Hi, everyone! I hope you are doing well. I had some spark to write something new for Changing Seasons, so here I am to put something here for you all. I hope it helps the wait for Winters' Ballad: Growth & Love.

I'd like to take a quick moment of silence for Adam West, who died after a battle with leukemia. You were a great man, and still are as you inspire fellow readers of comics and stories to enjoy the lighter side of heroics. You'll always be the greatest of all the Batmans' out there Mr. West. :'3

But let's not end on a sad note. Let's all get to the chapter!

*High School AU!*

(Finally able to convince her father to let her go to public school, Samantha Freya is getting her first taste, seeing and experiencing new things. However, she never expected during her "adventure" that she'd end up making friends with the schools' known delinquent during her first week. Nor have a heart to heart connection with him.)

"Please, father?"

"For the last time Samantha, no! I've already been over this the past three days you've asked."

"But you're not looking at the big picture of it at all. I've been with tutors and private schools since I could walk. I'm tired of being around stuffy rich kids. They all talk about the same things and stick their heads into books all day. I can't sit around in silence every day for the rest of my life. I want to have real connections with people that aren't just for business or my future."

Feeling her blood beginning to boil up with anger, the young brunette huffed and paced back and forth across the red carpet of the plus living room. Nothing was said for a few moments, but Samantha could see her father's scowl and his eyes following her.

Which argument was this? The seventh? Maybe the ninth? Samantha couldn't remember to be honest. She was sixteen. At her age fights with your father were going to be a given, but that did not mean she was enjoying any of this. Being ignored or having to repeat her discrepancies over and over again.

How hard was it to understand that your only daughter wanted to go to public school for a change?

Everything was just...getting on her nerves. Or, maybe it was just her stubborn father.

"And what you don't seem to be looking at Samantha, is that those schools you go to give you opportunities most parents would kill for. You're going to the top academic institutions that house the brightest young men and women in the country. You're given education by the best teachers ." Her father retorted back, pushing the issue away further.

Stopping mid pace, Samantha glared at her father and placed a hand on her chest. "What about what I want? Doesn't my happiness count for anything in this?"

"Young lady, I don't care about how happy you want to be. The academy you're already in gives you the best education I can afford. You can be happy all you want after you graduate with honors from the school you're already attending. Your grades at that school will reflect well on your academics once you graduate. Get you into places far greater with the help of our family name." Samantha's father finished harshly, hoping his words would end the conversation in full.

How wrong he was. She wasn't going to budge from this.

And then, an idea popped in her head.

If I'm going to convince father, I need to play to his good side. Appeal to what he's looking for.

Samantha sighed, hoping to calm down her nerves that were constricting inside of her. Slowly, the rush of energy she felt inside was beginning to die down, and her face faltered to a softer look to stare back at her father. "So, you're worried about my academics? What if I'm able to keep my grades I have now at public school? Will that satisfy you?"

Her father raised an eyebrow at her question. "You sound quite confident that you can."

"Well, public school is different, but they teach the same curriculum that the academy I go to does. Just with different teachers. My grades will be fine, father. And it may not be as prim and proper in looks or reputation, but I can still make connections with others and delve into activities that will pad whatever kind of resume I need for whatever career plan you think up." Samantha noted, placing a strand of hair behind her ear and trying to keep herself looking put together and confident in front of her father.

She'd never won any of the conversations or arguments the two had.

But this time was going to be different.

"I'll acclimate to the change, father. Nothing will be different. My grades will not slip, I'll make sure to take up activities that will help my future, and I'll be home on time like I have everyday since going to private school." Samantha spoke, her voice rising yet also tensing with a mix of fear and unshakable confidence. "It will be a good experience for myself. Not to mention I'll make some new friends. You...met mother in public school after all. That has to count for some-"

"Enough." Her father's voice broke through, cutting her off.

Her father sat in his chair silently, eyes closed to assess the words his daughter had spoken.

Samantha said nothing, only quietly watching and awaiting some answer, whether good or bad, to leave the lips of her father.

A sigh, a bit defeated in tone came out, his words carrying after.

"Alright. I will allow it. But your grades come first."

Hearing the words she never thought she'd hear from her fathers' lips, Samantha felt her cheeks widen from her smiling, and jump high into the air in delight.

"Yes!"

"Wow. This place looks a lot more different from my old school."

