I hate how the world sees me. All I am to them is music and I use to love music. Key words, use to. I could play music for as long as I can remember. The piano was always my favorite and singing made me feel so free. Now, now the piano sounds like nails on a chalkboard and I hate the way my voice sounds. I hate myself. No one seems to understand, no one cares unless I'm playing music or they just tell me to write a song about it. I'm sick of it, I'm losing myself in all of this. I need a way out, so I'm running away, changing my name, my life and I will never play music ever again. I just want my parents to know that I love them and I'm sorry. No more Charles Lukas, only Jake Summers.

Starting a new school is tough for anyone, let alone an eighteen year old, who never went to school and is running away of his past. I just hope no one recognizes me, but I've already been in this small town for a good week and no one really cares. I wore black ripped jeans, a blue plaid shirt with a band shirt underneath, black boots and some rings on my fingers. I had a black bag, I don't really want to stick out. I drove to the school and walked in, it's a lot smaller than expected, so everyone must know everyone. A great place for someone who has a big secret. I walked into the office, saying I was the new kid, they just gave me my schedule and sent me out. What do I do now? I wondered around for a bit trying to find my locker and I bumped into someone. A pretty tall girl with dark skin, pong brow hair and big brown eyes, wearing Jean shorts, a red plaid shirt, white tank top and cowboy boots. But the one thing about her that caught my eye was her smile. She has a great smile and is pretty cute.

"Hey! I'm Veronica Shilling! You must be the new kid everyone is talking about." She's very perky.

I nodded, "How'd you know?"

"Um, you're outfit is very urban I guess, look at everyone else, it's all-"

"Hick style?"

"Okay, that's kind of offensive, but I suppose you're not wrong." She pointed out.

"Sorry, I just assumed."

"Just don't make the mistake again," She smiled, "Anyways, I'm you tour guild. What do you need to find?"

"My locker, then first period."

Veronica took my schedule out of my hands and read it. Her smile grew, didn't know it could, "You and I have first period English together! And Rosie's in that class, you're gonna love her."

I smiled a little, "Uh great. Can't wait."

We stopped at my locker and I put the stuff I didn't need away, then we walked to English together. I'm actually really excited to meet Rosie, I can't believe I'm making friends. It's so easy. What was I so scared of? So, we walked into English and right away I was stared at. I bet it's because of my clothes. Everyone was wearing hick style, Dukes of hazard like stuff. I felt out of place. Veronica took me to a seat next to her and a girl with red hair. I smiled at the red haired girl, who was wearing light blue, ripped skinny jeans, a red play shirt, brown ankle boots, a white shirt and a pinkish scarf. So, far the girls here are super pretty. I'm not complaining and don't get the wrong idea. I'm a virgin, that's what it's like being a prodigy.

"Hello, I'm Rosie." The girl with red hair was really sweet and her voice made me feel like I was home.

"Jake Summers, nice to meet you." I shook her hand.

She kind of looked at me, "You look familiar. Have we met before?"

She better not know who I am or it will be a mess, "Um, I'm from Montana, so if you were ever up there, I guess."

"Nope, never, but it's great to meet you."

I smiled, "Great to meet you too."

"So, Jake, what'd you do in Montana? Did you have a job? Do you know what you want to be?" Veronica questioned. 

"Uh... I didn't and not really. Still trying to figure that out." Jeez, she does like to ask questions. 

She took her notebook out of her white Stitch backpack, "Oh, well aren't you living on your own? You should probably get a job."

Hmm, guess I didn't run away from my mom. I just smiled, I didn't want to be rude. Veronica was kind of getting on my nerves though. I know I need to get a job, well, not technically for the money. Just to keep my reputation as a normal kid from Montana. I know I have plenty of money, don't gotta worry about that.

"Okay, so this English class is pretty boring... Unless you love reading, like Rosie." Veronica pointed out.

Rosie blushed, "Reading helps you grow as a person."

Veronica looked confused by that comment, but I agreed with it. I love reading and writing. I mean I mostly read and wrote sheet music and never really got to test out my other skills, but I might be a great writer. 

"I agree with Rosie. My favorite book is actually A Separate Peace." I added.

"Really?" Rosie's face lit up, "That's one of my favorites! That and obviously Catcher in the Rye." 

"What about Old Yeller? I know sad ending, but still a fantastic book."

Veronica checked out of this conversation, but I did really enjoy talking about my favorite books with Rosie. Yeah, might seem boring to others, but I can't help but love it. 

"My foster mom use to read me so many books when I was younger." Foster mom, you like that? I figured I should explain my "parents" background or at least make one up. But it's not all a lie, my mom actually did read me stories when I was younger. 

"Foster mom?" Guess who checked back in. 

I nodded, "Yeah, you know when you're kind of an orphanage and someone takes care of you." 

Veronica nodded, "Yeah, of course I know that, but I never met a real foster kid."

"Yes, you have remember one of our great friends Kyle?"

"Oh yeah, but still. Did you have any foster siblings?"

I nodded, "Yeah, my family really liked to have others around. three sisters actually." 

"Really? That's awesome! So, you must understand style."

I shrugged, "I mean, I guess. I usually was playing video games."

"What about your friends?" Rosie questioned.

"Kind of a loser, didn't have many. One actually." And that's true, I guess not the loser part, but I did only have one friend. 

Her name was Amber, she played bass and we were going to form a band together. But I didn't want to be in the spotlight anymore, it started to make me feel depressed. But Amber, I remember she was my first kiss and then a week after that she told me she was gay. So, that's the closet relationship I've ever had. 

Veronica and Rosie both felt bad for me, but didn't say it. They really didn't have to, it was the tension that told me. I felt awkward for saying that and that's going to bother me all day now, damn it. Speaking of all day, English was eventually over and that meant hopefully not getting lost to my next class... Gym? In the morning? Oh jeez. I suck at gym, I guess that would be pretty obvious. Damn it, I guess the whole point of high school is making excuses to get out of things. Better make a list now. Veronica took me to the boy's locker room, she didn't go in. She said she wasn't going to make that mistake again. That's something to think about, what she thought when she walked in or what the guys thought. She took my phone and added her number.

"There, so afterwards, text me. I don't have Political Science with you, but I do know where that is." She smiled and hugged me.

Already on a hug bases? Alright, not complaining. She left and I took a deep breathe. I walked into the locker room and went right to the teacher. He gave me a lock and said I would have to participate today. Luckily I don't have to change and we're playing dodge ball, how easy? I was getting weird looks by the guys and it was a little uncomfortable. I found an empty locker away from everyone else, but before I could claim it, I was pulled away by a pretty tall guy with dirty blonde hair and bright blue eyes, wearing shorts and a t-shirt for gym class. He dragged me over to an empty locker next to him and another guys, who was wearing something similar, tall with black hair and dark brown eyes. 

"Hi. I'm Riley." The guy with blue eyes said shaking my hand.

"I'm Kyle, great to meet you new kid." The other shook my hand.

"Kyle, the foster kid, right?"

He nodded, "You met Veronica?"

I nodded slowly.

"Yeah, she's a talker."

"I'm a foster kid too."

"Seriously? Awesome, did you go to school with your siblings?" He questioned.

"Two of them are in college and the other is in middle school." 

"I go to school with my foster sister, you'll probably meet her soon. She's in this class and we always do coed."

"Unless she ditches." Riley added.

"A rebel?"

"Yup, kind of annoying always to bail her out." 

I shrugged with a smirk. I might have a thing for trouble makers. Then again, I haven't even met her yet. Dodge ball here I come.