Vital

New school had meant a new reputation; I had to remind myself that.

"Can't I wait til I at least get the uniform?" I begged, sitting in the back seat of the truck with a grim expression.

"No," they both dryly declined.

"Besides, it'll be good punishment," my dad added. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath then opened the door.

"Okay," I whisper, getting out. I grabbed my bag, smiled at them then walked off. My faded skinny jeans, with a slight rip at my right knee moving with my legs as I swiftly walked. I stuffed my hands into the pockets of my black hooded zip up sweater that has peace signs over it, a gift from Amy. Everyone stared at me, as I shifted my eyes to the floor and continued walking to the office. I went inside and closed the door sharply.

"Monique," the principal greeted, handing me what I assumed was my schedule.
"Come by after school to get your uniform as well, you'll be taking your picture."

"When?" I ask.

"After school of course, in your uniform top at least." She gave me a warm smile, lightly patted my back then retreated to her office. I bit my bottom lip and helplessly walked out towards the main corridor.

"Excuse you," someone snarled after I bumped into them. I glanced up to see a guy, and my jaw slightly dropped.

"My bad," I apologized. He looked me over with a grin.

"Being rebellious?" He suggested, staring at my body a little more than welcome.

"New," I corrected.

"That explains it," he chuckled. When another girl came over, she immediately crashed her lips onto his then glared at me.

"Come on babe," she spat, forcing him away. I rolled my eyes and spotted Aiden's spiky hair. I hurried over to him, and tapped on his shoulder.

"Monique," he greeted, a big grin on his face.

"I'm so lost," I breathed out, glancing over at the guy.

"I see you've noticed Lombardi," he sneered, glaring.

"Lombardi?" I repeated, returning my attention to him.

"Yeah, he's the David in your school, but here." He looked upset and started walking, so I followed.

"He's a football player?" I snorted, at which Aiden laughed.

"We don't care for Football that much, I mean sure it's great, students show to the game. But it's not like that popularity wise," he explained. "It's all about the coolness."

"Coolness?" I couldn't help but laugh.

"Yeah, laugh. Go ahead," he chuckled. "However it's true."

"So what does he do?" I quirk a brow.

"Whoa, I wouldn't jump on that. Whitney would kill you," he warned. I couldn't help but smile wider. "And don't bother trying to explain the whole Chelsea thing, that already got around the school."

"What?" I groaned, this school isn't much different.

"Lombardi knows some dude named John, apparently they're like cousins or something." Aiden shrugged, nodding to some girls down the hall.

"Who are they?" I question, looking them over.

"They're my friends," he answered. Then turned to me.
"Soon to be yours as well. To survive here, you need to know a few people."

"Great, starting to sound like my school." I let out a deep breath.

"Worse," was all he managed to say before the girls approached.

"Hi, I'm Katherin and this is Isabel," one of them greeted, shaking my hand.

"Mo-" I started but they cut me off.

"Nique, we know." The girl named Isabel stated, then glanced at Aiden.

"Izzy," Aiden sighed. He shifted his eyes away when I glanced at him.

"What ever," Isabel spat then stalked off. I rose my brows and looked at Katherin for some answers.

"She's upset because we have an even number in the group, she has like OCD or something," Katherin explained when a guy came over and they kissed.

"Who be this?" The guy questioned, looking me over.

"Monique," Aiden answered for me. The guy raised his brows and soon a big grin appeared.

"That would explain why Isabel isn't around right now," he chuckled. "I'm Tony, Kat's boytoy."

"Nice to meet you," I politely replied. Their styles made me realize why Aiden was their friend, not stereotyping of course.

"You'll like it here, especially coming from where you did." He busted up in laughter until Katherin smacked his arm, then he shut up. I weakly smiled and saw that guy walk by again with that girl.

"Don't mind them," Kat mumbled. "They think they're the shit."

"I bet," I sigh. I wondered if Whitney would be like Chelsea and I'd get expelled from this school as well.

"So you beat up a cheerleader?" Kat's man question with that grin still on his face.

"Anthony!" She scolded, giving me a polite smile.

"Don't worry. Yeah, I did," I answered, not meaning to brag.
"I wonder if she's out of the hospital now."

"That bad?" Katherin's eyes lit up.
"I'm impressed."

"Katherin has a fighting record, bitch is cray cray," Anthony mused. She elbowed him, and he wrapped his arm around her. "Hey I would assume you two would bond over it."

"Blah, blah," she giggled. Then they kissed. I smiled and glanced at Aiden, whom was staring intensely at me. Aiden grabbed my schedule and glanced at it.

"Your first class is with Katherin, just follow her," he advised when the bell rang.

"Great," Anthony sighed. "I'm going to miss you babe."

"I am going to miss you too," she sweetly replied, kissing him passionately.

"Oh barf," Aiden groaned and hugged me before walking off. Aiden yanked Anthony and the two walked away. Katherin skipped along side of me and lead the way.

"So how long have you been together?" I ask, to make conversation.

"Two years in a few days," she giddily answered. "I'm excited."

"That's a long time," I gasped.

"Tell me about it," she giggled. "I'm in love with him none the less, though my parents aren't."

"Why not?" I ask. She opened the door for me and shrieked with laughter.

"Well, you see my hair? Yeah the colors of it didn't happen until I got with Anthony," she informed, taking a seat. I sat next to her and she just laughed. "So you could imagine what they thought."