Standing in front of the entrance gates of Happy Harbor High School, Samantha was dressed in a white blouse shirt, jean shorts, black converse shoes, and white backpack strapped to her backside. Already she was happy with no longer having to wear the same uniform to school ever day, but it did not help her from overthinking what she should wear for her first day.

But her outfit was the least of her worries.

"The principal said that someone would be here to show me around before I got to class." Brown eyes gazing out at the school entrance, the teen spotted students talking, heading into the building for class, but nobody indicating they were looking for her. Had she come to the wrong part of the school?

She placed a hand on her chin. "I don't think public schools have more than one main entrance."

"Excuse me? Are you Samantha Freya?"

Hearing an unfamiliar voice call her name, Samantha turned around and jumped a bit at the closeness of the person who called her, another girl just about her age from the looks of it. Light tan skin and matching hair and eyes of amber, the unknown girl dressed a in a light flowery dress gave a warm smile to her and waved a hand to her.

"Uhh...yeah. That's me." Samantha answered, doing her best not to look confused or frightened.

"Great!" The girl exclaimed, before attempting to cover her mouth. "Oh, hello Megan! You're probably confused as to why I know your name. I'm Megan Morse, fellow student and your guide for the day. I'm sorry I wasn't here waiting for you when you got here. I had to take care of some family business and ran a little late." Megan explained, reaching her hand out for a handshake.

Her uncertainty disappearing at the friendly girl's introduction, Samantha smiled and grasped her hand, shaking it. "It's no problem, Megan. It's nice to meet you. I'm Samantha Freya...but, you already knew that." She realized, her cheeks flushing as she took her hand away.

"Nice to meet you too, Samantha. Now how about we get you settled her at Happy Harbor High. You're going to love it here. Just ask me any questions while I show you around." Megan said, motioning Samantha to follow her.

Scratching her head at the rush of events going by, Samantha smiled and followed after her guide, stepping into the entrance way of her new school.

It became a whirlwind of excitement after that. Samantha knew that going to public school would be different from her time at private schools, but everything felt so new and fresh.

Megan had been a great guide from beginning to end, helping Samantha get accustomed to the simpler life of high school. From showing her the many class rooms of the two story building, the various clubs that they had, and sports field for football and other sports, it was a bit overwhelming to take each bit in. However, for as overwhelming it all felt, Samantha couldn't feel more excited to start her new high school experience.

Or...maybe I could have waited a bit longer. Everyone is just staring at me.

After her tour, Megan had taken Samantha to homeroom, in which she'd be going to each and everyday in the morning. Everyone had been seated except her since class hadn't started yet. So now that she was there, it was time for her to make her introduction.

What...do I say?

"Alright everyone. Before we get started, I'd like to introduce a new transfer student to the class. She's been to private schools most of her life, so she's not used to everything yet. Be nice and help her out if she has any questions, okay?" The teacher spoke in a friendly tone, smiling to his students.

A chorus of yes' and okays filled the room, the stares shifting from the teacher back to her. Whispers in the air followed in quiet murmurs.

"Private school?"

"What's she doing here?"

"So what? Is she smarter than us or something?"

"Hey, enough guys." The teacher called out, clapping his eyes to stop the chatter. Sighing, the teacher turned his gaze over to the nervous looking Samantha. "Why don't you introduce yourself? Might help to break the ice."

"O-Okay." Samantha muttered hesitantly, trying to find her nerves and set them back straight. Staring back at the rows of teens staring back at her, Samantha let her eyes wander to ever person in the room, getting a feel for each one.

She was happy to see Megan in the middle smiling and giving her a thumbs up to help her calm down. That was a life saver.

Another guy, a red head, was playing video games under his desk. Probably not the best place to be doing that.

There was a girl with blonde hair sitting next to the boy, kicking his chair to get the boys' attention and stop him from playing his games. She looked pretty annoyed with the guy.

Her eyes wandered even further, until finally the reached the back row, and someone sitting in the corner near the window caught her brown eyes.

He was tall, or at least she guessed from the way he stood higher above the desk table than others. His body looked fit, covered tightly in a black sleeveless shirt and wearing blue jeans and boots. His hair was black and accentuated his blue eyes that stared off into the window next to him. He wasn't paying attention to her introduction like the last boy she noticed, but he wasn't trying to be rude about it.

He just seemed...quiet. As if he didn't want to be there.

Her eyes lingered on him for who knew how long, but she knew it had to be a long time when she caught the boys' eyes turn away from the window and stare up to the front of the room.

