Niall and I stayed up all night finishing up the pizza and then he showed me his collection of video games. I was actually surprised that he had so many. I figured that the farm and school would take all of his time up. He tried explaining to me that the country was just like the city, but with more fresh, manure smelling, air. I laughed at that and Niall laughed alongside me. I then realized that he had a beautiful laugh. It was a kind of laugh that started off soft and then went into a fit of uncontrollable spasms and gasps for breaths. It was truly amazing.

The next morning Niall jumped on my bed and woke me up. It was early, and I could tell that by the dim light coming in through the windows on the doors leading to my small porch.

“What’s going on?” I sleepily got up from bed, my body feeling weak and tired. I checked the time and it was close to six thirty in the morning. It was too early for me. But then I realized what was going on, and why Niall was waking me up.

“School.” We said in unison. Niall seemed excited, but not me. I groaned in frustration and exhaustion as I pulled myself up from bed. “School starts in thirty minutes and it’s about a twenty minute drive, so I would hop to it.” He clapped his hands together and I winced at the sudden pop of noise.

“Okay, okay.” I swatted my hand in the air and waited for Niall to leave the room before I got up completely and wandered into my bathroom. Niall was waiting downstairs shoving a bunch of breakfast foods into his mouth. I gulped, looking around the kitchen for more food. I was actually very hungry, which was a change for me. I used to be accustomed to the hunger, but since I was living with the Horan’s now, I was fed a lot and when there wasn’t something there to eat, I found my stomach growling for food. It was definitely one of the stranger incidents that have happened to me since moving out here.

Niall pointed over to the microwave. I walked over to it, mouth watering and pressed the button that popped it open. Inside was a plate piling with bacon and eggs. I grabbed it quickly and sat down at the table. “We’re going to be late today.” Niall pointed out. “You’ll have to wake up earlier from now on.”

“Joy.” I rolled my eyes, shoving food in my mouth quickly so that we weren’t as late as Niall thought we would be. I finished the plate, feeling a little sick, but also satisfied. Niall grabbed his backpack and ran out of the house with me following suit right behind him. Maura had gone to the store and bought me some school supplies. That woman would do anything for me and I was grateful for that.

On the ride to school, which was twenty minutes like Niall had said, Niall went on and on about the school. Who were friends with who. Which teachers were the best and not to be surprised if there is a horse or two tied up to the posts in front of the school. “This is the country after all.” He chuckled. And he wasn’t kidding. There they were, grazing on some grass right in front of that damn school.

“Oh, and you’ll have to meet Liam.” Niall and I walked up to the front of the school and went inside, walking straight to the office since we were a few minutes late and classes had already started. “Hi, Mrs. Wendell!” Niall waved at her excitedly. She smiled back at him and handed him the sign in sheet.

“Who do you have with you there?” She asked. “New student, I presume? Your mother called with all of his information. Zayn Malik?” This Wendell woman was very nice and her accent fit her plump frame perfectly. She was literally the kind of lady I pictured when coming down south from New York. “I can give you a pass for today since it’s his first day.” She pointed at me. “But don’t be late again, boys. Education is the key to your future.” She handed us passes and then my schedule to me. I looked at it and I had English first thing. I sighed happily.

“English, eh?” Niall chirped. “It’s an okay class.” He shrugged and then snatched my schedule from my hands. “You’ll need to go to the end of the hallway and it’s the door on the right. This school is small, so it won’t be too hard to find the rest of your classes. Looks like we have history together, so I’ll see you then!” Niall headed off to his class, leaving me in the hall, nervous and a little excited about starting at a new school.

I walked into the classroom while the teacher was talking. He stopped mid sentence and glared at me. I adjusted my bag on my shoulder and walked up to him with my note from the office. He sighed and set the note down. “Class, this is Zayn. Welcome to our school. You may have a seat.” He gestured to the empty seat in the back. I walked through the aisle created between the desks and sat down at my desks. People stared at me along the way, but I ignored it and just sat in the back, taking out a notebook and following the lecture.  When the bell rang everything stood up and filed out of the room.

