Mommy |n.h.|

Prologue

******

"Please try to be nice."

"Okay Greg."

"And maybe don't mention...the past so much."

"I got it Greg."

"I packed you a lunch." He tossed me a paper bag,"It's peanut butter."

"Thanks Greg."

"You have your class list, yeah?"

I showed him the paper.

"You'll be fine. Make some friends like you always do. I'm sure there will be other new kids."

I nodded, not really listening anymore,"I'm riding the bus home." I grabbed my lunch and backpack, ready to flee the car.

"Are you sure you know ho-"

"Bye Greg."

New school, new me. That's what they say in all those cliché coming-of-age movies, right? I guess the difference here is the overwhelming aspect of a traumatic experience that changed me, not just me tripping and spilling my pudding on the school bully and having to leave before our big fight on Friday after school. Wow that was a mouth full. Maybe I've seen too many movies.

But to be fair they used to be my escape from the hell hole I lived in. I hid in my room for days with no food, no water, but surprisingly...wifi. That was the only way I could avoid being called a worthless piece of shit or get slapped around for no reason.

Don't feel bad for little ol' me. It wasn't all bad. I had a life outside of my "home". I had friends. In fact, I was quite popular at my old school. Granted, my best friend turned out to be a total Brutus, but whatever. It was nice while it lasted right? Whatever.

This time I wouldn't be so quick to accept friendship. This time I wouldn't be the star footie player or the president of student council. There was no promise of prom king for me in sight.

"You could be prom king man, I'm telling you."

"Nah, it's going to be you." I passed the football back to him, trying out a new move.

"Dude, we're co-captains of the team, president and vice of student council, and everyone loves us." He said, obviously very humbly.

"True...maybe we'll just be prom king and king
as bros." I added with a nonchalant shrug.

"As bros." He agreed and we shook on it.

"Boys! I made cookies!" We ran to the backdoor of his house. Liam gave Ms. Payne a quick kiss on the cheek and ran to the steaming plate.

"They're Niall's favorite." She said with a sly smirk.

"Oh those aren't my favorite Ms. Payne." Liam happily chomped on his cookies without pying the slightest attention,"That's my favorite." I whispered with my hand covering her sex.

I tried to shake the memory out of my head, but I knew it would not work. Whatever. This time I'll be cold. Calculating. And most of all: quiet. Well, that one I'll have to work on but I'll learn eventually.

Locker 420. I giggled out of habit and whispered a quick "Blaze it." Someone had even carved a joint into the metal.

I stuffed my empty book bag into the red box and sought off to find room 1002. Economics. Oh how I dread junior year already.

"Ah, Mr. Sawyer. You're in for a lot of spit to the face if you sit in the front."

"What?" I looked around to see where the voice was coming from but didn't see anyone.

"Econ with Mr. Sawyer. I read it on your list."

I clutched the paper to my chest, finally seeing the tall mess of limbs easily looking over my shoulder like a nosy little kitten.

"I mean unless you're into that sort of thing...He also really enjoys coughing out loud so I would recommend staying out of the splash zone." He continued, oblivious to my offended body language.

"Uh huh, anyway can you just tell me where it is..."

"Harry."

"I wasn't asking for your name." I rolled my eyes. Can'y this guy take a hint?"

"I know. What's yours?" His big eyes bore into mine with such curiosity.

"Niall." I began to walk away, but he quickly followed.

"Nice to meet you, Nail."

"It's Niall."

"Anyway I think you're going to like it here." I shot him a quick confused look,"You're new right?" He didn't wait for me to answer,"I was new last year. I ended up becoming very popular- I can see that for you too. Anyway Niall, one last thing."

"What?" I was exasperated with the man child already.

"You're going the wrong way."

I halted and sighed like a car slamming it's brakes too fast. I slowly turned to the flop of curls and green saucers. If he wasn't going to leave me alone, then I suppose I would just have to take advantage of my new best friend.

"Well then. Lead the way, pal."