At her.

Making eye to eye contact with him!

Ah! He saw me looking! W-Why was I looking?!

Feeling her face heat up, Samantha quickly turned her eyes away from the boy to stare at something. Anything else to make it seem like their eye contact had been a fluke. Oh, what was she supposed to be doing again?

Her eye wandered again to the crowd of students, this time landing on her new friend, Megan. She had a worried expression on her face, quietly moving her hands in some sort of circular motion to her. Like she was trying to get her to say...

Oh, right! She was supposed to be introducing herself!

"M-My name is Samantha Freya. It's nice to meet you all." Samantha spoke up, her voice shaking a little with each word that left her lips. She gave a light curtsy form, the usual greeting that happened when you introduced yourself to a class at her old schools.

She heard some laughing and chuckles as a result from it. A...different reaction than what she usually got from it. Did she do something wrong?

No, there wasn't time to question her introduction. She needed to say something else about herself. At least to make herself seem more friendly and save herself from whatever embarrassment she caused herself.

"Umm...I've never been to public school before, but so far Happy Harbor High has become a really great place in my eyes. I hope we all become good friends; and I hope to learn many new things from everyone here." Samantha concluded, a friendly smile on her face.

"Wow, is she for real?"

"Looks like rich girl doesn't even know how to talk normally."

"Who does she think she is? Some good two shoes main character?"

"She's probably thinking she's too good for this place already."

Murmurs like those and more began to fill the room, and slowly the friendly demeanor she had been trying to express was beginning to shrink down. How could it be so hard just to fit in on her first day?

But...I don't think that.

"Hey! Enough chatter everyone!" The teacher called out again to cut the talking. Once the comments subsided, the teacher frowned, but scanned the room. Noticing an empty seat, the teacher motioned Samantha to the chair. "Head over there to that empty seat right next to Conner. Conner, mind raising your hand?"

Her eyes momentarily stuck to the floor at her poorly executed introduction, Samantha raised hr head up to follow her teachers' hand. Eyes moving forward towards the figure who was raising their hand, Samantha felt her cheeks heat up at the sight of the boy she'd mad eye contact with earlier raising his hand.

Oh no. I'm sitting next to him!?

"Okay." Not questioning or fighting the teachers' directions, Samantha quietly headed over to where she was supposed to sit, maneuvering around the other student tables and waving a bit to Megan on the way for encouragement.

Reaching said partnered table and finding her seat, Samantha dropped her bag to the floor next to her chair and sat in her seat. She said nothing at first, afraid that her old mannerisms would dig her further into a pit of seclusion and social awkwardness from her fellow students. However, she couldn't just say nothing to the first person she sat next to.

If she was going to prove to her father this plan for public school was a good thing, she was going to need to become at least accustomed to it. Grades were great, but if she was a loner her entire school year...well, what would have been the point of fighting her father to come?

Swallowing her confusion and fear, Samantha turned her head to look over at the boy sitting next to her, his name being Conner from what she remembered the teacher calling out.

"H-Hi," She began, her eyes darting off in another direction out of nervousness. Yet she moved them back to the boy, his focus still not on her. "It's...nice to meet you. Conner, right?"

Conner didn't answer her. Didn't really do anything to signify he even heard her.

Was he ignoring her?

Okay. This might be a bit harder than I thought.

"Look at that. The new girls' trying to talk to the wall."

Samantha moved her head over her shoulder to the sound of whispers in the room.

The wall?

"He's already quiet as it is. Some new girl isn't gonna flip his switch."

"Should we warn her? He's got a criminal record."

C-Criminal record?!

Frowning, Samantha shifted her gaze away from Conner, staring back at the front of class to watch the teacher begin reciting the class schedule and announcements.

But for as long as she stared, the voice of her teacher was only coming out as muffled noise. Her attention was already stuck on something else. Or rather, someone else.

Public school really was different from her old private schools.

"So? How've you been adjusting to school, Samantha? Your first week of school is almost done after today. Are you still having any problems?" Megan asked, walking alongside the brunette through the school hall.

How has her days at her new school been?

She could always lie, say the things she always did to her father whenever he asked her about her day or what she was learning.

Or, she could be truthful for a change. Tell her it's been hard the most to adjust not the school schedule, but to the people around her.

Everyone was so...different from the kind of people back at the academies she went to. She would have never seen people in cliques hearing gossip about others in the halls. Not about people she knew, not about students who just lived their lives.

