Alright, so this chapter is a bit slow, unsure of how to go about where I want everything to end up, but I hope its fine.

DISCLAIMER: don't own the characters, only the story.

The moment I got home, I slammed my door and fell face first onto the bed. I was exhausted. If I had to deal with that school for one more day, I might slam my head on a wall until I pass out. But wait, I have to!

It was hard enough having to forcefully switch schools, but to have to deal with that fucktard, that just made my fucking day. No, really.

But now I have to do a project with him in a class that I didn't even want to be in, that just finished it up with a silver note. And, because the world seems to hate me, we had to get the one scene I would rather choke myself than have to do. Sorry I don't play the optimistic part, but right now, a good world-changing event would do lovely.

But, of course, because the state forces it, I have to continue to go to school. Why can't I just drop out and be a stripper?

So, in an attempt to get control over my headache, I shoved my headphones on and blares whatever was one. In the most cliché, angst-y, teenage thing you could think of at that moment, Fallout Boy was wonderfully the first band to start playing. I closed my eyes and tried to fall asleep, but it seemed that it wasn't on my side at that moment.

I sat up, walked over to my window ledge, picked up a book, and went back to my bed to sit down and start reading. Most people just assumed I hated everything, and as that may be true, I do love to read. Strange, because being slightly dyslexia seemed like a good reason to not find comfort in the words of a unique world.

After what felt like only a few minutes, Hazel knocked softly on my door, poking her head into my room with a caring smile.

"Hey." I smiled back at her, setting my book down and off to the side, taking off my headphones, sitting up and making room for her to join me if she wanted.

"Hey," she replied shyly, hidden behind her curly hair.

"What's up?" I ask her, trying to sound as kind as I can despite being tired as hell.

"Oh," she said softly, her gaze looking down as she slowly made her way into my room, "just wanted to see how you were doing. You okay?"

"Well," I huffed, eyes wide, "that depends on what you mean."

"You know, the whole thing with… yeah."

"Oh, yeah that. I'm fine, just… just wanted you to be okay, really. I'm sorry if I…"

"No, don't worry about it," she exclaimed, her hands came up in a worried way. "Thank you, really, though…"

"No problem, you're my sister; I won't let anyone like that near you if I can help it."

"Nico!" She hit my shoulder in her shy way, trying to not seem embarrassed. "I can handle myself, thank you very much. I don't need my older brother watching out for me all the time, I think I can do somethings on my own, I'm not a little girl."

"Hey!" I shouted back, a smile sneaking up on my lips. "I will always be there for you, no matter what, I swear. I trust you, but not them, especially not him."

"Well" – she shifted on the end of my bed with a calming smile – "I will always be thankful for you, but watch yourself. You seem to be really close to the hornet's nest, don't want to get stung."

"What'll happen to me? It's not like they can get to me, I'm untouchable."

I find it funny on how easy one can fall asleep in class. One minute I'm sitting in class, the teacher's words going in one ear and out the other, and the next thing I know, I'm being shaken away by Piper being told that class is over.

I missed everything that had happened, but with lunch being the only thing to fall on my mind, I couldn't care less what he said, even if it was the meaning of the universe.

It wasn't long before I ran into Leo who started talking on and on about some crazy idea he had for workshop class. He said something about an engine, but like I know what he's talking about. He seemed to have deemed me his new best friend because he wouldn't seem to leave me alone, and he wasn't all that bad so I didn't mind all that much. He was a nice guy when you really got down to it.

I had tried to get Hazel to eat with us, but she said that the boy from gym class had asked her quite shyly to eat lunch with him today, and of course she couldn't refuse. So it came down to me and Leo walking around aimlessly for a few minutes until he dragged me to a small spot in the back of the workshop.

"I basically live here some days," he had explained. I found it quite charming, if I was being honest.

"It's nice here."

"Yeah, this was my dad's spot when he was in school. He made all his projects here." Leo had a soulful look in his eyes.

"Well," I thought out loud, running my hand gently over some of his work, "it looks really cared for."

"This is my own little piece of heaven in this hell hole."

"I can tell…"

As I sat in silence and picked at my lunch, Leo went on and on about this project he wanted to do in shop class.

"But just imagine, finally being able to put most of the scrap metal to good use and creating a freakin' dragon out if it!"

"Sounds pretty cool, why don't you do it?"

"Because the sports teams get all the funding and we don't have enough to be able to get my hands on the materials I would need. But if they would let me, I have it all planned out," he said frustrated. He threw a dart at a board, hitting the center before sighing and spinning in his chair.

"That's stupid," I agreed, taking a bit.

"Yeah, but whatever really," Leo mumbled before taking a sip out of his already opened soda.

We talked a little more before Leo stood up, stretching.

"What do you have next?" he asked, yawning.

