Chapter 1: New School, Floors, and Still Same Old Same Old

It all started out great, my first day at my new school. Then I opened my eyes and got up. I ended up having a typical day, for me. Which meant that I only tripped over five things, hit my head on six, and stubbed my toes nine times (Okay, you caught me, it was way more than that...sheesh, leave off). My whole goal for my last school year was to get in, get great grades, and get back out. I did not need most of the student population gawking at me like I was their new form of entertainment. Though, in a way, I guess I was. Stink high school and the need to have something or someone to laugh at.

I'll start at the beginning of my day though, and work my way through the rest of the mess. I drove off in my old Ford pick-up. So I was driving along, singing very loud to Rascal Flatts' new song, Summer Night's, when the thought hit me, that this was my last first day of high school. Frankly, I could have burst out into song, but seeing as how I was already in the middle of singing, "Summer nights, everybody's feelin' sexy..." I didn't see the point.

Pulling into the parking lot of the school, I nearly felt sick to my stomach. But then I brightened and said to myself, "What could happen?" Well, not the wisest thing to think at that moment. I gave myself a better pep talk, realizing even then that that wasn't really the best thought I'd ever had.Come on Mel, don't be a loser, just get out of the truck, yep. My thoughts said as I eased out of my chair, Thats good, now, keep walking, NO!You are not turning around. You need this and running won't help. I forced my self to keep walking, a new school wasn't hell or anything, right?

My thoughts continued to run rampant, taking over for my body. No, do not look at that guy, in fact, no looking at any guys. Thats right, eyes in front, WAIT! It was too late. I had tripped over a door, sending me to the floor. I had not met this one yet. I took a second or two to get acquainted before I shoved my self up. This was only the first time. A few looked concerned, others snickered, and others just ignored me. I liked those last ones the best.

My walk to the office proved to be fraught with peril, seeing as I never had the common sense to just look where I was going. By the time I found and reached the office, I was sore, and had gathered a small crowd. I could hear some whispers and I realized that some guys were placing bets on me. On the next time I fell, or tripped. I sent a glare over my shoulder, before walking into the office door. Now, everybody was just laughing out loud, and no one was ignoring me.

The secretary looked concerned as I walked in. "Are you okay sweetie? You looked like you hit your head pretty hard." The I mumbled something like, "I've had worse." The secretary shook her head and asked for the my name.

"Melyssa Ryder, I'm here to see," I paused as I looked down at my paper. "Principal Wagner" I finished.

The elderly lady bobbed her head and said, "He's expecting you dear, go right on ahead to the office to your left." I sighed as I walked over to the said office and knocked. A loud voice called out, "Come in!" I sighed again, the voice was too cheery for my liking. I turned the knob and walked in.

To be completely honest, I was surprised at the man in the chair. He wasn't portly and bald, old and scary, like the critic dude in Ratouville. No, he was about thirty, having an abundance of hair. He was actually handsome. Then my mind caught up with what I had just thought. I mentally slapped myself. Principals were not handsome. They were people who congratulated you when you made the honor roll, again.

He hurried over and stuck out his hand for me to shake. Which I did, pretty sure I surprised him with how firm it was. I didn't give wet noodle hand shakes, it made people think you are weak. Which I'm anything but. I dragged back my thoughts and concentrated on what he was saying.

"We are very glad to have you Miss Ryder. Even though you are here on scholarship, I'm sure rule breaking and such won't be a problem. You came highly recommended by all your teachers." His voice trailed off as he searched for something on his desk. "I see you took off a semester in your sophomore year, claiming personal problems, yet you made up any work you may have lost and more." He leaned forward, searching my eyes, as if to find out why I had taken that semester off.

He found nothing, my mind is impenetrable, no one knows the reason for that except my mother, and she doesn't exactly tell anyone. My mind immediately shut down, not thinking of...that time. The Principal leaned back, unsatisfied. "Well," My mind snapped back to the present with his words. "We do not allow that much time off for personal matters, see that nothing like that happens this year, for that long. You can get your schedule from Ms. Waterston, and be on your way to your next class."

With that, he spun around and perused the computer behind him. I stood up and walked out stiffly. The secretary looked up with a smile and handed me my schedule, and a pass for being late. "Thanks," I muttered as I dashed out into the hallway, and into something solid. I grunted as I fell backwards, my arms spinning to break my fall. Funny, I didn't remember there being an obstacle there earlier.

I looked up, and there was a guy just standing there, laughing. I glared up at him, he wasn't even offering a hand so I could get up. Believe me, I usually needed one. It seemed that he finally got why I was glaring at him, and stopped laughing. Holding out his hand he asked, "Want some help?" It was very nicely said...but, I couldn't help a feeling that he was still laughing at me.

"No." I said very clearly. I sat there, feeling ridiculous, but my stubbornness wouldn't let me take his hand, and my pride was keeping me from trying to get up without falling, again, in front of him. I could understand why a confused look came into his eyes.

"What? Then are you just going to sit there all day?" he asked incredulously. I rolled my eyes at him. "Silly boy," I watched as he tensed up at that. "No, I'm not. I am just spending quality time with someone," Or something, a nasty voice sniggered in my head. "who I will know very well in the coming year."

I watched as his face contorted. "That was the worst come on ever, it deserves an award." he rumbled. I rolled my eyes again, was he really that conceited? I really could only see his legs anyway. I had no idea whether he was hot or not. Then I voiced this opinion. "I can't believe you could be so conceited. I was talking about the floor."

I watched as a look of anger, confusion, understanding, then humor crossed his eyes. "Do you fall a lot?" He questioned. I pretended to consider that. "Define a lot."

He grinned and held out his hand again. This time I took it, and was surprised at how fast I was on my feet. Then I looked at him. Holy cow, I had been semi-flirting with a Greek god. Okay, for me, a lot flirting. My cheeks were flaming, and I mumbled something about homeroom, and practically ran, being so careful of not falling. No, I waited until I got to homeroom to do that.

Okay, so this is just a filler for my time, so its not as good as it could be, but still, review lots, tell me what you think, don't spare me, and I'll probably get the next chappie up soon. And I don't know what I'm calling this yet, so, yeah.

~abbagrl9