Not about herself, that was for sure. She'd hear gossip about herself from whispers in the class room or in the halls. How she was from rich academies before coming to Happy Harbor. How she had tremendous grades and just as tremendous a wealth to her family name.

She'd barely interacted with anyone yet and already she'd been labeled.

The rich girl. The snooty uptight brunette. Too good for anybody in this school and playing the nice girl card to win teachers over. A teachers' pet. It felt like everything for her had toppled over after her introduction in homeroom days ago.

Megan was her first real friend since she got here. If she wanted to vent something to her, this was her chance. The only chance. . .

"No, I'm okay. It's been a bit tough learning everything, but it's coming along bit by bit. The class schedule has been the hardest to adjust to, but after a few more times with the routine I think I'll have it covered." Samantha said, smiling. "Don't worry. I'll always come to you if I've got a question. Unless you get tired of answering them."

Megan just laughed. "I'd never leave a friend behind. Ask away."

Smiling at the kind response, Samantha's eyes wandered to the students scattered around the hallway. The cliques that could be seen each had an identity to them, showing off the personality of some. Cheerleaders, the jocks, school council members, or just students hanging out by their lockers.

As the two passed by one hallway towards the classroom, Samantha couldn't help but notice a shadow in the distance. They were sort of huddled in the corner, off from everyone else. At first she couldn't make out the person's face, but as she got a bit closer, their features became clearer.

It was Conner.

Why was he standing off on his own?

She felt her walking pace slow down as her eyes continued to stay glued to the shadowed boy. Her pace got slower and slower until finally she stopped walking all together, just standing at the entrance of the hallway to stare off at the silent boy.

"Samantha? What's wrong?" Megan called to her, watching the stilled brunette from a few feet away.

"I," She felt herself lose her voice for a second, not sure how to ask her next question. Turning her head away from where Conner was hidden, Samantha looked to Megan. "I was wondering about Conner. You know, the boy from our homeroom who I sit next to everyday. I've heard...things. About him being a criminal. Are they...true?"

Megan frowned, shaking her head. "It's...difficult to explain. Conner is...was a transfer student like you. Somebody leaked that he got in trouble at his old school, which was why he transferred. So everybody refers to him as a criminal. I don't know the whole story and I tried to help him make friends, but he doesn't talk much. He barely says a word even to me."

Samantha said nothing in response, just letting Megan give an explanation about the boy she sat next to everyday. So she was sitting next to somebody potentially dangerous? Oh, what would her father think if he found out?

Megan noticed the uncertainty appear on Samantha's face. "But, he isn't mean. Conner is a good person. He just...doesn't say much. People take it the wrong way though. Don't take it personally if he doesn't respond to you. He's like that with everyone since he's been here."

"I see." It was all Samantha could respond with.

Turning her head back once more to look at Conner hidden in the hall, the brunette felt her eyes widen in surprise.

Conner had disappeared. And for some reason, she felt a pang of sadness.

"Samantha, do you want to come with me to the mall? We can go look at some clothes since the weather is cooling down. I hear that we'll even be getting some rain soon." Megan asked, grabbing her books and placing them inside her backpack.

"Sorry, I can't today. I'm staying behind to finish some paperwork on my transfer here since I haven't gotten time to work on it the past few days. Reschedule?" Samantha asked, zipping her backpack shut and turning her gaze to the auburn-haired girl.

"Sure! We'll talk more on Monday. See you then." With her usual friendly smile and a wave of her hand, Megan grabbed her things and headed out the door like the rest of their classmates.

Waving goodbye as well, Samantha sighed and pulled her bag onto her shoulder. "Let's go deal with some boring paperwork. Let's hope it doesn't take as long as the paperwork father did at my old schools."

*Thirty Minutes Later*

"Thank you for staying after Miss Freya. Make sure your father gets these copies." The principals' assistant explained, handing the brunette a small stack of papers.

"I will. Thank you." Placing the papers neatly in her bag, Samantha turned on her heel and headed out into the quiet hallway of the deserted school. "I guess paperwork is just always long no matter where you go."

Her shoes squeaking along the tiled floors of the school hall, Samantha couldn't help but feel a small chill of nervousness and fear run down her spine. She'd adjusted slowly to the chatter and noise of the school hallways for the past six days, but now that she was in the school when everything was so quiet and dead, it really made the school look and feel a little scary.

