February 7, 2017: My alarm went off rather loudly, causing me to jolt awake and fall off my bed. How the hell did I sleep through the whole night? Then a small memory returned, I did get up to do my homework once and to eat, but I had fallen to sleep right away after that. That's strange. My head shook lazily.

"I need a better sleep schedule." My voice came out croaky to myself. I slammed my hand on the ever growing in volume alarm. It shut up. I crawled into bed and laid down again. Yes, sleep! Then my phone buzzed and dinged with a notification. I glared at it lazily and reached for it. My hand fell onto my bed, I curled up. "Too cold..." I complained.

"Well, that's too bad, considering you need to get up!" Charles III announced from the doorway. I glared at him lazily and rolled over.

"I'd rather not, school can wait until tomorrow," I answered and waved my hand at him dismissively.

"School starts in about a half hour." He reminded. I glanced at him and groaned.

"Fine, fine, if I must." I agreed with a pout. He chuckled and walked off, down the halls and down the stairs. I sat up and crossed my legs while hugging my fluffiest blanket. I shuffled to the side and relentlessly exited the comforts of my bed. I dropped my blanket on the bed. The fading and stained (from food and soda), the white carpet was warm but uncomfortable under my feet. I went to get a new outfit. Not enough time for a shower. I sighed in frustration. I hurriedly changed and ran down the stairs, slipping a few steps down. Though, somehow I didn't fall.

My brother was the only one home at this hour. My mother, father, and older sister, Marzia, were all either at work or at school. Charles was looking for a job currently.

"Later, bro," I called, grabbing my bag by the door.

"You haven't even eaten yet?!" Charles exclaimed. I faced back to see him in the doorway. His brown, shaggy hair was pointed in all directions. It wasn't combed right now. His pale blue eyes stuck out against his peach skin. He wasn't wearing a shirt right now and he was only wearing black shorts. I shrugged, faced around again, and walked off. "Max!" Charles yelled stepping through the door and rushing forward. He didn't go very far from the house, though.

"Later!" I yelled back, waving without looking. I sprinted back down my normal route. I was at school within about twenty minutes, with running. Stupid school, for not providing buses, I don't live that close!

I stumbled up to the school and instantly headed towards my first class, language arts with Savannah and Alex. I turned from my path and went towards my locker. I forgot to put my Mandarin Chinese books away. Might as well leave them here. I hummed out in my head. I smirked slightly at my own stupidity. My now free of braces, hands were fiddling with the pen in my pocket. I walked into the building with a bowed head and slightly cocky smirk. I went to locker 467 and cautiously entered my code. Only one try, sweet. I stuffed my books away and closed my locker, causing it to lock once more. I picked up my backpack and started towards the door.

"Sup, Maxy?" I heard Alex's voice call teasingly from behind me. I glanced back at him. How did I not see him? His tall, tanned and scrawny body was leaning on a stack of lockers. Today he was wearing gray jeans, a black sweatshirt, a barely showing pink shirt, and his traditional black hat with a blue bill and Mariners (the baseball team) symbol. His hat covered his pointed and short brown hair. He seemed to be awaiting someone's presence. I guess that I'm the presence he needed. He had a dark grin spread across his face, though, if I told someone that I doubt they'd believe it. Most viewed him as some sort of angel.

"What do you want, Alex?" I replied, grumbling. I faced him while crossing my arms.

"A little birdy told me something," Alex sang cockily. He stepped closer. I raised a brow curiously at him. "You want to 'fix the school'?" He answered my internal question. My eyes widened and my heart pounded harshly. He smirked widely, guess I answered his question.

"Who told you that?" I growled, staring up at him. A five-foot-three-inch tiny child like me, standing in front of a five-foot-seven-inch kid like him, was not impressive or intimidating. He didn't scare me, though, so there's that.

"Like I said, 'a little birdy'," he teased more. "If you ask me, that's a stupid idea." He walked passed me. I watched him and smirked.

"Guess it's a good thing no one asked you?" I replied, a new found cocky tone pressing its way free as I spoke. This comment earned his strong glare. I smirked widely until Alex grabbed the collar of my shirt.

"Is there a problem here?" Savannah's voice spat from behind me. Alex dropped my collar, freeing me. I scurried back beside Savannah. Alex scoffed and walked passed us, shoving me in the process. I glared over at him as he went down the hall, probably to meet his friends. "You okay, Max?" Savannah asked, facing me.

"Yeah," I nodded while facing her. "Thanks for helping me out." I grinned at her. "But I totally could've taken him!" I punched the air multiple times.

"Sure." Savannah laughed back. The bell chimed, interrupting our conversation. I groaned while leaning back dramatically.

"Race ya!" I yelled, running out the doors.

"Hey!" Savannah chased after me.

Today went by slowly. A few new subjects that confused me as much as the last, but nothing too extreme. Soon, it was time for the school's not-so-great lunch. I got my free food and went outside to greet the chilled winter day. I sat alone because Savannah was inside, and I didn't like many other kids at this school.

I ate the small bowl of weakly made noodles for my chicken noodle soup and watched a few boys play football on the frosted and slippery grass. None of them had fallen yet, but I knew they would soon. I could feel it. I spaced out as I ate and went into thought mode; What's a good way to fix this place? A fundraiser probably, but what type? Maybe a bake sale? That sounds nice, I like food. I nodded to myself.

