Things Change

Chapter 1:

Riley:

    "Mom, please don't make me go." I beg. She sighs, setting a plate of eggs and buttered toast in front of me. "I'm sorry, honey, but you can't miss your first day of school." She apologized in her mom tone. I mentally groan, taking a bite of my eggs. I wasn't hungry but I knew my mom would have a cow if I didn't eat. "Did you take you're pain killers this morning?" My mom asked pouring herself a cup of coffee. I nod, taking another bite of my eggs. She opened her mouth to speak but I answered her, knowing what she was going to ask. "And I packed them in my bag." I said. She tried to speak again but I continued, "Yes. I packed my lunch and my new schedule." I said finishing my breakfast. My mom glanced over her shoulder, offering me a small apologetic smile. Since my accident, my parents have been watching me more than usual. I pushed myself off of the chair, setting my plate in the sink. My boot hitting the tile as I walked across the kitchen and out to the bottom of the stairs. It was always a struggle going up and down them with my stupid boot. Which I had to wear for another month before I start physical therapy for my ankle. After a good five minutes, I make it into my room, changing into the clothes my mom set out for me. I sat on the bed, taking off my boot and shorts. Pulling on my skinny jeans and socks. I put my foot back into my boot, tightening it back up. I grabbed my right converse shoe, putting it on. I pulled on a white tank top and an Aztec print vest top over my head. I walked over to the mirror brushing my hair. I had a nasty bruise on my shoulder with a small healed gash on it. I had a few cuts on my head that had healed. There was a bruise on my cheek bone. I shake my head, grabbing my bag off of my chair. I walked out of my room, as my dad walked out of my parents room. "Want a lift, bud?" He asked. I smile weakly at him. "Yes, please." I said sheeply. He chuckles, bending down so that I could jump on his back. I do, wrapping my legs around him and holding onto his shoulders. He walks down the stairs, making it look so casual. I can't wait for the day, when I can run. He set me down in the kitchen. "Riley, you ready?" My mom asks. I nod, Dad smiles at me. "Have a good day, at school." He said kissing the side of my head. I make a grunting noise, following mom out to the car. My mom and dad were High School sweethearts. Shortly after finishing Collage my mom and dad had two kids. My brother Mason and I. Mason is older than me, by a few years. He is currently stationed, in Afghanistan. Mom drove to my new school, Fairhope High School. To make matters worse, I was starting in the last Semester of school. Oh, and did I mention that I looked like a mutant with a boot cast on my leg that made me walk werid. Shortly after my accident, my parents waited a few days to tell me that we had moved from our beloved home in San Francisco to the small town of Fairhope, Wisconsin. Apparently they made that decision when I was unconscious in the hospital. Mom pulled up to the school, parking right at the front. I had begged her to bring me to school early, so that I could check out the school. But I was changing my mind. "Mom, I don't feel so go. Can I just stay home?" I beg. She gives me a stern look. "Honey, I know this is hard but we need a new start. Now, go in there and show them how amazing and wonderful you are." She kissed my forehead. I take a deep breath and climb out of the car. "I'll be here at 3:00 to pick you up." My mom said before I closed the door. I watched as my mom drove away leaving me alone in this terrible school. I took a long look at the entrance, and made my journey up the large cement steps. I stepped inside, glancing around the halls. Great, here's to me getting lost. "Are you lost?" A female voice asked. I turned to see a girl with red brown hair and bright blue eyes. Her gaze locked on me and my stupid leg. I cleared my throat, pushing a strand of hair away from my face, tucking it behind my ear. "That noticeable, huh?" I said. She nods, biting her lip, walking towards me. "I'm Susan Harris." She introduced herself. I smile, "Riley Clark." I said. Susan, nods. Looking over me again, making me feel like a bug infer a horoscope. She shakes her head, "Do you have your schedule or?" She asked. I nod, pulling out my notebook, handing her my schedule. She looked over it, starting to walk. I followed her, walking in an awkward pace with her. "Locker, 542. You're locker is just a few down from me." She said. We turned the corner. "Well, you have three classes and lunch with me. Luckily, you're first hour is with me and Daniel." She said handing me back my schedule. I nod, "So where are you from?" She asked. "San Francisco." I said. She glances over at me with a unreadable expression on her face. "So you're a city girl? Well welcome to the quiet and non peaceful town of Fairshit." She said. I laugh, "You hate it here?" I ask. She shakes her head. "No, I hate the people. More in particular, the kids in this school. You'll see. Anyways, here you are." She said stopping in front of my locker. I opened it, setting my bag in, pulling out a notebook and pencil. "You'll love first hour, Mr. Fitz is a great teacher." She