Not to mention the lack of light from the rain clouds...

Wait, rain clouds?

Realizing the thought that had popped in her head, the brunette turned to the closest school window, feeling a sense of dread creep up on her at the sight of dark rain clouds slowly rolling in from the ocean waves.

"Oh, no. Please don't let it be a heavy storm." Samantha prayed, feeling her fingertips freeze at the cold fog appearing on the windows. "I knew Megan said that we'd be getting rain soon, but not this soon. I need to hurry."

Picking up her pace and heading towards the next flight of stairs, Samantha headed down each step on by one, careful not to trip or rush her way through. After reaching the last step and heading towards the schools' entrance, the brunette continued her sprint before slowing down to a stop beneath the roofed archway above the school's front door.

The crashing sounds of rain droplets hitting the ground and the cold moist air surrounding her, Samantha groaned and rested a hand on one of the pillars to hold her tired legs steady.

"I wasn't fast enough." She muttered tiredly, moving her head back up to stare out at the watery landscape.

There wasn't a single place that was dry in her vision. The roads were sleek with water, trees matted with rain drops, water pooling around the various bushes and flowers.

"I wonder how long this storm is going for," Samantha asked herself.

"It's been going since I got here."

Jumping in surprise at the unfamiliar voice answering her question, Samantha nearly slipped before steadying herself. Turning around to the figure that towered feet above her, their blue eyes captured her chocolate brown, the color and effect they had on her reminding her of who it was in an instant.

"C-Conner!" She gasped in surprise, unintentionally yelling his name aloud.

Eyebrow raised at her yelling, Conner looked down at the startled girl. "Uh...yeah. That's me."

Realizing her high voice, Samantha frowned and covered her mouth for a moment, worried she'd end up yelling again. "I'm sorry. You startled me. I thought I was the only other student here." Her eyes still connected with Conners', the brunette felt a twisting feeling in her gut and just as quickly moved her gaze away to stare out at the pouring rain.

"You said it's been like this since you got here?"

"Yeah. Started five minutes ago."

"Oh."

Not communicating anything further, Samantha just frowned and stared out at the cold rain, standing next to Conner beneath the schools' entrance. Conner did the same, just keeping his quiet gaze out at the droplets splashing across the pooling forms of water covering the walkway of the school.

But slowly, curiosity was beginning to creep up in Samantha's mind. She was still a bit embarrassed by her accidental yelling, and Conners' reputation she knew had made her a bit nervous to approach him, but what else was she to do with the time she needed to kill?

Unsure of how to exactly get a conversation with a usually quiet boy going, Samantha looked over to Conner, keeping her eyes on the taller, muscled form of her classmate.

"S-So, what are you still doing here? I thought everyone else left a while ago."

It seemed this conversation would follow similarly to their first. Conner made no move to actually communicate anything back to her. His eyes were glued to the foggy cold rain ahead of them, and no movement was given to stare at her.

Yeah. Like the schools' known silent guy is going to suddenly chatter on with you because they were stuck in the rain.

Just like when she tried to introduce herself the first time.

Her eyes moved downwards, realizing the silence wasn't going to disappear between them. Sighing quietly, Samantha turned her gaze away to just leave Conner alone...

"Yeah. A teacher needed me."

She whipped her head back in surprise, eyes glued back onto Conner who still continued to stare out at the rain.

H-He responded to me!

"Oh, I see. I guess we both got stuck in in this mess cause of school stuff, huh?" Samantha asked with a joking smile, hoping to lighten the heavy mood.

Silence once again filled the space between the two, the sound of rain droplets making up for the nonverbal responses. That was until Conner did say something.

"Huh." He grunted out, his eyes looking down at Samantha and once again connecting their eyes with one another.

"What?" Samantha asked.

"You aren't as stuck up as everyone says you are," Conner answered.

It felt like something small snapped inside her head at the light comment.

"I-I'm not stuck up!" Samantha proclaimed confidently, though she placed a nervous closed fist to her chest. "I-I'm not. I'm tired of everyone calling me that. I've tried to be friendly since I came here, but everyone just steers clear of me or badmouths me. I haven't even been here a week."

Conner shrugged his shoulders. "Word travels fast around here. People sort of assume things at the get go about others when they come here."

Samantha huffed, leaning her back on the pillar in front of her. "Well I don't. And I'd hope they would stop. It's not right."

