' giving poor Tiffy a hard time again. She was so small and vulnerable, she just seemed to shout, "Hurt me!" Turning around, I slammed my History text book against the side of the table and yell, "Cut it out you morons!" in their general direction.

"Ellie, you need to let her learn to fight her own battles, or she'll always be needing you to fight them for her." My best friend Jemma said this as she poked me in the shoulder.

"Yeah, I know, but she's just so cute, and they walk all over her."

Just as I finished saying this, the bell rang for the end of the day and there was a great rush to get out of the room.

"Oh my God, I can't believe it took so long to finish the day!" I cried.

"El, you say that everyday!"

"Oh, are you making fun of me? And on my fifteenth birthday?" I say jokingly.

"Of course, but you know I love you!" With that, she ran off laughing, her long blonde hair flying behind her. Smiling to my, I set off in the opposite direction to walk home. I was excited because although mum usually worked late, she'd promised me that she'd get home early so we could celebrate my birthday together.

"Elliot!" I heard a familiar voice yell out from behind me. I turn around to see my sort of/sort of not boyfriend racing up to me. I had known Chad Pierce since forever it seemed, and only recently had we become more than just friends. The sun glinted off his gelled blonde hair and he caught me in a hug that lifted me off my feet and swung me around.

"Ah, put me down," I cried, but secretly I was loving it.

"So, how's my favourite girl?" He smiled.

"I'm good, as always."

"That's great. So you're coming with the gang?"

"Coming? Coming where?" I frowned slightly in confusion.

"To Scooter's." Scooter's was the local hangout/burger joint where if you wanted to be seen, that was the place to go. "Where're all going. I told you about it before."

"I don't remember, and I can't anyway. I'm spending the night with my mum."

"But it's your birthday! You can spend time with your mum any day. Besides, there's a party at one of the guy's house after that I want to go to."

"Yeah, but this is special. I hardly ever get to see my mother these days."

"Big deal. Come on, we're leaving now." He started to tug on my hand but I pulled it away.

"I don't think you understand. And it is a big deal. I don't want to go to Scooter's or to 'one of the guys' place. Besides, someone always ends up getting drunk, and the police get called."

"Elliot, you said you'd come." He was serious now.

"No I didn't. Why would I? You know how much this means to me." I was serious too.

"Ellie, what's with you these days? You used to be fun but now you've changed."

"I have not change!" My voice was getting louder. "You know, ever since you've joined the football team, you've become all cocky and arrogant. I don't think I know you anymore." With that said, I couldn't stop the tears from falling down my face anymore, but that didn't matter because I'd already left running. Behind me, Chad yelled out to my back, "Fine, I won't bother you anymore, because it's over Elliot, it's over!"