“Are you nervous?”

Tyler asked as the countryside began to pass by the windows. He was driving and I was in the passenger seat of his car, simply looking outside.

“Not really,” I chuckled turning my head to him. He had his eyes on the road ahead, and his light brown irises held a cheerful expression within them.

“Then what are you thinking?”

“Just wondering what sort of things are in store for me this year. You know I'm joining the school in the middle of the year. So don't know what people are gonna think,” I voiced my thoughts.

Ty tilted his face to me and frowned. “When did you start caring about what others think?"

"I don't.." I shrugged my shoulder. "But I need to fit in and somehow survive here."

"Carrie, you're gonna fit in perfectly well. And I'm sure you'll have a nice year ahead. We'll enjoy a lot together,” he flashed me a warm smile. I just nodded and smiled in response. I really hope I have a nice year.

Well, before we move on, let me tell a little about myself. My name is Caroline Ann Turner. I'm called ‘Carrie', 'Annie' etc by my close ones. Ty usually calls me Carrie. Tyler is my cousin brother, but he is just like my own brother and we are best friends. We are both 17, but I'm a bit older.

My home is in Perellard and I arrived here in Witalder yesterday. Dad is a General manager at a company and Mom is a doctor. I'm their only daughter and now they practically send me away from home.

The reason is that I got into a few troubles in my previous school and along with that my GPA wasn't that impressive. So they, at last, dismissed me when I punched and broke a Jerk's nose. But it wasn’t my fault. He asked for it. Believe it or not, somehow troubles automatically find their way to me, wherever I go.

So yeah, here my lovely Cousin Tyler is the top student in school and my parents thought it would be a good idea to send me here and make me attend the rest of the two years of high school along with him. So that maybe Ty can influence me and I'll finally become a goody two shoes like him. But I know myself better.

Anyway, I agreed with their decision. Because first of all I couldn't by any means stay at my previous school. I messed up with the wrong gang and it was even dangerous for my life to continue there. Just kidding. It wasn’t dangerous for my life or anything. I just only got a silly death threat from the jerk I punched.

Secondly, I love food, and Ty’s Mom is a great cook. No wonder, she runs a café. Let me say openly, My Mom's cooking skills suck.

Thirdly, I'm happy to attend school with Ty. You know, at home I'm alone and I really hate being alone. I hope here I can enjoy a lot with Ty like he said. Right now we both are on our way to my new high school ‘Harbinger high'. And we both are in grade 11.

"Ty, are you popular in school?" I blurted out the question which suddenly popped into my head out of nowhere.

“Uhm...not really,” he hummed.

“You aren't?” I asked, knitting my eyebrows. He might be really popular. I mean he is extremely handsome, the top student and he is also on the basketball team. Or is he still that nerd from middle school?

Yeah, our Ty was a typical nerd when he was in middle school and he used to get bullied a lot. He even changed school during 8th grade. But he said it changed after he joined the new middle school and got selection for the basketball team.

“Yeah. I'm not that popular,” he repeated, leaving a sigh. "But I have a few friends to whom I can introduce you."

“Well…I wonder why you haven't got a girlfriend yet.”

“C'mon… I told you I hate the relationship thing,” he groaned.

“So that means you get hooked up a lot,” I smirked. He rolled his eyes. I just asked that to tease him. I know he isn't into that kind of stuff and he most certainly hasn't lost his v card yet. And I even doubt he is secretly into boys. Maybe I can make him come out to me soon.

“So what about you?” he asked.

“I haven't come across the right person yet. Let's see if I can meet them here,” I replied.

Ty smiled and nodded. “Carrie, I have basketball practice evening. So Take my car and go home after class.”

“So how are you coming back?” I asked. “I'll wait for you.”

“You don't need to wait. I'll ask Asher to drop me back at home.”

“Who is Asher ?” I asked, and he chuckled at my curiosity.

“Our basketball captain. His house is only a few blocks away from ours.”

“Oh…”, I nodded.

In another five minutes, we pulled up in the school's parking lot. Ty tilted his face and looked at me while unbuckling his seat belt. His expression suddenly became a serious one.

“Okay Caroline, now I need to give you some instructions since it's your first day. First of all, don't get into any fights with girls or boys. And behave politely to teachers and generally everyone. Also, listen carefully to class and take notes. At least you should listen when the teacher is talking about assignments. I heard you didn't turn in half of the assignments last year. It's not gonna happen here,”

He said in a very serious tone as if he is my science teacher Mr. Roger. Oh hell, my Mom! She has told him everything.

“C'mon Ty, you already gave me enough instructions yesterday. Please don't start again,” I groaned. He sighed and got out of the car. I opened the car door and got out as well, falling into step with him.

“Who is the new girl with Tyler?” I heard a girl whisper as we entered the hallway.

“Don't know. Will she be his girlfriend?” another girl whispered, almost in a shocked voice.

"No way. The last time I checked, Ty didn't have a girlfriend. She is probably just his friend."

Whispers continued to arise from the crowd of people in the hallway as we walked to the office to get my schedule. I thought Ty said he isn't popular. Damn boy! He was lying. Everyone here seems to know him, judging by the looks they are giving me.

Soon we reached the office and got my schedule. Ty was about to compare both of our timetables to see which subjects we have in common when someone called out his name. I turned around to see a tall, dark handsome guy coming walking toward us with a wide smile plastered on his face.

“Hey, Brent !” Ty smiled brightly.

"I wondered why you didn't come for morning practice. But now I see you got a valid reason.” the Brent guy said whilst flashing a cocky smile in my direction.

“Oh man, this is my cousin sister," Tyler sighed causing the Brent guy to let out a laugh.

"I knew it. I was just teasing you. Asher told me your cousin sister is joining today and you're accompanying her on her first day," he grinned and turned towards me, extending his hands. "Hi, I'm Brent Dexter, I'm on the basketball team with Ty. So, what's your name?"

"Caroline Turner," I replied whilst taking his hand and quickly giving it a firm shake. As I left his hands free, he raised his eyebrows in an impressed kind of manner and grinned at me as if I passed his vibe check.

"Okay then see you both later," he said and leisurely walked away, stuffing his hands in his pocket. I turned to Ty to ask him more about the guy, only to see him frowning looking at my timetable.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I can't believe we only have maths together." He whispered in an almost discouraged tone, giving my timetable back to me. His face looked so dim as if he had expected me to be with him in every class.

That's kinda sad but anyway I believe whatever happened is for my good. I mean, I don't want him to see me sleeping and getting scolded in every class. Not that I care but I don't want him to do spy work for my Mom.

“It's okay. You've still got plenty of time at home to try to make me a nerd, although it's not gonna happen," I patted his back, to which he shook his head in defeat. "Okay then, my first hour is History. See you next hour,” I said and smiled. The second hour was Maths for both of us.

“Okay, History class is on the second floor, left corridor. Or wait, I'll take you to the class so that you don't lose your way around,” he said grabbing my hands.

“No need. I'm not a kindergarten kid," I jerked away his hands causing him to leave an inaudible sigh. "Now you better go to your class before you get late,” I chuckled and turned around, walking in the direction he showed me.