Chapter 1 Annie

The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead as I trudged through the crowded halls of my new school, feeling like a fish out of water. It wasn't easy being the new girl, especially when you came with as much baggage as I did. My name is Annie, Annie Thompson, and if there's one thing you should know about me, it's that trouble seems to follow me like a shadow.

I had been transferred to this new school in the middle of the semester, the result of yet another fight that had gotten out of hand. It wasn't entirely my fault, but try telling that to the principal of my old school. They had given up on me long ago, washing their hands of the troubled teen with the absentee father and the drug-addicted mother.

As I made my way through the throngs of students, I couldn't help but feel a sense of isolation wash over me. These kids didn't know me, didn't know what I had been through or the struggles I faced on a daily basis. And frankly, I didn't want them to know. I was tired of being judged, tired of being labeled as the problem child.

But no matter how hard I tried to keep my head down and blend in, trouble always seemed to find me. Maybe it was the chip on my shoulder or the defiance in my gaze, but I had a way of rubbing people the wrong way. And as much as I wanted to change, to break free from the cycle of violence and dysfunction that had plagued my life for so long, I didn't know where to start.

By the time I reached my first class, my nerves were shot, and my patience was wearing thin. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever challenges lay ahead. But as I stepped into the classroom, I was met with a sea of curious eyes and whispered rumors.

"That's her, the new girl."

"I heard she got kicked out of her last school for fighting."

"She looks like trouble if you ask me."

I clenched my jaw, refusing to let their words get to me. I had heard it all before, and I wasn't about to let a bunch of gossiping teenagers get under my skin. But as I took my seat in the back of the classroom, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach.

The teacher droned on about the syllabus, but I barely registered a word she said. My mind was elsewhere, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. I missed my old school, despite the trouble I had caused there. At least there, I had friends, people who understood me and didn't judge me based on rumors and hearsay.

But here, I was alone, adrift in a sea of strangers who saw me as nothing more than a problem to be dealt with. I couldn't help but wonder if things would ever get better, if I would ever find a place where I truly belonged.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of class, I gathered my things and prepared to leave. But as I made my way to the door, I was stopped in my tracks by the sound of the teacher's voice calling my name.

"Annie Thompson, could you please stay behind for a moment? I'd like to speak with you."

I hesitated, a sinking feeling settling in the pit of my stomach. What now? What had I done this time? With a heavy sigh, I made my way to the teacher's desk, steeling myself for whatever punishment awaited me.

But as I approached, I saw a figure standing beside the teacher, a boy with dark hair and a curious expression. He looked at me with a mixture of sympathy and intrigue, as if he could see past the tough exterior I wore like armor.

"Annie, this is Joey Reynolds," the teacher said, gesturing to the boy beside her. "He's one of our top students, and I thought he could help you get acclimated to your new school."

I raised an eyebrow, eyeing Joey warily. What did this guy want with me? Was he another do-gooder trying to save the troubled teen? I had had enough of people trying to fix me, to mold me into something I wasn't.

But as Joey extended his hand, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope stir within me. Maybe, just maybe, this new school wouldn't be so bad after all. Maybe, just maybe, Joey could help me find my place in this world.

I took his hand, returning his smile with one of my own. "Nice to meet you, Joey," I said, my voice softer than I had intended.

And in that moment, as our eyes met and our hands clasped together, I knew that my life was about to change in ways I never could have imagined.