Ted opened the door to the Chem lab and entered. His Algebra class was uneventful. His teacher, Mr. Ingram, was nice and all, but seemed crotchety and boring. Ted was a bit excited for Chemistry. He had heard stories about the teacher.

Speaking of the teacher, he was nowhere to be found. On the white board was a seating chart and instructions to wait patiently. Ted looked at the chart and headed over to his seat, which just so happened to be right next to Eve Baldwin. She smiled at him as he sat down.

"Ready to learn about the wonderful and simple world of atoms and bonds with me Ted?" she asked sarcastically, "It will be oh so fun and easy to learn." He snorted and placed his bag on the floor next to him. "Actually," he responded, "I hear this class ain't that bad." Eve hummed in agreement. "Yeah, apparently this class is more hands on than lecture based like at other schools. Plus I hear that the professor really loves to do experiments and labs." She added. Ted nodded his head before adding "That's cool, but I highly doubt we'll be blowing anything up on the first day." Just then, a door in the back of the lab blew open and in rolled a man in a wheelchair. He was quite skilled at handling it, as he weaved through the rows of lab tables, speaking as he went.

"Greetings children, I am Professor Scaleless and I welcome you to Chemistry class. I'm sure you'll find it wonderful and easy to learn." He then stopped in front of the white board and wheeled around to face them. He peered over his spectacles, and grinned at them, "Now then, who wants to blow something up?"

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Ted, Eve, and the rest of their Chem class stumbled coughing out of the lab followed by a cloud of smoke. Professor Scaleless rolled out and waved some smoke away, "Now that, class," he began, "Is why we don't mix to highly unstable compounds simply because their names sound cool. Now gather around, I have something very important to tell you all." The class leaned in expectantly to listen to the professor, who cupped his hands around his mouth and whispered "Lightening" before laughing maniacally and wheeling down the hallway, leaving his students dumbfounded.

As everybody hurried off to their next class, Eve turned to Ted and spoke, "Well, that was weird." Ted simply nodded, "Yeah." Eve shifted her books in her arms before speaking again, "Hey, I have to get to my History class. Would you mind walking with me?" Ted snapped his attention back to her, "Hmm, oh, sorry, but I'm heading in the opposite direction." Eve nodded her head, "Oh, okay then." There was an odd hint of disappointment in her voice, but she quickly added, "Have fun, I'll see you around." Ted watched her hurry off before a voice pulled him away.

"Stupid idiot." He turned to see Steph staring at him with a blank expression. Before he could respond, she turned on her heel and marched down the hall. Ted stared after and could only utter, "What'd I do?" Once more he was distracted by a voice.

"Oh, poor, poor, innocent Theodore. It's almost painful to see someone this stupid."

"I agree, you'd think after hanging around me, he'd have way more luck with the ladies."

"Actually, now that you mention it, I'm not surprised in the slightest."

He turned to see Oscar and Jim leaning against a row of lockers, regarding him. He raised his eyebrow at them, "What are you two idiots blabbering about?"

Oscar simply clapped him on the shoulder and started pushing him gently down the hall, "Nothing, little brother. Let's go, we're heading the same place you are."

Ted trudged into his English class. He was tired, hungry, and just didn't give a shit anymore. His computer class seemed alright. He wasn't really paying attention as he was trying to get Steph, who was also in that class, to not be mad at him. It had taken three bad jokes, two cat pictures, and a peace offering of promising to buy her cookies to get her to crack a smile. Granted it was a small one but still one regardless. Afterwards, she forced him to carry her books across the school to her next class, leaving him to dash back to get to class on time. He was lucky he didn't run into Ms. Vel, though he did almost crash into a janitor who shook his fist and shouted something about "Hurting Yuri."

"Hello, young man, and who might you be?" The instructor asked. Ted simply panted out his name.

"Ah yes, Theodore Yelawolf. Welcome, welcome. I am Mr. Landon, please take a seat. You may sit anywhere you like." Ted shuffled over to an empty desk and slumped into it, while Mr. Landon began the period.

"Welcome one, welcome all, to ELA and Literature class. If you aren't supposed to be here right now...then aren't you a sadist." A loud laugh came from next to Ted. He turned to glare at the boy who generated the offending noise, who looked sheepish and apologized, "Sorry, but Uncle La-I mean Mr. Landon is just so funny. I'm Cid by the way." Ted just ignored him and tried to pay attention to Mr. Landon.

"I will now tell you two things that should be obvious to you. First...That is a big hat." He stopped and pointed at a hat hang on a hook above his desk. It was, in fact, a rather large piece of headwear. "Second...This is going to be your least favorite class. We are not going to be studying happy Disney fairy tales. You're all too old for that. It's time you realize not every story has a happy ending. Now please bring The Canterbury Tales for next week, and in a few minutes you'll be off to lunch."

Ted leaned back and grinned. He had a feeling he was going to like Mr. Landon and Lit class. In fact he had a feeling he would like all of his high school life.

Now if he could only find a girl who was interested in him.

