Chapter One

Two teenage boys stand in front of a school building, Brooklyn high school, or at least so the signpost read. One of them wore a black hoodie on a jean trouser and the other wore a long-sleeved red button-down shirt on a black trouser. They look at the signpost in awe and excitement and the boy on jean trouser whose name is William puts his hand across the shoulder of his friend, Kendrick.

"I still can't believe you really rejected your father's offer to go to a private school for this", Kendrick says and William grimaces.

"Aren't you glad that I'm here to stay with you? You would miss me if I left you", William teases and they laugh.

"Whatever, let's go in already. Carrie and Maddie will be waiting already", Kendrick replies and they walk in. Carrie was their best friend and Maddie was her elder sister who they were also slightly close to. Maddie was entering grade ten while Carrie and the two of them were to enter grade nine after attending middle school together.

They enter the school and see students walking all over the place.

"Looks cool", Kendrick comments.

"Just call Maddie already", William says nonchalantly.

"Where's your phone?"

"I left it at home"

"Why?"

"I'm getting a new one after school"

"What?"

"You heard me"

"What's wrong with the phone?"

"I don't know. I just want a new one"

"You're such an idiot"

"But your parents just got you a new phone, didn't they?"

"And so? I have been using that phone throughout middle school,it had to get changed. But your phone is just….. maybe a year old at most"

"Whatever. The money is there sitting in the bank,it should get used"

"You're so fribble,I don't know how no one has figured out that your parents are…."

"Hey, that's a secret you know", William says cutting him off.

"Fine, sorry".

"That girl looks kissable"

"Will!"

"I'm just saying,I don't actually mean I'm going to kiss her"

"And why don't I believe that?", Kendrick asks and William grins. "You're such a flirt"

"I like the way girls look when I mess with their head; the blushing.....and everything, but most of all, the chasing after me when I'm done joking"

"You are just so full of yourself"

"I know I'm handsome, isn't that something to be proud of?"

"You're such an idiot. I'm calling Maddie", Kendrick replies and brings out his phone. "Hey Maddie, where are you?"

"In your asshole",a female voice replies and he laughs.

"Why so feisty Carrie?"

"We've been waiting for you two for ages"

"It's someone beside me that caused it"

"Will?"

"Who else could be beside me?"

"Hey give me my phone", another female voice says over the call.

"It's just Rick", Carrie defends.

"Hello Rick? Where are you guys?"

"Isn't it our dear mummy Maddie?", William teases on hearing her voice as the phone was on loudspeaker.

"Shut up, Will", Maddie retorts. "Where are you guys?"

"We're right in front of the door"

"Oh, we're coming then", Maddie replies.

"Hey don't end the call", Carrie says.

"We're going to meet them, aren't we?", Maddie asks and Carrie groans.

"Wait till I get my phone", Carrie growls and Kendrick quickly ends the call knowing they were about to start arguing. They often acted like twins even though Maddie was two years older.

"They're so dramatic", William complains and they laugh. Few minutes later, Carrie and Maddie get to where they were standing.

"What's with the hoodie Will?", Carrie asks.

"It looks cute, doesn't it?", William inquires in reply.

"You idiot,of course it does", Carrie replies.

"Anything looks good on you, Will", Maddie adds grumpily and William chuckles.

"Because I'm so handsome right?",he asks and Maddie rolls her eyes.

"Yes", she grunts. "Let's just get going already"

"You see Rick? Even Maddie admits it", Will boasts.

"We know you're hot, you don't have to tell us over and over again", Carrie grunts.

"I'm hot?That's sweet", William says and puts a hand round Carrie's waist.

"You idiot, how am I supposed to get a boyfriend if you keep treating me like your girlfriend?"

"Any guy who wants you is free to steal you from me. Till then however, you're my girlfriend"

"Who would try asking me out if they suspect I'm your girlfriend when you're so feisty? No one wants to get beat up by you"

"Any one who can beat me up is free to have you"

"I doubt that guy exists amongst teenage guys"

"There's probably some guy somewhere who can beat me up, don't flatter me", William replies.

After a while, William, Kendrick and Carrie are walking to their first class together. On getting there, there was already a teacher in the class.

"Shit, I hate attention", William growls under his breath but Carrie and Kendrick hear what he said. He tightens the hood of his hoodie so that only his eyes are visible but his face is hidden.

"I have very little tolerance for lateness", the teacher complains with a large frown on her face.

"Sorry ma, we're new intakes. We just found out we had a class", Kendrick apologizes and her countenance lightens.

"Well,introduce yourself to everyone since you're new students. You can have a seat after introducing yourself"

"I'm Kendrick Hareton"

"Look at the class young man, you aren't introducing yourself to me only", she reprimands and Kendrick faces the class.

"I'm Kendrick Hareton"

"Just that?"

"Well I don't really know what you think an introduction should be like", Kendrick retorts, now annoyed.

"How old are you?"

"Fifteen"

"What middle school did you attend?"

"There's a file in the principal's office for that", Kendrick replies politely even though his irritation towards the teacher was very obvious.

"You may sit", the teacher says after a long pause. "And you?"

"I'm Carrielyn Hagins"

"Madison's sister?", the teacher asks.

"Yes ma'am. I'm fourteen years old and I finished from Harley hill middle school. And umm…"

"It's alright, Miss Hagins", the teacher says and Carrie goes to sit beside Kendrick. "And you….will you take off that hood?", she yells and William groans internally.

He loosens his hood and lets it drop off his head. Many eyes widen and some girls swallow a squeal as they see his face. Carrie rolls her eyes on seeing their reaction, William always got that reaction whenever he met people.

"Well?"

"I'm William Sylvester"

"And?"

"I'm not really good with all this introduction stuff", William says and ruffles his hair exasperatedly.

A girl almost squeals out loud as he ruffles his hair and another girl sitting nearby puts a hand over her mouth to prevent the girl's squeal from being heard but everyone hears anyway. The teacher gives her a fierce look before turning back to William.

"You may sit now", she says and William seats beside Kendrick. The class continues and soon ends. Everyone makes their way out but William and Kendrick remains seated. Carrie stands up and looks at them.

"Is something going on that I don't know?", she asks with a quizzical look.

"Let's wait until everyone has gone out. It'll be easier to leave then", William replies and tries to drag her to sit on his legs. She slaps his hand and Kendrick and William laugh.

"Stop being naughty", she yells.

"Do you want to have a boyfriend so bad?", William teases.

"Shut up you idiot"

"I'm helping you out you know. This way only the guy that is really interested in you will try befriending you and any guy that gets your heart will know better than to mess with you since I'm your best friend",he replies with a smirk.

"You're such an idiot. I'm the only one amongst us having a class so I should get going", she says and starts leaving. "Find my locker,will you?"

"After I find mine", Kendrick replies and she rolls her eyes before exiting.

"Come on Rick, let's explore", William says and stands up.