one

"I got a pocket,

got a pocket full of sunshine

I've got a love and I know that it's all mine

oh, oh, oh

Do what you want,

but you're never gonna break me,

sticks and stones are never gonna shake me

oh, oh, oh."

"Ugh," I moaned, shoving my face further into my pillow.

"Take me away,

A secret place,

A sweet escape,

Take me away," the voice screamed.

And no that was not my alarm clock, it was in fact my annoying brother's interpretation of a healthy wake up call.

"Alex, stop screaming," I yelled out to my twin brother.

"On holidays!" he continued shouting.

I grumbled kicking and throwing my blankets off me, across the room. I stood up before walking over to my mirror to see a very flustered version of myself.

"Ew," I mumbled, staring at myself.

I stared at myself for a while, calculating how I was going to make myself look decent enough to enter the school territories. My baby blue eyes were swollen with prominent bags beneath them. My dirty blonde hair was in a messy bun sitting on the top of my head, and not the cute messy tumblr buns, but the horrid, chaotic mess that resembled a gorilla's armpit.

I blew a loose strand of hair out of my face before making my way to the bathroom. I stripped from my pyjamas which consisted of an overlarge shirt, and slipped into a comfortable pair of jeans and a tank top with my 'Harvard Law' jumper over the top, that I found on sale at Walmart.

I brushed my teeth, washed my face and untangled the Malaga Forest on top of my head, putting it up into a neat ponytail. I took out my overnight contacts and threw them in the bin, placing my glasses on my face.

I shoved my feet in to my black, Nike Theas before running down stairs towards the kitchen. I could hear the clutter of pots and pans so I knew my dad had probably already cooked up a storm.

"Eggs and bacon, my love?" Dad asked with a small smile.

"Yes please, daddy dearest," I teasingly smiled back.

He passed over a plate with scramble eggs and slices of bacon on it and came over to kiss the top of my head. I mumbled a quick 'thank you' before stuffing my face with the food. Dad chuckled before placing a glass of chocolate milk next to my plate.

"Stop eating like a fat cow, hoe," Alex scowled while walking into the kitchen.

I flipped him off and quickly finished eating. Once I was done, I got out of my seat and placed my plate in the sink. I gave my dad a kiss on the cheek before grabbing my car keys and walking out to my red Ford Fiesta Hatchback. It's only a small car but it is still my prized possession.

Beeping the horn to alert Alex we were leaving, I patiently waited for him.

Soon after, he exited the house with a scowl on his face and his school bag slug lazily over his shoulder. Entering my car, he slammed the door behind him and quietly grumbled to himself as he put his seatbelt on.

"Why rush me, Cass? I was fixing my hair," he whined, ruffling a hand through his already messy hair.

I started my car up and pulled away from the driveway.

"Oh poor baby! No one's going to take a second look at your ugly ass anyway," I smirked, keeping my eyes on the road.

"Bitch, my ass is amazing! And, I need to impress Hunter! Hm, now he  is a sexy piece of Brazilian ass," he sighed dreamily, resting his head on my shoulder.

Yea, you guessed it, my twin brother was in fact gay and was also practically in love with possibly one of the hottest guys in school. But sadly for him, he had next to zero chance with Hunter. Hunter was as straight as a pole.

Laughing at his behaviour, I shook his head off my shoulder and replied.

"Alex, I don't want to come off as bitchy but he doesn't want you. He's straight. And he doesn't even know your name...he calls you Alistar," I pointed out.

"Yea, okay Cassie. I get it your jealous. But one day you will meet a lovely guy, perhaps a girl, I don't discriminate, and you will fall in love and finally get your happy ever after," he babbled.

Rolling my eyes, I locked my car, swinging my backpack on my shoulder and headed towards the school doors.

I may be comfortable around my family but once I enter the school, my head goes down and the walls go up, blocking myself away from everybody.

♢◇♢◇♢◇♢◇

"Omg, Cassie!"

I turned around at my name being called and smiled at the sight of my excited friend.

