The Key

Prologue

Hello ground, was my first thought when I fell.

Paper and notes from my previous classes scattered everywhere. I groaned, getting up, or at least trying to. I had barely managed to sit up when someone kicked my side.

I cringed at the impact, my side flaring up in pain instantly. I didn't even glance up to see it was none other than Samuel Ray, my childhood bully. I rolled my eyes as I stayed on the floor. Another blow to my poor sides and stomach.

"Hey look at me!"

Samuel snickered at me, I grunted in response and turned over onto my back. Samuel had gotten taller over the summer, his raven hair was messy as usual and his cold unemotional brown eyes started at me, clearly amused. I'd seen that look on my bullies before. I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"Just get on with it, Samuel. What is it going to be this time? Slime? Another beating?"

I asked as he frowned at me. She picked me up by m collar and it was my turn to be amused. I looked around to see people staring at us and expected for his goons to be snickering with Samuel. When I didn't find his goons I raised an eyebrow at him. My lips curled into a smirk, he's like a little child, unattended. I then cringed at the impact of the lockers hitting the back of my head. Or is it the other way around?

"Where are your goons, Samuel?" I cooed.

Samuel didn't respond, I probably had hit a nerve right there and then. Samuel looked at me, his expression clearly saying: 'Shut up and let me beat you to a pulp.' I chuckled opening my mouth but Samuel cut me off.

"Well then where's dear Landon...eh?" He sneered. Now it was my turn to be mad. Landon was never to be mentioned near me. Never. It's not like I hate Landon or anything. It's just that he was my first ever friend before I moved away.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when I crashed the ground, butt first. Cue cringe. The whole hall laughed I rolled my eyes and got up as Samuel sneered and walked away. I was about to reach to my binder when another hand got to it first.

"Oh my Gods, Samuel this is not--oh...you're not Samuel?" I said not looking at the person at first.

I looked up to see a kid, well not just any kid but one specific kid. One of the transfer students. Darius Vaze, I think. I stared at him dumbfounded, no one had ever helped me out before. Well no one except for my 'friends' who are basically the fakest in the market and Landon.

Darius's blue eyes started at me as my grey eyes stared back. He had a blank face, same as mine. After what seemed like a lifetime, he broke our little stare war. I frowned at him.

"Why are you helping me?" I asked in a blank tone.

Darius shrugged and continued to pick up my stiff as I picked up myself, he handed me my books silently and gave me a half-smile. "Because I can."

I took the books from him, well more like snatched and walked off to my next class, AP Calculus. Darius followed after me, which only made me walk even faster. By the time I got to my next class, I was panting. Don't get me wrong, I love to run, but walking--no speed walking to the other end of the hall while someone chased you? Yeah, not the best way to start off the year. I walked in and sat next to my partner, who groaned.

"Oh for the love of--" He started while I just rolled my eyes.

"Right back at you, Daniel." I said, narrowing my eyes at him.

Daniel was one of Samuel's friends, a jock who was in the football team and can he throw a ball. Mr. Stuart walked in and cleared his throat which made most the students turn to him. "Since you are in senior year, you will not be seated in alphabetical order. I will be picking our partners for this term."