"Maybe Valentine Grams?" A sudden, raspy male voice suggested from behind me. He seated himself behind me. I shifted to lean on the gate and face him. The principal; Dr. Pepper (hilarious, I know) was waiting for a response. I looked over his outfit, casual clothes. He had on a loose black sweatshirt that showed off the school's mascot, a Panda. His pants were tan khakis. If parents saw him, I doubt they'd expect him to be a principal. He was not that old, maybe almost thirty. He had a black goatee developing on his chin and face. His black hair was spiked back and playing for the most notice against his white skin. Guess I was thinking aloud again? "We could sell chocolate roses, or chocolates and roses, something like that?" He offered. I nodded hesitantly. "So, what's your name young man?" I stared at him with a dumbfounded expression. Okay, apparently a boy now. Good to know.

"Max," I answered. He nodded back.

"Well, Max, why don't you come to my office after school to discuss how to 'help' the school?" He told me, more than a suggestion. Before I even answered, he got up and walked away. I watched with a large amount of confusion. Well, that just happened. Why would the principal want my help? It was a dumb idea... I guess I'll talk to him after school? The bell rang, forcing me back to my obnoxious history class. Incase you didn't know, I kind of hate everything. Mostly school, though, no offense teachers. I just get really tired.

After school, I was walking towards the office when Savannah stopped me. "Max, there you are!" She yelled. I turned to see her running over. "You weren't at the usual spot?"

"The principal wanted to see me about my idea," I explained with a small shrug.

"Oh!" Savannah smiled in surprise. I nodded, smiling back. The buses loud and obnoxious horns blared throughout the parking lot.

"SON OF A SHITE!" I blurted out rather loudly as I jumped away. Savannah started laughing again. I stared at the buses with a small look of terror. "Jesus Christ," I grumbled, dropping my head with a sigh.

"Later Max, good luck with the principal," Savannah replied, waving and running off. I waved back then walked the other way. My hands slid into my pants pockets after I pushed the school door open.

The school's halls were freakishly empty. The 'intersection', as I like to call it, (it really was just a large gap in the hall with a bathroom, double doors to more classrooms, the office, and a display case) was awaiting something. Though, I'm not sure what. Maybe more students, but to its disappointment, there wouldn't be many until tomorrow morning. I went to the office.

"Hello, what do you need?" The office's secretary asked. I looked at him with a bored expression.

"The principal wanted me after school," I answered simply. He stared at me, then his eyes light up as if he had an idea.

"So you're Max? You don't look like a boy..." He mumbled not-so-quietly.

"Okay...?" I replied, backing up towards the principal's office awkwardly. This conversation was making me uncomfortable now.

"Oh, hello Max." Dr. Pepper greeted from behind me. I faced him in quickly. "Come with me." He motioned me to him. I followed as went to his office. I looked around as we entered the office.

The walls had plain chipped white paint, covering them. A single window looking into the staff lounge. The carpet was coming up from the ground in different places and looked as if they hadn't been cleaned in months. His desk, an old computer, and two chairs were the only noticeable items in here.

"Take a seat," he offered, pointing at the chair across from him. I did so and dropped my bag on the ground. "Is your family aware you're here?" My head shook. "Would you like to call them?" I shrugged, he sighed. "You don't talk much, do you?" Another shrug. "Well, Max, fixing the school will cost a lot of money." I raised a brow. "50,000 dollars to be exact."

"50 WHAT?!" I yelled out in terror. He winced with the sudden volume. "Holy crap," I whimpered, dropping my head on the desk. I can't get that much money in less than five months. That's ridiculous! "Yeah, okay..." I mumbled. The secretary knocked on the door frame.

"Max, your ride is here." He beamed calmly. My ride? I questioned silently. I nodded in reply. That was ridiculously fast.

"So, we'll start selling Valentine Grams? A dollar a pop?" Dr. Pepper asked.

"Sure," I agreed quietly. He nodded back and let me go. "Bye." I waved. I lifted my stuff and followed the secretary out. My dad was standing there with an angered expression. He must have assumed I got in trouble for some reason, even though the only time I've actually gotten in trouble with the office was in second grade when I threw a kid out of a seat on my bus. I casually waved and walked over. My hands went back to my pockets after, I seem to be doing that a lot lately.

We left quickly. I glance over at dad, his peach skin was turning white from the cold. His face was reddening from the cold as well. He was wearing a black suite. He probably had a job interview earlier. His gray and black hair was combed down, attempting to cover his whole head.

"What did you do?" My father growled lowly as we wanted out the building. I looked at him calmly.

"I didn't do anything, we were talking about an idea I had," I answered with a shrug. He scoffed in reply. I looked at the ground sadly.

It was a bit until he spoke out again. "What was the idea?"

"It was nothing..." I mumbled.

"It obviously is. If the principal wanted to talk about it." He grumbled.

"Well, Savannah and I-"

"Again with this Savannah kid?!" He yelled out while interrupting me. I gulped weakly.

"We, well I, wanted to fix the school... The principal heard me at lunch and wanted to talk about it after school, we didn't get very far, though." I motioned to around me as I entered and sat on the car's passenger seat. He never replied, so we rode home in silence. He did this a lot.