Letting her thoughts and emotions cool down from the quick exchange of words they had, Samantha frowned, crossing her arms over her body to hug herself, the chill of the rain and a twisting feeling in her stomach slowly getting to her.

Now that she had thought about it, this conversation sort of mimicked her own thoughts and actions as of recently.

She'd heard things about Conner after getting there. About his criminal record and how he'd been dangerous. She'd taken it at face value, steering clear from him in the school when he was on his own and never taking any other words into consideration.

She never even thought to talk to him about what she'd heard. To get a better understanding of the person she sat next to every day. She ended up assuming the kind of person he was instead of trying to get to know the real Conner.

Glaring at the ground, Samantha rubbed her moist hair and closed her eyes in frustration.

Ugh, I'm such a hypocrite.

Her eyes opening again to stare at the floor, Samantha shifted her brown eyes upward to look at Conner, just taking in his angular features and his face. Now that she got a good look at him without feeling nervous or unsure, he seemed like any normal guy. He was tall and a little intimidating at first glance, but he didn't seem dangerous in her eyes.

"Conner," Samantha called, beginning to find her words. "Is...it the same for you?" She finished, unsure if she should add any further to the simple question.

"What do you mean?" Conner asked, eyes glued to the scenery beyond them.

She closed her mouth for a moment, not certain if she should continue. It might be an invasion of privacy to ask him something so personal, but if he was going through the same thing she was, Samantha wanted to know. Because this time someone was going to get to know the real Conner.

Real criminal or not.

"I've...heard things too. From other people at school. About you. How you got kicked out of your old school." Samantha explained, breathing out a cold cloud of fog.

He chuckled lightly before moving his gaze to Samantha. "What'd you hear this time? I started a fire? Or that I assaulted a teacher?"

"You robbed your last school, actually." Samantha responded, a bit surprised by the suggestions Conner made. "You don't talk to anyone. Not even me when I introduced myself, but you don't seem as bad as everyone says in the halls; and I don't want to be like all the others who just believe everything they hear." Samantha said, shaking her head in frustration. "I'd like to know the truth from the actual person. If," she spoke quietly. "It isn't rude to ask."

Silence frequented their conversations, yet this time it felt different this time. Instead of just silence between them, Samantha felt like the world around her just...melted away. Everything was quiet and stood still, except for Conner.

And then, his lips moved.

"Not all of it." He answered, his lips turning downwards into a frown.

Samantha's own mirrored the facial expression, keeping her eyes glued to the taller boy. She said nothing, but her eyes softened, urging Conner to continue.

His blue taking in the warmth of the chocolate brown eyes of his classmate, Conner rubbed his neck. "It wasn't really my fault. Some guy at my school was picking on somebody for money. Was beating him up pretty bad. I decided to step in and help; ended up getting into a fist fight with the guy. Helped somebody out, but I ended up getting slapped with assault and getting kicked out cause the bully's father had connections. That's really it."

Conner huffed, turning away from Samantha's eyes to look out at the rain. "That's pretty much how I became a criminal. Cause I did something stupid."

"No, it wasn't," Samantha said, her words spilling out of her mouth without much thought.

Conner looked back to the brunette, eyes locking with hers and a bit wide in shock.

His attention back on her, Samantha felt words pour out of her heart rather than her brain. She wanted to wait and think them over, but something inside her just told her to forget the logic and preparation she'd been taught so long in speech classes.

"It wasn't stupid at all." Samantha continued, feeling her legs too move on their own to walk up to the dark-haired teen. Her arm moved as well, resting a hand on his arm as a sign of comfort. "I can't be sure I'd agree on the fist fighting, but overall I think you did the right thing, Conner. You're nothing like everyone says. You're a good person."

Their eyes locked on one another, Samantha's words echoed in the cold silence for who knew how long. Nothing more was said or needed to be said.

A light sigh escaping him, Conners' lips that once fell sprang up into a small smile. "Thanks. I already knew that, but it's nice to know somebody was willing to ask me directly about it all for once."

And for a moment, it felt like Samantha had stopped breathing when she saw the smile directed towards her. And perhaps her heart had jumped around in her chest a bit too.

That was...different.

Quick! You need to say something!

"Um...It's no problem. It's the least I could do." She answered, her hand slipping off Conners' arm after realizing the physical contact she made was still going. "I ended up doing the exact same thing as everyone else. I heard things about you and took them as the truth. I didn't even try to ask you your side. I apologize for that."