"Gym, don't want to go, though."

"No one wants to go to gym."

I laugh lowly. "Yeah. Hopefully we don't have to basketball. I really suck at it."

"He could make you do laps or some sort of running test."

"I would prefer that, to be honest. At least I'm good at that."

As I made my way out of the locker room – making sure I was last – I found my sister and took her side. We both stand next to each other before the teacher comes in and starts yelling at us.

As the teacher tried to get everyone's attention again, I notice Will, Percy, and Jason off to the side talking to one another. I tried to push the thought of next class out of my mind, right now I needed to focus on not trying to make a fool out of myself during basketball.

"So, good news, you don't have to play basketball today."

There was a collective relief sigh that flooded through the gym, only minor complaint grumbles for a few. I was glad that we didn't have to play basketball; my skills aren't exactly helped by my height.

"I will have you participating in the beep test."

More un-wanting sighs filled the gym; people shifted uncomfortably where they stood. But I, on the other hand, was happier than anything that I wouldn't have to play basketball, but instead run; something I was actually good at.

As the teacher yelled to get everyone to line up on the black line on one side of the gym, everyone sluggishly made their way over to get ready.

"Alright, so when you hear the first beep, you have until the next to make it to the other line at the other end of the gym. If you don't make it, you have one warning until you have to sit out. After every ten or so beeps, the time in between will get shorter."

Everyone started to slowly stretch where they stood, Hazel and I looking knowingly at each other. She waved to me as she went stand beside her new friend, Frank, if I remember correctly.

When the first beep went off, a slow jog was all that was needed to reach the other side in time. This went on for about twenty or so beeps before effort was needed to make it in time.

Beep.

I would run to one side to the other at a slower pace than some.

Beep.

It got harder for some of the other students, but mainly everyone was enjoying the slower pace that was taking pace.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

After a few more rounds, several people had found themselves either out of a warning or off to the side, out.

When I looked around, it didn't seem like too many people were out, but then again, we were just getting started.

Beep.

By about round five, running back and forth over fifty times, the numbers started to really drop, people were winded and couldn't carry on anymore. As I looked around again with the mere seconds I got as a break, I realised that only about ten people were left, if even that.

I stood with Hazel, Frank, Will, Percy, Jason, and a few other people. I wasn't losing, not here, not at this.

Beep.

Beep.

By round ten, Hazel had lost her warning, and ended up getting out at the same time as Frank, so they sat on the side and watched in awe with the rest of the other students that couldn't make it as far.

Beep.

A few more rounds and Percy found himself along with Jason losing their warning, sending them behind because you had to cross the line before going back, even if you did lose your warning. Within a few more rounds, both boys found themselves joining the rest over at the side, being congratulated on making it that far.

It was roughly round thirteen when I looked over and saw the reddened face of Will, surprised that I had made it that far. I simply grinned and made my way to the other side when the recording beeped.

I don't think anyone really got the fact that I'm actually good at running because every time I would cross the line, they would act as if I was a make-a-wish kid, every step seeming impossible.

Just as things seemed to get out of hand, Will ended up tripping and missing a beep causing him to book it to the line and down the other end while I made it with a second to spare. He barely ended up making the line before the beep sounded.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

As the beep sounded, Will tripped up again and missed the line. Not wanting to seem like I was just as good as him, I took off running when the beep sounded once again, looking at Will who was on the ground with a smirk, and Will went over to the side to sit beside his friends. If there was any time that I would feel proud about, it was this.

I only made it about eight more times, but that was more than enough to leave a lasting impression of everyone in the class.

I made my way to the changing rooms to get a drink of water when the teacher called free time for everyone. If class was technically done, that meant I could quickly wash off and get out of there fast.

I grabbed my stuff from my locker and headed over to the showering area in a small rush. Due to the last time I was here, I made sure to only do what was needed before anything ended up showing up.

By the time I was done, no one ended jumping in the showers while I was there, so that made the whole experience a little less traumatizing. By the time the bell sounded for the official end of class, I was already ready to head down to the theatre and pretend that I didn't exist.

….

See? Smaller chapter, filler really until I can find more to throw in the mix than just what I have now. If you guys wanna see something, please tell because I'm sitting on nothing at this moment. I could repeat some problems from my other stories, but I know some of you read the others so I don't want to do that.

Thank you to everyone who has made it this far with my crappy writing. You guys are the real MVP. But seriously, you guys are the reason I keep writing.

Sorry for the shitty grammar, I'm dyslexic and have to edit these myself and most of the time at two in the morning, so I'm so sorry again!

Hopefully a little more interaction with the characters in the next chapter!

If you guys like this story, than check out my others, you might like them more… *sad awkward cry* X and Side Friend. They're pretty chill.

Review, follow, favourite please!

Kitty out!