Chapter 2

Carrie overheard a commotion going on in the hallways. A large group of students gathered in a circle chanting the words 'fight! fight! fight!'. Carrie assumed it was one of the jocks getting into a scuffle over a girl again. Carrie tried to figure out what to do, her next class was the room just past this large swarm of people but she did not want to walk through. Her tiny fragile body would get trampled in the crowd of hulking meatheads. She took a deep breath as she began to make her way through the crowd. She was happy that everyone was so preoccupied with the fight that no one took notice of her. Carrie eventually made her way to the front where she saw the boy in class today. His nose was bloody and he slammed his fist into... BILLY NOLAN? Carrie was impressed, Billy was the toughest guy in the school and NO one liked to mess with him. All the girls loved him and all the guys wanted to be his friend. If he didn't beat you up, one of his thugs would. She yelped as Billy and Sam fell to the ground wrestling with each other. She saw two of Bill's friends come in and hold Sam up against the lockers. Carrie couldn't watch as she covered her eyes as Bill wailed on Sam spraying blood all over the wall. Sam, in am impressive skill, knocked down both of Bill's thugs leaving only Bill and Sam standing.

"BREAK IT UP!" Carrie heard Principle Morton yelling as the principle came in with two security guards to restrain the two testosterone driven boys from each other.

"You want more of this?" Bill yelled.

"That's HALF what I got!" Sam cried back.

"You two in MY Office! NOW!" Morton yelled as the two boys were escorted to Morton's office. Carrie stood still as the crowd dispersed in disappointment. Some of the boys patted Sam on the back for putting up a good fight while the girls whistled at Bill for his strength and confidence. Carrie yelped as Chris bumped into her.

"Watch it freak." Chris said noticing Carrie looking at Sam as he was escorted away. Chris saw this as an excellent oppurtunity to torment the poor girl.

"Why are you looking at him? Do you LIKE him?" Chris asked.

"W-w-aht? No!" Carrie said.

"Do you really think a hot guy like that would settle for an ugly little freak like you?" Chris snarled. Truth be told, Chris was actually envious of Carrie's figure. Carrie was by no means fat but curvy in the right places while Chris had to watch what she ate so she didn't gain weight.

"I-I wasn't looking at him I-" Carrie stuttered.

"Duh duh duh! Are you retarded?" Chris asked. "Why can't you speak like a normal person?"

"I'm sorry! P-please leave me a-alone." Carrie said shying away. Why were they so mean to her? She never did anything to them! Carrie slammed hey eyelids shut as she walked away trying not to show Chris she was crying. She could hear their taunts and insults as she quickly rushed out of the hallway. She wished she had the confidence and courage to stand up to Chris but she was too scared. Chris ruled the school with an iron fist and she was just plain old creepy Carrie. How could she possibly compete with that?

Sam and Bill gave each other death glares as they were escorted into Principal Morton's officer. The two stood up with the guards restraining them as Morton sat down.

"Nolan this getting ridiculous!" Morton yelled. "This is your twentieth account of starting a fight!"

"He sta-" Bill tried to say.

"Don't gimme that 'he started' crap! I know you well enough to know that you are constantly looking for trouble! And you!" Morton said pointing to Sam. "Your FIRST day you get into a fight? I read your record and I know why you transferred here, you are no better than him!"

"What I did in the past doesn't define me now!" Sam said angered that this man threw his deepest regret at him like a knife.

"No, but it gives me a pretty good impression of what you can be." Morton said. "This will not happen again. Its time to put your big boy balls on and start acting like grown men. This time next year you will be in college and responsible for your OWN life. Mommy and daddy won't be there to hold your hand. Where do you plan on going Nolan?"

"Arizona State." Bill said. In all honesty, Bill cared more about the parties and girls than his actual education.

"What about you Rockland?" Morton asked.

"West Point." Sam said. He had always dreamed of being a military officer but knew that with what had happened his chances of getting into a school like West Point was completely diminished.

"You want to go to a school that trains future officers in the military?" Morton asked trying not to laugh. "I served eight years in the army before I started working here. I think I speak for enlisted man in the service when I say no one would EVER follow someone like you into combat!" These words went right through Sam's gut.

"Who do you think you are?" Bill asked. "Just talking down to us like that! We aren't children!"

"If you want me to treat you like adults than stop acting like children." Morton said. "If I have to see you two in my office again from now till graduation I will see to it that you are expelled. Am I clear?"

"You can't do that!" Bill cried angrily.

"Can't I? Let's see your record Nolan." Morton said pulling out Bill's record. "In the past three years, 50 detentions, two suspensions, twenty accounts of fighting, a DUI, 34 accounts of bullying and harrassement. One case of theft, multiple failed classes, and an uncountable amount of absences. Mr. Nolan believe me we have more than enough to see to it that you are never accepted to any university for the rest of your life. The only thing keeping you at this school is your father's donation." Morton said. Bill's father had made a generous donation of 200,000 for the renovation of Ewen's athletic fields which were falling apart. The badly needed renovation helped put Ewen High School at the top of the athletic competition food chain which had brought the school more students and more money.

"And you Mr. Rockland, I think you know what I'm referring to when I say I have enough to leave such a black spot on your name not even McDonalds will hire you got it?

"Yes sir." The two boys said.

"Get out of my office. I recommend you two stay clear of each other for a while." Bill and Sam looked at each other ferociously but remembered Morton's words. The two silently went their separate ways. Sam was nervous, he thought news of the incident were sealed since he was still a minor, apparently not as Morton knew. If word of what had happened got out he would never be able to show his face in public again.

