When Bex and I reached our English class, I went over to Mrs. Tanayama and explained my situation. She smiled sympathetically and told me to sit wherever I can find an open spot. I looked around and saw Bex talking to a boy with dark blue hair and a black beanie. He had on a dark brown hoodie with black jeans and dark gray converse. The blue haired boy and I locked eyes, his steel gray irises meeting my (E/C) ones for a moment before Bex turned to wave me over,

"(Y/N)! Come meet Jackson!"

He said enthusiastically as I moved to sit in the seat next to Bex and in front of Jackson. I turned and smiled at the bluenette,

"Looks like Bex already told you about me. I just transferred here and he helped me get here. This school is bigger than my old one."

Jackson nodded in understanding, a strange look in his eyes as he stared at me. I was starting to get a bit uncomfortable when Mrs. Tanayama announced a group project,

"I want each group to reenact a part from Romeo and Juliet and part of our Shakespearian unit. (Y/N) since you already know Bex I want you two in a group together."

"Can Jackson work with us?"

Bex asked hopefully. Mrs. Tanayama nodded and the boys high fived each other. She passed out the rubric and we looked over the scene options:
1.) when Romeo first sees Juliet
2.) the balcony scene
3.) Tybalt's death
4.) Juliet's fake death
5.) Romeo and Juliet's deaths
6.) Prince speaking about their deaths

I looked at Bex and Jackson expectantly,

"So which one are we doing?"

"Balcony scene."

Both boys spoke simultaneously. I pretended not to see the glares they sent each other as Mrs. Tanayama spoke,

"I'm going to call off names in alphabetical order. When I call your name tell me who is in your group and which scene you want."

She looked down at her roster and called out the first name,

"Bex Akiyami."

The rebel-punk in question looked up and responded,

"I'm working with (Y/N) and Jackson. We want to do the balcony scene."

"A very iconic and symbolic scene. Good choice."

She continued calling off names until everyone had been assigned a scene,

"This is due by Wednesday of next week. That gives you plenty of time to rehearse your act and give a performance that reflects the effort you put in. You're all seniors so I expect you to act like it. You have the rest of the time in class to plan your scene."

Mrs. Tanayama sat back down and all the groups began talking amongst themselves. I turned to Bex and Jackson,

"When do you guys want to work on this? I'm working tonight at 7:30 until 10 but if you want we could meet up at one of your houses."

Both boys seemed to tense when I mentioned their houses. My eyes widened as I realized my mistake,

"I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have assumed both of you live in a house! W-We could meet up at one of your apartments instead! Or somewhere completely different!"

I scrambled to make an apology, feeling guilty I assumed they had a house. Once I finished speaking both boys burst out laughing. I tilted my head in confusion and, when they calmed down, Bex spoke,

"No it isn't that we don't have a house. We actually do. The thing is that we live together."

I tilted my head in more confusion and Jackson laughed slightly,

"It's a long story. So if you want you can just come home with us and we can work on this project there. Do you have to text or call your parents?"

My chest tightened at the mention of my parents. I hesitated a moment before I spoke in a stoic voice,

"No."

I hoped they didn't catch the slight waver in my voice. If they did, neither one mentioned it to me as they gave me their address along with both their phone numbers. Jackson glanced up at the clock on the wall,

"Class is almost over. Where do you go next?"

I glanced down at my schedule,

"Looks like I have lunch next."

"So do we!"

Both boys said enthusiastically. As soon as the bell rang, they each grabbed one of my hands and sprinted with me to the cafeteria.

When we got there Bex and Jackson dragged me to a table towards the back of the cafeteria. I saw a familiar pair of violet eyes and smiled,

"Hi Riki!"

I spoke enthusiastically. The raven haired boy's eyes snapped up to mine as his face lit up,

"Hey (Y/N). I see you've met Bex and Jackson."

I nodded,

"Yep. Bex helped me find my English class and I'm working with him and Jackson on a project."

Riki's gaze flicked to Bex and Jackson as they both sat down at the table. I looked towards the lunch line,

"I forgot my lunch at home so I'm gonna go get something to eat. I'll be right back, guys."

I headed to the lunch line before they could protest, feeling an odd tension between the three teenagers. I looked around at the various options of what I could eat. I eventually decided on an apple and a bottle of water, seeing as I didn't have much money on me. I handed the lunch lady my money and started heading back to the table when a muscular, tall boy blocked my path. I looked up and saw a boy with messy black hair and dark brown eyes. My (E/C) eyes met his as I spoke,

"You need something?"

The boy smirked confidently as he spoke,

"(Y/N), right? I heard there was a new girl. I wanted to see for myself. I'm Kenji, star pitcher on the school baseball team."

I rolled my eyes,

"Well now you have. Congratulations."

I deadpanned as Kenji and his two friends moved closer to me,

"Why don't you come sit with me and some of the guys on the baseball team? You'll like us, and I know we'll like you."

