"Samuel Park is dead. We won't speak of him from now on. Don't even think about mentioning this to anyone outside of the mansion. No one must know."

My opinion on James was decided by this. In fact, I feel betrayed by Gunner too. I can't say that I trust either of them.

I didn't even get to say goodbye to mum.

I can't mention my own name to anyone. My own birth name... It doesn't belong to me anymore.

I'm Edward King.

It doesn't sound right.

"Hello, my name is Edward King." I try to smile as naturally as I can and even though I look like a poster boy; I can't convince myself that I'm happy with this. No matter how many times I say that this whole idea was the right decision to make; I think about mum and instantly regret everything. I miss you mum.

"Are you okay, Eddy? You've been stood in front of that mirror for a while... (signed)".

That's right. Even Caspian has to adapt to Edward. But, even so, I didn't even notice him come in!

"How are you so quiet?! (signed)". My laugh is beaded with fear as I think about what a good criminal he could be. I really didn't even hear a squeak.

"I have superpowers, that are only given to non-hearing people. (signed)". Caz jokes so sternly that I struggled to realise he's messing with me.

"Very funny. (signed)".

"Honestly though, why were you talking to yourself in front of a mirror? (signed)".

"I was bored. (signed)". I don't want to tell him that it's because I'm so nervous for my first day of college, especially as he doesn't even seem to be bothered by the fact. "Are you sure this outfit looks okay? (signed)".

"Of course! I picked it out myself; I hope you aren't doubting my sense of style... (signed)".

I was so stuck as to what to wear for my first day that Caspian took the responsibility of choosing my outfit.

His car waited patiently for us on the small pebbles of the driveway.

Even though I was eager to get to school, my stomach is turning in knots. I don't know what people will think of me...

At least I have Caspian.

There were a couple of spots left at the college, but only in a few sectors. You need to take one main sport and either track or field for athletics. The trouble is; even though Caz has been persuaded to attend this college with me, he's deaf, so we can't be in the same sport classes. However, we can still meet at breaks and during the academic subjects (as we'll be at the same level).

I'm doing basketball and track, while Caspian is doing table-tennis and track, but with an organised deaf group.

Caz drives smoothly, using his memory to take us on the fastest route.

'Golden Hill [Sport Specialist] College'.

The building is much bigger than my old school and as we enter the car park, it's amazingly clear of students, so I can only assume that they're already in lesson.

A short man in an oversized suit is stood in front of reception.

"Is that the headmaster? (signed)".

"He looks like he would be. (signed)".

"Yeah, I thought so too. (signed)". Caspian locked his sports car and tucked the key into his gym bag.

"Hello students. Are you Edward park and Caspian Forelli? I'm the deputy headteacher; let me take you to your classes for today." He spoke as quickly as a zip-wire, making it hard to keep up with him.

"I'm S- Edward Park. But sir, please slow down and look at my friend when you speak. He's hard of hearing."

"Of course," he readjusted his collar as he faced Caspian, "I'm sorry Caspian. I should have been more considerate. Please follow me."

Although the teacher didn't slow down by much, Caspian still tried his best to catch the gist of what was being said.

But one thing that is clear about the college is that it is nothing short of huge!

Apparently, there are four campuses in total and this campus is the smallest out of them. There must be thousands of students if there are four campuses; how can I have not heard of this place before?!

We're taken through an endless string of corridors which all begin to look the same; blue walls, yellow lockers and off-white tiles for the flooring.

"Don't worry, you'll get used to how big it is and soon, it'll be easy for you to find your way round the college without a guide." After showing us around the various sport facilities, dozens of classrooms and lecture halls, we reached a stop outside a door with the label- '30'. "This is your tutor room, where you'll meet in the mornings for registration. As we've finished the tour, the two of you may as well join the rest of the class."

The deputy had prodded us into classroom 30, leaving us both rather shocked and speechless.

The students are so rowdy that most of them didn't even notice us come in.

"Everyone; these are the new students." The teacher was an older lady with reddish, grey hair.

"CLASS!!" The room fell silent at the sudden boom. "These are the new students. Please introduce yourself to the rest of the class."

"Hey... Uh- I'm Edward Park and this is Caspian."

"And your sports; what sports do you both major in?" The teacher spoke with an arrogant yawn.

"I do basketball and Caspian does tabletennis."

"Okay. Enough talking. There are some seats at the back; please sit down." This teacher really doesn't seem to like us... Maybe she just doesn't like students in general?

As we walked towards the back of the classroom, we recieved both stares and comments, but I couldn't make out what was being said. I just hope that there are nice people at this school...

