Chapter 1: Finally In Line

Skipper McGrath took in a deep breath and opened his eyes as someone finally closed the door to the van behind them. "This is it, boys." His companions joined him and took in the sight of a huge front yard covered in early fall leaves and students of all ages. In the distance loomed huge white buildings and a few gates here and there. A fence surrounded the entire area, but the place was big enough to hold a whole third world country in. On one side was the enchanting forest while the other held the mystical swampland. The boy was dressed in a black shirt, gray jacket, baggy jeans and foliage green shoes along with a stainless steel clasp bracelet. He looked back at his friends and frowned at the amount of bags that was piled before their van. Not that it looked like a problem carrying all the heavy bags to their new dorm. It was the fact that they would have to carry all those things in an unknown place where anything could happen. His tall, Polish-looking friend did notice the imperceptible discomfort his friend was giving off.

"Don't worry, Skipper." The boy narrowed his cobalt eyes on him. "I've already mapped out the entire place. We'll have no problem finding whatever we need around here."

The man visibly relaxed and sighed. "If you say so, Kowalski." Kowalski Bennett nodded and placed the fountain pen into the pocket of his pressed white collar buttoned shirt which was in a pair of black fitting jeans. This was matched with a strange looking black watch, a black overcoat with a gray underside and white tennis shoes. His intellectual talk and authoritative stance made for a good personality that didn't leave space for the kind of trash people usually became. If it wasn't for those qualities, the boy would've passed for a beloved action star, though, his leader would be the more preferable choice for that role.

"It's…big." Private McGrath spoke with a British lilt and his baby blue eyes were just the thing to keep others from crumbling in fear at the sight of him, depending on his mood. He looked like a younger version than the boy named Skipper, but had a look of softness about him that contrasted with the other's toughness and harshness in both appearance and posture. Even the pair of dark brown cargo pants, immaculate white sneakers, navy blue shirt, gray hoodie jacket and the stainless steel ring hanging from the leather string around his neck made him a sweet little boy in the eyes of others. "Huh, Rico?" He turned to the quiet boy standing beside him. "What do you think of the place?"

The boy shrugged nonchalantly and crossed his arms. "Eh. 'Tis d same." Rico DiMaggio was like the other three, but with navy blue eyes instead. He had on thick black military boots, ripped jeans with a chain belt hanging loosely from his hips, a white, dirt-and-grease stained shirt, a dark orange jacket and a bowler's hat. His slight slouch, uninterested manner and the scar that ran over his mouth gave people the impression that he was not one to mingle. The one thing that set it all off was the stainless steel ring on his finger with tiny words engraved into it. An exact copy of it was being sported on the finger of the girl who came from around the boys to take a closer look at the scenery.

The lone female was similar in a few ways, starting with her unusual yet fitting light skin tone and the way she and the others brought themselves. Savannah Valentine had perfect straight blond hair with strawberry streaks and straight cut bangs, a belt with her nickname 'Barbie' on the rhinestone buckle, and with the help of a pair of realistic blue contacts, she really looked like a real life Barbie doll without all the usual make-up and ridiculous glamour. She just wore a pair of high heeled boots and a plain pink top folded into a black knee skirt with a matching overcoat. The female could pass for a Victoria Secret fashion model. She did carry around a laptop bag and a satchel, and the pink luggage bags with her name in rhinestones it could only be hers.

"Ay tink dat's ur cuz." Barbie looked over at where the boy was pointing at and spotted an Asian girl sitting against one of the big mangrove trees scattered about the campus. She had huge black glasses that took up one third of her face, curly, messy black hair caught in a tight and high ponytail and light brown skin. She was clothed in a pair of dark blue jeans tucked into winter boots, black loose fitting shirt with silver print and a black hoodie long sleeved jacket. A caramel messenger bag was plopped beside her, along with a small violet sling and a couple books.

"It is, Rico." The female licked her lips and turned to the others. "I'll see you guys later." After a nod from Skipper, she grabbed her bags and headed over to the Asian.

"Selena?"

The girl looked up and acknowledged the female before her with reddish brown eyes. She nodded and smiled at her then piled her things into the bag.

"Barbie."

"Hey!" The blonde attempted something that was better than the surprise she had at the older looking female. "You just left like, what? Two years ago," she paused breathlessly and her smile grew a bit, "and you look a-mazing. Guess you finally took my advice."

"I guess."

Barbie shrugged and held out her arms before her with a slightly fearful smile. "Nothing?"

Selena smirked and rolled her eyes. She got up and pulled the other into a tight hug. "Usually, people start the mushy crying stuff when it's actually been years since they've seen each other. We must be pathetic drama queens." Barbie giggled at the gesture and they broke apart with smile on their faces. "It's good to see you too, sis."

"Yeah, but I can't believe it's been two years."

"Yeah."

"What?" Barbie asked when she noticed that the other was staring intently at her.

"You're," Selena tilted her head at Barbie, "pale."

"Shouldn't you be in college by now? I hear that you're in high school." She other replied back with a snotty-like yet curious tone, trying to ignore the fact that she didn't look like the tanned brunette on the picture she was sure her cousin had on her phone. Her eyes, however, did catch the old bandage wrapped around her left hand.

Selena spotted the action and looked up at Barbie. When their eyes met, she just shrugged and hid her bandaged hand behind her. "Dunno."

"What?"

She shook her head and rephrased her answer, putting stress to each word. "I don't know."

"What do you mean, 'you don't know'? You should be in college by now. You graduated last year. You SHOULD be."

"This is America. The rules ain't the same. Knowing you, I don't think it'll be long before you agree with me, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt." Selena tucked her hands into her pockets and whirled about. "I have to head back. Got to catch up on a few things. I'll stop by your room later and help with the unpacking." The girl was about to take a step forward when Barbie placed a hand on her arm.

"Hey. What happened?"

"What happened?"

"Selena." Barbie knew her sister couldn't see her frown, but she decided to put her hand down when she felt her tense up. "You're not like this."

"No, I am. You just don't and shouldn't care."

"Okay, wait, I meant you're like this, but you're not this, off. It's like something reached inside and tore something precious out of you. What happened?"

"America happened." Her voice became icy dry.

Barbie shifted her weight to her other foot and crossed her arms. "You shouldn't let a country change you."

Her sister looked over her shoulder at her.

"Looks like you're no different either. I guess it has been years. But if your," she paused and seemed to reconsider her words, "well, if they knew what you did to those locks and clothes, you'll be so dead." She went on her way as Barbie muttered under her breath.

"Oh, you have no idea."

The Asian paused, shook her head and continued marching. "Come on. Your room's right next to mine."

"Coming!"