Class 11A

Chapter 1: A Rough Day

Rodey stepped through the doors of Monarch Academy, his new school, with an uneasy feeling in his chest. He'd been nervous about the change, hoping for a fresh start, but as he walked down the busy hallways filled with unfamiliar faces, his nerves turned into something more unsettling. His first encounter didn't help.

Before he could reach his classroom, Rodey found himself cornered by Isaac and Harland, the infamous rich bullies of the school. With their designer clothes and smug smirks, they were the untouchable kings of Monarch Academy, thanks to their parents' influence. Isaac blocked Rodey's path, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Hey, new kid, where do you think you're going?" Isaac taunted, pushing Rodey lightly but just hard enough to make his point.

Rodey tried to push past, but Harland stepped in, smirking. "What's the rush? We just wanted to welcome you properly."

Rodey's gut clenched. "I'm just trying to get to class," he muttered, hoping to avoid a scene.

Isaac scoffed, "Not before we say so."

Just as things were about to get worse, Mitchell Lin Kessler walked by, his presence commanding the attention of everyone around him. Lin was a football star and one of the most popular students in the school. Normally, someone like Lin would've stepped in to help, but today, he barely glanced at the situation. His mind was too preoccupied with the upcoming football tournament. The pressure of leading his team to victory and securing a scholarship to college weighed heavily on his shoulders.

Rodey glanced at Lin, hoping for some kind of intervention, but Lin didn't stop. The stress of his own problems kept him from noticing what was happening around him.

Isaac and Harland finally backed off, laughing as they walked away. "Good luck for the year, dickwad," Harland said over his shoulder.

Shaken but determined not to let the incident ruin his day, Rodey made his way to his classroom. He took a deep breath and stepped inside, trying to shake off the encounter. His goal was to fit in, maybe even make some friends, but that hope was dashed the moment he tried to sit in the front row.

Isaac and Harland, who had apparently made their way into the same class, snickered from the back. "The front row isn't for you," Isaac called out, his voice dripping with disdain. "Back there is more your speed."

Heat flushed Rodey's face as the entire class turned to look at him. Reluctantly, he grabbed his bag and moved to the back, feeling the weight of the school's unspoken hierarchy fall on his shoulders.

In the middle row sat Lin, already in his seat, tapping his fingers on his desk. Though he was a star on the field, Lin wasn't much of a scholar. Sitting in the middle gave him the comfort of being in the background academically, but the pressure of being the best football player kept him firmly in the spotlight. As he looked up, he noticed Kelly McKenzie walk into the room.

Kelly was the most well-known girl in their grade—smart, kind, and, like Lin, at the top of the social ladder. They had dated briefly in Class 10, but Lin had broken things off, worried that a relationship would be a distraction. He couldn't afford any distractions. Kelly paused when she saw him, a flicker of hurt crossing her face before she turned and sat in the back next to Rodey, making Lin feel an odd mix of sadness and frustration.

Rodey, on the other hand, was relieved. He didn't expect anyone like Kelly to sit next to him, let alone talk to him. "Uh, hey," Rodey said, trying not to sound too nervous. "I'm Rodey."

Kelly smiled warmly, her kindness making the weight of the earlier bullying melt away. "Nice to meet you, Rodey," she said, her voice calm and welcoming. "Don't let Isaac and Harland get to you. They're always like that."