Chapter 1

That incident was around two years ago. Recovery took a long process but things were made easier when my sister was assisting me with many things. I couldn't go to school for a while so I just finished everything from home as I was healing. Aunt didn't make things easier, she made it worse. Because of me being wheelchaired bound while I'm in recovery she made every single thing in my life an inconvenience, while she praised my sister like she was some goddess. She would do small petty things to make everything hard for me.

Although one day was different, it was a hot summer day I was sitting at the top of the stairs in my wheelchair looking down. Aunt had not installed a stair climber for me so I was contemplating many ways to get down safely without getting a trip to the hospital.

Estelle had gone out on an errand so she should come back soon. The familiar sound of heels clicking on the ground had come up behind me and a familiar annoying high pitched voice squeaked loudly in my ear came from behind me "why are you such a pest? It is better if you had died along with your parents"

I felt her grip my wheelchair handles and the wheelchair started moving that moment everything seemed like it was in slow motion. while falling down the stairwell all I could think was I'm fucked this crazy bitch really pushed me. I don't remember feeling the impact of the ground but blacking out and waking up and passing out again. I could hear faint screams as my sister yelled at my aunt after she came home finding me on the ground in a pool of blood.

Long story short I ended up in the hospital again while our aunt throws in crocodile tears saying she tried to save me before "I" had jumped down the stairs by myself wanting to end my suffering bullshit she lied to the cops and to the doctors they wouldn't believe my sister after she tried calling out our aunt but my aunt had bribed them with money.

Since my aunt was an adult and rich they believed her over me and threw me in a mental hospital for attempting suicide for 2 months. Although it was all fake, no matter how many times my sister and I had called cps they would determine everything was fine after they were bribed by our aunt or believed her lies. Two years of hell with that woman felt like an eternity of never-ending suffering. The only way we could escape was to get emancipated in court. The court process was difficult we almost didn't get it approved because of our aunt. but with some evidence of us being able to support ourselves it was eventually approved and our aunt was no longer our guardian.

Aunt had tried fighting many times for us to not leave and threw a fit in court while the officers took her away she got charged with contempt of court and sentenced to thirty days in jail and was fined a thousand dollars.

The emancipation was granted and Estelle and I had moved back to our hometown in new york.

Now back in the present time we live on our own in a house that Estelle has under her name. Both I and her are beginning our year as tenth-graders. Now I'm here staring at my ceiling recounting the past two years, sighing as I pull myself out of bed sitting down with my legs dangling off the bed. I reach and grab the walking cane that I now need after the stairs incident for a year or two. Since the physical therapy had helped I'm able to walk now but sometimes it's difficult without a cane. The doctor said that he predicts I won't need it anymore when I'm in my junior year.

I let out a loud yawn stretching my upper body, I begin standing up and shuffling out my room door hobbling to the bathroom across from me. I reach for the doorknob and tried to open it. locked? I was confused when I realized and started banging on the door." Estelle! God damn it get out you've probably been in there for two hours! "I'm just doing my makeup bro chill out!" she yells back. After waiting another thirty minutes the door creaks open to my dear elder sister smiling face at me. I have a bad feeling about that smile…

My intuition was right she grabs my wrist and pulls me to her and puts me in a headlock still smiling at me while tightening her grip."I yield! I yield!"I say grunting and struggling to get out of her grasp." good now get ready" she replies while patting my head.

Honestly, we are the same height but she still manages to overpower me since she took martial arts lessons while I was healing and I haven't done it in years so I'm rusty at fighting. Getting past Estelle was the first step of the day. I quickly splash some water on my face and began brushing my teeth quickly while staring at my appearance. Bright ocean blue eyes like Estelle's with wavy-curly hair at the nape of my neck with the front being shorter than the back bangs covering my eye slightly."I have to trim them again" I say rinsing my mouth and touching my bangs. My glasses sitting neatly on the counter gently grabbed them and slipped them on my face.

After throwing on some cargo shorts a hoodie and some red chuck taylors I step out of the bathroom holding my cane. The house was filled with silence and I assumed she had already set off for school. Entering the kitchen I notice she left a note.

Hey Nova!

I had to leave early because I'm the student body president I made you some breakfast make sure you eat a lot and don't be late to class, and make some friends at school too I know you can! I saw that I and you have different classes :) I know how you are please talk to a few people in your class at least. Do your best I love you lots

Oh, and if anyone decides to fuck with you they are dead :P

From your dear loving sister

The last part made me shiver I know how scary she is when someone picks on me. I smile softly over at the bittersweet note and gently set it down. In a rush, I quickly gobble the food down and hobble over to the front door grabbing my backpack and slinging it over my shoulder.

