So, I kinda had a suckish new years eve. Booo. So I spent all my time writing this while waiting till midnight, I'm still kinda bummed but some reviews will most definitely cheer me up. I can't write when I'm bummed, so I'm in desperate need of cheering up.

Chapter 5

"Mitchie, I have to go." He told her, rapidly moving around the apartment, throwing all the items he had into the bag.

"Dylan, no!" Cried twelve year old, Mitchie. "You can't leave me! Not after everything that's happened." How could he do this to her? How could he just pack up and leave her after everything they had been through. How could he just abandon her?

"I have to, Mitch. I can't stay here." There was pain in his voice, as if it killed him to be leaving Mitchie behind. But what choice did he have? He was finally free to leave. Being eighteen meant that he could run and his mother could do nothing about it. But the pain he felt about leaving his little sister behind was excruciating. It was cruel to leave her behind, but it was the only way.

"Dylan, please! Don't leave me!" She sobbed, only making it harder for Dylan to do what he had to do.

"I'm sorry, Mitch. I'm sorry. I love you, but I have to go." He choked out. He had to stay strong.

"Dylan." She whimpered, adding on to the cracks in his heart.

"I'll come back for you, Mitch. I promise."

Mitchie gasped as she was forced out of her dream. That night was replaying in her head over and over again no matter how much she wished it would never come back and haunt her again. The night Dylan left was the night that her life took a turn for the worst. He didn't keep his promise. He had left her there to rot with their mother. But now matter how hard she tried, she couldn't find it in herself to be mad at him. She couldn't blame him for wanting to get the hell out of that apartment and away from their mother. She did the same thing, except a year early, and she had people taking care of her now. Dylan had always been the one to take care of her. And she counted on him with everything she had, but he had let her down. He never came back for her. And she figured he never would. It was nearly five years ago now. He probably didn't care anymore.

She glanced at the clock on her nightstand and cursed when she saw the time. Seven in the morning. She knew what that meant. There was no way in hell was she going to get back to sleep. As soon as she tried Denise would come banging on her door telling her she had to go to school.

School. She cringed at the mere thought of the torture that she would be put through today. She wasn't ready for it. Especially because Denise was basically giving her the cold shoulder after what happened the previous day and getting busted for her drug use. Mitchie could easily see that she had disappointed Denise. But never had Mitchie felt so bad about disappointing somebody. She wasn't too fond of it either. Since when did she care what other people thought of her? She knew the answer to that. Since Denise gave her a chance that no one else ever would. Damn.

With a huff, Mitchie forced her body to get out of bed and move into the bathroom where she could maybe wake herself up with a shower. She wasn't used to waking up so early in the freaking mornings and she was definitely hating it with a passion. Especially when she was doing it just so she could get ready for school. That made it suck even worse. She just wanted to go back to sleep and stay there until her eyes wouldn't shut anymore.

After her shower she managed to dig out some of the new clothes that Denise had bought. She had sworn off anything that would attract too much attention to herself. A simple t-shirt and jeans were perfectly fine with her. She sure as hell didn't want to deal with anybody today. She had to draw a line somewhere. She'll go to school, but that didn't mean she had to be nice to any of the jerks that would be there.

She was nervous to actually go downstairs and have to face Denise. After their confrontation, not one word had been spoken between them. As a matter of fact, Mitchie hadn't spoken to any of the Gray's yesterday or since. She assumed Shane was still mad at her for insulting his stupid girlfriend. But that was his problem. She wasn't going to worry about what he thought or what his girlfriend thought. She just didn't care.

But she did care about what Denise thought of her. And she was sure she had made some pretty bad first impressions.

With a sigh, she finally stalked out of her room and down the stairs. As she entered the living room, she was hit with the smell of eggs and bacon. Biting her lip, she cautiously made her way into the kitchen where she saw Paul and Nate already digging into a plate and Denise over the stove scooping some more scrambled eggs into a bowl. Paul was the first one to spot her as she entered the kitchen.

"Morning, Mitchie." He greeted with a smile. How could he smile at her after what she did yesterday? There was no way in hell he would forgive her that easily. She was prepared for stony silence from all of them, assuming Denise had filled the boys in on what had happened as well. But Nate looked up and smiled at her as if she hadn't done anything wrong.

