Running Away From a Past Life

Chapter 1

     The weekend that I came to my Aunt's house passed quickly and uneventfully. I woke up early Monday morning, took a hot shower, brushed my teeth, put on jeans and a hoodie, and put on some makeup. It’s not that I really wanted to go to school, but I was kind of excited to start somewhere new with a clean slate. I used to be a pretty smart kid, but as I got older my life became more and more miserable and I slowly gave up on trying. This was my chance to start with fresh grades, new school work, and the best part...completely new people. My Aunt let me take her car, and I drove the few minutes to Middleton High and found a spot in the student parking lot. I stopped by the office to pick up my schedule and get my locker information, I could hear a few students walking past the office asking others who the new girl was.

“Welcome to Middleton High School, Ashley, I see you’re a senior. I hope you enjoy your year left here!” the overly peppy principal said as she handed me my locker number and combination. I just smiled and mumbled thanks as I walked out of the office and down the hallway where all of the other seniors were getting into their lockers. I finally found my locker and thankfully got it open on the first try and put my bag inside, taking with me a pen and notebook. My first class was close to my locker so I walked in with plenty of time before the bell. What happened next was the last thing I expected to happen.

“Heeeyyy! Juvie! You’re the new girl!?” My eyes darted to the back of the classroom where I saw the guy from juvie sitting with his legs out in the aisleway between the desks, looking at me with a huge grin across his face. No…no no no no NO! This cannot be happening!

I practically ran to the back of the room to the desk next to him and told him to shut up before anyone noticed the confrontation going on between us two. A few kids noticed but seemed uninterested in the conversation, thank God.

“You must be confused, I’m Ashley.” I said, trying to stay cool and act like he had no idea what he was talking about.

He winked back at me and said, “Whatever you say Ashley, I’m Ian. About the juvie thing-"

“I seriously think you’re confusing me with someone else.” I said sternly.

“Ok ok, look if you don’t want anyone to know, it’s none of my business or anyone else’s. My lips are sealed. I like the new hair though.”

I tried not to give my self away by making a face. Instead of digging myself into a deeper hole by trying to explain myself, I just stayed silent and observed him. I’d never really paid attention to what he looked like before. Ian has dark brown hair, styled into a cute short fauxhawk, and he has these brown eyes that many girls probably get lost in, and naturally light tan skin. He has that bad boy attitude, but somehow, right now, I was getting a bit of a nice guy vibe from him, unless that’s just his cover act to make girls fall for him.

     As I was getting out of my desk to leave first hour, Ian asked which class I had next. I told him that I was heading to advanced chemistry, which of course he was also in. Ian walked with me to my locker and as I grabbed my notebook for advanced chem. I found out more about what got him into juvie, of course I looked around first to make sure no one could hear us. Ian explained that this guy, Luke, thought that he was hitting on his girlfriend, Taylor. I wouldn’t doubt that Ian probably was flirtatious with this Taylor, because he seems to have a flirty personality.

“He told me to leave Taylor alone or he would beat the shit out of me…so I talked to her when he was right there because I'm a rebel like that and he shoved me and I retaliated by punching him in the face.”

“That wouldn’t get you into juvie!” I exclaimed while laughing.

“Well it was the part when the teachers couldn’t get us to stop and I assaulted a police officer that did it, I think.” Ian added in.

“What!?” I said in disbelief.

“The principal called the police because they couldn’t get us to stop fighting and the officer got in the middle and I punched him on accident. So they arrested me with charges of assaulting a police officer. That asshole Luke just got a week’s suspension." Ian said with a hint of a grudge in his voice.

The warning bell rang so we quickly started heading to chem when these three girls walked by giggling and flaunting themselves. As we walked by the blonde girl in the middle, who was wearing a tank top and skirt, both of which were most likely violating the dress code, stepped in front of Ian. She touched his shoulder, a bit too friendly, and ran it down his arm as she invited him to a party at "Lauren’s house this upcoming Friday". One of the other girls in the trio was eyeballing me the entire time. Before I could say anything the group continued on and I asked Ian what that was about.

“That was Taylor.” He answered my question.

“What about the one giving me the evil eye the whole time?”

“Lauren, the one who is having a party this Friday. Speaking of the party, you’re new here, so why don’t you go with me and you can meet some people!” Ian casually invited.

I started thinking about my past...all the things I didn't remember because I got so drunk or high with my so-called friends and partied all night long not caring where I had to be the next day. Ian must have seen my hesitation because before I could say no he told me that I had to go.

"Nothing bad will happen I promise, it's just a ton of people from school, a dj, loud music, nothing but fun. If you're worried about alcohol being there or something, I'm not going to lie, there's always alcohol involved in these people's parties, but no one is expected to drink it. Please come with me? And it's not like I'm asking you on a date, just let me introduce you to people from our school!" Ian managed to make me feel a little better about it. I don't know why, but I ended up saying yes to his offer.