Chapter One: New Beginnings

Skateboarding has always been my favourite thing to do with my buddy Eric from down the street. Having him live so close was one of the many reasons why we became friends in the first place.

My name is Samuel Donnelley and I live in one of the most basic neighbourhoods in town. It isn't all that bad really, but sometimes it tends to get a bit boring around here.

Today is the first day of my middle school year, only this time, things are different…

"Boarding school!?" That was my voice yelling at my mother who was helping my father pack up all my stuff. She didn't even give me a second look, "Samuel. We talked about this already. I don't understand why you keep acting surprised."

I scoff and start stomping around my room, "I thought you would change your mind! I-I never knew you were serious!"

She stops and shakes her head slowly, "young man when have I ever changed my mind."

"N-NEVER? But- maybe this was the one time you would?"

She gave my father a look, causing him to giggle. I grew angry.

"Would you please just calm down? Your father and I still need to help your sisters pack up as well."

"They're going to boarding school too?? Oh for fUCKS sake!"

"Language." My father sternly told me; finally stepping in.

"Let him vent David."

"This-this isn't fair! I- I can change I swear!"

My mother continued to pack, "Samuel, you've been disobedient, disrespectful, violent, and overall stressing your father and me out. I don't think you understand. You will never change if we just sit here and let you grow up without proper discipline." My father spoke up, "which is why we are sending you to one of the best boarding schools in town. It'll teach you how to be independent and respectful."

I grunt, "oh I bet. Like hell, it will!"

They sigh and chuckle softly as they finish packing my bags. My mother stood up, "you all leave in an hour." Her eyes scan me up and down "good. You're already dressed and ready to go~. Now go eat."

-Eric-

"Nicco, what are you doing in my bed??" I wake up and find my little brother sitting next to me with his ginormous teddy bear in his arms. He carries that thing around everywhere. "Dude, I thought we talked about this!" My vision was still blurry, but I can still make out Nicco sitting up and yawning like nothing was happening.

"Eric~ relax~~ me and Max here are bringing you good luck for your first day of school~" He smiled innocently.

I sigh and facepalm, "Jesus… okay. Thanks for your… uh, luck, but I have to get ready now." I try to push him off my bed with both of my hands.

Nicco didn't budge, smiling and staring at me.

I pause then blink up at him, "Alooneee??"

"Ohh~! Okay~~" I hear his soft voice erupt into giggles as he gets off my bed and skipped away towards my door. Which was somehow opened…? "By the way~~" He pauses and turns back with a hand on his hip. "Don't forget mom signed you up for that boarding school~"

"Yeah yeah whatever, get out dude." My brain hasn't fully processed what he said as Nicco slips out of my room. It's now weirdly silent… and then I realize,

Oh…. Frick-

I leap out of my bed and race to the kitchen where I find my mother. "Mom, what the fUck??" I scream.

"Eric dear~ please be careful with your language~" She softly spoke, holding my baby brother, Gideon in one of her arms.

"No, nO- You said you weren't going to make me go to that school. How dARE you mom!" I yelled, tearing up and hopping up on the table. "You think there's something wrong with me??" I was standing and pointing at her from above.

My mother hesitated, turning around with a concerned look. "Evin..-"

"DON'T. Call me that." I glared.

She paused, being used to this kind of behaviour, Considering the fact that there were six of us in this damn house.

"Eric. You have shown me and your father-"

"That man is NOT my father." I lashed out.

I heard my mom let out a soft breath

"...You have been showing me, and your step-father, a very rude, very disrespectful, and very concerning behaviour young man. You yell, and scream, lash out and scratch and punch because you cannot control your emotions and actions." She carried on, making breakfast for the whole family. "Maybe that boarding school will teach you one or two things about proper behaviour. Now go, finish packing your things and get ready~"

I let out a loud groan of frustration, punching at the table and chairs as tears streamed down my face. "This is sO not fair…"

My step-father had come downstairs. His loud and heavy footsteps made me recognize him. "Nothing is fair in life Eric. Now don't make me have Hudson help you boy."

I didn't need my older brother to help me. That's so embarrassing… I rolled my eyes and stomped to my room. Maybe if I do nothing then maybe she'll let me stay home… Yeah. Perfect plan. And you know what makes this better? Hudson is already in my room.

"Hey lil bro, I got your stuff packed. So don't worry~" Hudson was sitting on my bed with a suitcase stuffed and ready to go. "It's got all your favourite things~" He winked, embarrassing me even more.

I plop down on the floor, my head drooping. "Thanks… Even my Nintendo?"

"Even your video games buddy~" He smiled and stood up, kneeling in front of me. "You'll be fine~ I heard Samuel will be there as well~?" He tried to cheer me up.

"Tch. Does Sam have to go through this hell too?? Damn." I lean on my hand as my thoughts trail off and away from reality. Sam and I have always been friends, since the beginning… His and my family are best friends actually, so we knew each other since the literal beginning of life. Though Sam is older by 3 months, we're still very very close. Maybe it won't be as bad at a dumb boarding school if Sam is there…

"Eric? Earth to Eric are ya their bud?" Hudson's voice snaps me out of my daydream.

"Yea, yeah… Okay fine. But I want you to drive me." I gave him a stern look.

"I can't today, mom and James have to drive you and meet the principal." He shrugged and messed up my hair a bit. "I could drive you next week~"

Oh yeah. I'm staying at that ratchet place for a whole ass week before coming home for the weekend. If I 'ChOoSe' to. I scoff and roll my eyes. "Whatever Hudson."

He gives me one last look before leaving for high school. I grab my suitcase and give my room a final stare. I feel like I'm missing something… Oh yeah. I grab the item from under my pillow and hide it in the suitcase, stepping out and closing the door to my room.

Everyone is gathered at the front entrance, ready to start this god awful September Morning.

"Put your jacket on or you'll get a cold Eric~" That voice was my older sister, Holly. She cares about, well everyone. She has empathy for everything on this stupid planet. It can get really annoying sometimes. I take the jacket and put it on. As soon as the front door opens, I'm speeding out of it and towards the car.