Conner shrugged. "It's okay. You didn't know and you were probably weary of just about everything here. I don't hold it against you."

"Still, I'm sorry about it. I'd like people to know I'm not the kind of snobby and elitist person they see me as. I wouldn't be doing much to help change that perception of myself if I didn't apologize for my mistakes." Samantha noted, smiling to Conner.

"Don't worry. You don't seem like that kind of person. At least, not to me anymore."

Samantha felt her smile widen, turning around to stare out at the rain pouring from beyond the two teens shelter. "I'm glad I changed one person's perception of me. If only changing this weather was just as easy. I'd rather not get soaked to the bone in this downpour."

"I think I've got something that might help."

The sound of a zipper opening up and closing a bag swiftly, Samantha looked over her shoulder to see a small red umbrella with a black handle in the taller boys' hand.

"Y-You've had an umbrella all along?" Samantha asked surprised. "You could have just ignored me and left on your own this entire time."

"True, but I'm not the kind of jerk who just leaves a girl in the rain." Conner answered with a small smirk. "Here, you go and take it." Conner suggested, reaching his hand holding the umbrella out to her.

"What? No, I couldn't. It's yours. I can't just take your umbrella and leave you out in this freezing weather."

"It's fine. My house is just up the road. It won't take me long to get there on foot. You'll probably need to walk a bit farther and I'm guessing your parents will want to make sure you get home on time so you don't worry them, right?"

Hearing the truth in his words, Samantha hummed and looked at the umbrella being given to her. Her house was a bit ways from here. She would catch a freezing cold, or maybe worse if she didn't have something to at least save herself from drowning in the downpour of cold rain. Not to mention that she promised her father she'd get home on time every day as a part of their deal for letting her come here.

"Okay. You win." Samantha answered, giving a small thankful smile to her rescuer. Reaching out for the tool, Samantha grabbed the umbrella and took it from the taller boy. Her eyes settling down on the item in her hand, Samantha stayed still for a moment in thought, before looking back up to her companion. "Say Conner, which way is your house?"

An eyebrow raised in confusion, Conner merely moved his right hand up to point out the sidewalk heading down the left path. "Just down the sidewalk for about twenty minutes or so. Why?"

Smiling, Samantha reached to pull off the velcro tab imprisoning the umbrella. Pressing the button and watching it spring outwards, Samantha moved the item to lean on her right shoulder, a wall of red hanging behind her. "I'm going the same way. Why don't we just share it? We can walk together. I'd hate to have you not be in class on Monday because of a cold from the rain."

Stifling out a small chuckle, Conner smirked and walked over to the shorter girl. Taking the umbrella from her, he raised it above his head to shield him from the rain he was about to walk into. "Better stick close than. It's gonna be a little cramped."

"I think I'll manage," Samantha responded, grabbing her things and making sure they were securely covered.

Taking their first steps into the heavy rain together, Samantha moved close to Conner beneath the umbrella as they walked through the water filled sidewalks and streets of Happy Harbor.

Sticking together through the puddles of water down the sidewalk, Samantha felt a bit of happiness well up inside her, along with a hint of curiosity.

"You know, I've never actually gotten your last name, Conner." Samantha said, her eyes moving to look over at the blue-eyed teen.

"Really? It's nothing all that special. Or intimidating." Conner said, his eyes gazing back at Samantha. "My name's Conner Kent. A guy who's just trying to get through high school. And you?"

Laughing a little at his introduction, Samantha smiled. "My name is Samantha Freya. A girl who wanted to do more than just study and be by herself for the rest of her life. It's nice to meet you, Conner Kent."

"Likewise, Samantha Freya." Conner responded back with his own smile.

Seeing the smiling face of the taller boy looking back at her, Samantha felt her cheeks warm up and her heart bang hard in her chest, and slowly she turned her gaze back to the wet road ahead of them. And once again the two walked together, this time in a comfortable silence.

Yep. Samantha was definitely liking public school more than private school.

Ah, that was nice. I haven't been able to write for a while due to some stuff (check out Winters' Ballad for the reasons), so I feel pretty good about getting this up. Now that I finished it, I can go back to Drop Zone.

For all like...five people who follow this, I'm working on Drop Zone next, so please be patient on that. Remember that if you ever have any suggestions or scenarios for an AU!, just post it in a revoew and I could make it happen.

So...I guess that's it. Have a nice day. X3