"It would be no less than what I deserve." He said to himself as he walked over to his locked to see a group of boys in front of his locked. He groaned thinking that the same scenario was about to happen. These boys seemed a LOT less mean looking and were a lot smaller.

"Dude that was AWESOME!" One of the boys said. He was a more skinnier lean kid with a baby face. While physically he was weak, he ran cross country and had very good endurance.

"Oh that?" Sam said. "That was nothing."

"Bro." One of the other boys said putting his hand on Sam's shoulder. He was more built than the other kid and had a bright smile. "That was Bill Nolan, NO one has EVER kicked his ass like that before! He is the biggest jerk here and it is time someone put him in his place."

"Why didn't you just fight him then?" Sam asked. "You look pretty strong."

"I never had a reason to fight him I guess, he never messed with me but I've seen the way he treats other kids." The boy said. "Say what are you up to this weekend?"

"Not much I guess, just finishing unpacking." Sam said.

"Well me and the guys were gonna go into town bowling and watch the Patriots game, you in?" The boy asked. Sam was intrigued, that seemed more fun than going to a rager at some prissy girl's house. Besides, he was a Patriot's fan.

"That sounds pretty good." Sam said smiling for the first time today.

"Nice, I'm Tom Ross by the way." Tom said offering his hand.

"Sam Rockland." Sam said shaking his hand.

Carrie jerked her head up as the last bell of the day rang. She had been so in the zone in her math class she totally forgot the time. She grabbed her books and began walking towards the door. She waited until Tina Blake left first as to avoid insults and jeers from the girl. Unfortunately her effort was in vain as Tina waited outside the door for her to come through. Tina held out her arm to block Carrie from moving through. Carrie halted immediately. Tina was much taller than her and much stronger.

"Where you going freak?" Tina asked chewing on her gum.

"My locker." Carrie said quietly.

"So did you hear about Chris' party this weekend?" Tina asked blowing a bubble. "You're invited.

"W-what? R-really?" Carrie asked. Her common sense should have told her this was a joke but she jumped at the thought of getting invited to something.

"Yeah, she said she need a circus freak for entertainment. He can't make so I thought I would ask you." Tina said grinning. Carrie felt her heart drop, she should have seen this coming. Carrie tried to get around but Tina kept blocking her.

"Come on, don't you wanna talk with me? I know you want someone to talk to." Tina said using both arms to block Carrie now.

"P-please go away." Carrie stuttered. She was getting really uncomfortable as Tina invaded her personal space.

"Or what? You'll hit me?" Tina asked. "Will God smite me?" A group of students had gathered around and began joining in on the jeers.

"No He loves you." Carrie said, her naiveness showing.

"Well guess what, He doesn't love you, NO ONE DOES!" Tina yelled getting into Carrie's face.

"Get her Tina!"

"You gonna cry Carrie?"

"Creepy Carrie!" It all became to much for Carrie as she fell to her knees and crawled into a ball and started to cry. Carrie really began to question her beliefs right now.

God does love me doesn't He? Why is everyone being so mean to me. God why does everyone hate me?

Once Tina had gotten her fill of tormenting Carrie she left the crying girl alone. Carrie looked up finally to see the crowd had dispersed and that Tina was gone. After Chris, Tina was the worst. Carrie wanted to hate them, but her beliefs wouldn't allow her. Jesus forgave those who tortured and killed him, why couldn't she do the same? Carrie quickly ran to her locked and got what she needed for homework and then booked it out of school. She walked very quickly in order to escape the range of the Ultra's. She walked back to her house hoping that people would just leave her alone. She would rather be ignored than bullied. She took a deep breath and inhaled the late summer air. The sun unleashed its light upon the earth as a gentle breeze ruffled Carrie's hair. She closed her eyes as she took in the scent of the summer air. It was early september and the days were growing shorter and the air was growing cooler. She loved being in nature, she felt like it was the one place she could escape her lonely miserable existence. Her own little world where she was happy and no one could get to her. She quickly opened her eyes as she realized to walk across streets with eyes closed was a very poor decision. As she was walking she heard a group of boys behind her laughing. She didn't dare turn for fear they would see her and insult her. She recognized one of the voices as Tommy Ross. He was one of the nicer kids, she had had a crush on him since freshman year but never had the courage to talk to him. He was Mr. Perfect, tall, strong, handsome, good student, good athlete. He was one of the few kids that had never said or done a mean thing to Carrie. The other was George Dawson, him too never really noticed her. She gave a sigh of relief as the threat of a verbal attack was now nonexistant. She heard another voice as well but couldn't put her finger on it. It was deep, really deep yet soothing. Carrie gathered the courage to turn around and saw the new boy, Sam, walking with them.

"Hey!" Sam called out giving her a wave. Carrie quickly turned away and continued to walk away leaving the trio in her footsteps.

"What was that about?" Sam asked.

"That's Carrie White, she's..." Tommy said looking for a nice word. "Different."

"What do you mean?" Sam asked.

"She's not really conversational, she doesn't really talk to anyone." George said.

"Poor girl gets picked on a lot." Tommy said. "Her mom is a little crazy too."

"Wait she gets bullied?" Sam asked.

"Yeah, they are pretty nasty to her." Tommy replied.

"For what?" Sam asked. "I don't see anything wrong with her."

"She's weird, she talks to herself and shes always crying about something," George said. "Trust me you don't wanna get involved with that."

"Maybe she just wants to belong." Sam said. "I'm gonna go talk to her."

"Yo come on! She isn-" George tried to say but Sam was already off running towards Carrie. "Poor guy doesn't know what he just got himself into."