A/N: Hi! Before everything, I just want to thank all those who read, reviewed, favorited, and followed my story! Keep it up guys! I really appreciate it :)) I also want to thank Aline and Sarafinja for the cool suggestion. I'll take note of that. Anyway, here's Chapter 14. Please read and leave a review! Thanks. xx

CHAPTER 14: Stuck With You

I yawned as I poured maple syrup all over my pancake. I just finished taking a bath and changing my clothes but I am still so not ready for school.

My father was reading the paper while taking sips of coffee from his mug. My mom was also eating her pancake while giving me some reminders.

"Eat faster honey, you don't want to be late for your first day," she flashed a motherly smile.

I nodded and tried to smile back. Honestly, I'm still on vacation mode and I wanna go back to sleep.

After so many dragging minutes of eating, I finally finished my food. I went to the bathroom upstairs to brush my teeth.

My leg still hurts from that bump 2 nights ago. I was limping all weekend but I managed to keep it from my parents. Yep, they never knew about my recent accidents.

I took my bag from my room and went back downstairs. My mom was cleaning the table.

"April, your dad will drop you at school today."

"Okay Mom," I kissed her on the cheek. "Bye!"

"Bye! Good luck and have fun!" she waved her hand as I walked towards the door.

"Thanks Mom!" I stepped out of the house.

I hopped in the car and sat beside my dad. I fastened my seatbelt as the vehicle started moving.

Just in case you're wondering, nothing memorable happened when I had dinner with the Heffleys last Saturday. We just ate in some burger shop and that was it. Rodrick didn't bother to sit beside me or bug me further because he knew that I was angry at him. I found it kinda weird though. Usually he would keep annoying me until we end up with a stupid argument. Anyway, I'm glad he chose to shut up. During the ride home, Greg was sitting between us, and he was sleeping... and snoring really loud. Well, I wasn't surprised with that.

Now, forget that. Going back to current events...

The car stopped and I opened the door.

"Good luck on your first day, April," Dad said.

"Thanks Dad!" I kissed him on the cheek and then got off the car. I waved goodbye as he drove away.

I went inside the school and decided to go to the office first for my schedule. A number of students stared at me as I walked past them. They sure know who's new and who's not.

After a while, I finally found it. I knocked, and opened the door.

"Good Morning, Miss. How can I help you?" a lady said. She's probably the secretary.

"Um, I'm a new student and I just need to ask where I could get my schedule," I replied politely.

"Ah, yes. You've come to the right place. Name please?"

"April Preston," I smiled.

She looked through a small drawer with papers in it. "Yes, Ms. Preston," she took out half a bond paper with my schedule written on it. "Now here's your schedule and your locker number. If you don't mind, you might as well meet the principal before you leave for your first class," she handed the schedule to me and led me to another room in the same office.

I gulped as she opened the door and said, "Sir, there's a new student here to see you."

A man, probably in his mid-forties, looked up from his laptop when the secretary spoke up, "Yes. Come in, come in."

"Good Morning Sir," I greeted as I went in and sat on the chair.

The principal stood up and walked around the room, "Good Morning, Ms.?"

"April Preston."

"Welcome to Plainview High, Ms. Preston. My name is Tom Maxwell, but you can call me Mr. Maxwell," he grinned.

"Thank you Mr. Maxwell," I smiled back.

"So," he clapped both of his hands and rubbed them together. "Tell me about yourself while Ms. Clace calls your student buddy," he went back to his seat and told the secretary to fetch the 'student buddy' assigned to me.

"Um, student buddy?" I asked.

"Yes. Your student buddy will guide you all throughout the first week of school, so you can adjust and be familiar with everything that's going on here."

I managed to keep a poker face while he was talking, but in the back of my mind, I was like, Do they do this to all new students?

"Um, Mr. Maxwell, I don't think I, uh, really need a student buddy," I shrugged.

"Are you sure?" his eyebrows raised, "I mean, it's usually a process for newcomers."

"Yes, sir. Over the summer, I've met friends who are studying here too. I think they could be my tour guides," I smiled, hoping the principal would agree.

He paused for a while and then nodded, "Well, that's good to hear. At least you can ask directions from people you already know."

I nodded. Woah, that was close.

"But," he added. "Nevertheless, your assigned student buddy, whoever he or she is, shall still be doing his or her job."

I was about to say something but he cut me off, "I'm sorry, Ms. Preston, but it's school policy."

"Anyway..." the principal started asking me a few questions like where I was from, what was the last school I attended, and stuff like that.

In the middle of a new question, he was interrupted by a whining voice as the door opened, "It's the freakin first day! How the heck do I get sent to the principal's office on the first day?!"

Who was it? Well, just the last person I wanted to see.

"Mr. Heffley," the principal called his attention.

