Unacknowledged

Ch. 1 - "Tis better to love and be thrown..."

“I didn't do anything!” Those were the first words that came out of Carter's mouth immediately after he had stepped into the office.

A middle-aged man with short golden hair and silver rimmed glasses looked up from his work and chuckled. “Nobody's in trouble, Carter.”

“Oh.” Carter was beyond relieved. When he had heard his name being called from the intercom, he assumed the worst. Sure, a student could get punished on the first day of school, but if it was approximately 10 minutes before school even started, there must've been something seriously wrong. “Why am I here, then?” Doubt still crept in the back of Carter's mind.

“There's a new student in the sophomore class,” the man answered, fiddling with his glasses.

“But I'm not a sophomore, Mr. Bruthe.” Carter raised an eyebrow.

“You're not a guide; you're part of the welcome committee. Remember?” Mr. Bruthe answered.

“Oh. Sorry,” Carter shook his head in embarrassment, “Summer's gone by, and I'm not thinking too clearly at the moment.”

“Understandable.” Mr. Bruthe stood up from the desk once he heard footsteps come enter the room, and he lit up when he found who he was looking for. “Ah. Here he is. Dean Arquett.”

The said teen stood awkwardly at the doorway, his hands shoved into the pocket of his black jeans. He wore a dark gray t-shirt that seemed a bit big for him, and his sepia floppy hair slightly covered his eyes.

Mr. Bruthe turned to Carter. “Be sure to show him where his locker is and make him feel welcome.”

“Sure thing.” Carter gave a thumbs-up. “Let's get started.” He strolled out of the office, gesturing for Dean to come with him.

Dean followed silently, letting out a faint sigh. Another school. That probably meant more troublesome students to harass and ridicule him. Thanks a lot, grandma...

As they both approached the crowded hallway, Carter waved his arms out in exaggeration. “Welcome to Springwood High. Home of nonsensical jocks, goody-two-shoes, and several megalomaniacs we all know and love.”

Dean seemed indifferent to the greeting. No emotion whatsoever crossed his face.

Tough crowd. Carter's smile vanished, and he cleared his throat in an attempt to make himself look like less of an idiot. Why was it that he was always stuck with the people who seemed so downbeat? Sure, being a new student wasn't necessarily the happiest experience in your life, but that was no excuse to behave like you want to commit suicide or something. “So. Where are you from?”

Nothing. Not even a shrug.

“Okay. Well...have any favorite pastimes, activities...anything?”

There was still no movement whatsoever. Carter was tempted to ask if the boy was even alive. “Do you have any questions over extracurricular activities, classes; anything?”

This time Dean shook his head, but his eyes seemed to be fully fixated on the floor. Carter began to pity the cryptic boy. Was Dean always like this, or was this only because he was shy? Either way, Carter debated whether putting him in a class with a couple dozen talkative students was a good idea.

As they both came to the locker that belonged to Dean, Carter held his hand out. “Well, it was nice to meet you.” A nod was Carter's only response as Dean made his way over to his locker. A look of offense came upon Carter's face, but it was easily shaken off when a figure came his way.

“So. New guy cute?”

It was hard to stifle a laugh at his sister's grin. Nicole brushed her raven-black hair out of her face, her deep blue eyes looking at her older brother.