Ok first things first, THANK YOU SO MUCH @ybrookie FOR SUBMITTING THIS CHARACTER!!! I HOPE I KINDA SORT OF DO THIS RIGHT!!!

I pushed through the crowds of high schoolers, trying to get to my table for lunch. Well, kind of. It's been a long time since I've sat with someone during lunch. Ever since the incident when I was 12. I felt painful memories flood into my mind; my dad, telling me to run. The blood on the floor. The loud crack when I tripped and hit my head. Waking up in a hospital bed, hearing the doctors words that caused me to scream.

I wiped away the tear that had traced down my cheek. Then, I put on a brave face, and sat down to eat.

About in the middle of lunch, I felt a tap on my shoulder. At first, I thought it was some jock or something picking on me, but as I turned around, I realized it was the Stoll twins, and some other girl. Wait, no, they aren't twins. I keep forgetting that. Travis is the older one, by a year I think? I blushed when I saw that it was Conner who tapped my shoulder.

"Can we sit here?" He asked. I blushed even harder and nodded. They introduced themselves and the girl turned out to be Katie Gardener, Travis' girlfriend. I only knew Connor because he sat next to me in one of my classes, Social Studies/History. So as we're watching videos or looking at presentations, I can hear his little remarks, see his mischievous actions, and sometimes, the teacher never caught him. He had started to like tasering me during class so I looked crazy, jolting away from him, but I've come to find attraction towards his actions.

They sat down, Connor across from me with Travis, and Katie next to me. I felt heat rise to my cheeks when I felt Travis start playing footsies with Katie. Connor leaned closer to me and told me not to feel uncomfortable and that they did that all the time. I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Once I finished my lunch, I felt rude to stand up and wait by my next period's classroom, like I usually did, so I stayed there, occasionally giving short answers to their questions.

Soon, Travis lost interest and started to play footsies again, so it was only Connor who talked to me. He suggested we go to our next class, Social Studies/History, to wait. I picked up my backpack and threw away my trash and followed Connor into the almost empty hallway. We talked about books and criticized authors about different things, laughing. I haven't laughed for real out of amusement in so long that the sensation felt weird.

The day drifted by, a little too quickly, and I went back "home." I climbed the 20 sets of stairs and opened the door to my empty apartment. Opening the fridge, I realized I didn't have much food left. I grabbed some cheese slices and sat on the table to do homework.

When I was in the middle of doing math, the doorbell rang and I got up to answer it. I found the owner of the apartment complex, smiling.

"Hi Jade, how are you?" She asked.

"Fine, you?" I answered.

"Good, thanks for asking. I'm sorry, but you didn't pay your month's rent yet."

"Oh, I'll give it to you in a... 3 days."

"Ok, I was just reminding you."

"Thanks, bye."

She, unlike stereotypical owners, she wasn't mean or grouchy. In fact, she gives me a 50% off of my rental fee. I walked towards the table again. But just as I sat down, the doorbell rang again. I opened the door and there was no one. I looked down to see a small package on the ground. This was normal. Every month or so, a package would come with wads of cash that I used for necessities. At first, I didn't trust the mystery money, but it was usable money so I accepted it generously.

After finishing homework, I took out my purple braids and walked out to buy some more food and clothes. Walking towards the shopping center was my daily routine. Well, when I finished my homework early at least.

Looking down at my untied shoelaces, my brain started to drift off into daydream land. This happened frequently; during class, P.E, walks. But I never got any answers to my thoughts. Who was my mom? Where's all the free money coming from? Do I feel something for Connor? Why do I feel that way when I get close to him? Ok maybe the same last two have been answered. But you get my point.

Not realizing, I accidentally ran into someone. I hadn't looked up but muttered an apology. A familiar voice said my name and my eyes rested on Connor Stoll himself, accompanied by Travis and Katie. My body went into fight or flight mode and my gaze shifted back to the ground, my face burning.

"Oh hey Jade!" Connor said with enthusiasm.

"Hi." I said, my voice barely a whisper.

"What's up?"

"Nothing really, you?"

"Same. We're just going around, looking for... stuff."

"Cool, I'm just getting some food... for my mom. She's pretty busy."

"Oh ok, well see you at school."

I was about to reply, but was cut off by Connor pushing me to the ground. At first I was shocked at the harsh act, but I watched as a red hot flaming ball soared above my head. When I looked towards the group, they had weapons in their hands. First thing that went through my mind was the fact that the guy that I've liked for about a year, was standing before me, with two other people, swords and knives in their hands.

I freaked.

Screaming, I stumbled backwards, but Travis caught my arm. He said something but I couldn't hear. A reptilian-like woman stood behind them, a nasty, oversized next to her. I screamed again and tried to run. My vision became disoriented as I ran, unable to hear the chaos around me. I wasn't a bad athlete, but I wasn't good either. I soon had to stop for air and I collapsed. The last sight I saw was a dust-showered Connor running toward me.

THIS STORY WILL BE IN TWO PARTS. BUT IM SORRY I HAVENT UPDATED RECENTLY. THE ONLY TIME I HAVE IS BEFORE I SLEEP.