Apple Valley

Chapter 1

Austin Dunn wasn't exactly feeling nervous as he stepped up to the front doors of Apple Valley high. In fact, he was feeling fine. Being the new kid didn't bother him as much as it did 8 houses ago, and now he was actually used to it. And to make things even better, his parents had told him that they were not moving again. Oh what a relief that was. How Austin felt a sudden wave of happiness when he heard that, the glory of finally settling to a place, and especially during his Freshmen year of High school.

Austin entered through the front doors alongside everyone else. He had a hood up over his head as he navigated the halls, his backpack one strapped over his left shoulder. He let the surrounding noise from the students flow freely through his ears, almost smiling at the feeling of a permanent house. He walked into the main area of the school, navigating through the students as all were doing their own thing. Once he was out of the crowd, he made his way into the Student Services office, where he met a young lady behind the front desk. The name tag on her reading: Mrs. Ramirez

"Hello ma'am." Austin said in a normal tone, sliding his hands into his pockets as he looked down a little at the staff member. She looked at him with a smile.
"Ah, hello. You must be Austin?"
"Yes ma'am" Mrs. Ramirez greeted Austin with a handshake and a smile.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Austin. Welcome to Apple Valley High!" Austin managed to squeeze out a smile.
"Thank you ma'am. Looking forwards to a great year." Mrs. Ramirez smiled before pointing towards a chair, walking into the back of the office as Austin took a seat. He waited for awhile, looking around the office at some of the arts before the door to the office opened. He glanced at a girl who looked about his age. She had Blonde hair, tied into a cute ponytail. She wore a short pink dress, with a denim jacket over it, with brown boots just short of her knee. She stood at the desk, waiting.

"She'll be back in a minute, she went to the back." Austin said. The girl turned around, and smiled at him.
"Oh, thanks." She took a seat next to him, holding her books to her chest. They sat in silent, before Austin looked over, reaching his hand out.
"I'm Austin, by the way." The girl looked back at him, and smiled, gladly reaching out and shaking his hand.
"I'm Ash. Or Ashley. It's nice to meet you Austin." After shaking hands, Austin pulled his to his side.
"Pleasure is all mine." Ashley smiled, gently pulling her hand back over her books. Austin was about to say something, before Mrs. Ramirez came back, now standing in the hall.
"Austin? Come back here honey." Austin got up, but not before looking at Ashley, flashing a smile and giving her a little wave, which she returned as he walked away.

Austin was led into a room near the back of the office. As he entered the office, the door was closed behind him. He walked forwards towards a man who sat at a desk. "Hello Austin," the man pointed to one of the two seats on the opposite side of his desk. "have a seat." Austin nodded, taking his bag off and placing it on the floor as he took a seat across from the man. He took his hood off to be respectful, and crossed his hands over his lap. "So, you are new to Apple Valley High? I would like to welcome you, firstly."
"Thank you, sir."
"And, also provide you with your new schedule." The man turned to his computer, typing on his keyboard. Austin once more let his eyes wander before the man spoke again. "Have you been involved with sports in your middle school?"
"No sir," Austin sighed. "The moving was too much to do anything else." The man nodded, still typing into his computer.
"You look fit for Football, Maybe you could talk to the coach, the gym teacher."
"Maybe." Austin thought about it. Playing Football could be fun, and it could keep him busy. But he didn't know if he would be good at it. Soon, the printer let out a beeping noise as a paper slowly appeared from it. The man took the paper, looking it over and turning towards Austin. He reached the paper forward, as Austin took hold of it, looking it over as the man once more turned to his desk.

"Your schedule." Austin nodded, looking it over.

1st period: Gym
2nd period: Geometry
3rd period: Global History
4th period: Lunch
5th period: Science
6th period: English

He didn't mind his class positions. In fact, he liked them a lot. Lunch was right in the middle of the day, and Gym could get him awake easily if he was ever tired. He turned back to the man. "Thank you sir."
"You're welcome. Now, you better head to your first class." Austin nodded, reaching out and shaking the man's hand. He stood up, grabbing his bag, swinging it over his shoulder and walking out of the office. He walked down the hall, waving at Mrs. Ramirez before exiting the office. He didn't see Ashley, unfortunately. He would have liked to talk to her more.

Austin found the gym quite easily, thanks to a school map on the back of his schedule. He entered through the doors, seeing the bleachers pulled out and all the students sitting on them. He started to walk over to them, before he was shoved from behind. He fell to the floor, his backpack sliding off his shoulder and hitting the floor next to him. His schedule also came gliding to the floor. "Hey everyone! Look! Fresh meat!" The voice Austin heard was deep, but also sounded like a douchebag voice in general. He stood up, not even bothering to pick up his backpack, and turned around.

"The hell did you do that shit for?" The kid who shoved Austin stood in front of him, wearing a Letterman Jacket. His hair was blonde, and just by his size, Austin knew he was a jock. He was way bigger then Austin, but around the same height.
"Aww, what's the matter? You gonna cry?" Austin leaned over and picked up his bag and schedule. No trouble he thought.
"Do you see any tears?" Austin turned away. "Maybe lay off your roids and you'll be able to be consistent with your vision." Austin walked away, as the bully got more annoyed.
"Yeah, run away pussy! I run this school, and you won't do shit to me!" Austin shrugged off every insult he heard, walking up the bleachers all the way to the top, and taking a seat, dropping his bag next to him. He stared at the bully, who soon returned his stare.

"The hell are you staring at?! You want a problem tough guy?!" But Austin didn't move. He kept his eyes straight on the kid who had shoved him. Just examining him and his size. Everyone was now staring at Austin, in a sort of shocked manner. Soon, he felt a tap on the shoulder, and turned his head, looking up to see Ashley.

"Hey, can I sit here?" She said in a nervous tone.
"Sure." Austin moved his bag, now putting it in between his legs as Ashley sat next to him. She once more held her books to her chest. "You're not scared of Josh?"
"Josh?"
"The kid who pushed you." Austin once more looked at Josh, who was now doing whatever with his other friends.
"He doesn't scare me. All he can do is cower behind his muscle. Nothing else." Ashley let out a small smile before rubbing her arm nervously.
"Wow... everyone is scared of Josh.. he's kinda right when he says he rules the school." Austin sighed, shrugging.
"He thinks that. One day he'll get his, by someone." Ashley scooted over, getting a bit closer to Austin.
"Yeah, I hope so."

Austin spent the entire time talking to Ashley, about their lives, where they were from, and just as quickly, the bell rang. Austin grabbed his bag, standing up and swinging it over his shoulder again. Ashley also stood up, and Austin was a little surprised at their height difference. She stood up to just about his chest. She looked at his schedule as he held it in his hands. "We have lunch together." She said with a smile. "Maybe we can sit together?" Austin smiled as he started down the bleachers.
"Yeah sure! I'll see you then Ash." He waved at her, which she returned, as he pressed his feet down on the gym floor and walked towards the gym door.

According to his map, his Geometry class was on the 3rd floor. He walked back to the main area, navigating through the crowd of kids as he made his way to the stairs. As he exited the crowd, he rolled his eyes. Blocking off the stairs was Josh, and at least 3 other people. "Hey fresh meat! Saw your schedule. Where do ya think you're going?"
"To class?" Josh walked up, shoving him again. This time, Austin was prepared, and only stumbled once. Now, students started to turn to the two. Josh lifted his hands up, all full of himself. Austin dropped his bag and schedule to the floor. There was only one way out of this situation. Josh and the other 3 kids walked towards him.

"Time for a beatdown!"