The first day of school can go either way for any high schooler, especially when one is either a transfer student, a senior, or in rare cases...both.

And for yours truly, reader, my official debut at Sandifer Bay High School was bound to be met with a lot of controversy, if not chaos. At the moment, I was collecting my new school supplies and taking stock of my parental-approved Ralph Lauren wardrobe picked out by Lita and Diana (both of them dragging me to a nearby high-brow mall that was too rich for my blood if not for the girls offering to pay for everything) as Dad stood in the doorway. "All eyes will be on you, Kyle," he said firmly as he stepped inside my room. "You being the new kid in town and in your senior year will be a crucial moment to let your new peers know who you are and where you stand. And thanks to your newfound friendship with Marcel and his friends, you're going to make some positive waves. But it'll be up to you to show everyone that you're willing to be open and become a social butterfly."

I took a deep breath, all but ready to give my sperm donor a swift poke to the nose. If he didn't have control of my social life (and my credit cards that I hardly ever use, much to his and Mom's dismay), I'd do just that. "Dad, I'm just a bit nervous for my big premiere," I said. "I mean, this is all happening a bit fast for me and-"

"Cowboy up, boy," Dad sharply cut me off before softening his tone. "I get that you're bogged down by this move and beginning fresh in unfamiliar territory, but it doesn't change the fact that your mother and I only want the best for you. This is your moment to prove to me that you're going to start being more assertive and outgoing like your sisters. Don't you feel tired of me being on you for being a bookworm and cynical about hanging around jocks? Aren't you a little sick of being around the low-rung people and letting them poison your mindset?"

I turned to him. "Right now, Dad, I'm just tired of being reminded that I'm not going to meet your standards no matter how hard I try," I said truthfully. "And I'm sorry for saying this, but it's the truth."

Dad narrowed his eyes. "Just head downstairs," he demanded lowly. "And remember, son, that you're not going to have it easy until you start truly showing me and your mother that you're going to be a shining star like your sisters. Marcel and his friends will ensure that you're going to become what you're meant to be."

Ho-hum. Can't wait. I dutifully grabbed my packed backpack and headed downstairs, stopping to grab only a granola bar before I heard a car horn from outside. "Marcel's going to be the one to drive you to class," Mom said as Grandma and Grandpa were enjoying some breakfast. "Make sure to leave a lasting impression, Kyle. And remember to at least make a few more friends outside of those nobodies."

I bit back a retort before ducking outside and joining Marcel in his ridiculously large SUV, sitting in the front passenger seat. "Ready for the biggest debut of your life?" the jock said eagerly, giving me a wide grin.

I inhaled sharply, keeping my gaze straightforward to catch Dad's domineering glare as he crossed his arms. "Ready as I'll ever be," I replied. "Let's ride."

Let the twelfth grade begin, ladies and germs!

******************

If I thought that my preliminary debut at Sandifer Bay High was unnerving from meeting the teachers and Marcel's two dads (the principal and vice-principal), then the OFFICIAL first day as a senior was ridiculously intimidating since every student and teacher was dressed as if they lived as extras from the Beverly Hills 90210 franchise- all designer chic and looking camera-ready for a photoshoot.

Good Lord almighty, what the hell did I sign up for when I was enrolled in this school? Trouble, that's what.

"Don't feel shy, Kyle," Kaleb said as the whole gang (Lita and Diana included) escorted me through the halls while everyone gave me leery and domineering smiles and teasing looks. "Everyone's been waiting to get a new look at you since they all heard about our encounter with you last week."

I clenched the straps of my backpack as I caught the sight of one perky young woman dressed in shades of pink and had the vibes of a Valley Girl- from her flowing blonde hair to her blue eyes. I caught her stare as she smiled back at me, eagerly approaching me.

"Oh, great," I heard Lincoln mutter. "It's a nobody and she's ready to try and sneak her way into Kyle's heart."

I paid him no attention as the Valley Girl approached me. "Hey there, newbie," she greeted me in a typical Valley-Girl accent. "I'm Tiffany Detweiler, one of the 'nobodies' here at Sandifer Bay and you must be Kyle York, the new kid in town."

"That I am," I replied, shaking hands with her. "And I don't think that you're a nobody at all."

"Well, we do," Josiah sneered from behind me as Marcel brusquely led me away from her. "And you need to stay away from her, Yorkie. She's one of the few nobodies that we're commissioned by your dad to keep you away from you. You can't be distracted by her ilk."

I turned to him and the others with a heated glare. "That's a bit harsh for you to say, but I expected that since Dad hired y'all to be my bodyguards," I retorted just as the bell rang, making everyone hurry to their homerooms.

I slunk inside Mr. Abernathy's classroom (unfortunately for me, I shared the same AP classes with my teenage guard dogs) as more and more students gawked at me, some of them gave me the same leering grins (including the thirtysomething-year-old teacher who should know better). After the usual roll-call, announcements and pledge of allegiance from the PA, and student-planner distribution), it was time for me to introduce myself to my classmates. "So, my name is Kyle York and I'm a senior like most of you," I began, keeping my voice even and my posture fixed professionally. "I'm originally from Oakland, born and raised, and I am...well, I'm not the typical nerd who liked to hide behind books and all. I love to draw and design clothes, hence me wanting to become a fashion designer or marketer. I'm not one to be intimidated easily and street-smart, hence me being ready to throw down when need be. Right now, I'm not sure how my senior year is going to pan out other than having a busy schedule on my hands thanks to my parents and my designated circle of friends- Marcel Dermott and company. Things can either become a total disaster or not, but all I can do is embrace what's to come."

Everyone smiled brightly, a stout Black kid who was a typical gang-banger based on his hip-hop-themed ensemble standing up from the back. "Did you have any friends back in Oakland?" he wanted to know.

I took a deep breath, deciding to rip off the band-aid. "I did, but not the usual circle of nerds," I answered. "I also hung out with Valley Girls and Beach Boys, the Goth kids, some of the gangbangers, and even the religious kids from conservative families. And in case you're wondering, I didn't like to spend time with the jocks, cheerleaders, and social-climbing teens like my parents wanted."

I took my seat, the ominous silence in the air as I had the feeling that I was going to be the talk of the school for the rest of the day. And the day begins.

Don't think that Kyle's debut at Sandifer Bay High School is all but over, folks! This is part one of what to expect! Part two is going down during lunchtime and Kyle is making his intentions known in the next chapter! Don't miss a beat!

Dedication: ThatTrillBlasian. Song: "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People.

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