Denise turned around and handed her a plate, and much to Mitchie's surprise, she was smiling as well. Jesus, what was wrong with these people? Weren't they supposed to be mad at her or something? It's what she had been preparing herself for. She wasn't prepared for this, that was for sure. It caught her off guard.

"I must say, Mitchie," Denise began as she gestured for Mitchie to sit down at the kitchen table. "I'm surprised you got yourself up. I was preparing to drag you out of bed with the jaws of life." She chuckled. Mitchie chose not to be insulted, because she was surprised it had turned out this way herself.

"Ready for school, Mitch?" Nate asked, glancing up from his plate to aim his smile at her.

"I guess." Was her response. She probably shouldn't rock the boat by saying that school was the last thing she was ready for.

"It'll be great, Mitch." Nate reassured, but she had a hard time believing him. He had no idea how much she was dreading this. He had no idea how much she didn't want to be the messed up new kid who comes from nothing but drugs and alcohol. Not that anyone knew that. Yet. It would have to stay that way, meaning she would just have to keep her mouth shut about everything. That shouldn't be a problem. It never has been. She was good at keeping her shit to herself.

"Nate will be your ride, seeing as I assume you don't have your drivers license?"

"No." She said. She never needed one, Brian had taught her how to hotwire cars and how to drive them. She had never been busted once. But that probably wasn't going to come in handy around her. Cops were probably tight about that shit. It wouldn't look good if she was hijacking cars left and right.

"I figured. We'll have to do something about that too at some point. But for now, if you need to go anywhere, you can ask one of us or Nate." Where would she have to go? She chose to keep that question to herself.

"We got you some backpacks and everything you'll need for school. I'm sure your teachers will give you all the books you need." Denise continued, but Mitchie was just trying not to zone out on her. She really didn't care. She just wanted to get this day over with.

By the time she was done with breakfast, it was time to go to school. Mitchie sighed, hating this more and more. She grabbed the backpack that Denise had set out for her, which already had enough pencils and notebooks in it for her. At least she wouldn't have to buy her own shit. That was a plus. But now she would have to haul around this stupid thing all day. Unless she got a locker. But that would just suck to because she would have to go back and forth all day from there to her classes. Stupid.

Mitchie left the house and followed Nate out to his car. She was surprised to find that he had one of those old school Mustangs. At least he had good taste in cars. She climbed in shotgun after shoving her bag in the backseat and waited for Nate to start the car.

"We'll probably get there a little early, which is probably for the best so I can show you around a little bit. It's kind of a big school, so it's easy to get lost. It's the only high school in the area, so that's where everyone goes. It can get pretty crowded."

Oh, great. All the more people to irritate her.

"I don't need you to babysit me." She muttered, but he merely grinned.

"Trust me, it'll make it easier." She chose not to respond to that, because how the hell would he know? "So, where were you yesterday? You didn't come out like, at all."

Mitchie froze up. So Denise hadn't told him about what she did. Maybe it was for the better. She didn't need the entire family hating her for it. "Um...just wanted to be alone, I guess."

Much to her relief, Nate accepted that and didn't push her about it anymore.

It only took about ten minutes to get to the school, which wasn't nearly enough time for Mitchie. She still wasn't sure she was ready for this. She wanted to go back. She hated school. More than anything, and there were much better uses of her time than sitting around in some boring ass classes.

They obviously were early, because there were hardly any cars in the parking lot, which seemed to please Nate, because now he got a spot up close. She rolled her eyes and got out of the car, making sure she yanked her backpack out of the car and over her shoulder. She glared at the school. It was bigger than she thought it would be. It looked like a fucking prison that was just waiting to trap her and torture her for eight hours everyday.

Nate seemed to notice her expression and he tried to give her a sympathetic smile. "Come on, it won't be so bad. I promise."

She didn't believe him, but she followed him anyways. They had made it nearly halfway to the front door when someone called Nate's name.

Mitchie inwardly groaned. So it begins.

"Nate, hey." A girl their age greet him with a smile. Mitchie only glanced at her for a moment, but from that brief glance she looked friendly enough. She was pretty too. Had wavy, light brown hair and brown eyes. Mitchie did notice the way Nate lit up when he saw her.

"Caitlyn, what are you doing here so early?" He smiled and Mitchie finally turned to face both of them.

"I could ask you the same thing." She responded, looking up at him and not even noticing Mitchie.

"I came here to show Mitchie around a little bit." He said, finally gesturing to her. Caitlyn finally glanced at her, and smiled.