The walk to school was a peaceful one, sure I got a few stares and snickers from the sidelines but it's whatever it's not the first time people's eyes were on me. The walk was short because Estelle purposely choose a location within a short walking distance for me she has done a lot for me ever since the accident. Arriving at the school gates built up a small twinge of anxiety built within me. Being homeschooled while injured I haven't been to an actual school in two years".ill be fine, I can do this" I repeated to myself quietly. The large worn-down brick building had a set of three double doors at the entrance.it sometimes looked like it belonged in a horror movie but whatever.

"Move it cripple," someone says behind me shoving me harshly. I lose my balance and trip over my cane falling to the ground flat and landing on my butt." douche" I whispered. gathering my stuff I see a hand extend out towards and a deep husky voice emerges saying" need some help".my eyes trail up to a tall man with emerald green eyes and wavy brown hair. I snap out of my trance state at the handsome guy "yeah sure thanks" I reply trying not to stutter. I grab his hand as he pulls me up one more swiftly and began gathering my things. He hands my cane to me and begins saying" sorry about him he's known here as the school's douchebag" he replies chuckling.

"No it's fine I kinda guessed" I reply laughing softly hiding my flushed face

"Yeah," he says giving me a stupid cute grin

"Want me to show you around the school? It looks like your new here you stick out like a sore thumb" he says giving off a laugh

I nodded my head and began following inside the school building

I learned his name Lucas Lambros his last name seems familiar but I dont remember where. He seems like a good guy he's the first person to be nice to me but sometimes he feels a little off a lot of students say hi to him in the hallways and some steer clear of him.

We arrived at a classroom with a sign saying Miss Ackins room english honors.

"This is our stop. hey if you ever need anything just ask me" he says with a goofy grin"

I said my thanks to him and entered the classroom. The teacher was already there and said I could sit in the back" perfect I hate sitting in the front I sat next to a guy with his head down at the table. I was a bit sad because Estelle wasn't in my class I looked toward the guy next to me and gently tap his shoulder."He lifts his head up and gives me a bright smile and removes his earbuds.

"Hey!" he says in a very excited tone "your the new guy right?" he says quickly grabbing my hands and smiling stupidly

"Oh yeah, I guess so?" I replied giving a sheepish grin

"I'm Atlas!" he says quickly shaking my hand

"I'm Nova" I reply removing my hands from him

"Ooo! Ooo! I know! I and you are gonna be the best of friends" he says happily I let out a small smile and nodded my head in agreement to his sudden declaration of friendship. While we were talking his auburn curly hair kept bouncing up and down sorta mesmerizing in a way while his brown eyes went everywhere.

Miss Ackins tells everyone to quiet down and states our seats are permanent for the rest of the year. some students let out a loud groan while the teacher sighed in frustration.

I ended up talking to atlas the entire period and found out he had a knack for writing. the bell had already gone off and I began packing my stuff and heading to my next period. I went through all my other periods but nothing exciting or fun really had happened it was already time for lunch. Estelle tells me she rarely comes to the lunchroom since she's working on student body stuff so she eats the lunch she made.

The lunchroom was full of kids and the tables were already nearly full. I look around to see if I can spot Lucas around and began making my way between tables with my lunch in hand. As I was near his table the same kid from this morning begins snickering and nudging his friend while looking at me. I trip over something and faceplant to the floor letting go of my lunch as it goes all over the floor. I groan in pain and look behind what I tripped over and the douche's foot goes back under the table." fucking cripple can't even walk right" he lets out an ugly pig-snort laugh. I look up towards Lucas who quickly looks away from me and keeps eating his lunch. I grab my cane and stand up with it leaning on it. A kid yells from another table "come on Max! Beat his ass" the douche called Max does a saracastic bow to everyone and smirks as he grabs me by the collar bringing me close to his face." ill make sure you never walk again cripple" his hot breath touches my face and I look at him in disgust. "What are you looking for a kiss" I sneer at him sarcastically. His face goes bright red and does a right hook punch right in my face sending me to the ground again "Ew what the hell there is a gay here he's gonna get his gay cooties shit on me" he says wiping his face. Angry boiling within me I stand up again and throw a punch and kick him to the ground with my good leg.

'"your so fucking pathetic you think those weak punches are gonna stop me?" I reply doing a taunting laugh while wiping the blood off my face. He gets up his face red from embarrassment or anger who cares and tries to throw another punch." it's so sad how your predictable" I say dodging it and kicking his back legs with my cane so he loses his balance "wow can you believe this you're getting beaten down by a cripple" I say laughing at his face and I earned a few laughs from other kids.