The first few minutes were more peaceful than I thought they would be. It couldn't have been more awkward though; I feel as if every centimetre of me is being analysed, so I just try to keep a conversation with Caspian.

"Um... Excuse me? Edward- is it? Can I have your number?"

A girl. Is asking. For my number?!

I've never once had a pretty girl voluntarily come up to me and ask for my number. In fact, no girl has ever asked for my number before...

Maybe she's mistaken, or I misheard her?

"Huh?" I coughed casually.

"He completely ignored me! Am I that ugly, Sara?!" I didn't expect her to run off so quickly. I don't think I ignored her, did I? I just simply paused.

"Woah, dude. Did you just reject her? You're pretty cool. Do you work out?" A guy, similar in height to myself, sat in front of me. His hair is a dirty blond and his nose, a bit askew; he looks rather masculine.

"I didn't reject her..."

"But you didn't give her your number."

"No, then I guess I did reject her, but I didn't mean to." I don't want to hurt someone on my first day. It really wasn't my intention.

"She'll be fine. Just give her a couple of days and she'll be over it." He laughed. "The name's Luke Miller, by the way. I major in rugby."

"Ah, right."

"This is your friend?" He looks at Caspian who waves. "He doesn't talk much."

"That would be because he's deaf."

"Oh." He seemed rather taken back.

"What was his name? I didn't quite catch it. (signed)".

"Luke Miller. (signed)".

"Thank you. (signed)". Caspian then took out a clean notebook from his pocket.

"What did he say?" He said, more aggressively than how he spoke before.

"He was just asking what your name is."

"Oh, Right."

Before finishing what Caspian was about to write down, the college bell rings, so he slots the small notebook back into his jacket pocket.

"Okay then, you guys. Do you know where you're going?"

"Um... Not really."

"Basketball and tabletennis, isn't it? I'll take you there, as it's on the way to the pitch."

"That would be great, thanks."

The tabletennis, pool (snooker) and darts studio is about 50 yards from the tutor rooms, so it'll be pretty easy to remember the route, but the basketball courts were on the other side of the college building. Caspian left to his class, while I headed off with Luke, to the sports hall.

"So are you two good friends?"

"Yeah, I guess you could say that."

"So you've been friends for a while then?"

"Lol. Nope. Just a few weeks."

"Oh... You wouldn't have thought so, he gives the vibes that he's very attached to you. Anyway, this is where the courts are." He smiled as he fist-bumped my shoulder. "Well, I'm looking forward to getting to know you better Eddy, you seem pretty cool."

I walked into the hall after changing into the college kit.

"Edward Park, are you planning on being the class rebel? Get over here." The coach threw a glance of disgust my way. "We'll be going straight into a game as we've already warmed-up; how confident are you Edward? Would you like to play the first half or the second half?"

I've never actually played basketball before... I've only ever practiced a couple of the skills with Gunner and James.

"I'll watch the team play first, if you don't mind." I can join in on the second half after I know how to play... Hopefully this body will give me a physical advantage, I'm so light and strong that I should be able to keep up with them. I know how to shoot and that you have to keep the ball from the opposing team- so it can't be that hard.

"Looking at the tactics and analysing the game?I like it."

"Something like that." I replied to the coach who seems to be clueless of how nervous I am.

As I watched the game, I realised just how many rules there are. I won't be able to remember all these.

There are two players in particular who stand out, it's almost like they know exactly what the other is thinking and they work together accordingly. Perez and Ornell; The names printed on the back of their basketball jerseys.

I should copy what they do: they know what they're doing.

Dribbling. Lay-ups. Slam dunks. Interceptions. Passing. Shooting. These were a few of the skills that I read about online, but there are so many more that I wasn't aware about. It's overwhelming...

Just before the game alarm went off, Ornell swiftly flicked the ball into the hoop putting their team 26 points ahead.

"Good job guys. Everyone who's off needs to come on. Ornell and Perez should rest for their match tomorrow, so you two should come off court. Edward, you should give it your best."

If this isn't a moment of truth, I don't know what is.

My heart's in my mouth as my foot touched the outer line of the court.

"Brrrrrr!"

The other team grabbed the ball from the air and whipped over to their hoop; after a failed first attempt, were able to shoot successfully.

Whenever we had possession of the ball, they would get it back; it looks like this team is useless without Ornell and Perez...

I have to prove myself.

I just have to think like them and move like them.

My feet bounce off the floor and my hands scoop round the ball before it sinks into the hoop. I've got the ball. How can I jump that high?! Is it even humanly possible?!

I dribbled the ball to the hoop without looking behind me. No one's as fast as me.

