Silas's POV

"Hey! Can you knock it off?!"

"Nah," My brother shouted over the radio. "You can just leave."

I gave my brother, Sterling, a pointed look. "We are in a moving car that's going thirty miles per hour and you expect me to leave," I deadpanned. But, my brother either didn't hear a word or he chose to ignore me because he just kept swinging his head and belting out the words to "Fergalicious", his voice filling up the car. My mother was smiling at us 'getting along' in the back seat, while my father just stole glances at my mother while he was driving.

I sighed and looked out the window in agony. My parents were driving Sterling and I to Stone Ridge High School. It was going to be our first year at this school, and I was crying on the inside. We had just moved here from a small town where everybody knew everybody, including their private life, which if you ask me, was creepy and uncomfortable. But hey, you live with what you get, even if it does mean your creepy weird neighbor knows when you had your first kiss since he was watching you from is bedroom window without you knowing. I shuddered at the memory. Goodbye Gary.

All I needed to do was cruise by this year and just graduate from the dark hole known as school. Sterling being a junior meant that he gets to suffer some more while I graduate this year, the thought brought a small smile to my face.

Once we pulled up in front of the school, Sterling was the first to bolt out of the car before our mother gave us a hug, or even worse, a kiss, in front of the whole student body at Stone Ridge. I also ran out of the car, and I turned around as our mother and father pulled out of the parking lot waving at us.

I turned to Sterling, he was looking at the school in awe, and I couldn't help but think I was going to struggle here because our last school was much smaller, this school could be mistaken for a museum or a hospital in our old town. I took out the map that I had printed off their school website and tried to find the main office, Sterling started to walk away from me so I caught up and followed him.

"Do you even know where you're going?" I said, walking with him to who-knows-where.

He turned his head towards me and rolled his eyes, "I think you forget that I'm smarter than you, I studied the map that you printed a week ago and planned all of my getaways paths so I wouldn't look like a lost sheep like you did about a minute ago."

I scoffed. "Last time I checked I've been receiving awards for having the best grade point average since the first grade." Sterling gave me a look of boredom, "And how far has that gotten you in life?"

Before I could say anything more about how he's so invasive of my stuff -considering that map was in my room- we had reached a door with the words 'Main Office' on the front. Wow, Sterling was right, that's a first.

We both walked in and made our way to the big desk with two students sitting in the seats diagonally across from it. The lady behind the desk was giving them a rude look until she saw me and Sterling standing there.

"Oh! You must be Sterling Paxton and Silas Paxton. Am I correct?" We both nodded and she smiled and started typing on her computer. She handed us our schedules, "There you go, if you need any help you can always ask any of the faculty and they'll be glad to help. I hope you enjoy it here at Stone Ridge High School!"

I politely smiled and was about to walk out with Sterling, until the two kids who were sitting started to talk to us. "Hey," an Asian boy with black hair shouted, "you guys are new right?" The kid next to him nudged him, he looked sophisticated with his strawberry blonde hair combed back. "Zach, don't pretend like we weren't listening to the conversation, it's obvious that they're new."

My brother smirked, "Yeah, and it's obvious you guys are eavesdropping idiots."

The boy, Zach, and his friend just looked at each other, then they started whispering to each other. "What the hell," Sterling muttered under his breath. The two turned to Sterling with a smile, who stood looking bored. "Dude, you're in!" The kid Zach said.

"Wait-" And just like that, they hauled Sterling out of the office and left just like that.

Did that just happen. Was he just accepted into a gang of some sort and I just witnessed his five second initiation. I can't believe Sterling always makes new friends within a matter of minutes. The only friend I made that quick got me put in jail.

"Best friend! Is that you?! I didn't know you went here!"

Speak of the criminal.

I looked behind me to see my partner in crime, Theodore Oswald, beaming at me. Suddenly, he took my arm and dragged me out the main office.

"Where's your locker?" He asked, still dragging me forward.

I told him the number and he took a u-turn and and kept walking. Then, he pulled me forward and shoved me straight into my locker.

"Ow." I rubbed my forehead. I looked at Theo and he shrugged sheepishly. "Sorry, my bad. My coach said I have to learn to control my strength."

Nonetheless, I opened my locker and put some of my school supplies in there, along with my sanity. Because you don't need that at school, it's overrated anyways.

Theo snatched my schedule out of my hands and smiled. "We have English together first period, and we also have gym and lunch."

Before I could say anything, the bell for homeroom rang. Theo ripped me away from my locker and ushered me to my homeroom and then left.

I took a seat in the middle of the class and waited for the announcements.

"Hello Stone Ridge High School! I'm Addison Kramer, the senior class president and I'm happy to welcome everyone back and welcome our incoming freshman. Don't forget to sign up for any clubs this year to help out the school and the community. Also, purchase some school apparel and show your pride for the homecoming game this fall. That's it for today. As always, I hope you all have a great first day and make the most of your year here!"

Everybody started talking to their friends about their summer, while I sat in my seat wondering how to jump out the window and sprint home without being caught.

Maybe if I push the teacher- oh, who am I kidding, that involves doing something physical. I don't even like getting up to sharpen my pencil. But, if Sterling is willing to-

"Hey!" A voice shouted.

I looked behind me to see where the voice was coming from and immediately regretted it.

Not him again. First Theodore and now this dude. What's next? Is that girl going to come and do a crazy hyena laugh and mock me.

____________________

Author's Note

Hey guys! Here's the second chapter and I know it's short, but I'm trying to make it more interesting. At first, when I started writing this story, I didn't have many diverse characters, but then I realized that isn't fair, everyone from around the world should be represented. Especially considering I'm Asian. So, you'll read about a more diverse cast. So know I'm trying to figure out how to introduce all of them. You already met Zachary and Cameron. Hope you enjoy! -Rachael

Song: Fergalicious by Fergie

my quote to you: be you, the world can adjust.

QOTD: Who do you think the mystery dude is? (I know, it's pretty obvious)