1 - Uno -

"When I was a kid, my grandfather was a preacher.

He'd talk about life. He was something like a teacher.

He said God only helped those who learned how to help themselves.

He was a million miles from a million dollars.

But you could never spend his wealth..."

I sing along to my music as I walk across the school campus. No one knows how much these words mean to me. Every time I listen to this song, I think of my grandfather. He was my role model, my friend, the only one who really got me. I can relate to the chorus since my grandfather was a preacher and all. Even though he and my grandmother never had much, they made the best out of what they had.

I turn my music up, blocking out the rest of the world. Maybe if it's loud enough, it will consume me. Anything to get me from having to deal with all the young adults that flood my school. A sixth-form college is a crazy place, full of liars and deceivers. Most of them act like they're still in secondary school. Even the professors would agree with me; though it's mainly because they hate young adults. Either way, I try my best to not associate myself with the other college-goers. King Edward is like a prison, and music is the key to my bittersweet escape.

I tuck my hands in the pockets of my jean jacket, keeping my gaze on the dry leaves that cover the ground. Continuing my path to the school doors, I feel something hit the back of my head.

"What the—" turning around, I look for the thing that collided with me. Instead, I find a tall boy with hazelnut eyes. He wears dark skinny jeans and a maroon snapback, along with a sheepish grin.

"Liam!" I shout, throwing my arms around his neck.

"Soma!" he replies with a laugh as he returns my hug.

Liam Payne was the first friend I made when I moved to Darlington. It started when he defended me six years ago from a few primary students. Liam is that friend that everyone wishes they had. He is caring, sensitive, and wonderful. He's also the Batman to my Robin (don't ask, it's a long story). He always knows what to say, and how to make you feel good about yourself. I don't know how he does it, but I'm glad he does.

"It's been too long," I say, finally pulling away. "How was the tour?"

Liam's mother is a makeup and hairstylist for an Australian band, while his father works construction. Since his mother is part of the tour, she travels a lot. Liam rarely joins her. But since part of the tour was during summer break, he went along with her.

"It was great," he says with a wide smile. "I got to go to Germany, visit different cities in Europe. They were beautiful. I even met a girl."

"Ooh, what's her name?" I ask as I remove my headphones and place them around my neck. Liam and I walk into the school, pushing past the other students.

"Relax she has a boyfriend," Liam replies. "I met a girl who showed some interest in my music. I gave her a few of my mixes and she told me she'd show them to her music producing friend."

We stroll into room 14E, in other words, our English classroom. Throwing his arm over my shoulder, Liam leads me to a table with four empty chairs.

"Eso es genial!" I say with a grin.

"It is great. Except, I haven't heard from either of them for almost two weeks," Liam says, getting out his textbooks and placing them neatly on the desk.

"Well, just give it some time," I say, "I'm sure they'll get back to you as soon as—"

"Houston, we have a problem," a blond says loudly from the door. A few students look up at the sound of his voice, others just ignore him. Niall Reid makes his way over to where we are.

"What is it?" I ask, placing my feet on my desk. Since I know my professor well, she won't care.

Ms. Wu is a great professor. She's the person who will push the test back a day if she knows most of the class didn't study. That may seem sweet, but don't let that fool you, she can be strict when she wants to be.

"I just went down to the Hawk's Nest cafe, they're out of—Liam!" Once Niall realizes who's sitting right in front of him, he engulfs him in a hug. "When did you get back?"

"Last night," Liam replies. "I'm still jet-lagged though. My dad literally had to drag me out of bed."

"Well, welcome home, mate," Niall says, giving him a clap on the shoulder. "Autumn will be excited knowing you're back."

"Where is that blue-headed demon, anyway?" She's usually late to class, I kind of expected her to walk in with Niall. Those two always show up late. Tardiness is their second language.

"Beats me." Niall shrugs. "Last time I saw, she was sitting in the common room with a bunch of students."

"And you chose not to join her?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Well, seeing as I'm standing in class talking to you. I'm going to have to say no," Niall replies.

I give him a playful look as Liam chuckles. "Man, I've missed you guys."

"I missed you too, Liam," I say. "While you were away, all I had was this loser to hang out with all summer."

"What loser?" a girl questions, sitting herself down on the other side of Liam. "Niall?"

"Yeah," I reply, "who else would it be?"

The girl is a good friend of mine. She's a little taller than me and way more athletic. I was always jealous of her slim body and her naturally easy-going personality. She also likes to claim herself as the best tennis player at school, even some male tennis players are a little intimidated by her, thinking she will surpass them. I'm not surprised if she ends up being better than the "star" player, she's excellent at the sport.

When I first met her, I was a little taken aback by her blue hair. But I later grew to like it. I tell her all the time that she could be a mermaid, she usually glares at me in return.

"True," she says.

"Hey, love" Liam says, turning in his seat to face her, partially blocking her from my view. "How's my favorite season been?"

"Liam, how many times do I have to tell not to call me that," Autumn says as she rolls her eyes. "And also, hey," she says the last part stoically.

"First, I will never stop calling you that." Autumn rolls her eyes again at Liam's statement. "Second, that's all I get?" Liam frowns. "No, how was the tour? How have you been? Are you happy to be back home?"

"Fine, fine, I'll play along," Autumn says. "How was Europe?"

"It was amazing!" Liam says excitedly. "Paris was beautiful, as always."

