*insert title here*

Chapter 1

To start the week off, I decided to dress partially neutral. I wanted to look like I cared even a little bit, for once. Finally, after debating just laying back down. I got up and immediately grabbed my favorite band t-shirt, cargo shorts and vans. My first day of school is always the worst for me, especially since I'm starting at a new school for the fifth time in two months. This school is called New-Haven, I heard rumors its a Christian school, just great, everyone is going to stare at me. Thanks mom.

To tell you a bit about the hellhole of a life I live in, my parents split up when I was nine, my dad has no visitation rights. 
I live with my ass of a mother, she moves around a lot, she's like a fucking nomad. I stay far away from her most of the time. I try to stay away from home, I'll usually go to the park and sit for hours on the monkey bars, or just take a detour on my walk home. For anyone who cares, my name is Dakota, and my life is the worst. 

I pulled the clothes I picked on, and made my way down the stairs. As I passed by the mirror in the hall, I ruffled my short curly hair until it looked decent and grabbed my black jacket. Not wanting to waste time sitting to eat, I quickly tucked a poptart in my left pocket and pulled my hood over my head, trying to make it out the door without having to talk to mom. I had almost made it to the front door, when my mother popped her head out of her room. 'Shit' I thought. I stayed to hear her out thinking maybe.. just maybe.. today she would say something useful. For once maybe actually care... "H-have a good day at school," she stuttered, she sounded drunk, as usual. I muttered a weak response to her, she started again "Come home early today, it's your birthday we have to do something special" I shook my head, now fuming as I walked out of the house and began my long walk to the bus stop, slamming the door behind me.
'My birthday... for fucks sake mom, my birthday isn't until next month' I thought to myself. This is why I don't come home.

Finally, I calmed myself down, 'You need to be rational Dakota' I said to myself. I remembered what my therapist advised,  I needed to breathe, try to find a group of friends that I enjoyed, that treated me like a person, and I should start writing down my thoughts. I didn't like that idea, but sometimes it kind of helped.

About halfway to the bus stop, I found someone, 'maybe I could talk to her, she seems nice'.  As I got closer I could see more of what she was wearing, a guns and roses shirt,  ripped black jeans and high top vans. My kind of girl, she was absolutely gorgeous at that. 'She'll never want to be friends with you, your not half as pretty as her' I thought to myself, but quickly shook it as she smiled at me. 'For fuck sake she smiled at you Dakota, smile back.' I quickly smiled back and caught up with her, matching her pace. 

She began talking before I could speak "Hey, my names Kelsie. I really like your shirt." As she said this she nudged my arm slightly. 'Was that an accident?' I shook the thought. "Thanks, I'm Dakota." I replied softly. She tilted her head, "That's a really unique and pretty name, I dig it" 

Well there's one friend, it seemed all too easy, 'Maybe she's just being nice' I thought. 

She sat with me on the bus. She asked me many questions, to which I answered quietly. Soon we were talking like old friends. As other kids got on I swore I could feel their stares, but kept my eyes down.
Eventually everyone had gotten on, and the bus began to head torwards the school. Some kids began muttering under their breath and pointing, nothing I wasn't already used to. After a few minutes I felt a new weight on my shoulder, Kelsie had draped her arm over me protectively. Earning a loud, overexaggerated "Gaayy!" from about 2 seats back. She seemed unphased, as she turned back to me and said "Ignore them, they are ignorant" loud enough for everyone around her to hear.  She wasnt scared, for some reason I respected that.