Chapter 1.1; Connor

Nick found himself leaning on the side of a bridge, looking dejectedly at the fast-paced river below. It kept crashing against the river bank, sending little sprays of water his way, but he didn't really care, he just wiped them away before continuing his sulking.

The bottom line was, everything he'd ever worked for, everything he'd ever wanted, everything he'd lived for, means nothing now. To say his father was disappointed would have been an understatement, because Nicholas had failed. Any chance of bouncing back from this was completely hopeless. He might as well just wallow in his own misery until they bury him.

"You aren't going to jump, are you?" Said a voice from behind him, making Nick flinch and turn around to see who it was. A boy, around his age, with tanned skin, blonde hair (that's only a shade darker than his own), and freckles dotted around his cheeks and nose, laughed heartily at his reaction. Ignoring the surprised look Nick gives him, he rested his forearms on the side of the bridge, never quite looking the shorter one in the eye.

"Why so glum?" He eventually asked, after staring down at the water, oblivious to the looks Nick has been shooting his way. It took the lighter-haired boy some time to ponder the question, hesitant to give away his feelings to a complete stranger, and to also figure out exactly what those feelings are.

Firstly, he's sad, because he didn't get into the school he wanted, and his family weren't very pleased with that, to say the least. Secondly, there was no clear way to get out of this mess. The school did take students later on in the year, or even later years, but that rarely happened. He'd probably need to have someone who was from Stone-Lake teach him, but the chances of that happening were very unlikely.

Fortunately, there was a bright-side to this after all. His family weren't pushing him to be great anymore. Sure, he'd completely disgraced them, but there was only so much they could do to retaliate. They couldn't just kick him out - he was too young, and they were still his parents. He basically had everything handed to him without having to do anything.

The person beside him huffed a laugh, and Nick had almost forgotten he was there, with how quiet he was being. The sneaky guy had made him figure out his feelings and helped him feel better without even needing to do anything. Very sneaky.

"So, what's the situation?" The boy - Nick still hadn't gotten his name - inquired, leaning side-ways against the wall to face him. "What's your name, first?" Nick asked.

"I'm Connor, and you are…?" Connor held out a hand for Nick to shake, and he took it happily. His father would've been even more disappointed (if that was possible), starting a lecture about how you shouldn't shake a stranger's hand. Technically, though, they aren't strangers anymore. Nick already knew his name.

"Nick, my name's Nick, nice to meet you," He replied, smiling warmly at the possibility of a new friend, acquaintance, other than his stuck-up parents. He'd never been able to go out and meet new people like this, being homeschooled. Another reason why he would've liked getting into that school. Friends.

"So, Nick, why were you contemplating suicide?" Connor urged, a hint of disapproval in his tone. Nick blanched, what a great way to start a friendship. 

"I-i wasn't doing that, I was just feeling sorry f-for myself," He stuttered shamelessly, more worried about being seen as suicidal than a loser. Both of which he wasn't. Connor made a humming noise, that Nick thought was a sound of acknowledgement, when really it meant; "better not be,"

"Anyway, why were you feeling sorry for yourself?" Connor continued, changing the subject, or continuing the previous one? Nick sucked in a deep breath, ready to tell his dramatic tale. 

"Well you see, I didn't get into the school that my parents wanted me to get into - Stone-Lake - so now they've basically--" 

"Hang on," Connor waved a hand, cutting off Nick's rant and stared straight into his eyes, "Stone-Lake??" 

Nick slowly nodded, confused at the outburst, and Connor's eyes widened in recognition. "That's my school!" The taller of the two almost shouted, but still kept his tone hushed. The statement hit Nick like a train, and he wanted to either cry or laugh. 

This was probably the best thing that has ever happened to him. 

"Uhm," Nick started, almost struggling to keep his excitement contained. He balled his hands into fists. "So do you think you could help me get in?" 

Connor looked at him sceptically, mouth opening and closing as though he was about to say something. Nick would never tell another living soul, but secretly, his fingers were crossed. Hopefully the other boy didn't notice. 

"It's rare that they accept people so late, do you still wanna try?" 

Nick nodded so fast he thought his neck might break. This was his second chance to redeem himself to his family, his second chance to set his future on the right course. He'd be a fool to let this opportunity slip past him.

When Connor said; "yes", he almost screamed with joy.