WARNING: Will include violence, blood, vulgar language, detailed intimate scenes, tears, and a lot of drama. If you are not into these types of things, you may skip over those parts or not read at all. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. You have been warned.
A/N: Hello lovely reader! Before you start reading, I just want to thank you for even clicking on this story; it means a lot to me. I don't get to talk to everyone as much as I wish to, so if you ever want to talk, don't be afraid to post on my message board or pm me. The last thing I have to say about this story is-> Expect the Unexpected. Love you! xx (picture of Jade on the side)

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CHAPTER ONE

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It was just the usual Monday morning. Well, except that it was the first day of school… For me, anyway. I’d already have a problem with switching schools, but in the middle of the year? That was just unacceptable.
I got my lazy arse out of bed and shiftlessly carried myself to the bathroom. Today was just a day to be dilly dallying in my mind; I didn’t quite care for the new school. However, I didn’t want to risk being late for my first day. That would just cause more attention to me than what I would have preferred.
After rushing through my shower, I quickly brushed out my hair and blow dried it. Once my hair was completely dry, I loosely curled it and brushed my bangs out to the side where they belonged. My outfit for the day consisted of a white sleeveless shirt that tied in the front and black shorts with tan flip-flops. I always go natural with makeup, so it was just mascara, black eyeliner, nude lip gloss, and tan/gold eye shadow.
When I looked at the clock I realised it was already seven thirty a.m. Crap. I’m going to be late on my very first day at this place. What a lovely first impression, right? I know. I grabbed my bag and rushed out of the door and to my car. I hopped inside and sped off in the direction of the school.
Once I reached the school, I was racing to get out of the car and get all of my things. Whilst I was hurrying get my belongings together, someone came up behind me and held their hands tight on my waist.
“Turn around,” he whispered huskily into my ear.
The words leaving his mouth sent shivers down my spine.
“What’s your name, love?” his deep voice questioned.
“J-Jade,” I stuttered. Gosh, I sound completely clueless… Well, I am.
“Whatcha got there, mate? A new pet?” a boy chuckled from behind my captor.
He spun round, letting go of my waist. I quickly collected myself and ridded any thoughts from my mind. As I readjusted the strap of my shoulder-bag, I turned and sprinted across the pavement.
“She’s getting away,” another voice said as I made my way to the opposing sidewalk.
“Don’t worry, she’ll be back,” the one voice that I actually recognised said in an almost taunting tone.
Now why would I go back to… them? Exactly, I wouldn’t. I don’t know what he was talking about. There was no way I was going “back” to him unless my life depended upon it.
As I made my way into the school building, I realised that I had no idea where the heck the office was in this school. Maybe I should’ve asked- uh, never mind. They probably wouldn’t have told me anyway. If I spoke a word to them I don’t even know that I would have gotten away as easily as I did. What if they kept me held hostage or something?
No, stop that, Jade. What are you, mental? No, I’m not. Well, now you’re talking to yourself so… You know what? Shut up mind! I’m just – Zip it!
Okay, I seriously think I’m going crazy. Stupid boy getting into my head, hah. I’m not letting that happen again.
“Excuse me, Miss. Are you looking for something? Why aren’t you in class?” a woman in her fifties asked coming round the corner of the hall. Her eyes bored into me in an annoyed way. Geese, can I screw up anyone else’s life? Sheesh, people these days!
“Um... I was actually looking for the office,” I answered quietly. She looked at me in disbelief. “I, uh, I’m new here.”
“In the middle of the school year?” she asked shocked.
“Yes...”
“You must be Jade Simmons. Welcome to Wilmslow High School!” she exclaimed all-of-the-sudden cheerily. “Sorry for my automatic presumption, it’s just that-“
“No, no, you’re fine, Mrs...?”
“Mrs. Campbell.”
I nodded. “Could you direct me toward the main office? I need to pick up my schedule.”
“Sure thing, Miss Simmons.”
* * *
As I looked down at the crisp piece of white paper, which was still warm, known as my schedule, I gulped. Thing is, I have no idea where any of my classes are. What am I supposed to do, be late to every single one? I mean, it’s not like I know anyone who can show me where all of the classes are. I’m like fresh meat in a giant shark tank; no one’s going to want to hang out with me. Even those boys this morning, it was all just a game.
“Something wrong, Miss Simmons?” Mrs. Campbell asked. She happened to be a rather nice woman despite her misconceptions this morning.
“Um, just that I’m not quite sure where, or how, rather, to find all of my classes.”
“Oh! Well that shouldn’t be a problem. Whoever you were assigned to sit next to in homeroom will be you so-called tour guide this week.”
“W-where’s my homeroom?”
“Straight down that hall, then make a left, fourth door down on your right.”
“Thank you!”
“No problem. You might want to hurry, though; homeroom ends in seven minutes.”
“Right. Thanks again!” I called over my shoulder as I raced out of the office and down the hall.
