Change of Heart

Chapter 69

Caden's POV

**

Being sent to a new school blows! All because they don't want me to have to repeat the fifth grade a third time, they're sending me to a different school. Luckily, they're sticking me in the sixth grade with my sister. I don't want her to find out how I really am. She only thinks I've been held back because of my grades...for her sake, she'll never find out about the second time. I'll just move on as if nothing ever happened. That school, and that experience is all in the past.

Our so-called foster parent doesn't care about either of us, leaving us to mend for ourselves. The only time he's actually taken the time for either of us was moving us to this new school all because I was going to be held back a second time. I don't know why he even bothered, but in any case, I don't care. The moment I'm 18, I'm taking Serine and getting out of this dump!

"Caden...I'm scared.." Serine embraced me from the side, clinging to me with tears in her eyes.

"Why are you scared? There's nothing to be afraid of." Patting her head, I wanted to calm her down. Pulling her away, I squatted down a bit so that we were face to face.

Wiping her eyes, she answered with distortion in her voice. "I don't want to go to a new school..."

Franky, I didn't either. Who knows if that school would've been worse or not. "I know, but you've gotta keep your head up. If things go wrong, I'll be there for you." Kissing her on the forehead, she gave a big smile. "Now come on, we're gonna be late for the bus on our first day, and we can't have that." She nodded as I took her hand.

**

Arriving at the school, it was much larger than our old one. Even I was getting sick to my stomach. I took Serine to the front desk to get our schedules and locker information. Of course, we both had all different classes. I guess that's to be expected.

"Come on, I'll take you to class." Taking her hand, she tugged at my shirt.

"Won't you be late for yours though?"

Even though I'm a year older, she still manages to look out for me. "I won't be late. Besides, I don't think my class is much further from yours." She gave a small frown but nodded in agreement.

After dropping her off at her class, I began to take a small detour of my own. Everyone kept staring at me like I was some kind of weirdo. Whatever, they can think what they like. I'm not here to get anyone's approval.

As the bell rang, someone running at full speed slammed right into me, causing the two of us to bounce back. Unable to hold back my anger, I shouted out. "What the hell is your problem? Would you watch where you're going?"

Standing to my feet, a kid was a fee feet in front of me, scrambling through his papers. His hair was long and shaggy, almost like a rat's nest. Not only that, but it was bright orange. I could already tell there's a bunch of weirdos here. "Sorry, I'm in a hurry,"

As people rushed passed us scrambling to get to there class, I walked passed him only to run into someone else. "Hey sorry bout that, if you'll excuse me, I've gotta catch up with a friend." He ran straight past me without even a response from me. Looking back, I saw him helping out that orange haired freak. So that's his friend huh? Like I said, a school filled with a bunch of weirdos.

**

Reaching my third period class, I realized those two from this morning were both in this class too. Perfect. The normal looking one, with short brown hair came up and sat next to me. "Hey, you're the one from this morning right? The new kid?"

"Yea, what about it?" I scoffed looking away. Persistent, he moved in front of me.

"The name's Jake."

What is with this guy? Was he congratulating me or something? "Ok, Jake, well I'm going to move over there while you stay here, alright?" Standing up, I moved to the other side, and thankfully, he stayed put. In the end though, I ended up sitting a couple seats from Orange head. I'm already really hating this school.

**

The end of school came along, and I had already gotten into almost three fights. Not really going off to a good start.

"Hey!" I heard someone shout out from behind me. Turning around, I saw Jake running toward me. What does he want now?

"I already told you to leave me alone." I started walking away again, but he just took a hold of my arm. "Hey, leg go!"

"I never got your name."

Pulling my arm away, I gave him a nasty look. "That's because I never gave it." Looking around, I still didn't see Serine. Turning back, I asked. "What do you want? Make it quick."

Crossing his arms, he started. "Zeke told me what happened, between you two I mean." Zeke must be that orange head.

"You mean that orange haired weirdo?"

He laughed. "Yea, he is kind of a weirdo. Anyways, he said he really is sorry for bumping into you. He's kind of a klutz too."

"Get to the point, already."

"Wanna hang out with us sometime? You know, as a way to forget about what happened?"

Without a second thought the words came shooting out. "No thanks. Now if you'll excuse me, I-"

Stepping in front of me, he blocked my way. He was seriously getting on my nerves. "Come on, just one day. This Saturday, maybe? If you don't like us, then you can just drop us, easy as that."

Looking over to the side, I saw Serine walk right past us, and just so that I could get him to shut up, I agreed. "Fine, but I've got to go." Pushing past him, I ran up to Serine getting on the bus with her. Sitting next to her, she clung to my arm, resting her head on my shoulder.

"Are you alright?" I asked with sincerity, and she shook her head without a word. Taking a hold of her hand, I did my best to comfort her. Looks like neither of us had the best time, and to make matters worse, this was only the first day.