"Oh, so you're Mitchie! Nate told us about you." She glared at Nate, who was blushing slightly.

"Um, Caitlyn, this is Mitchie. And Mitchie, this is my best friend Caitlyn. I've known her since we were kids."

Best friends? Yeah, right. No way in hell they were just best friends. Even Mitchie could see that they totally liked each other. Whatever. Not her business, nor did she care to make it her business.

"It's nice to meet you." She said, and it sounded like she meant it, but Mitchie could never be too sure.

"Yeah." Was all she said in response before glaring up at Nate, mentally telling him to get a move on it. She was starting to freeze to death in the cold October air. Thankfully the dude finally seemed to get the hint and he smiled regretfully at Caitlyn.

"I guess I better help Mitchie get her schedule. I'll catch up with you at lunch." He told her, and Caitlyn just smiled at him before turning to look at Mitchie.

"Nice meeting you, Mitchie. I guess I'll see you around."

Mitchie just nodded at her before turning and walking towards the school once again, this time with Nate following behind her. When they were out of earshot from Caitlyn who had turned and walked the other way, Mitchie glanced at Nate. "So what's the deal with you and her?"

Immediately Nate began to sputter and turn bright red. "What-What do you mean?"

Mitchie rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on, Nate. Do I look blind to you?"

His blush deepened. "No."

"So, what's the deal? You like her, right?" She shot him a look saying that it was impossible to lie to her about that seeing as he had already made it so obviously. He sighed in defeat, before looking around and making sure no one else could hear him.

"Yes, I've liked her for years, okay?"

Mitchie just snorted out a laugh. "So why the hell haven't you told her?"

"Are you crazy? I can't tell her, it would ruin everything. I can't risk not being friends with her anymore."

"So, you'd rather be friends with her than her be your girlfriend?"

"No, of course I'd love for her to be my girlfriend. But I'd rather be her friend than nothing at all."

"Why don't you just go for the prize?"

He rolled his eyes. "I told you, I don't wanna risk it. Now here's the office, we'll just get your schedule at the front desk."

"Whatever, wuss." She smirked when he glared at her. She walked into the office and went up to the secretary, rattled off her name and finally got her schedule. She looked it over and decided that it could be worse. Nate looked at it over her shoulder.

"Oh, cool, you got Physics with me. And English with Caitlyn."

Mitchie shot him a look. "You know her schedule?" The blush immediately returned to Nate's cheeks, making Mitchie burst out laughing. "Stalker, much?"

"I'm not a stalker, I'm just her best friend."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night." He rolled his eyes. "So do we have the same lunch?"

"Yeah, seniors all get lunch at the same time. So do the other classes." Mitchie just nodded.

He had showed her the essential places that she would need to go. Cafeteria, gym, the library and most of her classes. But then before long students started crowding the hallways. Most of them noticing that there was a new girl, and making Mitchie feel very self conscience, which was stupid, she thought. She could probably beat the shit out of most of the people here. Pretty soon, the warning bell rang. Nate walked her to her first class, and then told her that he would see her third period when they had physics together.

Mitchie took a deep breath and walked into her math class, the first class of the day. Damn. Not a good way to start a day. She sat down at a desk that as far back as she could go, hoping to just blend in with her surroundings and get through this day as quickly as possible. While slouched in her seat, waiting for the stupid class to start, Mitchie noticed a group of cheerleaders walk in, and Mitchie almost immediately recognized them from the mall on Saturday. They were the first people on her hate list. She immediately noticed who the queen bee was. Blond hair, blue eyes, skinny as a fucking pole. And all the other cheerleaders sort of gravitated around her. So pathetic, Mitchie thought to herself. She was too busy glaring at the cheerleaders that she didn't even notice when some dude came and sat in the seat next to her.

"Hey," He said, which finally got her attention. She turned to glare at him and noticed that he was just some stupid jock. He had a varsity jacket on, and a cocky grin plastered on his face. He could have passed for hot, but he had nothing on Shane. And he was just a stupid musclehead who was just trying to hit on her. "You new here?"

Mitchie narrowed her eyes at him. "Maybe." Was all she said. He didn't seem at all affected by the sneer that she was pointing in his direction. What made some guys think they could have any girl they wanted?

"Cool. I'm Jordan." He said, his grin turning into a stupid smirk. Mitchie rolled her eyes.

"Good for you." He seemed a little put out by her lack of interest.