By the time I made it to my destination I was out of breath. Gosh, I need to get to practicing for swim team soon or I’ll be in horrible shape. After slowing my breathing, I quietly crept into the classroom. However, my attempt at not being noticed was destroyed when the teacher’s eye found me.
“Miss Simmons, I suppose?” she asked.
I nodded my head, too embarrassed to speak.
“Class, this is the new student,” she announced to the whole body of kids in the room before returning her unwanted attention back to me. “Why don’t you go sit in that empty seat next to-“
Before she could finish her sentence, a boy in a baggy, black hoodie shot his arm up.
“Yes, over there,” the teacher finished whilst shaking her head ever-so-slightly.
What was this kid’s deal? Does he not want people to know his name or something?
I shrugged and made my way to the seat next to the lad. As soon as I sat down the teacher began speaking again about banners for some upcoming school event. People were raising their hands and volunteering to make posters. Others asked questions about the designing aspect. I, on the other hand, was going to take this as an opportunity to get to know the mysterious person who would be showing me to all of my classes this week
His black hood was over his head. He had his arms crossed on top of the desk with his head nuzzled into them. I felt slight remorse to have to disturb him in his seemingly peaceful state, but quickly brushed it off. My finger poked into the black fabric of his hoodie until it came in contact with something substantially hard.
“Hi, I’m-“ I began to say before I suddenly forgot how to speak.
“Jade,” his low voice said, finishing the sentence for me. “Fancy seeing you here,” he smirked.
“What’s your name anyway?” I asked slightly annoyed by the situation as I completely disregarded his smart aleck comment.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?”
This is why I don’t date, guys are just annoying! Especially this type; the kind that think they’re so cool.
“Actually you’re right, I wouldn’t.”
Just as the words left my mouth, the bell rang signalling it was time to switch classes. I guess I’ll be navigating my way around the building myself. It can’t be that bad.
I got up from my seat as quickly as possible and flung my bag over my shoulder; I really need to find my locker so I can put some stuff away. My feet carried me out of the room in an aggravated way. Once I was out in the hallway I sighed. Why must schools be so difficult to get from class to class and actually meet a kind person? Before I could make it any further, a sheet of white computer paper with black ink on it was shoved into my face, preventing me from proper vision of the world in front of me.
“Look, you’re already forgetting things. Seems like you need my help more than you give credit.”
I snatched the schedule from his hand. “Thanks, but no thanks.”
“So, you know where chemistry lab T is then?” he asked, easily catching up to me. Curse my short legs.
“No,” I muttered.
“Well then it’s your lucky day, I know exactly where it is and that we’re going in the opposite direction.”
“Do you even go to your classes?”
“Nah, they’re boring.”
I scoffed, “Yeah, okay. That doesn’t make it right.”
“And that doesn’t mean that I care either, now does it?”
“Touché.”
“You know, I could always show you where all your classes are in one period.”
“But then I’ll miss my chemistry class...”
“So?”
“So, I was already late this morning, I don’t need to be skipping class too.”
“Just say you didn’t know.”
“And blame it on you?”
“Yeah. Why not?”
I shook my head. “Just take me to chemistry.”
“Whatever you say.”
* * *
I made it through the first half of my first day smoothly once I made a friend who offered to take me to my classes so that I wouldn’t have to rely on mystery boy. Yes, I still have no idea what his name is.
It was lunch time and I was just getting into line. There wasn’t too terribly much to choose from, so I just got a salad. I’m not a big salad eater, but I didn’t see anything else that seemed to catch my eye. Besides, I needed to start preparing for swim team with my dieting. Oh, and did I mention that I lost my cell phone? Yeah, it was great when I was in third period and Abby asked to do a phone swap. I reached into my back pocket and it wasn’t there. Like seriously, how did I lose it?
Once I had paid for my salad and water, I looked for somewhere to sit. Abby waved me over and I nodded, starting on my way there. As I was walking to the table she’d beckoned me to, someone looped their arm through mine. I looked over to my right and up to have my eyes met by the all-too-familiar green ones. He didn’t give me any emotion whatsoever to accompany his actions. Instead he just drug me along with him to a table. When I looked round as he was hulling me behind him, I noticed the entire student body was staring at me wide-eyed.
“Where the hell are you taking me?” I snapped in a low whisper.
“Away from the losers,” he grumbled.
He took me to a table in the corner of the lunchroom where the only people at that table were four boys. They all had the same demeanour as the lad who’d brought me over to them. Each of them had their own set of facial piercings and multiple tattoos.
“This is Niall, Louis, Zayn, and Liam,” he said unlatching from my arm and sitting down in one of the two empty chairs.
