1 Introduction

"I don't want to go, Dad," I told him, tears threatening to escape my eyes as he comforted and hugged me. "You'll be fine Brit...you've got your friends, they'll help you out," He said as he ushered me down the front steps of our humble abode, " It'll be fun" I caught his bluff immediately as I turned to him, raising an eyebrow. He let out a chuckle as he spoke, "Okay ...So It's not really, buuut High School will change your life, It'll set you up for a lifetime of opportunities...without it, I would have never met your mother and there would be no you" He said, my mum, appearing in my peripheral vision as she stepped out of the house. Her fingers wrapped delicately around her coffee mug, as she came over to kiss my Dad's cheek.

"High School is going to ruin my life," I said.

"Brit, get your ass to school before I kick it there myself" She encouraged, as Dad wrapped his arm around her shaking his head. I stared in awe of my parents, although being slightly grossed out at how loved up they were. "You're going to be late, now go," Dad said, pressing his hand lightly on my back as he guided me down the steps. I stopped to turn to him looking up into his blue eyes, "What if your cancer gets worse?" I ask as the reason for not wanting to leave or go to school was now made apparent to my Dad. He has been battling prostate cancer for seven years, it has been hard on the entire family, especially my mum. He always manages to speak his words of comfort however as he says, "It won't Brit, You believe in me, don't you?" Placing his hand upon my cheek and I smiled at his reassuring words."Muuuum!" I heard a yell from inside as my little sister, Mia stormed out, still in pyjamas. My older brother, Michael, followed her clutching his stomach as he laughed. "Michael tried to draw a sharpie on my face!" she yelled as she wrapped her arms around Mum's leg. Mum looked to Michael as he put his hands up in defence and spoke, "Sorry, her face was just so... drawable"

Mia lunged for Michael but Mum stepped in front of her and spoke sternly, "Now that's enough...go get ready for school Mia, and Michael stop annoying your sister" Mia let go of Mum's leg and trudged inside poking her tongue out at Michael as she went, which provoked him to run after her, starting a game of chasey throughout the house.

"To think that boy is going to university next year" My Mum spoke with a roll of her eyes. Dad smiled as he turned his attention back towards me and held my face in his hands. "You'll be okay, I love you" I nodded feeling comforted at his words, adjusting my shoulder bag I said "I love you too...I'll see you after school" I wrapped my arms around him tightly.

"Yeah? How about your mother? Hey, give me a kiss" She said as she leaned down to try and reach my lips as I fought to get away from her grasp, "Muuumm" I whined as my dad put his hand on her shoulder to tell her through his gesture to stand down. I walked down the footpath and turned back to wave goodbye. Mum and Dad were standing side by side as I smiled and began my journey towards the bus station.

I sat alone at the front of the school bus. I looked back to see a boy, at the very back of the bus. He was around my age with silky brown hair and piercing eyes that were as green as embers and he was undeniably attractive. The music played loud into my ears as I found myself suddenly staring at the boy I had come to discover. He looks out the window as his friends around him talk and laugh probably about soccer or something stereotypical. Without realizing, I noticed the boy staring back. My mouth drops in shock and I immediately look away to only look back to see his mouth curve into a flirtatious grin as he waves slightly. I blush profusely and turn back around in my seat, wanting to crawl up into a ball and die. All of a sudden, The mysterious boy makes his way from the back of the bus down to the front where I was sitting, placing himself next to me putting his bag at his feet. There are whispers from around us but he ignores as he stares at me, the smile growing on my face. Taking out my headphones carefully I start, "Hi?"

He smirks " I saw you staring...Am I just that attractive?" I scoffed at his sudden arrogance towards me, I looked to him to see a smug look upon his face. "Are you just that cocky?" I said as his mouth opened in surprise. He breaks into an awkward laugh wrapping his hand around the back of his neck. "Don't come over here if you're-" I started trying to stand my ground but he immediately cut me off by saying. "No no no no, I came over here to talk to you" He said, suddenly I didn't feel like he was arrogant as he wanted me to see. To break into a new conversation between us he started, "I'm Collin" I nodded as a small smile crept up onto my lips as I said, "Brittany...Are you new to Brighton?"

"Yeah I used to live in Southwick" He told me.

"So who are you?" He asked now moving closer to me, getting comfortable in his presence. I smiled,  "You'll just have to find out"