Hey guys! This is my first Rucas Fanfic 3 I'm so excited ! so not gonna bore you with details.. let's jump right in! Feedback welcome :D

Chapter 1: The Athlete.

"For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning."

- T.S Eliot.

He took a deep breath and pushed the front door open, a warm gush of air hitting him. Teens just like him were running to their friends, hugging them, telling them stories about their summer vacation.

He, on the other hand, had no one to tell stories to anymore.

God knows what happened to the three people he once shared everything with. He lost contact when he moved back to his hometown in Texas.

He pushed all those thoughts out of his mind for now. This was a new start. Here he was, in John Adams High School, ready to begin his new year in New York.

"Excuse me," he said to the first person he spotted walking past him. It was a skinny girl, with pale skin and light hair. "Could you tell me where the principal's office is, please?"

"Sure." She smiled. "Are you a new student? I'd have recalled seeing you here before."

He nodded and smiled back. "First time in John Adams? Or first time in New York? You seem to have a Southern accent." She said as they walked, twisting through turns in the hallways, trying to avoid the masses of people heading in each direction.

"I actually used to study in middle school, here. Then I moved back to Texas for two years."

"Here you are now." She said, suddenly stopping. She stepped out of the way and he saw the door she had been concealing before, marked, 'Reception.'

"His office is right next to the main reception. You'll find the door." She took a step towards him.

"I'm Suzie." She said, extending a hand.

"Lucas." He said, shaking it.

"Well, Lucas. I hope you like our school. Good luck." She smiled again, and walked away.

Lucas knocked on the door twice, and entered. There was only one person, a big, elderly lady with huge glasses shaped like a butterfly's wings and a flowery top.

"May I help you?" she said in a tight voice.

"Yeah. I'm Lucas Friar, new here. I was asked to see the—"

"The door on the right." She pointed, in an extremely bored toned. Guess John Adams got loads of new students and this was always the drill.

With a slight nod, Lucas walked towards the door. He didn't need to knock, as it was already open.

"Come in." said a deep voice. It was Mr. Carter, the principal.

Lucas walked in to find the room just as lavish as any other principal's, complete with an expensive sofa and a small chandelier.

"I'm Lucas Friar, sir." He said.

"Ah, Mr. Friar. Sit down; we have a lot to discuss."

Apparently, the guy had a full report on him, and had strictly said that no fighting, bullying, or bull riding would be tolerated. Lucas had inwardly rolled his eyes at that, thinking who could be stupid enough to bring a bull to school. The book bag was heavy enough.

Having said that, Mr. Carter explained to him about the school rules and policies, and about the subjects being taught and the teachers. Not each one individually, but as a whole.

In the end, he had asked him to collect his schedule which the receptionist (Mrs. Rosa) had already printed from him.

He stepped out of the office and grabbed the schedule, already late for his first class, which was History, with Mr. Isaac.

He followed the room numbers until he came to 207. He opened the door to find the rest of his class already seated, the teacher being on the table.

He looked like a cool hipster dude, if that made sense. Complete with a goatee and sunglasses perched on his head.

"Um, Hi." He said quietly. "I'm Lucas Friar."

"The new kid." Hipster dude smiled. "I'm Mr. Isaac. Please, take a seat."

Lucas looked around. Suzie was there, looking amused. There were two empty chairs, one in the fourth row and one in the second. Lucas chose the one in the fourth.

Just as he was settling down, Mr. Isaac said, "Tell us something about yourself, Lucas."

"Well, I'm from Dallas, Texas. I'm into sports, and—"

"Favourite subject?" asked the teacher.

He thought for a moment. "History." He finally replied. He still remembered all those lessons Mr. Mathews had taught him, and how each one had been implemented into his life and made a great difference.

His eyes narrowed. "Are you just saying that to get on my good side?" Some people snickered.

"No, sir. I genuinely like history."

The teacher made a noise of approval. "Great. Now let's not waste any time, then. Our first chapter will be the Great Civil War, which was—"

There was another knock on the door.

Lucas's breath caught in his throat when his eyes landed on her. A girl with long, dark hair and familiar brown eyes. But what he didn't recognize was the all-black theme, from her boots to her eyeliner.

"Ah, Ms. Mathews. So glad you could join us." The teacher said in a mock tone.

"Sorry, Mr. Isaac." She said in a quiet voice. So slow that Lucas might have not heard it all if he wasn't paying suck close attention.

"It better not happen again. We all know how good you are in your studies. But I will not tolerate missed classes and excuses like last year, understand?"

She nodded. "Good. Now take a seat."

She took the desk at the second row, not noticing Lucas at all.

But that didn't stop Lucas from staring at her at all. Rather, staring at her back. He was overjoyed that he had finally met up with her again. Too bad it was like this.