Niall had blonde hair put up in a quiff and blue eyes. Liam and Louis both had light brown hair. Louis had bright blue eyes and hair up in an angled quiff whereas Liam had a buzz cut and brown eyes. Last, but not least, Zayn had dark brown hair, which was also put up in a quiff, with a blonde streak in the middle and honey-brown eyes. The lads all looked at me questioningly. Zayn leaned over the table toward the lad who brought me here.
“Why’d you bring her here?” he asked glaring at me from the corner of his eye.
“I have a name you know,” I interjected.
“What is it then?” he asked me in an almost challenging tone.
“Jade. Now if you boys don’t mind, I’m going to get back to my friend.”
“Great,” Zayn sneered.
“No. You’re staying with us,” the only one whom I knew countered.
“Sorry, but I’m not into the freak show.”
He stood up from his chair and looked me straight in the eye with a stern expression. “Sit. Now.”
I rolled my eyes and sat down in the only available seat in between him and Niall.
“Harry, is everything alright?” Louis asked the boy who was now getting back into his seat beside me.
Harry, that’s his name. Finally I actually get to know what it is. I thought I might never know and just always have to go by calling him the tall boy with green eyes, a lip ring, and twenty thousand tattoos. Well, maybe I’ll do that anyway just to get on his nerves.
“I’m fine,” he said through gritted teeth.
Hmm, what crawled up his arse? Oh wait, that was my fault. Oops! Psych.
The other boys didn’t seem convinced, but it seemed to me like they didn’t want to piss him off any further. Were they scared of him or something? I mean, he isn’t really scary at all. You just have to get past the tattoos and whatnot. I’m not like coated in them or anything, but I do have a few piercings and that’s it. The only facial piercing I have is my nose ring and it’s just a little fake diamond stud. Yes, it’s fake; I can’t afford a real one. Not by myself anyway and my parents weren’t all too thrilled about my decision to get a nose ring, but they didn’t object it either, so they can’t really say anything.
“So, Jade, why’d you come to Wilmslow?” Niall asked as he tried to change the subject of conversation.
Truthfully, I didn’t really want to answer him so that I could prove how much I didn’t want to be here, but he never did anything to me so I wasn’t going to be rude to him like I was to Harry and Zayn.
“My family didn’t really like my old school so my mum had me transferred to this one.”
“After the first semester was over?” Liam clarified.
“Yeah, my folks are... interesting with the way they do things.”
* * *
“Hey Jade! Do you need help finding the locker room?” my friend Clarissa asked as she caught up to me in the hallway.
“I think I know where it is. Thank you, Rissa.”
“Okay... well I’m coming with you anyway...”
“Why? I mean, not to sound rude.”
“It’s just... I don’t trust that Harry kid. The last girl that hung out with them, she...”
“She what?”
“Never mind. I just want to make sure you get there without any unplanned problems.”
I shrugged, “Okie doke. Oh, and I’m not hanging out with them. Whatever happened at lunch was just a fluke; they’re not my cup of tea.”
She let out a relieved sigh, “Thank god.”
“I’m beginning to feel like what you’re not telling me about this girl is bad...”
“Well...”
“Clarissa!?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t intend for it to come off that way.”
Yeah, well you may say that, but I know that you’re lying, I thought to myself. Something happened... Something bad... And I was going to find out. I mean, now that I knew something was up I couldn’t just let it go like that.
Once she dropped me off at the girl’s locker room she left me to change and said she’d see me tomorrow; she had a “study buddy” to meet up with otherwise she would’ve stayed to watch me swim. In all honesty, I love her, I really do, but I was grateful that she hadn’t joined me at the pool.
Swimming was my way of getting stress-free and my escape from reality. As soon as my body was engulfed in the chlorine-filled water of the pool, all of my troubles vanished and it was like there would never be anything to worry about; I was carefree and worry-free.
Whilst I was swimming in the school’s pool, I couldn’t help but feel like someone was watching me. I put it off as just another pointless suspicion. There wasn’t really any reason that someone would be watching me in the first place. It would just be pointless and downright creepy.
After doing a couple more laps across the pool, I decided it was enough for the day. I climbed up the ladder on the end of the pool and got out. When I turned toward the direction of my towel, I completely froze in place. A playful smirk tugged at either side of the curly-haired lad’s lips.
“Surprised to see me, Jade?” he asked almost mockingly.
“Yeah, a bit. What are you doing here?”
“I got bored with the boys. They won’t shut up about you.”
“W-why me?”
“I don’t know, they just seem to really like you.”
“Well that’s great that they like me and all, but I’m not into your kind of thing.”
I snatched my towel from his upheld hand and wrapped it round my small figure.
“Who said we had a specific ‘thing’?”
“Just, what do you want from me?”
“Nothing.”
“Then why are you following me?”
“You’re interesting.”
“I’m interesting?” I clarified whilst raising an eyebrow at him.
“Jade, it’s better that you not know why I’m following you.”
“Why?”
“Curiosity killed the cat, babe.”
With that said he got up from the bleachers and left the pool. What the hell was that supposed to mean?