This would be a perfect chance to do a lay-up, but I don't know how it works... So I can't.

I'll just have to shoot from here...

It went in. It went in!!

After my first shot, my confidence grew massively. I may not be the best, but I can show my best. Shot, after shot. Interception, after interception. It all came so naturally to me...

"Brrrrrr!" The buzz indicates that the game has finished.

"Good work everyone!" The coach clapped. "And not bad Edward, but you could improve on your teamwork. I don't think you passed to your own team once."

But what's the point in that? When I'm more capable of playing than they are, and this is my first time playing in a proper match, while they've been playing for years?

After a sweaty class of basketball- Caspian and I had maths, but because we had both come to school late in the term, so we missed our first maths lesson to make time for the mandatory introduction session. We looked at all the fire safety and first aid regulations- which was really dull. Plus, it was only Caspian, myself and the teacher in the room so we couldn't get away with dozing off.

However, lunchtime came quickly enough.

When we found the cafeteria, it was already busy and Luke was nowhere to be seen. So we sat at the only empty bench amongst all the crowded tables.

"How was basketball? (signed)".

"Good, I guess. Except, I wasn't asked to be in the team... (signed)".

"Too bad. They said I had potential, although I've never played with a club before- only at home. (signed)".

"That's good. Maybe I can see you play sometime. (signed)".

"We have a [tabletennis] table at Gunner's; you could help me practice! (signed)". Caspian glows with his usual care-free kindness, until a heavy, red 'Bucci' bag clashes with the table.

"Luke?" I say, before looking up.

"It's Aston. I'm sorry to intrude, but I saw you two sitting over here; you must be new."

"Is it that obvious?"

"Well, your faces aren't something anyone would forget. You guys must be pretty popular with the girls, right?"

"Um- " I've never had attention from a girl in my life, apart from this morning, "I guess..."

"So you know some girls?" He winked.

I observe the swarm of girls that seem to have gathered around our table.

"I don't really; Caspian and I have only just moved to this area."

"Well, there are no problems with that! There are plenty of beauties at our school." He nodded towards a couple of the girls in the mob almost sticking to his skin. "Oh, by the way, I noticed that you mistook me for 'Luke'. Were you waiting for Luke Miller, by any chance?"

"Yes, I was. Do you know where he could be? He said that he'd meet us in the cafeteria..."

"That's not surprising. He's not reliable. You see, he hasn't any friends because you just can't trust him. However, he used to be really popular and a good friend of mine."

"What do you mean?"

"Ah, there was an incident a while back, but I'd rather not gossip."

That's suspicious... What could Luke have done to be so untrustworthy? Maybe I should ask Luke, if Aston won't tell me.

Aston has short, spiky, laser-blond hair, a sharp jawline and broad shoulders. It looks like he's quite popular... Amongst girls.

"Anyway, I'll catch you both later." He left, submerged in an ocean of petty females, but leaves a note on a tissue. His number. Underneath his mobile number, are the words- 'I'm sorry that I had to be so discreet, but I didn't want the girls to see it. It'll be cool to have some guy friends. :-)'.

"That was strange. Was he telling us not to hang out with Luke? (signed)".

"Yeah... He said that we can't trust him. What do you think he did? (signed)".

"I don't know Eddy. But we shouldn't make any assumptions, Luke seemed alright to me. (signed)".

Well, he was a little bit weird... He was so interested in my friendship with Caz. But, he probably just wants to get to know us better.

The rest of the day went by pretty quick; but I needed to collect some letters that were addressed, and left for me at reception. Caz went ahead and parked the car outside the school gates. He said that if we didn't move the car pretty swiftly, we'd have to wait for ages to get out of the car park due to the queue.

As I walked down the pavement leading to Caspian's parked car, I open and read the letters. Strangely enough, all three were love letters, I guess... But I have no idea who any of senders are. It's quite strange.

Caz waved for me to get in the car when he spotted me.

I sat down in the comfy car seat avoiding eye contact with passersby who seemed to be hypnotized by the sports car.

"That poor woman, she looks like she's having some trouble. (signed)". He gestured to the woman with long, greasy hair walking on the opposite side of the road to where we're parked.

My vision becomes waterlogged and I'm hardly able to choke out any words.

"Oh no! It looks like she's blind too! Should we help her hand out the leaflets?! (signed)".

"We can't. (signed)". My hands shake. "She's my mum... (signed)".

She looks so dirty... I always used to help her wash her hair, but it looks like it hasn't been washed for days.

How is she even in this area? It's so far away from home!!

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I'm sorry mum. Is work really being this bad for you that you have to find business so far away?
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Author's note:

Justin Seagull is outside my house.