So, dodge ball. I never played, I've seen it in movies, but still never played. But there's a first time for everything, I guess. I shrugged and followed Kyle and Riley. They seem to know what they were doing and I'm too embarrassed to ask how to play. 

"You know how to play, right?" Kyle questioned.

"No, teach me." I laughed and tried to make it seem like I was kidding. 

The two just smiled. Then some other guy came up to me and gave me a weird, dirty look. He was tall with blue eyes and brown-ish hair. I just looked at him back. The teams were chosen, I was luckily on Riley's team, but also that other kid's team. The kid was walking towards me and then bumped into my shoulder. He didn't say sorry, just kept walking. There was also a girl on my team, she had long blonde hair and green eyes, looked like the only form of exercise she ever done was shopping. Anyways, the kid who bumped into me kissed her. So, they must be dating. 

"Take a picture, it'll last longer." The girl said sounding like a girl who breathes Starbucks. 

I stopped looking and mind my own business. Who cares if they're weird, they're probably not lying. 

Riley walked up to me, "The girl is Madison Wheeler and the guy is her all-star pitcher boyfriend, Sid Ryan."

"I'm so relieve you didn't say quarterback, he looks so tiny." I was really relieved that was no joke. If that Sid guy was our quarterback, we would probably have a bad football team.

Riley smiled and laughed a little, "That would be terrible and baseball means everything to this state. Especially this school. Just wait for spirit week."

Spirit week. I've heard of those, it's suppose to be a whole week filled with activities and fun. All the cheerleaders and the star player gets all the attention. Sick after parties, though or so I heard. I can't wait to go to my first official high school party. I heard the whistle being blown and everyone at once ran for a ball, except for Riley and I and Madison, but she was to busy looking at her nails to care. 

"I see we have the same strategy." Riley smiled.

I shrugged, "I guess, just stand back see what everyone else is doing and try not to suck."

"Well, not the same. I stay back because I'm one of the best throwers. Good to save me for last."

"Ah, so you're also one the baseball team?" I questioned.

He nodded, "Out field. You good at baseball, you should try out. Our left fielder just got arrested for using steroids."

"I've never played and that's different, I think."

"Your school never had a drug problem?"

I shook my head. My pretend school never did and my real life experiences was only smoking pot a few times. That was before my parents caught me and threaten to take away my music. That's bad for a music prodigy, who lives for music. I wasn't a 16 year old, emo kid getting depressed over losing my music. I was a 16 year old, who was experimenting and was stupid enough to get caught. But did I love that feeling? Hopefully I can find someone to smoke with. Maybe Riley? But he seems so anti all drugs. Kyle? Possibly. Wait, Kyle's sister is a rebel. I just have to figure out which one she is and I should be set. 

"Jake! Ball!" Kyle yelled.

I snapped out of my day dream and saw a big red ball flying towards me. I probably looked like a complete idiot trying to catch the ball. Shockingly, I actually got the ball. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing. I looked around, my team was smiling, so I guess it was good. It felt like time stopped and everyone was just staring at me. But you know, that wasn't it at all. The game just continued and Riley came up to me. 

"You should definitely try out." He patted my back. 

The game just kept going until the end of class. I'm shocked I got out before Madison, she literally did nothing. I followed the guys back to the locker room, it was awkward just sitting there, while they all changed it. I stared at my phone, so I would feel less awkward. I got a lot of texts from Veronica, just telling me tips and tricks for this school. Kyle and Riley were done changing and we left. Riley has the same political science class as me, so I just followed him. Kyle was wearing dark blue worn out jeans with a blue captain America shirt, red plaid shirt, brown boots and two necklaces. One was dog tags and the other was a black stone. Riley was wearing maroon skinny-ish jeans with white Vans, a grey t-shirt with a dog silhouette wearing a red bow tie on it and a silver feather necklace. I will say that everyone seems to own a red plaid shirt. 

