**Please note while reading this that this has not been edited, simply written and uploaded so expect grammar errors, misspelled words, and misplaced words. I do try my best to catch them but my mind tends to drift off while I'm writing. So giving any criticism regarding those things will be a waste of you time as I am very much aware. However if you insist on commenting about it please tell me in what paragraph the mistake is so I may fix it. Also any flame comments, or self-promotion comments will be deleted, and ignored.**

Chapter One

I pursed my lips as I stared at my reflection. There were circles under my eyes so dark that not even my concealer could completely hide it, and my skin was paler than usual. I sighed letting my head droop. I was going to show up for my first day back at high school looking like a zombie.

I'd stayed up all night trying to comfort Emilia, my little sister. Not only was today her first day being in second grade, but she was also burdened with having to hear Mom and Daniel argue about money throughout the whole night. Their room is right next to her's and this house has thin walls.

I grabbed a hair tie, and then quickly pulled the thick brown hair from my face into a ponytail. There was a soft knock on the bathroom door followed by Emilia’s voice, "Sage it's time to go. Mommy told me to tell you that the bus won't wait for you."

I laughed quietly, opening the door. Emmy stood there looking up at me with her big green eyes; an innocent smile on her face. I leaned down to kiss her cheek. "Good morning to you too, gorgeous." I teased tugging lightly on her blonde braid. She didn't look nearly as rough as I did. Two dimples appeared on her face as her smile widened.

She was the only person I was genuinely sweet too, and she knew it.

Emilia followed me downstairs. Neither of us bothered acknowledging Daniel or Mom; they were already fighting anyway. I put on my black combat boots as Emilia put on her shoes. Kneeling down I tied her shoe laces.

I opened the door then took her hand and led her outside. We raced down to the bus stop in silence. When we got there the last kid was just getting on Emilia’s bus.

“Good luck, and remember if you need anything tell the school to call your big sister Sage Williams okay?” I reminded her as I gave her a quick hug. I would never trust my mom or her new husband to take care of her, or even show up if the school called.

Her head bobbed. She smiled at me before running onto the bus. I watched as the bus drove away, waving at her as it went.

Soon enough my bus rolled down the street, and finally came to a stop. The doors opened, the driver nodded to me. I was the only one at this pick up. I smiled at the older man as I got in.

I paused to look around. My best friend Delilah had told me she would save the seat next to her, yet when I finally spotted her she was giggling next to my worst enemy; Serena. She didn't even look up though she knew this was my stop. I stared for a moment; pausing to be sure she was legitimate.

She was.

Pushing down the feeling of betrayal I started the walk of shame. She knew how much I hated not having anyone to sit with on the bus. I stopped at the back of the bus where the “trouble-makers” usually sat and plopped down next to a random boy. I accepted to hear a "That seat is saved, sorry." from him but he remained quiet as he stared out of the bus window.

I observed him from the corner of my eyes. All I could make out was pitch black hair that contrasted with his pale face. He also had the legs long as a giraffe's. I continued staring at him until he glanced over at me with his eyebrows raised. "I can tell your staring at me." He stated, he sounded quite amused. His voice was deep, husky. Now that he was facing me I could see his eyes. They were a silver-ish looking blue color. I hadn't seen anyone with such blue eyes.

I cursed the blood running to my face. "I wasn't staring. I was observing." I crossed my arms and turned my head away from him only to make eye contact with Serena. Her lips twisted into an evil smile. She whispered something to Delilah but her brown eyes remained on me. Delilah looked back at me with disgust in her eyes. I sunk lower into the bus seat as I tried to get out of their vision.

"Sure." He remarked in a disbelieving yet amused tone. I rolled my eyes. We sat in silence until he finally introduced himself. "I'm Andy by the way."

"That's a boring name." I commented nervously peeking at Delilah. I wasn't sure what I had done, or what Serena had said, what I did know was that it couldn't be good.

"Oh really? And what's your name?" Andy asked. I looked at him to find him smiling. I contemplated whether or not to tell him.

"Sage." I finally grumbled.