said. "We're currently working on an English project, so maybe I can convince him to let you join my group." She said with a smile on her face. The school bell rang, dismissing students to thier lockers. I followed Susan to her locker, waiting for her as she grabbed her things. "Hey, babe." A tall male, came up beside her, kissing her. Susan smiled, pushing him playfully. "Babe, this is Riley Clark. She's new. Riley, this my annoying yet amazing boyfriend, Daniel White." Susan introduced us. Daniel laughed, "Ignore her. She can a bit eccentric." He said wrapping his arms around her waist. She rolled her eyes, making a face. "Uh, yeah. Let's go. I'm not waiting for Cody,  we can't make the Riley here let on her first day of school." Susan said closing her locker. I walked in pace beside them, trying to avoid the stares I was getting. We walked down the hall, reaching the end, and stepped into a class room. "Mr. Fitz, this is Riley. She's new." Susan said. A middle aged man, turned to face us. He set down his marker, smiling. "Right, Riley Clark, if I'm correct." He said walking towards me, offering me a smile. He was attractive for a teacher. "You know that group project? Can she work with us?" Susan asked. Mr. Fitz, looked over at her shaking his head. "Yes. I expect you to, inform her on everything." He said to them. He turned his attention back to me. "We don't have assigned seats. So when we are finished with this project, you may sit wherever." He said. "Alright, you can take your seat." He said. I turn to see a lot more students sitting, in the class, staring at me. I moved as quickly as I could, sitting beside Susan. More students filed in, a kid, rushed in eating a bagel. He hand light brown hair and deep blue eyes. He sat down beside Daniel across from Susan and I. "You barely made it." Susan stated making a face. The bell rang. "Ah, good thing it's none of your business." He said. Susan rolled her eyes. Mr. Fitz cleared his throat, "Alright. I'm not gonna talk much but we do have a new student with us. Riley Clark." He said. Heads turned to face me but thankfully it didn't last long when a guy walked in. He had dark brown hair and a 5 o'clock shadow going. He looked hot. "Mr. Herman. Thank you for finally joining us." He said. The guy waved him off taking his seat. Mr. Fitz, cleared his throat again, oh no. Here comes the attention. "Anyways, welcome. Would you like to say a few words?" Mr. Fitz asked. Their attention on me again, I felt my cheeks redden, as I shake my head. Mr. Fitz, nods. "Alright. Let's get started." He said. Susan laughed lightly, rolling her eyes. "Riley, this jackass is, Cody." Daniel said. Cody smiled, taking a dramatic bite out of this bagal. "Where are you from?" Daniel asked. "San Francisco." Susan answered for me. I nod in agreement. "Really? What school did you go to? Did you get fights?" Cody asked. "Uh, I went to a private school but I got expelled." I said. Cody chokes, "What?" They all ask at the same time. "It's no big deal." I said. They nod but didn't seem convinced. "Is that why you're all hurt and stuff?" Daniel asked. I shake my head, "I was in a car accident." I whispered. "What happened?" Susan asked. "My car was hit by a pick up truck." I said. They nod, staying quiet for a moment when Susan suddenly groaned. She was glaring at a girl that walked in. She had long blonde hair and blue eyes. She was dressed in tight skinny jeans and a dressy top. She glared back at Susan. "Who is that?" I whispered when she sat down. "Oh, right, we are supposed to fill you in." Susan said grabbing her bag, pulling out a book. It was a year book. "Alright, that evil bitch of a girl, is Clarissa Evans. She is head cheerleader, and unlucky for you, she thinks she the hottest thing on earth." Susan made a face. "Anyways, every queen bitch has followers right. Well here they are, "Amber Miller." She pointed to a girl with brown hair and brown eyes. She was pretty. "And Kayla Hill." She flipped the page. Pointing to a girl with red hair and brown eyes. She was pretty too. "Now, what is a queen without a guy, this is Grayson Herman. QB of our football team." Susan said pointing to a picture of him. Grayson was more attractive up close. He had light blue eyes that looked green. "And Grayson's best friend is Logan Walker. Grayson and Clarissa are kinda a thing. They think they 'rule' this school." Susan said in a distasteful way. "Uh, Sus, they kinda do." Cody said. She rolled her eyes, "Whatever. I still hate her." She said. Cody waved her off, grabbing my schedule. Daniel looked at it too. "You have Adv. Bio with me." Cody said. "Oh, and gym with me." Daniel said. Then he smiled, "I don't know how that will work with your boot." He said. Cody raised his eyebrow looking under the table and tisked. "It makes you look even more vulnerable." Cody shook his head. I couldn't help but smile at him. The bell rang, dismissing everyone. Cody stood up, throwing his arm over my shoulder. "Let's go, cripple." He teased. I laugh but walk with him. "I don't know if Susan, told you but we're meeting after school to finish that project, you wanna come?" He asked. I shrugged, "I would love to but I don't know." I whispered. "Just think about it, okay?" He said. I nod.