Un-broken

Chapter 1

Rion POV

It has been one month since I moved into my new house in Ventura, California. I must say, I do like the location. We are about 10 minutes from the beach and only 1 mile away from my new school. There is also gorgeous fall weather and it doesn't ever get too hot or too cold. I would say I love it here if I wasn't so apprehensive about my first day of school today. Ever since 9th grade, I have attended my old school in Oregon. Starting fresh in a public high school my senior year of school is far from my bucketlist.

"Rion Sophia Hayes! Are you awake?! Don't make me come get you." Mom yells from downstairs pulling me from my thoughts.

I glance down at the clock resting on my dresser to notice that I have been sitting on my bed daydreaming for the past 20 minutes and it is now 7:20. I take a rushed shower and wrap myself in a towel before running to my closet. Luckily, I had the foresight to lay out my first day outfit last night. I slip into a pair of dark blue jeans and a floral blouse whilst running my fingers through my wet hair. I step into a pair of nude flats to finish off my outfit. After dressed, I apply a thin coat of mascara to my eyelashes, and a layer of light pink lip gloss to my lips to finish off the look. Glancing at the clock, I see it is now 7:50 and after a quick peek in the mirror, I grab my gray Jansport backpack before dashing down the stairs towards the door.

"Are you sure you don't want a ride?" mom asks as she braids a giggling Emely's hair.

"No thanks, Mom. And I really have to go. I cannot be late on my first day."

Mom gives me a small smile. "Okay honey. Have a good day. Make some friends. I love you."

"Love you too, Mom." I say quickly before running out of the house and to the car.

"Have a good day at school, Munchkin!" Preston calls out with a warm smile as he waters our front lawn.

"Thanks Doofus! Good luck finding a job." I say through the rolled down car window. He gives me a quick thumbs-up and I'm off to school.

It is 7:55 by the time I pull into Oceanview High School parking lot and as much as I would love to give myself the "You can do this" pep talk, I have no time. I hastily park my car and jump out without a second to spare. I sprint towards the administration office and beg for my schedule. It is 7:58 by the time they hand it to me. When I see the room number, I notice I have no idea where that is and the sad reality hits. I'm going to be late on my first day of school. What a great start to my senior year.

Since I'm going to be late anyways, I might as well take my time. After leaving the office, I stop for a moment and study my schedule for this school year. English 12, Economics, Pre-Calculus, Lunch, Physics, free period, Government --that's what my days will look like. I silently stroll the hallways looking for the classroom holding my English 12 class. I expected to find my room, but what I did not expect is all the nervous feelings I felt upon my arrival. Though this is my fourth time transferring schools, this transfer feels different. I am no longer in elementary school. Will my new peers like me? Will the girls think I'm cool? Will the guys think I'm awkward? I force myself to grab the door handle. There's no turning back now. Using every ounce of courage that I can muster, I hastily turn the doorknob letting myself into the room.

The moment I enter the classroom, all the noises fall away and the anticipated staring begins. With my head downcast, I silently make my way to the back and take a seat in the corner of the classroom. All interest in me from my new piers is abruptly lost and I momentarily think I am off the hook. That is until I hear my name being called.

"Well, since we've been interrupted, I might as well take this time to introduce our new student. My name is Mrs. Carter. And you are Rion?" asks my new instructor, a petite Caucasian woman probably in her later 30's.

"Um...y-yes. I'm Rion Hayes. But you can call me-"

"Late on the first day" Mrs. Carter interrupts. "Not a very good first impression, Miss Hayes." She eyes me one last time before returning her attention back to her lecture. I shrink back in my seat attempting to avoid the lingering stares from several of my fellow peers. As I retrieve my English textbook from beneath my chair, I try to focus in on what my harsh instructor is explaining, but all I can dwell upon is how I will survive the rest of this day.

My next few periods went very much like the first –long and awkward. Economics class was my least favorite, mainly because it was so boring. On the bright side, I did survive my morning classes and it is now lunch time. Deciding not to risk the mystery meat being served in the cafeteria, I head to a table at the back corner of the cafeteria seating area before I pull a book out of my backpack and begin to read.

"Is anyone sitting with you?" I look up to see the pretty red-headed girl I recognize from my Economics class. "I'm sorry to disturb you. I'm new here and have nowhere to sit."

"No. This seat isn't taken." I say giving a small smile before returning my attention back on my book.

"Oh good! I'm Maya Little." Says the pretty red-head that now has a name.

Realizing I'm not going to get any more reading done, I place my book back into my backpack and sit up straighter. "I'm Rye. You're in my Economics class, right?"

"Yup! Man, that class was boring. I fell asleep...Oh my gosh! I wasn't snoring was I?!"

"No. you're good." I say with a light laugh.

"Oh thank goodness! That would have been so embarrassing!!" Right at that moment, the bell rings signaling we have ten minutes to get our books and be at our next class period, mine being Physics. Egh!

"Alright. Well I guess I'll see you later then?" Maya asks as she gathers her belongings.

"Okay. Sounds good." I say holding back my excitement.

"Perfect! Okay. Bye Rye!"

"See ya, Maya." I reply with a short wave, sporting a grin. So I made a friend. Maybe this day isn't so bad after all.

I exit the cafeteria and head outside, walking around the football field towards the back building, where my Physics class is held. I walk with a new pep in my step as I hum a tune under my breath, feeling the best I've felt all day. That is, until I get hit in the head with a football.

I am now lying on the ground clutching the spot on my head where the ball hit. 'Stupid football players. It's the middle of school. Not football practice' I think to myself.

"Are you okay?" Looking up, I see a boy holding his hand out to me to help me up. I take his hand and he pulls me up off the ground with ease.

"Thanks." I say brushing myself off. Looking up at him, the first thing I notice is the light scar along the hairline of his messy chocolate-brown main. He has another one on his jaw line beside his chin. I look into his peculiar gray eyes as he looks back into my green ones. We stand there frozen for awhile, studying eachother. Suddenly, the obnoxious bell rings signaling 5 minutes until our next class period. Abruptly letting go of my hand, he walks away without another word. I watch him as he leaves. What just happened?