So, Riley and I walked to class, we just talked about baseball and I talked about my fake backstory. It was nice. It's actually pretty funny how no one has brought up music yet. I know I hear about music all the time, but no one seems to even sneak listening to music. It's pretty nice, finally a chance to breathe. We walked into class and right away I heard music. I jinxed myself. It was Country, so I like double jinxed myself. I hate Country music, I hate it so much. Yeah, yeah, I'm a music kid, who could literally play all genres and I hate Country, that's stupid or whatever. I know music and I appreciate some Country music, however it's not all about sleeping with your cousin. That was probably crossing the line. I did mean to offend anyone because if you get offended over a comment like that, you probably listen to Country music. Anyways, sorry for ranting, but I did see only one seat open. In the back, next to this girl with short black hair and bright blue eyes that seemed covered by all that eye make-up she's wearing. She was also wearing a red tank top with lace straps, jean short with flowers on them, pink converse, a pink bracelet and a ring that had a clock design on it. Why are all the girls here extremely pretty? I sat down and smiled at her. She smirked, oh no, what did I get myself into?

"I'm Jane. I bet you already met my brother." She said. 

"Kyle? Yes, he's in my gym class."

"Yeah, sweet kid. He probably said I'm a troublemaker." 

I nodded, "But I like rebels."

"I can tell by your outfit." 

"What if I were a hick and just wore this to make a scene?"

"You? A hick? Who you trying to fool?"

"Uh, all the hicks here, seems like it's working."

"Wow, calling people hicks and stupid."

"Hick is probably more offensive me."

I actually talked to Jane the whole time, completely ignoring the teacher. Probably not a smart move on my part, but oh well. Once class was over, I wanted to know what class Jane had next, she's really fun to hang out with. But when I look over, she was gone, leaving me Riley. Which isn't a bad thing. We went to lunch together, there we sat with Veronica, Rosie, Kyle and Riley. The one thing I was not excited for was the food, maybe I should start packing my lunch. I've seen prison food better than this. I think it's pizza..? 

"So, Jake, how's your first day of school?" Veronica questioned.

Again with the questions. I shrugged, "Pretty good, I guess."

"Just wait for the party this weekend. It's going to be awesome!" Kyle added.

"Party? Where?"

"The woods, not as creepy as it sounds. Super fun and easy to hide from cops." Riley pointed out.

"We usually go as a group, so you're welcome to join us." Veronica smiled.

I smiled back. Perfect, first high school party. I can't wait. So, we ate lunch and the rest of the day went by quickly. I was leaving the school to my car, when Rosie caught up to me. She had a sweet smile on her face. She seems like the perfect girl next door. I smiled at her. 

"So, do you walk home?" She asked.

I shook my head, "I got my car, you want a ride home?" 

"Sure, but tomorrow we should walk. I want to show you around town." Rosie added.

I nodded, "Sounds like a plan."

I drive her home and her house was only a block away. I went back to my apartment, throw my keys and jacket, grabbed a soda out of the fridge, sat on my couch and turned on the TV. Right away it's pop culture. Wow, people are really upset about me running away. I hope I didn't cause too much trouble with my family. I kept watching, thinking in the back of mind that someone at school is currently watching this and they know exactly who I am. Right as I was going to turn the channel, I noticed Amber was being interviewed. She dyed her hair to a maroon color, it looks cute on her with her bright blue eyes. I leaned forward, listening and watching. 

"Charles Lukas is my best friend, I know he'll come back." Amber stated.

"What if he doesn't? What if he never comes back?" The interviewer was trying to say what if I died. That question was way out of lie. 

She took a step back and deep breathe, "No, he's a fighter. He'll come back. Charles if you're watching this, please come back. Everyone misses you."

"Amber, I know, but I can't." I said under my breathe. I turned the TV off and decided to go to bed early. It was kind of a long day and after watching that interview, I just wanted to fall asleep and forget everything about today.