Ok… first of all, I want to say I'm so, so sorry for the lack of updates. I've been quite ill this year, and have had a LOT of problems at school (almost getting kicked off my biology course, failing my AS Levels really badly, and then having switching schools, which meant leaving my friends and teachers behind and repeating the year).
But hopefully, I should have a few more chapters done soon. I've already got 2 written, and 2 semi-planned. But to be honest, I'm not sure when I'll be able to update, due to schoolwork. I never intended on putting this story on hold, but life just got really hectic and crap to be honest. I'm still settling into my new school at the moment, so I'm afraid chapters are going to be fairly short at the moment, and updates may be a bit erratic.

This whole fiasco with my exams has battered my confidence a bit, as I really didn't expect to fail like I did. So reviews would be really appreciated at the moment.

Aaanyways, on with the story! (Not sure when the next update will be. Sorry!)

Disclaimer: Roses are red, violets are blue, I don't own the series, and I never will too. (Not bad for a first attempt, anyways, I don't own AR, and never will).

"Well who do we have here?"

Alex turned round, and was met by a boy with black hair. He had piercing blue eyes, and was well built. There were three other boys behind him.

"Looks like we've got ourselves a new kid. What's your name?" he said, folding his arms.

"Alex. I assume you're Damien?" Alex replied, regarding Damien coolly.

"You got that right. Heard of me have ya?" he sneered, looking at Matt, who glared back.

"Yeah. And from what I've heard, you're not the kind of person I want to associate myself with."

By this point, the canteen had become silent. It wasn't often that someone stood up to Damien, especially on their first day. A few whispers broke out at the back. The air was tense.

Damien stared at Alex, his eyes slowly narrowing. "What did you say?" he growled.

"You heard me."

The whispers grew as the other children watched the scene unfolding in front of them, their breakfast forgotten on the table.

Damien looked around the canteen, at people's faces, which showed looks of awe, but also terror.

"You're not worth my time. Just stay out of my way," he said before stalking off, his cronies following silently. The eyes of the whole canteen were on Alex as he sat in his seat, turning back to his cornflakes, which had gone soggy.

Matt gaped at Alex. "No one's stood up to Damien in years. Well, at least, not without getting battered the second they do," he muttered the last part, stabbing a fork into the remains of his sausage.

The rest of breakfast passed without incident. Students continued to stare at Alex as he and Matt left quietly.

Matt took him to student services, where he was given his timetable. Looking at it, he could see his days weren't that bad. Mondays were awful with five lessons, including double maths in the afternoon. He noticed that on Wednesdays, he had his 'Therapy' session. Matt noticed this, and raised an eyebrow, but didn't ask.

After quickly showing Alex around the school, they made their way to PE. Upon arriving, Alex was disappointed to see that there was one large changing area rather than separate cubicles. He was careful to face away from everyone else when changing into his PE top. He didn't want anyone to see the old bullet wound. That would just raise questions.

Upon entering the sports hall, Alex gasped. It was huge, with a large mirror at the back. There were metal climbing bars on one side, and a rock-wall on the other. The teacher entered the room.

"Right then. Today, we'll be doing hockey today. Grab a stick out the cupboard and get yourselves onto the field!" he yelled, grabbing a basket of heavy looking hockey balls.

They made their way out onto the field. The lesson was mostly uneventful as they practised dribbling the ball, defending goals, and how to take the ball off the opponent.

Towards the end of the lesson, they split into teams for a small match. Alex's team were the first to score. Towards the end of the game, the score was even. The next goal would decide the winner.

The ball was passed to Alex. He dodged his opponents with ease. The goal was getting closer with each second. There were only three more people to get past. He avoided the first two, but the third was ready, his stick met Alex's as they fought for the ball. Both teams were cheering as the sticks collided. Alex's opponent glared, struggling to get the ball off him.

Alex was gaining the upper hand, when Alex's opponent finally had enough. He quickly raised his stick, before ramming it into Alex' left shoulder.

Right where the bullet had struck him.

He yelled in pain, letting go of his stick and doubling over as a sickening shooting pain seared through his shoulder. He fell to the floor, clutching his shoulder. Through the haze of pain, he heard angry shouts, and the sound of a whistle, and the teacher yelling. Footsteps got closer, and he heard someone yelling his name. Opening his eyes, he saw the teachers face swimming into view.

"You ok Alex?" he said, kneeling by his side.

"I'm fine," he lied, slowly sitting up and wincing. Matt, who was surprisingly pale, helped him up. "Just my bad shoulder, that's all. Ligament damage."

"Alright. Inside, all of you. Lesson's over," barked the PE teacher.

No one asked any questions.

Next time: Alex felt a fist slam into his jaw, before he felt himself falling. He desperately tried to grab hold of something, but it was no use.

Oh dear, what's Alex done now? :D

Reviews?