Disclaimer - I own nothing of the characters from Friends or How I Met Your Mother. I do own my original characters and the plot. 'Nuff said.
Italics are thoughts and song lyrics
A/N 1 - I got this idea while I was in the shower.
A/N 2 - Parings:
Ted x Phoebe
Barney x Gretchen (OC)
Lily x Marshall
Robin x Cassie (OC)
Joey x Belle (OC)
Ross x Rachel
Monica x Chandler
Summary: AU: Takes place a year before The One at Theater Camp. The gang is entering Hamilton J. Polk High School.
Genre: Humor/Drama
Rating: T
CHAPTER ONE
(chapter title - Freshman Orientation)
Gretchen Wallace looked up at the old stone building and took a deep breath as she followed the other freshmen to Freshman Orientation.
You got this girl. It's just another school you'll be at for four years. Let's try and make some friends Gretchen told herself as she tried making her way to the auditorium, but kept getting lost.
"Looking for Freshman Orientation?" A boy's voice asked.
"Yeah" Gretchen said, turning to face the owner of the voice. She smiled as she saw a handsome blonde boy with blue eyes, "I'm Gretchen."
"Barnabus Stensen, but everyone calls me Barney" Barney said, smiling.
Gretchen and Barney eventually found the auditorium and sat down in seats towards the middle of the auditorium.
"Good afternoon ladies and gentleman" an African-American woman's voice blared through the chatter of the incoming freshmen.
Barney had introduced Gretchen to his friends - Ted, Lily, Marshall, Robin, Rachel, Ross, Joey, Phoebe, Monica and Chandler.
"It's nice to meet all of you" Gretchen said.
"Pipe down!" The woman said.
Everyone piped down and turned their attention to the woman.
"Thank you" the woman said, "I am your principal - Janice Flynn. I have been the principal here for twenty-seven years. If you need anything, you can come talk to me or your councilor" she indicated to a skinny white man onstage with her, "this is Mr. Jasper."
The man - Mr. Jasper smiled, "it's great to meet you kids."
"I'll take you on a tour, then you will get your welcome packet, get your picture taken for your ID card, then the fun part - picking your classes. You will take a quick test to see what class you will be in for English, History, Science, Math and Physical Education" Mrs. Flynn said, "any questions?"
The students were quiet.
"Good. Leave your things and come with me. I'll lock the auditorium doors" Mrs. Flynn said.
"I need to get to my office, but I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you" Mr. Jasper said, smiling to the students as he left the auditorium.
Mrs. Flynn led the freshmen on the tour of the school, letting them into some of the classrooms. She then took them outside to show them the different areas for sports - football, baseball, soccer, golf and the stables.
Gretchen raised her hand.
"Yes?" Mrs. Flynn said to Gretchen.
"What are the stables for?" Gretchen asked.
"Equestrian Club. If you have a horse, you're more than welcome to join" Mrs. Flynn said.
Gretchen smiled, "so, do our horses stay in the stables or do we bring them home every day?"
"Your horse is allowed to stay in the stable from when school starts, to winter break. After winter break, Equestrian Club ends for the season, then picks back up in the spring" Mrs. Flynn explained.
"Are Freshmen allowed to join Equestrian Club?" Gretchen inquired.
"Yes - Equestrian club is open to all grades" Mrs. Flynn said, "let's go back inside so I can show you the cafeteria and the gym."
Barney walked next to Gretchen, "how come you asked all those questions about Equestrian Club?"
"Because I have a horse and I want to join Equestrian Club" Gretchen said, walking with Barney and the other freshmen.
"Gotcha" Barney said.
Once the tour was over, Mrs. Flynn led the freshmen to the computer lab.
"Take a seat at a computer. Log into the school's website, click 'test' and take the test to see which English, Math, Science, History and Gym class you'll be taking. The test is 45 minutes. When you're done, print your results, then wait at one of the tables for your friends. Once everyone is done, you'll get your ID picture taken, then you'll get to choose which classes you want to take. The try outs for sports will take place after the first day of school and the audition for the school musical will take place two days before Halloween" Mrs. Flynn said.
The computer lab was quiet while the students took the tests for their core classes.
Rachel was the first one done, followed by Gretchen.
Joey was the last one to finish his test and went to print it off. He smiled a tiny bit.
The freshmen compared notes.
"Looks like all of us are in the same classes" Gretchen said, looking at everyone's classes.
It was now time for the students to have their pictures taken for their IDs, then they went to the cafeteria to pick their classes.
Gretchen looked through each class before deciding on the following - Beginning Painting, Choir and Theater.
After everyone chose their classes, they headed back to the auditorium and gathered their things.
"I'll be seeing all of you in about two weeks" Mrs. Flynn said, "before you go, you're welcome to go to the School Store and pick out something. Each of you will also take turns working in the School Store and the Refreshment Stand at football, soccer, baseball, softball and lacrosse games. Sign up sheets are on the door to the School Store and the Refreshment Stand."
Everyone headed to the School Store and entered it as Mrs. Flynn turned on the lights.
There was everything - sweatshirts, T-shirts, hoodies, stuffed animals of the mascot - a Griffin, pencils, pens, stationary, picture frames, hats, beanies, visors, snow globes and red & white pendants.
Gretchen looked at all the merchandise in the store before settling on a red and white sweatshirt that said 'HAMILTON J. POLK HIGH SCHOOL, HOME OF THE GRIFFINS' on it. She found one in her size - medium and tried it on, smiling at the fit.
"You're totally rocking that" Barney said, smiling.
"Thanks" Gretchen said, smiling at Barney.
Once everyone picked their items, it was time to go.
"See you in two weeks" Gretchen told Barney as she made her way to where her mother was.
"See you then" Barney said, taking Gretchen's hand in his and scribbled down his phone number on her palm, "call me sometime."
"You know, I do have a phone. I could just put your number in it, then text you" Gretchen said, giggling.
Barney blushed, "right. There's that, too."
Gretchen laughed and headed for her mom's car, watching the other freshmen head to their rides, looking forward to seeing her friends in two weeks.
