First part of the chapter is about Anakin, so if you want to see Casey or Derek skip till you see English class. However I will warn that some information is important to the rest of the storyline. Enjoy! I do not own LWD, just my OCs.

Chapter 2

"Welcome, My name is Paul. I'm the guidance counselor. Sorry I'm tidying up my desk, please have a seat." He motions to the chair in front of his desk.

"It's nice to meet you too, Paul. Really it is, but I'm over having to do this kind of meeting every time I've transferred." I drop my bag on the floor and plop into the chair across from Paul.

While Paul straightens out his work, this gives me a few minutes to look around his office. It's definitely different than the others I've been in. It's cozy, the best way I can describe it. From the pictures of his family on the walls and his desk, to the book self and small coffee maker in the corner of the room, he even has a tiny Christmas tree sitting on top of the bookshelf!

"I'm sorry, this is just protocol." Paul explains. "The school wants students to be aware of the services that are available. Especially when under circumstances that may cause distress."

"What circumstances do you believe might be causing me distress?" I raise my eyebrow. I already know what he's going to ask, but that doesn't mean I still won't be resistant to answering.

"You tell me." He says leaning back in his chair.

"You read my file." I fixed Paul with a venomous stare.

"Indeed I have." Paul replies, clearly not fazed by it.

"So you know everything about me."

"Not quite," He shakes his head. "This," pointing to the file, "Shows what people think is important. Do you agree?"

My gaze shifts from Paul to my hands, like they'll hold the answer. Truthfully I don't give a damn what it says about me. "It shows I've been to a bunch of schools." I answer shifting in the chair.

"Yes, but it also shows you're an excellent student and an athlete. That's quite an accomplishment." I roll my eyes at his comment and move from the chair, to his tiny Christmas tree. "You don't think so?"

"If I show what they want to see on paper. It makes it easier when I move, helps me stay under the radar. Quite the trick, everyone forgets the new kid faster."

"Why do you want to be forgotten?"

"Why are you turning this into a therapy session? Look I haven't been myself for along time and I mean a long time. I bury myself in school, athletics and anything else that keeps me from going home. My parents have been divorced for three years, and I chose to live with the workaholic that doesn't give two shits about his family. I don't have friends because that means getting attached to people, and that comes with it's own set of problems."

"I just meant..." He shook his head. "That didn't come out the way I meant it to, Anakin. I'm sorry."

I sighed. "Sorry, I guess I'm just overly sensitive right now." It wasn't a lie, there have been some pretty big changes to my life once again and I'm tired of not having someone to turn too. So I'm willing to trust this man enough to let him know a little of my situation.

"So what other activities are you interested in, besides hockey?" Paul asked, obviously interested. I feel the corners of my mouth turn upright, giving a slight grin. The guy was good at listening, well, better than I was anyway.

My dad isn't home from work when I pull up to the apartment. I leave my shoes by the door and take a look down the hallway, listening to the creaking of floorboards and shuddering of the heater trying to decide what it should do in the changing season. It's not like I'm never home alone, but I'm still getting use to this new home.

I make my way down the hall, heading through my bedroom to the adjoining bathroom and wash my face of the day's struggles and frustrations. There weren't as many as usual today, but it still feels good to wipe it all away. I lift my shirt to check how the bruises are healing before heading back into my bedroom and falling into my desk chair.

I log on to my messenger and see a friend request from bookworm89. "Nice Casey," I laugh clicking accept. Immediately the bubble icon pops up by her name signaling her typing.

Bookworm89: It's about time!

Skywalker2U: Well hello, to you too. What's with the exclamation point?

Bookworm89: Sorry, Derek's begin ridiculous right now!

Skywalker2U: The guy from bio?

Skywalker2U: Are you two, together?

Bookworm89: Eww no. His dad married my mom.

Bookworm89:?

Bookworm89:Anakin!

Skywalker2U: I was saying a silent prayer for you.

Bookworm89: ha ha

Skywalker2U: least I made you laugh :D

Skywalker2U: So you're stepsiblings? That explains a lot..

Bookworm89: About..?

Skywalker2U: What happened in class. Anyways when do you have free period?

Bookworm89: Second period.

Skywalker2U: Me too. Do you wanna compare homework assignments before bio?

Bookworm89: Sure.

Bookworm89: So about the discussion at lunch. Emily and I, were wondering if you wanted to go shopping tomorrow after school?

Skywalker2U:…

Bookworm89: Anakin..

Skywalker2U: I draw the line at heels and make up

My fingers begin to hurt from the excessive typing when my dad gets home. It's nearly six o'clock.

"Anakin?" I hear the question in my dad's tone.

Skywalker2U: Gotta go my dad's home.

"Yea, dad, up here!" I listen to my dad's footsteps down the hall as I log out off the messenger.

"How was your first day?" He leans against my doorframe, arms crossed across his chest. I swivel in the chair to face him.

"First half went well?" I start, knowing it will only annoy him more, he just wants to know what's going on, but I do it anyways. "Yes."

He fixes me with a steady glare. "Anakin…"

"See the thing is, I, uh, kinda insulted a teacher's kid and got detention." I spin around in the chair slowly, looking up at the ceiling instead of my dad's reaction. I hear him shuffle his feet when he stands up straight at the answer.

"And why did you do that?"

"Hormones? A still developing frontal cortex, hindering my adult decision making capabilities?"

He just sighs.

"I didn't mean to, it's just. She called me a delinquent, and pointed out to the whole class that I was trouble based on the rumors that are going around. Everyone believes I'm the reason for the move, not your job."

He settles back against the doorframe. "So you think the answer is lashing out against their kid?"

"Actually I just pointed out that you shouldn't judge someone based on few facts. I just used her kid as an example because she was dressed in a very short skirt and revealing blouse, so I called her a slut."

My dad huffs out a laugh. "Jesus, Anakin. Did you apologize?"

"Didn't feel like it was an option, since she gave me detention."

"It's not an option. You'll do it."

"Damn." I sigh. "Fine, I will tomorrow."

"Language…" he says more out of habit than anything else. We both stay quiet a moment while I gather the courage to ask about going to spend time with Casey and Emily.

"Actually dad, I was uh, I was wondering about maybe if I could go shopping with some girls in my English class?" My dad stares at me with a smirk for a few moments.

"You want to go shopping?" He asks slowly.

"Yea, I mean why not?" I chew on my bottom lip.

"Because since when have you ever been a fan of shopping?"

I raise an eyebrow. "See the thing I actually do need some shopping. The movers misplaced a few of our boxes." I finally deadpan. He looks skeptical. "When?"

"Tomorrow."

My dad sighs and shakes his head a little. "I should be grounding you for getting detention but you're actually making friends."

"Fine, but shoot me a text when you're done with school and the mall." He walks towards his room while I yell at least a dozen "thank you" and "You're awesome" down after him.