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Chapter 1

Brayden's POV

Today is the first day of high school. I am excited and scared at the same time. It's been a few months since I was last at the hospital and my mom said this year, she'll let me join the elite teenage dance team. She's usually busy writing books so, she's having one of the moms take me to practices every night.

I get up and I see my sister, Hazel, attached to her breathing machine. She needs it, mostly because of her breathing problems. It's only when she sleeps though. People always joke around with her, saying that she's the girl from The Fault in Our Stars. She doesn't hate it, mostly because she loves that book.

I go to my drawer and pick out some clothes. I just pick out a black t-shirt and some joggers. Once I walk out of my room, I go to the bathroom to change my clothes. I get changed and head to the kitchen to wait for my sisters. Once there, my mom greets me, "Good morning, freshman."

"Morning, mom."

"How are you feeling today? It's been four months since our last visit to the hospital. Usually it's four month intervals."

"I'm feeling great today, thanks."

"Are you sure? You can stay home and-"

"Mom. It's my first day of school, I cannot miss it."

"Okay. I just worry about you," she gives me a sympathetic smile,

"Where are your sisters? You kids are going to be late."

"Asleep."

"Well they need to wake up," she moves to yell in the hallway, "Girls! Wake up! You're going to be late!"

Soon, both of my sisters come out, fully ready.

"Bye kids, I love you! Have a nice day at school!" My mom says to us. We walk out the door and head to school. We decide to walk, even though it's kinda far. Suddenly, I hear someone chasing after us, "Brayden! Here, take this," she pants and she hands me a ham and lettuce sandwich, "You need it. Also. Girls. Take these, I didn't want to leave you out. I mean, I'm really excited for you three. My babies are growing up and I-"

"Mom, we're fully capable of taking care of ourselves... well, at least I am," Hazel says.

"I know, but-"

"Mom. We're going to be late. Can we go now?"

"Yea. I'm sorry."

We continue to walk to the school without any interruptions. As we pass a corner, I see it: high school. We walk in and stop in the lobby. I take in the school and look around. I start to walk around as my sisters find the class. I really need to find a bathroom around here. After finding and using the bathroom, the late bell rings. Shit. Quickly, I rush through the halls to find history class. Finally, I find it. I open the door and walk in the classroom.

"You're late. What's your name?" The teacher asks, not really upset about it.

"Mentzer... Brayden Mentzer."

He laughs an unforgettable laugh, then says, "Ah. You must be related to these two girls. My name is Mr. Payne. Go and sit there, next to that young man over there."

I do as I'm told and the class goes on.

Eleanor's POV

I roll my eyes as Brayden walks in late. It's the first day of school. Out of all the days in the school year, this is the one not to be late for class.

All three of us have first period together in Mr. Payne's class. He teaches history which is really easy. Lucky for me because I have learning problems. I don't see things like other kids do. But that doesn't matter.

I zone out as Mr. Payne goes over the school and classroom rules. Before I know it, the bell has rung, signaling that class is over.

"Have a good day, students. Brayden, Hazel, and Eleanor, may I speak to you three for a minute?" Mr. Payne asks. I look at Brayden and Hazel as I walk up to the front of the class and we all share the same confused expression.

Once we are standing in front of Mr. Payne, he says, "Wow. What is it like being triplets?"

"Well, it's a lot of work because we have fights like all siblings do but we still care for each other. We're like a unit," Hazel explains.

"That's so fascinating. Make sure to tell your parents to come to Open House tonight! Now go on, I wouldn't want you to be late for your next class," Mr. Payne says.

(A/N open house is an after class event where the student's parents walk through their child's schedule and each teacher has a power point or presentation prepared to basically explain what the students will be learning about that school year)

"We will," Brayden says as we walk out the door.

"I have science with Mr. Barn next period," Hazel says when we are in the hallway.

"Me too," I reply.

"I have reading with Mr. Lerone," Brayden says, "I'll see you guys later! Bye El. Bye H!" He turns left and starts walking that direction down the hallway.

"Bye Bray!" I say with a grin. He glares at me. He hates it when we use that nickname.

Hazel and I laugh and turn the opposite direction and start walking to Mr. Barn's class.

Hazel's POV

I walk into the classroom with El and we sit down at a table in the back of the room thanks to El. She is a troublemaker so she always wants to sit in the back of the classroom. However, I don't agree with her choices and would rather sit in the front.

The rest of the day is a blur. After science, I had reading with Mr. Lerone. Then music with Mr. Olatunji. After that, math with Mr. Bradley and lastly, gym with Mr. Minter and Mr. Lewis. I got very lucky that all my teachers are nice and funny.

I had music with Brayden and all three of us are in math together.

The school day has just ended and here I am, standing outside of the school under a big oak tree, waiting for El and Brayden to come outside so we can walk home. I look across the dark green field that leads to the parking lot. It feels so calm and I love it. The greenery around the school makes me feel like my problems are gone. It makes me feel like a real human being and not some smart girl with breathing problems.

I look around and see a beautiful cherry blossom tree, with a bench under it. I look away to the other side and realize I saw something. I turn back to the tree and see Brayden talking to this one guy. The boy strokes Brayden's cheek as Brayden smiles. My thoughts are interrupted by my sister walking out of the school.

"Hey sis!" I say, grabbing her shirt and pulling her down to look at the bench.

"What? You know I'm not big in looking at boys for you... and I like to stay away from drama, thank you very mu-"

"No look!" I interrupt, pointing at Brayden, "Isn't it weird?"

"What's so weird about a bench?" She asks, obviously sarcastically.

"A wha- it's Brayden..."

"What's me?"

"You're a bench apparently," Eleanor says to Brayden.

"Okay can we just walk home now?" I say.

We walk home in silence. Absolutely no talking happened. At one point, Eleanor tried to spark a conversation but I just shot her down. Once we made it home, I went straight to the bathroom and locked myself in there. I do not want to be disturbed at all.

"Hazel. Get out of the bathroom and talk to mommy, please."

"I don't want to."

"I will break down this door."

"Jeezus mom. I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me," I open the door and storm past her. I open my bedroom door and flop on my bed. Honestly, I'm done.

A/N
Well that took a while to write but it was fun. We hope you like the chapter!

-Kayla and Cal