“Zayn, yeah?” I deeper, twang called out my name. I looked up form my desk while gathering my things. A taller guy stood there in a plaid flannel shirt. He held his hand out and I took it, greeting him. “I’m Liam. Niall told me about ya.” I got up from my seat and nodded. He was a good couple inches taller than me. And built, more than Niall. His hair was brown and his jawline was strong. I think the south is made up of attractive men. Damn.

“I’m guessing plaid is a thing around here?” I asked with a chuckle. I had realized that a majority of the students around me were wearing button up, plaid shirts, or some kind of country clothing. I saw a lot of cowboy boots. And here I was, wearing a black tee and tight jeans. I was very out of place.

“Yeah, we like to keep things simple.” Liam joked back. “At least I can breath in my pants.” He pointed down to my skinny jeans and laughed. I rolled my eyes, but I wasn’t offended. I knew my style was different, but it was me and people just had to accept that. “So, how come you moved here to Tennessee?” He asked while we walked out of the classroom and headed down the hall. I quickly checked my schedule and saw that I had gym for the next class.

“Some family issues sent me here. By the way, do you know where the Gym is?” I asked, looking down each hallway, looking for the gym. Liam grabbed my shoulder and turned me in the right direction. “Uh, thanks.”

“No problem. See you at lunch, man.” He disappeared down the hallway and again I was left to find the correct place on my own. Though, Liam did tell me which hallway to go down. I eventually found the gym and was told to it out for this class since I didn’t have clothes to change into. I couldn’t exactly play basketball in tight pants.

I didn’t make any other friends in my other classes before lunch. I just kept to myself and tried to ignore the whispers around me of people already starting rumors about me. I didn’t exactly fit in. I didn’t sound like everyone around me. My tattoos peaked out from my sleeves and I was generally uninterested in what was going on around me. I was now less excited for school and more excited for getting back to the Horan’s home and sitting out on my porch, lighter in hand and nicotine between my lips.

“Hey! Zayn!” I walked into the cafeteria, which was easy to find and looked around for who was calling my name. The voice was familiar and when I saw that blond head of hair that went along with it, I found myself relaxing and calmly walking over to the table. Niall was sitting there with a tray of food in front of him. I sat down and leaned on my elbows. Niall pushed his tray over to me, taking half the food and handing the rest to me. “Eat.”

“Thanks.” I gave him my best smile and that seemed to make him even happier than he already was. “How were classes?” I asked, trying to have some sort of normal conversation. I was in a rut, feeling jittery and nervous about nothing in particular. I really needed to smoke.

“Eh, they were okay. What about yours?” Niall munched on his food and before I could answer with low enthusiasm, Liam sat himself down at the table and clattered his tray down onto the tabletop.

“So boys…” Liam started up like he was about to propose something to do. “Party this weekend at the barn.” He clapped his hands together. “There will be some fine ladies there in their mini skirts and boots. Woooo-e. Daniels said he would get his buddies and play some good ole line dancing music, and all the booze you can drink. So are you in?”

I remained silent because a barn party just sounded like itchy hay and manure smell. Also the girls didn’t get me going, nor did the music choice. The only thing that sounded remotely fun was the drinking part. I needed a good party, and it looked like the one Liam was hyped up about would be my only chance. I glanced over at Niall and he looked like he was thinking about it.

“I have to get my chores at home done before I can go, but sure. I’m in.” Niall leaned back in his chair and looked over at me.

“I guess I’m in as well.” I sighed. At least there will be booze. Oh, and Niall. Maybe he'll be shirtless. One could only hope.

A/N: I'm back! Woooo! So I start school here soon and that means that I will get onto a schedule with updates! Also, how do you like this story so far? Please commetn and vote. Also, I dont think this story will be very long, but hopefully I can plan more to make it longer. =] Anywho, thanks for reading and being patient with my updates. 

Much Love

Jachxx