Kenji attempted to flirt. I smiled politely,

"Thank you for the offer, but I promised some other people I'd sit with them."

I tried to move around them again only to have Kenji grab my arm,

"I don't think you get it. You are sitting with us."

"Get off!"

I yelled angrily. Suddenly, I was pulled away from Kenji and someone with scarlet hair was standing in front of me,

"If the lady said no, she means it. Besides, she isn't fake enough to sit with you."

The boy in front of me spat sarcastically at Kenji and his friends. Enraged, Kenji attempted to hit the boy, but failed as the boy caught his fist and shoved Kenji backwards into his friends with enough force to knock all three over. While they were on the ground, the boy turned around. He had burnt orange eyes and a slightly pale complexion. He wore a loose fitting, dark gray tank top which showed off his toned muscle in his arms, along with light gray skinny jeans and dark blue converse. Something about him seemed oddly familiar, but I couldn't place it,

"Are you alright?"

He asked. I nodded,

"I am now. Thank you for that. I'm (Y/N)."

The boy's brow furrowed in slight confusion, with a tinge of sadness, before he smiled and stuck out his hand for me to shake,

"Nice to meet you. I'm March. Who are you sitting with?"

I shook his hand and pointed to the table at the far end of the cafeteria. March laughed,

"No way! Me too! Let's go."

His voice was energetic as he led me over to the table. When we arrived Bex looked up at us,

"Took you long enough, (Y/N). What gives?"

Before I could respond March cut in,

"Kenji and his dumbass friends were harassing her. He grabbed her and I got him off of her. He tried to hit me but ended up flat on his ass with his two friends."

Something flashed in Bex's eyes but was gone as quickly as it appeared,

"He's an idiot. I'm glad you're both okay. Have you seen Senri?"

March shrugged,

"Nah. I think he's making up a test or something."

"Who's making up a test?"

A curious voice came from behind us. I turned and glared at the blonde boy in front of me,

"I remember you! You're the rude guy from earlier who plowed into me."

The blonde boy, whose name I figured was Senri, scoffed at me irritatedly,

"If I remember correctly, you're the one who ran into me."

I shook my head,

"Nope. That was 110% your fault."

"She's right."

Riki spoke up, causing four heads to turn in his direction. Senri sighed,

"Don't take her side, Riki. You were there."

"I know. That's why I'm saying it's your fault. Besides, you didn't even ask if she was alright. Very rude."

Jackson gasped in mock shock,

"Bad Senri! Not making sure the girl you ran into is okay!"

March shook his head,

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, what ever shall we do with you?"

He asked dramatically. Senri pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance,

"Why do I put up with you?"

He asked rhetorically. Bex was the first to respond,

"Because you looooove us!"

"Debatable."

Senri retorted. I giggled and took a bite of my apple, seating myself between Bex and Riki. Both of them, along with Jackson, turned to me when I giggled. I gave them a funny look,

"What is it?"

Jackson responded with what I felt was the response the others would have given,

"Nothing. It's just your laugh is adorable."

He stated matter-of-factly. I smiled and blushed slightly,

"Thanks. What's your next class, guys? Mine is Anatomy."

"Mine too."

March spoke up, his voice sounded upbeat but his eyes were stoic. The others grew quiet as well when he spoke and cast him almost sympathetic glances. I didn't want to pry into his life so I left it alone and finished my apple, throwing it in the garbage as the bell rang. The six of us gathered our things and parted ways to go to our various classes. I walked beside March and looked up at him. He was almost a head taller than me. I didn't know what to say to him, his demeanor changed completely as soon as I mentioned Anatomy. I finally decided I wanted to apologize,

"March? I'm sorry."

The crimson haired boy looked down at me in confusion,

"For?"

"Upsetting you. I saw the look on your face when I mentioned Anatomy. I didn't mean to upset you."

March seemed to realize what was running through my head and smiled comfortingly,

"Don't worry, (Y/N). You did nothing wrong. I promise. It just... isn't my favorite class. It isn't that I'm bad at it. I just... the medical field isn't my calling."

I nodded in understanding as we walked,

"I get what you're saying. It doesn't have to be and that's okay. Don't pick a career because it pays well or because everyone else is doing it. Pick it because you love it and are passionate about it. It's totally fine if medicine isn't for you. Becoming a doctor is hard."

When I was done speaking he almost stopped walking as he stared at me, pure shock and relief in his eyes. I gave him a questioning look as we arrived at our class,

"S-Sorry. It's just that no one has ever told me that before."

"Well now someone has."

I said with a comforting smile as I went to the teacher and explained my situation to him. He told me to sit next to March and began his lecture about body planes. Throughout the entire class, I had this spine tingling feeling I was being watched, and, I can't be sure, but I thought I caught March's burnt orange eyes on me.