"I bet," I mumbled. Suddenly our homeroom teacher spoke, having everyone do whatever it is they need to do and shut up.

...

I forgot what it was like to be new, or even start a first day of school. Teachers making me stand up in front of the class, introduce myself and such. It wasn't until sixth period that I hated today, simply because of my teacher.

"So, Monique Jensen, tell us about yourself." Gosh this bitch could just jump off a bridge.

"Well, I'm new." I shrug. "I like peace signs."

"Yes, but what else?" She growled, folding her arms across her chest. I wondered if she was just using me as an excuse for her lazy ass not to have to work.

"Well maybe if you asked me specific questions?" I suggest.

"Or maybe you should use that little brain of yours?" She retorted, touche.
"Fine students, ask her questions. Lombardi?"

"Are you a virgin?" He asked with a grin.

"Not appropriate," she hissed. Then looked me over with a disgusted look.
"Next."

"Why did you move to here?" Asked the girl Lombardi was with earlier.

"Got into a fight with some preppy bitch," I answered, raising my brows once.
"She went to the hospital." Maybe David was right, reputation is everything.

"Watch your mouth, Jensen." The teacher's expressions were just rude, and uncalled for. Ever since I walked into the room she was glaring daggers at me.

"Yes, ma'am." I nod, before turning back to the class.

"Do you like it here so far?" Tony questioned, sitting up right.

"Yeah," I answered with a smile. Aiden grinned as well, and Tony nudged him.

"Okay, I'm bored. Take a seat Jensen," the teacher hissed. At which I did as I was told and sat in front of Anthony and Aiden. However, they both kept kicking my chair and giggling about it. Causing me to become annoyed but at the same time, I couldn't get the smile off my face.

...

"So how did you like her?" Anthony questioned, skipping next to me.

"A real bitch she is, yes?" Aiden added, both of them grinning madly.

"Just a little," I honestly answer with a shrug. Katherin rushed into Anthony's arms and practically made out with him. Isabel slightly walked over, and gave Aiden a hug; whom wasn't interested.

"I just thought it was funny when Monique was all, maybe if you ask me questions, blah blah." Anthony couldn't stop laughing as he replayed the events that happened.

"It's not that impressive," Isabel snarled, having given me attitude all day.
"I mean honestly, it's not the first time someone back talks a teacher."

"What's your problem, Izzy? Upset that the chick Aiden wouldn't stop talking about is finally back in his life?" Anthony hissed, Kat sent him a disapproved look. "What? It's not my fault Isabel can be such a jealous bitch sometimes."

"Anthony!" Aiden scolded, at which Isabel shrugged.

"Let him, Aiden. It's not like you care," she cried out and rushed away. I stood there confused and glanced at the three.

"Ugh," I mumbled, scratching my head. "Shit."

"What?" They asked at the same time.

"I have to go to the office, see you guys tomorrow?" I rose my brows and they nodded before walking off. I quickly rushed to the office and went inside.

"I was beginning to wonder if you had gotten lost," my new Principal teased, leading me to a room. "One of our top photographers will be taking the picture, so wait here and I'll have him come in."

"Okay," I whisper, taking a seat. Sure enough in came a guy that I recognized as Lombardi.

"Well hello again," he greeted, a sly grin on his face.

"Hi," I mutter. He hands me the uniform that's in a bag then sets up his camera. I stood and went to the bathroom, changed and came back.

"Ready?" He asks, looking me over.

"Yep." I stood in front of the pale blue wall and smiled. He snapped the picture, looked it over and snapped a few.

"Want to make sure to get the best one," he explains, not that I even questioned it. He took a seat and glanced up at me. "Well come take a look."

"I'm sure you can choose the picture," I nonchalantly reply. He just laughed and looked at me.

"I heard about you, you know." He looks me up and down. "What happened with David as well."

"Yeah, yeah." I roll my eyes, grabbing the door handle.

"It's pretty kinky, you should come over to my house some time. I can show you a good time," he cooed with a wink.

"Or you can go fuck yourself, and if you have more stamina afterwords, go fuck that chick that was all over you. Have a good day," I retort before leaving the room. I slammed the door shut and rolled my eyes with a shake of my head. I went to the parking lot and looked around, finding my parents vehicle.

"How was school? Meet any new people?" My mom asked, as my dad drove.

"A few." I shrug. "I'm surprised you're picking me up."

"You're new here, we cant have you walking until we get our new place," my father informed. I smiled at the gesture, being used to walking to school all the time.

"That's thoughtful," I thought aloud. We didn't go right back to the hotel, instead we looked at a few places. All very nice and such, but nothing felt like home. It wasn't until we got to a two story house that I actually felt like it was home.

The outside pure white, with cream trims around the windows. Trees lined the side of the house and a decent sized willow tree in the front. Inside was a nice sized living room, with a fire place. Then the kitchen and a dining room connected to that. The stair case was narrow, leading immediately to the only bedroom upstairs. Note to self: holler before going up there. Right next to the stair case is a door that leads to a nice sized room. Double doors from that room to the outside, and the down stairs room even had a bathroom connected to it; along with a small walk in closet. I was impressed.

"Wow," I breathed out.

"This one," my mom squealed. Even my father was in love.

"It may be two rooms, but it's perfect for us." He wrapped his arm around my mother and we all stood outside. So it was settled, when we got back to the hotel my parents put the offer in and they went to their lender. I was stuck at the hotel, doing the homework and wondering about Gabriella and Cayden.