2 Call Me CB.

The school is only a stone's throw away from the dorm so getting there takes no time at all. I'll really appreciate that in the winter. I walk by the lobby and look at the reception desk. No one is there. I walk through the double glass doors and make my way to the school building. It's a simplistic red bricked building. Kind of a let down for a private school. Most of the money the school gets probably goes to their athletic programs. I've already toured the school so I know where everything is except the specific classrooms.

Once in the school the first thing I noticed was the lack of posters on the walls. My old school was plastered with them. I continue walking towards the 10th grade classroom wing when I spot a vending machine in a lounge room. I take two steps in before I hear a girl call out to me.

"This room is for honor students only." I look over to a girl at a round table with a textbook in front of her. Her black hair is back in a ponytail, she's wearing jeans and a white long sleeve shirt with the school's logo on it. She's a few inches shorter than me at about 5'10. Honestly she's cute in the girl next door kind of way.

"Don't worry, I'm the most honorable student around." I say with my hand on my heart. I hear her let out a stifled laugh.

"I'll let it slide this time, I haven't seen you before though."

"Ahh i just transferred today."

"Are you CB?" I was caught off guard for a moment.

"How'd you know?"

She just shrugged her shoulders. I give her a stare for a second before going to the vending machine and buying a sports drink. I nonchalantly grab my drink and make my way to my classroom. I stand in the back and see seats starting to fill up. I decided to ask someone about an empty seat, he told me the whole back row is free except his seat by the window. I decided to take the seat right next to him.

"I'm CB." I extend my hand

"Jorge." He extends his and we shake. Soon after the bell begins to ring and the noisy classroom dies down. The teacher walks in and puts some papers on his desk.

"Looks like we have a new student today, Chase please stand up and introduce yourself." Chase, I really hated that name.

"Everyone please call me CB, I like long walks on the beach and I'm on team edward." My introduction got some laughs, I also heard some whispers from classmates.

"He's kinda hot." Kinda?

"What the hell is team Edward?" This is not a man of culture.

During the time between classes I spot most of my classmates grouped up with each other. I was supposed to attend 100 oaks at the beginning of the year but due to some family problems I had to transfer late. Just as I was about to throw myself a pity party I see a girl reading a book in the row ahead of me. She's not talking with anyone either so i decided that misery loves company and i went to talk to her.

As I approached her I could see her legs fidgeting restlessly. She had frizzy red hair and was wearing an oversized jacket. I took a seat next to her and caught some glances from my classmates. Before I could open my mouth to speak to her, one of my female classmates tapped me on the shoulder and bent down to whisper to me.

"That's Rose, she likes to be left alone." I look back over at rose. Does anyone truly like to be left alone?

"Hey Rose?" Calling her name seemed to make her jump a little. I could tell that something was up. Maybe a form of autism? I have no clue but really that doesn't matter. I'll treat Rose just like I'd treat anyone else. Rose doesn't put her book down but she gives me a sideways glance.

"Do you really like being left alone?"

She nods.

"Do you want me to go back to my seat?"

She shrugs.

"Great." I've decided that I will absolutely get her to talk to me before the breaks over.

"So whatcha readin'"

She just showed me the book, it was "Flowers in the attic."

"That's a sad one."

She shot me a look. Maybe she's surprised I know of it. I've never read the book but I watched the movie. It really is sad.

"Hey Rose, let's be friends."

After a few seconds she nods. I look at the clock and see the break period is almost over. I was about to move back to my seat ready to admit defeat before I heard a faint and quiet voice.

"You're weird." Rose finally spoke! Although she called me weird it didn't feel like it came from a place of malice.

"Everyone's weird Rose. I mean look at him." I point to Jorge who was talking to some other kids in the class. He noticed my point and waved. Poor kid doesn't even know I called him weird.

Rose lets out a little laugh. Before I get to speak again the bell rings and I return to my seat.

As soon as school ended I ran to the dorm to grab my baseball bag before running to the practice field. I can finally play baseball again. I'm so excited. As I run up to the well kept practice field I spot a familiar face.

"Yo Jorge!"

"CB?"

"Yeah! C'mon lets play catch!" I'm acting like a kid who just got his own baseball glove for the first time but i don't care. I'm as happy as can be right now. After exchanging some small talk while throwing the ball back and forth the rest of the team is filling in the dugout. I don't have to look to see that they're staring at me. It's only natural to look at an unfamiliar face.

"Chase, glad you could make it." Hearing that name sends a cold shiver down my spine. I really hate that name. This burly voice could only belong to one man, coach Ashford. He was the guy who recruited me to 100 Oaks Academy. His most defining feature has to be that he's always so tanned. It's really the first thing you notice. A close second would be his giant hands. Hands that are approaching my face way too quickly. I dodge the left hand but the right one grips the top of my head.

"Haven't been skipping your baseball practice down in Florida have you?"

"O-Of course not." I lied. Truth be told i've been focusing on weight training to bulk up a bit before coming here. My unkempt curly brown hair really doesn't go with this toned body now that i put on some muscles, but my mom says that's just part of my charm. Thanks mom. Not long after our exchange the rest of the team huddled around me and coach.

"We've only been practicing for a week now so positions aren't set in stone, except his." Coach says while slapping my back. I look out to my teammates to see some scowls and some other amusing looks. No one has seen me play before so it's only natural they doubt me.

"Now before y'all start bitching and moaning, this kid here won the florida state championship here as a freshman. He's gotten offers from every big private school you can imagine and yet, he decided to come to our little ol' school. I've seen him play, he's the real deal. Every spot here is earned. Step up, play your position, and earn your spot."