CHAPTER 1

First day of school, not really very interesting. A lot of people are trying to find their classes, more meeting up over the summer break. For my family however it was wonderful to have our common stomping grounds under our feet. When we moved people stepped out of the way and I took note that I had to make a better impression, which came two weeks later at the first assembly. They were announcing the new student body leadership and the whole school was in attendance. I had only one person help me with my plan and told my family that I wouldn't be able to sit with them. Kori and Matty suspected something but it was Natsuko who just grinned wickedly, she's gotten better at reading me.

I'm standing in a dark hallway with a microphone in my hand as I hear the assembly carrying on just outside the door. Mrs. Jackson is doing the introductions as I start to prepare myself.

"Your student body vice president is Kyle Travis," I can hear people clapping, Kyle just might have shed the memory of his actions last year," And now your President of the student council this year, Guy Donnelly."

People are clapping and cheering but nothing is happening, I smile a little and listen.

"Guy Donnelly? Where is Guy Donnelly," I hear Mrs. Jackson start asking and I can hear the mumbling of the crowd in confusion.

I wait about thirty seconds and turn on the microphone in my hand.

"Pine Rivers High School," I state slowly as I hear everyone get quiet," I'm here."

I cut the microphone and set it down as the lights in the gym cut out entirely causing a mass of confusion. Mrs. Jackson is telling everyone to remain in the bleachers and to get the lights back on as I step into more darkness and move to my spot in the middle of the gym and take a knee. By my estimation I'm ten feet in front of the speaking podium and I have my hood up and covering my head when the lights kick back on. The reaction isn't immediate but when people see me there out of nowhere after less than thirty seconds of darkness I get to hear the student body erupt with cheering. I feel a rush of adrenaline as I stand up and look at the student body, my people. I turn around and step to the podium where Mrs. Jackson is standing and shake her hand. She's shaking her head but at least she's not pissed at me. She backs up from the podium and I step in to speak.

"Did you miss me," I ask, getting a cheer," I missed my people. Big year this year, last year was a year of change wasn't it? A lot of infighting, people getting hurt, students walking around in fear. Now look here, two of the worst enemies one year ago standing on the same stage doing the same thing. You know why?"

I can hear murmuring among the students and I smile when someone yells out my one word to the masses last year, believe.

"YES! I believe in you, every single one of you. We have the chance to be the better class of student, we have the chance to make every other school turn its head in wonder because we believe in ourselves and in each other," I state getting more cheers, I wait for them to quiet down," I have always believed in you and you believed in me. Now let's go shake this school."

It's cheesy to have everyone stomping and cheering but it also puts everyone in the same frame of mind. I step away from the podium and start jogging down the bleachers getting everyone on their feet. I turn to see Kyle heading the opposite direction doing the same and smile. It takes a bit but the new student council is now away from the podium and students are going nuts when I move back up to the podium and raise my hand. It's chaos to crickets in less than ten seconds; I smile and turn to Mrs. Jackson.

"Ma'am your students are waiting to be dismissed," And she just nods and chuckles as I turn to the students," Go home."

I let everyone clear out and after a few minutes my family and the student body are left as Matty and Kori hug me and I get a high five from Devin. I see Ben standing at the back waiting for something but I can't place my finger on it. After his break up he's gone from active member to quiet watcher, I never punished him for what happened between him and Liz. I point him out to Isaac, my personal spy and now a sophomore and shrug my shoulders as we head out.

"He's been like that since you guys got back. I think most everyone has tried talking to him but he's just shut himself off," Isaac says as we watch Ben walk to his car and leave.

"I'm guessing that's my fault too," Kyle says joining the conversation.

"No man, he did it to himself but he's not coping with the loss," Devin adds with a little bit of a sour attitude before turning his attention to an approaching group," Boss we got company."

I turn and see a small group of football players walking up; if you don't know who they are they can be found by the letterman jackets and the sheer size factor they usually bring to any situation. I step forward and see smiles on their faces as a medium sized Samoan steps forward.

"You the shit man, how do you pull that off," he says excitedly.

"I simply do, there isn't a way for it. You think of doing something epic, I just go out and do it," I state with a smile.

"See that's the shit man," he tells me, still happier than I see most people," I'm Lou, I play linebacker for the varsity team. We just wanted you to know if you need anything man, don't hesitate to ask, we will gladly mess shit up for you."

"Well thank you but what really brings you here," Kyle asks, sensing something more.

"Damn you guys are good, we want you to come to the games," Lou asks, still happy," Bring some of that spirit and student body with you."

"That's it, get people to attend and sit there? Fair enough I'll do what I can," I reply, getting a happy response.