"Word has gotten around about Todd getting into another fight?" Mikayla said excitedly, bouncing up and down.

Mikayla Vanderwoods, also known as my overly popular and gossiper of a friend. Mikayla was absolutely gorgeous. She had long, wavy, golden blonde hair that reached her waist. She had a pale skin complex which made her dark green eyes stand out. Seeing as she was also very tall, 5'10, a lot of the guys were after her for her long legs and amazing body. I swear she could be a model if she ever wanted to.

I didn't consider her my best friend but she was definitely my closest friend in school.

"I doubt that."

"Why?" She asked, cocking her head to the side.

I snorted, "Mikayla the kid has the best grades in the school, he basically cries when he sees blood and he stands at 5'4 and you're telling me he got into a fight?"

"It makes sense, he rides a motorcycle doesn't he?" she questioned, with furrowed eyebrows.

"No, he rides a bicycle," I raised my eyebrows, "with training wheels."

I slammed my locker door shut and swung my bag over my shoulder, walking down the hallway.

We all have that one wannabe bad boy and in my case, Todd Winters was that wannabe. The school hardly recognizes him as bad boy considering the kid has nothing bad about him.

"But bad boys are so hot," Mikayla whined, running after me.

"Well find a real bad boy before you go running after Todd," I chided.

Mikayla hummed in reply and followed me to our next period.

♢◇♢◇♢◇♢◇

Coach Carters blew his whistle, signalling us to gather around him.

"Okay, well done guys, now do five laps around the track, go!" He shouted.

I groaned before walking over to the track.

"Rockdale! I said run!"

"But I'm walking to the track," I reasoned, gesturing to the track.

"When I say run I mean it," He hissed.

I sighed but started jogging over to the track.

Now I don't understand why Coach Carters was so strict on us running when I'm pretty sure the guy has never done anymore exercise than walking to the fridge. Yes he was one of those obese coaches who just sits there screaming orders at us to keep running while he is stuffing his face with donuts.

I huffed out a breath and blew a loose piece of hair out of my face.

One thing I'm disadvantaged at? Sport.

I'm not exactly what you would consider a sporty person, in fact, I hate sports. Being clumsy and extremely uncoordinated doesn't do me any justice.

Without realising I had already done two laps around the track, I continued running. To say I was already puffed was an understatement. I couldn't even breathe.

"Rockdale, run! Not walk!"

Groaning, I continued my torture. Stupid coach!

I hate exercise because... well because it's exercise and I hate it. It's so... physical. I would totally rather be snuggled up in my bed, with a warm blanket and a boiling hot chocolate in one hand and a book in the other.

Now that's a nerd's dream.

♢◇♢◇♢◇♢◇

"Did you just have Carters' class?" Mikayla asked, walking beside me.

"Yea," I nodded, "I'm pretty sure I almost fainted on my fourth lap."

"I'm so glad he isn't my teacher," Mikayla snorted.

As I was placing my books into my locker I heard a voice behind me call my name.

"Cassie," Mr Smith said, "to my office please."

Holy Nuggets! I don't remember doing anything that could get me into trouble, so I don't see why the principal needs to see me. Mentally crying, I shut my locker and hurried to follow Mr Smith to his office.

"Take a seat please," He said sternly.

I sat down slowly and placed my bag beside the chair, clearing my throat.

"Hi, Mr Smith is there a reason I am here?" I asked politely, although I was about to pee myself.

He gave me a look as if to say 'obviously' before reaching into his filing cabinet and pulling out a file.

"Yes, tomorrow a new student will be attending Crenshaw High and I politely ask of you to show her around the school as it seems you have similar interests," Mr Smith explained.

I breathed a sigh of relief that I wasn't into any trouble.

"That would be no problem Mr Smith, I look forward to meeting her," I said with a large, but fake, smile. "May that be all?"

"I would also like to congratulate you on your outstanding grades! You have consistent A's in all your classes and as of now you are sitting as valedictorian!"