"Obviously it is," Niall says, blowing a bubble from the gum I didn't even know he was chewing. "What else is new?"

"He met a girl," I tell them as if it were my duty to say.

"Ooh, what's her name?" Autumn asks, looking interested.

"Yeah, Payno, give us the deets," Niall says, wiggling his eyebrows.

"There are no 'deets' to give," Liam says. "Because like I told Soma, she has a boyfriend."

"He also might get his music produced," I say, turning to the two.

"That's probably not going to happen, I haven't heard from either of them." Liam sighs. Before we can say anything else, the rest of the students file in, followed by our professor.

"Hey jabber jays," Ms. Wu says, setting her school bag on her desk. "All eyes up front." The four of us turn to face the dry erase board, putting our conversation on a pause.

The rest of the morning passed by smoothly, classes weren't too bad. Sadly, I only have English with Autumn, but at least I have two classes with Niall and Liam. Although, at twelve we go down to the Hawk's Nest cafe for lunch.

By one o'clock, when we've decided that we've stayed long enough at the school, Niall, Liam, and I make our way across the parking lot and towards my car.

When Niall and I were both in grade eleven, I would sometimes give him rides home. We usually had the best time. From carpool karaoke to driving around pretending to be on an adventure (and sometimes even getting lost). But now we don't really do that anymore since he drives his family car and carpools with other people. Autumn is one of them.

I was going to drive Niall home today because Autumn needs the car after tennis practice. But Niall got someone else to give him a ride home, so I don't have to worry about his transport.

Did I forget to mention that Niall's adopted? He and Autumn both are. Apparently, both of their parents were ineligible to take care of their children, so they both got put in foster care when they were eleven. They got adopted by their foster mother, along with two other fosters. He lives with five other people; even though Niall lives in a full house, plus I've been to his home a bazillion times. I barely know the oldest one. I hear he's prone to rule-breaking, spending his time smoking, and partying with a bunch of other "pothead" students.

"What are you doing with the rest of your day?" Niall asks.

"Liam's coming over and he's going to tell me all about the tour," I say, squeezing Liam's shoulders.

"I am?" he asks, I nod. "Oh… okay."

"And also, I'm going to look over what kind of homework we'll have this semester," I say.

Liam raises his eyebrows at my words as Niall says, "That's no surprise, what else would you do?"

"Hey now, you say that like it's a bad thing," I say. "Studying is important, and there's nothing wrong with seeing what our semester's going to look like."

"I don't doubt it," he replies. "Well, actually I sorta do."

"Studying can get you into a good university," I say, opening my car door and throwing my bag in the back seat.

"Yeah, but can it get me a girlfriend?" Niall questions. "Or even better, my own Queen's restaurant?"

"If you play your cards right, maybe," I say.

"You really think I could own a restaurant?" Niall asks, looking excited.

"I meant girlfriend," I reply, giving him a semi-confused look. "Studying could get you a girlfriend. Besides, whatever happened to Nandos?"

"Eh, I still like Nandos," Niall says, sticking his hand in his pant pockets and leaning against my car. "But have you ever had a Queen's burger?"

Queen's is a small restaurant in the center of town. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be fast food or diner. I don't think the owner knows either. No matter, it's become quite an attraction for people; people like Niall.

"No, usually when we go, I always order their nuggets," I say, reaching into my bag for some chapstick. As I turn back around to face Niall, a red suburban pulls up beside my car.

"Do you children want some candy?" the owner of the car asks with a smile stretching across his face.

The car owner has deep blue eyes that are mesmerizing to look at. His chestnut brown hair falls over the left side of his forehead, slightly obscuring his one eyebrow from view. He has a bit of stubble covering his chin, and to finish the look: he has a cigarette hanging loosely out of the corner of his pink lips.

"A creepy guy in a bulky car, if that doesn't spell kidnapper, I don't know what does," Liam quips. I smile at what he said.

The guy isn't actually a threat, he's really Niall's ride and one of his guardians. Never mind the fact that he looks about as intimidating as toast.

The brunet chuckles, holding the cigarette between his middle and forefinger. "Don't worry, I only want to lock you in my basement."

"My mother always told me not to talk to strangers." I sigh. "It's like she knew someday a brown-haired punk would pull up in a red suburban and lure me to his house with candy."

"Well, it's not like you could really resist, I mean who doesn't like candy?" the brunet replies.

"Well, just as long as there are Double Deckers," I say. He lets out another chuckle.

"I'm ready to go," Niall says as if he just realized his ride was there.

"Where's Zayn?��� the driver asks, taking a drag from his cigarette.

"I don't know, he has some nerd club thing, so he's getting dropped off later," Niall says, climbing into the front seat.

"It was nice seeing you two," says the driver, nodding to me and Liam.

"Glad I could make you laugh," I say

"As am I," he replies. "Niall, you ready?" Not looking up from his phone, the blond nods. "Aren't you going to say goodbye to your friends?"

"Bye," Niall says dismissively, glancing up at us before going back to his phone.

"Excuse this, prat," the driver replies, ruffling Niall's hair.

"Well, since he's my friend, I'll let it slide," I say. "I'll see you later, Niall." Liam bids his farewell to Niall and the brunet then gets in the passenger seat of my car.

"Goodbye, Louis," I say, passing him a smile.

"I'll see you around, Soma." And with a grin, Louis speeds the car out of the lot.