Ch. 1 - Again

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Here I was, at yet another school in another state with another supposed family member. Haven't they learned yet? After the last one should they know that I have no living family left? They should just stop, they're just trying too hard and it's not helping, I'm just hurting more. 

This new school is called Yetty Heights High, I don't know why I have to even attend, there were only six weeks left of the school year anyway. It just seemed unfair since I knew nothing of what any class has been studying all year. 

"I see, I'm sorry to hear that." The principal was currently going through all my information that my new family had brought. "Unfortunately, Elm will have to retake the year as he won't know enough of this year's content to pass the final exams and it will only end up hurting him in the long run if he doesn't get the full finals." She was nice in all, but she underestimated my abilities and knowledge.

"That will be fine, we want the best for him so he will have a chance to start his new life once he is independent." the woman next to me, who was supposedly a cousin to my stepfather's stepbrother, said with a soft smile. So in other words, she was not related in the least, I mean what am I supposed to call her? I am not going to call her mom, because she simply wasn't, that woman died with that title and no one else will ever bare that. She stroked the top of my head but I didn't react, I had shut out all my emotions, they only got in the way.

"Here you are, Mrs. Bradly, I tried to get the easiest classes I could, but there are some that I just couldn't change due to school code." The principal handed Mrs. Bradly the sheet of paper with my classes on it.

"Thank you, Mrs. Dutch, I will be sure to help him in those classes." They nodded at each other.

"You do that." Mrs. Dutch looked at me, "Elm, you have already missed First and Third period, it is currently Fith now then there will be lunch followed by Seventh. I recommend you hurry so that you can get as much instruction as possible." She smiled at me and I just kept looking at my hands before getting up and slinging my bag over my shoulder. Mrs. Bradly handed me my schedule and I walked out. Once I left the room I stood to the side of the door and leaned my back against it.

"I'm sorry, Elm doesn't talk much but I'm sure he's thankful." Mrs. Bradly apologized.

"I have no douted, no one at his age should go through this. I would be silent too if I was constantly switching states and leaving behind friends just to find a home." Mrs. Dutch sighed sadly. I frowned and pushed back an emotion that I couldn't identify. 

"I just hope that he will find a family in us, I would hate to see him have to leave because he doesn't connect with us." I connect with no one Mrs. Bradly, stop trying, it only makes it worse. I then walked off, not interested in the rest of their conversation. 

I didn't go to my Fith period, instead, I went to the library that I located using the back of the provided agenda. I could learn much more on my own than in a class full of people who will most likely be more concerned with their own personal lives than the content of the class.

The library was quite nice, it was obvious that the person who designed it took great care in making it inviting. There were pillars of redwood that looked to be the whole trunk of the tree smoothed and finished with a glossy finish. The floor was a mix of red, ebony, and elmwood with tile here and there creating a pattern that was pleasing to the eye.

I chose a computer and sat down. I realized I didn't have a login yet and approached the librarian. 

"Excuse me, but I don't have a login yet." The man looked at me.

"You must be the new kid, well I can get one set up for you right here." after explaining what I needed to do I had my login within ten minutes. The bell for Fifth period rang just as I logged into the computer. I had no intention of going to lunch, I was content with the plethora of content available to me through the internet. 

I quickly scanned over my schedule to see what I would be needing to study:

First Period: Math Strategies - M 134 - Mr. Planet

Second Period: Biology - S 67 - Mrs. Nerre

Third Period: Spanish - F 124 - Mrs. Rainer

Fourth Period: PE - Gym 2 - Mr. Mick

Fifth Period: Art 1 - F 163 - Mr. Yert

Sixth Period: World History - H 456 - Mrs. G

Seventh Period: English 11 - A 32 - Mrs. Veret

I frowned I already knew all of these, PE I couldn't do much about with a computer, that goes for Art as well and I just wasn't interested in Spanish. That class would never see my face, it didn't matter if I went or not, they would just move me to another family within the month. That's how it always worked, I would never graduate High School at this rate. 

I was feeling very underrated so I logged out of the computer and walked out of the library. I decided that I should go to English anyway, despite the fact that I really didn't have any motivation. On my way over to the Academy building, I received several strange glances which I disregarded. I entered the Academy building and was approached by a rather tall and lean boy who seemed to be my age.

"Hey, you must be new around here. The name's Jake, what's yours?" he stuck his hand out and I stopped to stare at it, running my options through my head, I didn't want any attention so I took his hand and gave him a firm handshake.

"Elm." He smiled.

"Where are you headed, Elm?" I really didn't want to have a conversation, it would end up hurting in the end.

"English." I started to move around him, Jake moved out of the way and was a bit concerned.

"You're not going to have lunch?" he started to walk beside me trying to keep the conversation going. I was already in it now, I just pushed back my irritation.

"I'm not hungry." He seemed surprised.

"Oh, who do you have? They may not be in their classroom."

"Mrs. Veret." he laughed, shaking his head at me.

"Oh-ho, she's brutal if you get on her bad side, just do the work and you'll be fine. She's usually in her classroom during lunch so you're in luck." A girl our age ran up beside us.

"Jake! My God! You and your long legs! I finally caught up to you!" I looked over at the heavily built girl with rusty blond hair.

"What's up, Cathy?" she huffed and Jake laughed.

"We need you in the PAC, one of the sets malfunctioned." Jake seemed surprised.

"Alright." They turned to leave only for Jake to turn back, "Good luck in English Elm! See ya around!" They then ran off, I didn't respond, I couldn't get close to them, it would only hurt.

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