I noticed from the corner of my eye the teachers rushing in. He gets back up again and punches me in my face and begins kicking me in my gut. The teachers ran up to us and they pull him off me. I sit up and lean against the lunchroom seats. everyone around us had their phones out already recording. Max struggles against the teachers screaming like a banshee saying I started the fight." self-defense bitch" I mouth sticking my middle finger up at him laughing as the teachers drag him away. his face goes red again saying how hell call his dad if he's ever expelled or suspended while stopping around like a baby.

Atlas runs up to me while pushing through the crowd that formed asking if I was okay I let out a laugh and reply "he's not the only one who can fight".He helps me up and I sling my arm around his shoulder. He throws my backpack over his back and grabs up my cane while supporting me and we start walking out of the cafeteria. . a girl popped up behind atlas and puts a hand on his shoulder "ill help" she says beginning to grab some stuff from atlas.

I learn later in the nurse's office that the person who helped atlas is named river and they go by they/them pronouns.

"Why did you let him hit you more" Atlas looks at me concerned as the nurse patches my face up, her face showing a slight annoyance to the unwelcomed company in her office."I saw the teachers coming and it is better for me to have more injuries so they take my side not his" I replied smiling at him."dont do it again" river replied looking straight into my eyes their greyish-green eyes drilled into the back of my head. nodding at them and they give me a satisfied grin.

"If you are not a patient get back to class now!" the nurse says sternly looking annoyed at the river and atlas. she pushes the both of them through the door and shuts it, a loud groan from both of them comes through the door and atlas speaks up" well be back after school to check on you!" his steps began fading down the hallway along with rivers.

The nurse promptly leaves the room and mentions she will notify my teachers and I can rest here for the day. I gave her a nod and collapsed back onto the bed.

Ding

My phone screen lights up showing off a text from Estelle:

: I heard you got hurt ill come by after school to pick you up right now I'm finishing up student body work ill see you soon and good job throwing that punch I heard he's missing a few teeth dont over do it you need to heal"

Her texts made the hairs on my arm stand up I have a feeling she might do something. leave my phone under my pillow and cover myself with the thin blanket the nurse gave me. I shut my eyes to possibly get sleep before anyone else comes up to me.

By the time I woke up school had already ended. I felt harsh nudging on my arm and my blurry vision could make out the nurse's stature." get up my shifts over your sisters here" she says with a harsh tone. Estelle arrived at the nurse's office followed by two people behind her. I stretch my neck out to look past Estelle and see the river and atlas behind her." come on let's go home" Estelle says as she grabs my cane. Atlas looks back and forth between me and Estelle while pointing like we are chickens running around without a head." Why are you going home with the president Nova?" he says confused." we're siblings" me and Estelle say simultaneously.

Atlas's mouth opens wide and river slaps the back of his head while saying sarcastically"dude it was so obvious to look they are a carbon copy of each other you gotta be a total idiot not to notice". I stood up laughing while Estelle gives me my cane. I can tell she worried "Sis I'm fine I'm tough remember" I give her a grin. Estelle's nose twitches slightly when she's worried about something it's hard to notice but being with her my entire life I can see it as clear as day.

The nurse gets fed up with all of us and kicks us out of the room. by the time we leave the school gates everyone has already left. since River and Atlas live next door to each other they get a ride from atlas's sister every day. Estelle and I stopped by the grocery store before heading home. The way home was peaceful not many interruptions I got a few stares from passersby because im a 16 year old guy with a cane Estelle gave them a death glare back at them as we walked passed.

By the time we arrived home, Estelle went to make dinner and I collapsed on my bed from walking. My phone lit up with an Instagram notification.

A dm request?.

curious I tap onto Instagram. I sat up quickly staring at the screen my hands visibly shaking my breath became shortened my measly art account that only sat at a few followers just shot up to 10k I tap on the dm request profile "anonymous music" my eyes trailing across his username I Iet out a small laugh his account was a guy who produced music but never shows his face. His bio said he was a year older than me. I tap on his message reading:

Hey, I was wondering if you would like to do a collab I love your art a lot! and I thought it is good for my new song cover. Let me know what you think!

I smile at the message and began typing my reply

Hey, you sure you want me to design it? I mean I am just a small art account but if you are willing that's great I could totally do it.

We continued messaging back and forth between each other as we established the contract but went off topic from there. the conversation was cut short by my sister yelling for my name and that the food was ready.

I headed toward the dining area and leaned my cane against the table. I began telling her about my account blowing up and about the deal I made with the guy. She got suspicious at first and checked over the messages and made sure the account was legit. After she confirmed it herself she was so excited and happy for me. We both smile happily at each other and started talking about our day at school.

I went to bed happy and excited

Im really glad I made some new nice friends today we ran into a bit of a bump but all is good

This year is gonna feel great.