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Whoever decided it was a good idea to have the freshmen eat lunch with the seniors today needed to be riddled with arrows. Ted's eyes scanned over the chaos, observing everything. It was obviously intended that the seniors would approach the freshmen in a friendly manner, invite them to eat lunch with them, and forge a friendship that would help the freshmen overcome the difficulties of their first year of high school. However, the plan failed to take into account that no senior would ever want to be caught dead talking to a freshmen outside of a club...EVER. The upperclassmen had already split into their predetermined cliques, leaving the freshmen to scramble about, desperate to find a seat where they would be considered "cool" or "popular". Ted didn't really give a damn about any of that, he just wanted to sit with someone he could tolerate. His eyes landed on Eve, but Daniel and her pesky "bodyguards" where also there and he didn't think he was considered popular enough to sit with the "Princess of the Freshmen". Moving along he noticed a seat open next to Cid, but it was also by Potlock. Potlock was someone called a "getter", meaning he obtained things for students, things that weren't always..."allowed". He liked to call himself Trusty Lock, but Ted knew all he was, was a conniving piece of crap. Ted refused to associate himself with that ass and continued on. He was hoping to find the Izalith sisters, but failed to locate them in the ruckus. Eventually, he gave up and sat down at a mostly empty table in the far corner, there was a lone girl sitting at the other end, but he decided to pay her no mind.

He wished Pip and Jim were there, but they didn't have lunch until afterwards. He sighed and figured he would power through it. It was only for today, tomorrow they had different lunch blocks and would be allowed to eat on the roof or in certain other areas if they wanted. He unwrapped his sandwich and began slowly chewing on one of the two slices. Pip had stopped him in the halls and handed it to him, neatly wrapped in tinfoil and with a juice-box in a brown paper bag. Ted took it without asking any questions, it was better and healthier not to question Pip. As he ate, he became aware of the changing atmosphere. The conversation in his general area devolved into quite murmurs and he could feel some people staring at him, especially from down the table. He turned slightly to the other occupant and found a pair of blue eyes looking back. Her pale skin and snow white hair, combined with her odd eye color meant she was quite unique looking. When she noticed Ted staring back at her a rather large blush appeared on her cheeks and she quickly turned her head back to the book in her hands. She didn't seem to have a lunch.

"Yelawolf." Ted turned away from her and cocked his head.

"Yelawolf!" Was someone calling him?

"Yelawolf, get your ass over here!"

Ted whipped around and scanned the room until his eyes fell a few tables back, and onto the ladyman glaring at him. Ted groaned inwardly and, against his better judgment, slowly rose and sauntered over.

"Waddya want, Will?" he asked, unamused. "Don't call me that!" William Angels hissed, "And I should be asking that to you." Ted noticed that the lean, dark haired, feminine-looking youth had managed to snag a seat with a few popular seniors. Nobody was paying attention to the two freshmen, leaving Ted at William's mercy. Being the principal's brother had some perks.

"I mean, I know you're not very bright, Yelawolf," he went on as Ted half listened, "But even I thought you knew better than to commit social suicide on the first day." At this, Ted raised his eyebrow and shot a questioning look at William, who sighed like a teacher with an idiotic student. "You sat down with Her." Both of them looked back at the white-haired girl, who still had her nose in that book and was oblivious to the both of them. Once more Ted gave William a questioning look, causing the slender youth to sigh and rub his temple. "That's Olivia Scaleless." He explained slowly, as if speaking to a mentally handicapped child.

"Scaleless? As in, she's that Chem teacher's kid?"

"Yes, and I know you don't know the circumstances behind her butblahblahblahblah..."

Ted tuned Will out and observed the silent girl. She had pressed herself as far as she could against the wall and kept her eyes downcast with her long white hair obscuring her face. It was as if she was trying to hide herself from the rest of the room. Some strange emotion flared up within Ted and he was filled with the urge to protect her from whatever cruel thing she was seemingly hiding from. She just seemed so, defenseless. He was brought out of his stupor by William's snapping fingers.

"Were you even listening, you dolt."

Receiving a blank stare, William sighed and pinched his nose. "Listen, just stay away from her. She's far more trouble than she's worth." With that he turned away from Ted and resumed his chat. Ted himself sauntered back to his table, contemplating Will's words.

'Sounds like he really doesn't like this girl, huh.' He thought to himself. Suddenly, a wicked thought crept into his brain. He smiled and decided to entertain this idea. He looked over at the other half of his sandwich, and then at the solitary girl in the corner. He stood up, walked over, and placed the food before her. She looked up in surprise and gave him a confused look. He simply shrugged and gave an apathetic reply, "You looked hungry. Eat it 'cause it looks like lunch is about over." He then turned on his heel and began walking away, inwardly feeling pleased with himself.

'I get to piss William off AND look like a cool badass in front of a cute girl, this is a good day.' His revels were cut short as he bumped into someone and bounced off of them and straight onto his ass.