"So, uh, what's your name?" Mitchie glared.

"It's get the hell away from me before I beat your face in." That backed him off.

"Jordan! What are you doing? We are sitting up here." Mitchie glanced towards the front where queen bee had her hands on her hips and was glaring at Jordan.

"I was just getting to know new girl, here." He responded, unaffected by queen bee.

"Well, get the hell up here, you're supposed to sit with us."

"Alright, alright. Chill out, Tess." He said with a roll of his eyes before finally getting up and going to the front. As soon as he did as he was told, Tess glanced back at Mitchie and glared. Which Mitchie happily returned. Looks like her hate was reciprocated. This should be interesting.

Finally the teacher got there, and the bell rang. And so began the longest day of Mitchie's life.

Most of her classes passed without too much drama. Some people were brave enough to go up and say hi to her, but they didn't get very much out of Mitchie. She had met up with Nate in third period Physics to find him saving a seat for her next to him, which was nice because now she wouldn't have to worry about anyone else trying to talk to her. She could talk to Nate well enough. They had lunch after that, so Nate walked her to the cafeteria, which he bought her food and everything, saying that his mom gave them lunch money for both of them.

Looks like Denise still didn't trust Mitchie with money yet. It was probably a wise decision in the long run, Mitchie had to admit.

After getting their food, Nate led Mitchie to the table where a group of people were already sitting and chatting. Mitchie recognized Caitlyn among them. Nate introduced them, but Mitchie zoned out for it. They didn't seem so bad, but she still didn't like being in such a large group of people when she so much preferred to be alone. She was in the middle of eating one of the greasy fries when her cell phone vibrated in her pocket. She froze. What if it was Brian again? With her heart in her throat, she pulled the device from her pocket. But her throat opened up once again when she saw that she had a text from a number she didn't recognize.

'I know you're at school, but I was hoping we could talk when you got home. I feel really bad about the other night. - Shane.'

Mitchie gulped quietly after reading it. How did Shane get her number? Not bothering to respond, she slipped her phone back into her pocket and resumed eating her lunch. Why did he feel bad about it? He had just been defending his girlfriend. If anyone should feel bad about it, it should be Mitchie. Though she didn't feel bad about it, but still, if anyone had to.

Whatever. She'd figure it out when she got home. No use worrying about it now. Though she couldn't help but feel anxious at the aspect of seeing Shane tonight. She shouldn't, he was gonna be there every night for awhile. But still, she looked forward to it, and she probably shouldn't, but what the hell. Why not?

At least she was going to get to talk to him, maybe clear the air between them. She figured she'd need to get on the Gray's good sides. It would be pointless and dangerous for them to hate her. Might as well make nice. And might as well take the time to get to know Shane a little bit.

School couldn't have ended soon enough. She was ready to haul ass out of there as soon as the bell rang, but of course she had to wait for Nate outside the library like he told her to so they wouldn't be going all around the school looking for each other. Thankfully he showed up just a few minutes after he did, smiling.

"Ready to go?"

"You have no idea." He laughed and they began walking out of the building. But before they could, something collided with Mitchie's still aching shoulder. "Ah, shit." She cursed, prepared to beat the shit out of whoever just bumped her.

"Watch where you're going, new girl." Oh, hell no. She did not just say that to her. Mitchie glared at queen bee, Tess, she remembered that being her name, and was fully prepared to make the bitch feel her wrath, but before she could, Nate was pulling her away and out the school.

"What the fuck, Nate? I was ready to beat the shit out of her."

"Exactly. You think I was going to let you do that?"

Mitchie sneered at him. "Who the hell is that, anyways?"

Nate sighed, grateful that she wasn't going to turn on him for pulling her away. "Tess Tyler. Head cheerleader. Major bitch, as you've already seen."

Major is an understatement, Mitchie scowled. "And what the hell is her problem?"

"She hates everybody who's below her social status. Thinks she's better than everybody else."

Of course. Wasn't that always the fucking case?

"Whatever. I'm sure I'll have plenty of chances to kick her ass." She muttered and winced as her shoulder ached yet again.

"Are you okay?" He asked her, sensing her discomfort.

"Fine." Was all she said before stalking off towards his car, so glad to be getting out of that place. But Mitchie knew that wouldn't be the last time she would encounter Tess Tyler.

There ya go. And don't forget to review, they make me happy.

Btw I'm five for five.