He walked towards the seat beside me, "Max, I swear, I didn't do anything. It's like 7:30 in the morning, I just came here. I-"

Mr. Maxwell cleared his throat, and Rodrick kept quiet.

"Please sit," he ordered.

Rodrick sat down, and that was the only time he noticed me sitting there. "Hey what's she doing here? Trouble on her first day?" he smirked.

I rolled my eyes on Rodrick as Mr. Maxwell explained why both of us were currently in the principal's office early in the morning.

"Mr. Heffley, since you have all classes with Ms. Preston here-"

"All...? We have all classes together?" I almost choked.

"Yes, Ms. Preston. Now, Mr. Heffley, you will be guiding her all through her first week of school," he smiled as he finished his statement.

"What?!" we both freaked out simultaneously.

Oh no. No way I'm gonna let this happen. Just no. I covered my face to stop myself from being more explosive in front of the principal.

"I object, Max. I am NOT gonna be her tour guide," Rodrick complained.

"Well, Mr. Heffley, you will be whether you like it or not," Mr. Maxwell affirmed.

Whoa, the principal just sounded like a mom right there.

"No!" Rodrick stood up. "No way, man. I don't want to waste my time assisting some new kids... Especially her..." he started walking around the room.

"Mr. Maxwell," I called his attention. "I'm definitely going to be fine without a student assistant."

"Mr. Heffley. Sit, please," the principal commanded.

Rodrick calmed down and followed the order. He sat down and glared at Mr. Maxwell.

"I'm prepared to offer you a deal."

"A deal?" Rodrick's eyes changed expression and his eyebrow raised.

"If you do your job well this week... You know, by assisting Ms. Preston... You will earn a 5% bonus on your midterm grades in all your subjects."

"Hmm…" he thought about it. After a while, he snapped his fingers, "Make that 10%."

"No can do, Mr. Heffley. Five percent it is. And I believe you need that bonus, right?" the principal said.

Rodrick once again glared at the principal, then at me. I shook my head and mouthed, "No."

Rodrick smiled evilly. He then turned to the principal and threw his arms, "Alright!"

Face palm.

Just then, the school bell rang, startling all three people in the room.

"Okay then," Mr. Maxwell breathed out heavily. "Off to your first class."

We both got up from our seats, and then Rodrick walked out already. I was about to do the same thing when Mr. Maxwell shook my hand and said that it was nice meeting me.

I tried to smile and then I rushed outside the room.

There were so many teenagers running around and finding the way to their rooms. But Rodrick was nowhere to be seen.

I didn't waste time to find him anymore. I went back inside the office and asked the secretary where my first class is located.

She happily gave instructions, "From here, turn right, go up the stairs, then straight ahead to the first door on your right."

"Thank you so much," I said.

I ran as fast as I can to the room. I opened the door quietly and peeked inside. I was lucky enough that the teacher wasn't there yet.

My classmates stared at me as I walked inside. There were no more seats in the front and middle and the very back so I sat on the rightmost chair in the second to the last row.

Just then, our homeroom teacher came in and started calling our names alphabetically, "Abbot, Marie Jane; Aviens, Joey; Benns, Danielle Sara..."

I read my schedule. Next period is Math; lunch time's at 11:30am to 1:00pm; and my last class ends at 4:00pm. I just sat there, waiting for my name to be called. I observed the others. Some were doodling on their notebooks, blowing bubble gums, taking selfies, etc. I also looked around if I could find anyone familiar. But nope, no sign of Claire, Anne, Olivia, or Mae…

"Heffley, Rodrick."

I looked around the room to see where he was sitting. No one raised a hand.

"Rodrick Heffley," the teacher said firmly. "Late again," he shook his head and wrote something on the attendance sheet.

The door then opened and Rodrick walked in carelessly.

"Mr. Heffley," the teacher called him.

He turned and casually said, "Sorry I'm late. It won't happen again." Then he continued walking and slumped on the only empty seat in the room - the seat next to mine.

The teacher rolled his eyes and continued calling our names. After a few minutes he called me, "Preston, April."

I raised my hand and he acknowledged it.

After calling everyone, he introduced himself as Mr. Craig Stews and then mentioned some things about homeroom, "Homeroom is 30 minutes of your day which is a waste of your time, as some of you might say. But actually, you should all still listen to me because sometimes I would be using this period as extension for your Math class. Yes, I am also your Math teacher..."

I glanced at Rodrick who was yawning. He caught me looking at him, so he smirked and winked.

I rolled my eyes and continued taking notes.

"...and finally, remember your permanent seats because you'll be sitting there for the entire year."

Oh darn that.

"Looks like I'm stuck with you during homeroom and Math," Rodrick whispered. I knew he hated it too but I also knew that he was trying to annoy me further.