That was the end of our conversation as the bus came to a stop right after. I jumped out of my seat and began shoving my way out. I was soon hidden in a group of teenagers. I remained in the blob until we got into the school.There was a huge amount of teenagers walking the wall. Lockers were being slammed shut, multiple people were chatting, and reuniting with their friends. I found my locker and began gathering my things.

"Sage!" I didn't have time to register who the voice belonged to before my body was slammed into a locker. The person's arms wrapped around me in what seemed like a friendly hug. The body finally released me. I spun to face the person. A grin formed on my face when I saw who it was.

Cassie, my other best friend. I pulled her into another hug, not really considering her crushing my ribs a proper one. "I haven't seen you all summer," I said stepping back, thoughts of Serena and Delilah were now gone. I took one last book from my locker then closed it. "How was Paris you lucking bitch?" Her parent's were extremely rich, they were also going through a divorce. A ticket to Paris had been one of her father's attempts to win her over.

She smiled, a look on her face I hadn't seen since she was in love with Derek, her ex. "Ohhh." I cooed. "Who is it? Spill while we walk, I'm going to be late."

We gradually began walking until we made it to our homeroom; Cassie telling me all about her adventures in Paris as we went.

The hours passed, seeming longer than they were, until school was over. I had gotten through the day alive, I wouldn't had if looks could kill. Delilah had been ignoring me all day. She glared at me when I walked down the halls. She hadn't even spoken to me. Well I guess that sarcastic, "Sorry." after she tripped me at lunch could be considered speaking.

I had to stay after school though for hockey practice. The halls were nearly empty when I went to my locker since I stayed in the classroom until I was sure the majority of kids had left. Of course there were a few stragglers talking. I spun in my combination. Today had gone alright. I mean it would have been better my best friend wasn't out to get me but I'll take it. Letting out a sigh I shoved all my school stuff into my backpack.

The teachers loaded us with homework; not that I minded. It gave me something to do while trapped in the house.

I began walking through the empty halls, to the school's ice skating rink. I was such a slow walker that all the kids were already there by the time I arrived. They were sitting on the benches outside the rink.

"Sorry I'm late." I addressed the coach as I went to the last bleacher and sat down.

"It's not problem, we're just about to start anyway." She replied with a kind smile.

I dropped my backpack beside my feet, and propped my face up by putting my elbows on my knees so I could rest my face in my palms.

There was a sound of shuffling, and "Excuse me." Someone sat down in the empty seat next to me. "Are you stalking me?" A rough voice whispered in a teasing tone from beside me.

I looked over at the person to see the boy from the bus, Andy. I sighed. "You're the one who sat next to me." I reminded.

Andy grinned. "You sat next to me first."

I rolled my eyes, staring straight ahead. "I didn't even know you were a hockey player. Stop flattering yourself. I barely know you. Besides I doubt you're interesting enough to stalk."

"Are you always this feisty?" He inquired.

"Only for you." I remarked.

"Aw, I feel special."

"You are special," I hissed. "Special in the brain."

He let out a loud laugh causing the group of teenagers to stare at us. I felt my face heat up as I hit his shoulder with mine as hard as I could in an attempt to shut him up. The coach raised an eyebrow at us.

"Something you'd like to share Mr. Biersack?" She asked.

I looked down trying to hide my amusement. "No ma'am," Andy assured. "Won't happen again."

"It better not." She warned. She gave me a piercing look before returning to her lecture.

"I've talked to you twice and you're already getting me in trouble." Andy almost whined.

I glared at him, not liking the way he put the blame on me. "Me? You're the one who can't control your laughter. It wasn't even that funny for Christ's sake. It was supposed to shut you up in fact."

I felt a wave of accomplishment when he remained quiet. I almost thought that he was done but sure enough near the end of the coach's lecture on safety he mumbled, "Your plan to shut me up sucked." I simply shot him a cold look. Once the coach dismissed practice, even though I'm not sure that was a accurate thing to call it since it was more like torture and lectures, I didn't even get out on the ice, I booked it as fast as I could.