"Hey, watch it punk!" A gargling voice rang out. Ted stood up and brushed himself off, "Maybe lose a couple of pounds." He mumbled. Suddenly, he was grabbed by his collar and a very ugly face was thrust before his. "Whaddya just say ya little jackass!" Ted glared back before slapping away the larger boy's hand. "As much as I would love to stay and chat, I've got Gym." And with that, Ted left the cafeteria, and the seething boy behind.

--------

Ted pushed open the gymnasium doors and sauntered over to the group of students huddled in the center. He stood by himself until Lilith sidled up next to him with a teasing grin on her face. "So, Hero-boy, I heard you picked a fight with one of The Demons. On the first day no less." Ted said nothing, but gave her a questioning look. She sighed and explained, "The Demons are the most fearsome street gang in Praise. Most of them attend WWA, including their leader, Drake Gordon. As a matter of fact, they offered to let me join, but I declined and sent them packing. That guy you bumped into was apparently a member, and since your little squabble happened right after the entire cafeteria saw you give your lunch to poor little Olivia Scaleless...Well you know how the rumor mill works." Suddenly, a shrill whistle broke through the air, and a large, muscular man walked in. Lilith's eyes widened

"Alright maggots, welcome to gym class. I'm your instructor Mr. Johnson, and-"

"OMIGODOMIGODOMIGOD" Mr. Johnson jumped back as Lilith dashed up to him, squealing in a very un-Lilith like fashion. "Mr. Johnson, I am like, your biggest fan. It is such an honor to meet you. I remember your match against The Tower in '08. That was pay-per-view at its best. Will you sign my face?" Mr. Johnson gave a sheepish smile while Ted just stared incredulously at the spectacle before him.

"What the actual hell?" was all he could manage. Lilith whipped around and glared at him. "How could you not know Havel 'The Rock' Johnson? He's the greatest pro-wrestler ever! He once beat Flame Lurker O'Hare in two rounds. He once bodied five men AT THE SAME TIME. He lifted a 200 pound boulder LIKE IT WAS NOTHING! He even almost won the title belt." Ted simply stared at her like she was a maniac and responded.

"You know that crap's fake, right?"

Lilith and Mr. Johnson gasped as if their mothers had been slapped. Mr. Johnson blew his whistle at Ted, "Twenty laps, maggot!" He demanded, "NOW!" Ted bolted to the perimeter of the gym and proceeded to run around like an idiot. By the time he had finished, the period was over.

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Ted walked out of his history class and joined the throng of students headed towards the final assembly. As he entered the gym, he saw that the bleachers had been pulled out and were seating all the upperclassmen, while the freshmen were being seated in folding chairs by the front. As he took his seat, the lights suddenly cut out. Then, just as suddenly, a lone spotlight illuminated the center of the stage. Basking in the ray was a tall, young man with a wild shock of red hair. He was wearing a golden colored uniform and all the girls in the audience began screaming when they saw him.

"Greetings fellow students!" he began with an overly dramatic flourish, "I am the Student Body Council President, Leonard Lionheart III, and I welcome you to Westwood Private Academy, alongside my constituents, Weasly Walker, Corey Locke, Joseph Matters, and Samuel Newton." As he spoke their names, more spotlights shone down and revealed each person. Weasley was a tall and sullen looking boy, Corey was a small and fragile looking girl, Joseph stood a few heads above the others and had his eyes closed, and Smauel was probably fatter than the punk from lunch time. Lionheart continued with his speech, eventually getting to the finale, "And now we will invite each freshmen up by order of last name to receive their uniforms, gym uniforms, student handbook, ID, and a handshake. Please come when you are called. Adam Andrews..." The students marched up diligently, receiving their belongings, and shaking Lionheart's hand while he spoke to them, before he called the next student up. When Olivia shuffled up to him, he gave her his trademark smile, "Ms. Scaleless, welcome, I'm glad you decided to join us here at WWA. Your father must be proud. Though, I do hope you get into far less trouble than him." Olivia kept her head down and quickly hurried off. Lionheart simply turned back and called the next student on the list. "Theodore Yelawolf."

Ted sauntered up, received his stuff, and shook Lionheart's hand. The president gave a small smile, "Already making waves on your first day. Those are some serious stones if you're all but directly challenging Gordon's crew. I also hear you've befriended both Ms. Baldwin and the school's resident wallflower. Do me a favor and try not to screw up too hard. It would be a shame to womanizers everywhere." Ted glared at him before stalking off.

He already didn't like this guy.

-------

Ted, Pip, Jim, Jose, and Oscar walked out the school gates. Oscar and Jim placed their hands on Ted's back and led him along, teasing him. Meanwhile, an angry pair of eyes watched them.

"I'm gonna get that little shit, and prove myself to Boss Drake, keheheh."

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Olivia Scaleless sat alone in the art room. In her hands she held something wrapped in tin foil. She stared at it, unmoving, as if it was going to bite her. Questions were racing through her mind. Who was that boy? Why had he given this to her? Did he know about her? Did he know she was a monster? Suddenly, her stomach growled and before she could think, she brought it up to her mouth and took a bite out of his sandwich. It was really good. She then took another, and another, and another, until she was too absorbed in eating to notice Ms. Vel in the doorway, looking upon her with a loving smile.

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