My eyes widened and a massive smile lit up my face. I'm beating Todd!

"Thank you, Sir. It means a lot," I said honestly.

"Of course. That is all Miss Rockdale, you are free to leave," he said with a nod.

"Thank you Sir," I sent him one last smile before picking up my bad and hurriedly leaving his office.

As I was walking down the hallway people were giving me strange looks. I mean it's not everyday you see the schools number one nerd walking out of the principals office.

"Ooh did the Nerd finally get a lecture for looking so ugly," a voice taunted.

Kelly Jones. Head Bitch as I like to call her. She has been my number one bully since elementary school, always calling me names and tripping me over, playing pranks and sometimes worse. I wish I could call her ugly, but that wasn't true. She was beautiful. She had shoulder length, fiery red hair, that bounced in clean curls and bright blue eyes that contrasted against her fair skin. With a couple of freckled scattered across her nose, she was given the gift of natural beauty. As for me... well not so much.

"Please leave me alone," I whispered, dropping my gaze to the floor.

I heard the click of her heals every step she took and raised my eyes to stare straight ahead.

"Aw, isn't that cute? The ugly nerd is begging," she pouted, stalking towards me.

Craning my neck to look up at her, I whimpered silently at the glint in her eyes. She was enjoying this too much.

"Here's the thing, Nerd. I have this assignment for Chemistry due Friday but I also have priorities. I'm going out tonight and tomorrow night so I can't complete it," she started, placing her mouth next my ear she continued, "but you can."

Stepping away from me and sending me a smirk she reached into her bag to pull out what I assume was the assignment. She wanted me to do her assignment, that's due in two days.

Handing me a paper, in a plastic sleeve, she winked at me before speaking.

"I want it done to perfection, okay?" She spat, flipping her hair behind her shoulder.

Nodding my head slowly in reply, I took the paper from her hand.

"Hey! Smelly Kelly, you dumb whore! Leave my sister alone," Alex snapped, running down the hallway.

"Shut it, fag," she sneered before stomping her heel on the floor. She whipped around and sent my brother a deadly glare which he ignored. He came to my side and wrapped an arm around my shoulder, cradling me close to him.

"Don't forget what I said, Nerd," she hissed and turned away strutting down the hallway.

Hearing the click clack of her heels lessen, I turned around in my bothers embrace and snuggled into his chest.

"Thank you," I whispered.

Instead of replying he placed a soft kiss to my forehead.

"Lets go to your locker now, okay?" He asked softly, unwrapping his arms from around me.

"Mhm," I replied with a nod.

Taking the paper from my hand, he tore it in half and threw it in the nearest bin. I was so going to pay for that later on.

"Just remember, Kelly is a dumb whore," he said slowly.

Giggling, I nodded and grabbed his hand.

Alex stalked down the hallway, with me following silently behind. Once we reached my locker, I placed my code in and yanked the door wide open.

Just as I knew it would, a small white note fluttered through the air before landing on the floor. Smiling, I bent down to pick it up and opened it slowly.

"What does it say?" Alex asked, leaning over my shoulder.

'Dear Cassie,

You bring to me a happiness that no one else ever could. You never fail to put a smile on my face and for that I thank you, my love. Even if it seems like I am so far away and you don't know it's me writing this, I wouldn't replace you for the world.

Love,
Anonymous <3

"Awww! Cassie, that's so cute!" Alex cooed.

Waving him off, I slipped the note into my pocket and shut my locker door.

"Take me home."

Nodding, he led me down the hallway and out the doors. Tossing him my car keys, he hopped into the drivers side and drove off, leaving the school behind.

X O X O X O

huh, two chapters in a day, i'm on fire hehe c:

please let me know what you think of this book so far, babes! any feedback is welcome xo our little Cass is up the top ^-^

so I got my wisdom teeth pulled out today and I'm very sad bc I can't eat *starts crying* I know it's tragic *blows nose* anywayyyyyyyyyy I hope you like the chappie xD

remember to vote/comment <3

xoxo,

Eden <3