My Best friend

Chapter 1

(Five years later)

"Kathy! Hurry up! Your gonna be late!", my mom called as I walk downstairs. She was in the kitchen serving my little brother Matt breakfast.

"Sorry mom," I say grabbing a piece of toast off the table,"I had to go through like, ten boxes to find something to wear.". We had recently moved back to our old town, Paradise. I wasn't showing it much, trying to be a "cool" 15 year old, but I'm excited for school. It was about four weeks into my sophomore year so I would be new.

"So," my mom says," are you nervous? Excited? New highschool and all.". I guess she noticed me playing with my necklace. It's a nervous habit of mine.

"More like nervocited!". I always say weird stuff like that. I'm weird and I'm proud! My little brother rolls his eyes at me. Ugh, sixth graders. Just then, David and James bounded down the stairs, still in pajamas." Morning sunshines" I tease them. James sits down to eat ignoring me.

David tells my mom he's going over to his girlfriend Katie's house later. Being 19 must be fun. Except for college and stuff. My alarm goes off showing that it's 7:15. Time to go. I say bye to my mom and walk with James out the door. We only walk for five minutes when James starts talking to a couple of guys walking the same way as us. Guess he already made some friends.

When we get to Paradise high, we go our separate ways to find our lockers and classes. I put my stuff in my locker and the bell rang. I slammed it shut and tried to get to class. Tried. Somehow my jacket sleeve got caught in the door. I couldn't pull it out so I tried the combination."Ah crap!" I said to myself. I kept getting the combination wrong.

I finally get free and sprint down the hallway to first period. I can't believe I'm going to do the whole "cliche late new girl" thing like in books and movies. The second bell rings just as I round the corner and see my class. Mrs. Bails, room 732. I slow down and compose myself before walking in.

Everyone looks at me as I walk over to the teachers desk. Some people start whispering. Not that I blame them. I don't exactly look like a sophomore being about only 5 feet tall. Mrs. Baile was really nice about me being late. I explained what happened. She smiled and said "That's okay. Those lockers just love to be difficult. There's an empty seat near the back next to Teri over there.". A freckle faced brunette waved as I walked over.

"Hi", she said as I sat down, "I'm Teri! What's your name?". She was really friendly. "Hi Teri, I'm Katherine.". She smiled and said, "Oh, can I call you Kat? As a nickname?". I tell her sure.
Mrs.Baile tells us it's a free day today so we talk for a while. I lean down to get something from my backpack.

That's when I notice him.

I hadn't seen him when I walked in. Sitting to my left, was some kid in a black hoodie, black jeans and black converse with grey laces. At least his backpack was blue. Dark blue but still. I couldn't really see his face because his shaggy black hair and hoodie covered it. He didn't look up or say anything. Just sat there with his arms folded on the desk. I leaned over to Teri and asked about him.

"Who is that?" I whispered so he didn't hear. She looks to see who I was talking about. She shrugs saying "I don't know actually.". I shush her since she was being loud.

"You don't even know his name?" I asked.

"Nope. He doesn't talk to anybody. The teachers never call on him. No ones ever heard him talk. No one knows why though.".

"That's terrible! He doesn't have friends or anything?".

"No. Most people are scared of him".

"Why?"

"The rumors."

"Rumors? About what?"

"About why he is the way he is. Some people think the teachers are afraid of him too. But I don't believe any of that.". I hear a faint sigh to my left. I glance at the guy. He turns his head more to the left. I think he heard us. Oops.

I notice him nervously tapping his desk. He must have been waiting for the bell cause as soon as it rang he was out of there. Teri tells me to come find her at lunch so I can meet her other friends. I say I will and head to my next class.

But I still can't get that guy out of my mind. What were the rumors about him, exactly? Why were kids afraid of him? And why did he feel slightly familiar?