The Mind's Voice

Chapter 1: Meeting The New Ryaan Cater

    I watched my feet. My eyes never leaving my red converse. A new school, a new name, a new beginning, but most importantly another chance at being normal.

    My name is Ryaan Carter, formally known as Nicole Devoul. I'm seventeen, approximately five feet and four inches. My Aunt Jane is my new caretaker and she currently lives a bit outside of Portland,OR on our family estate.

    It's just the two of us, and my grandmother. We are the only surviving members of my family that we know of. Not but a few months ago my parents died in a terrible fire. No one knows who did it or how it started and I'm the prime suspect, because I'm....

    "Ryaan! Are you paying attention?" My Aunt scolded. I looked at her my grass green eyes wide with shock. My aunt never really was close with me so adapting to my new name came easily for her.

    "Sorry Aunt Jane."

    Aunt Jane let out a huge sigh. "I said I won't be picking you up for school so make sure you don't miss the bus, I have a photo shoot that is going to run through dinner so please make sure that Grandmother gets her meal."

    I nodded  my head. My Aunt Jane worried about everything, it was a miracle that she didn't have worry lines. "Alright Auntie."

    I pulled down the sleeves of my gray sweatshirt as she kissed my forehead. I turned facing the school in front of me. "Have a good first day at school." She smiled sweetly and turned on her heels.

    Biting my lip I entered the doors to Haywood High. The secretary greeted me and handed me my schedule. She showed me to my locker and then left me, leaving me exposed to the unpredictable students of Haywood.

    My first class was Physical Education. I rolled my eyes as I snuck into the gym quietly trying not to draw attention  to myself. The door clicked shut as thirty pairs of eyes shifted onto me. My heart started to beat faster as my shoes squeaked against the floor. The moment was awkward and not a great start to my new beginning.

    I handed the P.E. teacher my slip and he introduced me. "Everyone this is Ryan Carter."

    I cleared my throat. "It's Ry-aan" My cheeks painted pink as the class looked at me. I was thrown some P.E. clothes.

     "Dress down." The teacher ordered me.

    I opened my mouth to speak. "Olive, take her to the locker room." He cut me off pointing to a blond girl with eyes the color of lavender.

    She stood up and giggled. Gesturing me to follow her. She danced ahead of me humming a tune to herself.

    She tossed me a lock with a paper that contained my combination on it. "T-thanks." I mustered out.

    She smiled big. "Shy aren't cha?"

    I shrugged. "Nervous more then anything." I smiled a little back.

    She giggled and outstretched her hand towards me. "Well I'm Olive Harens."

    I shook her hand confidently. "Nice to meet you."

    She giggled again and linked arms with me as we entered back into the gym.

    "Already make a new friend Olive?" A tall blond boy asked, laughing to himself.

    Olive stuck her tongue out at him. "Indeed I have Brad."

    Two more boys appeared next to us with a girl. "Ryaan, This is Henry and Victoria." She gestured to the tall red headed boy. His hair was long and he was a Little gangily. She then pointed to a black haired girl with an extremely curvy body and a scowl on her face.