Saving Hannah.

"This can't be real," I muttered to myself, placing the picture of Jaileen back on the dresser.

Today I would be starting my last year of high school without Jaileen. Her and I had been bestfriends ever since grade school, but seven weeks ago, she was killed in a car accident involving a drunk driver.
Everyone from school had been supportive towards me, trying to help me through this tough time. I had pushed them all away though, I didn't want their help. Not now.
I had always kept my life a secret, even though my peers tried to befriend me.

I was lucky, I went to a school where bullying was virtually nonexistent. We were all equals. Still, I was unable to become friends with any of them.
I preferred the silence that came with not having friends.

I sighed loudly and ran the brush through my white hair one last time before placing it on the dresser and raking over my appearance in the mirror.
Sliding the lid to my jewelry box open, I placed my tunnels in my ears and picked up the rest of my jewels, putting them in their places.
I was a lucky kid. I had angel bites, my tongue, a nose ring, my bellybutton, hips, and a dermal to the side of my right eye. My parents believed in self-expression to the fullest.

I grabbed my black Jansport bag off my bed and headed down the stairs, kissing my mom on her cheek before leaving.
"Try to enjoy this year Han, I know it's hard but just try for her." My mom whispered, hugging me tightly.
"Of course. I love you mom, thank you for this." I answered.

I slipped from her hug and walked out to my car. It was a Ford truck, but my mom wanted me as safe as could be ever since Jaileen's accident.
I had been with her that night, I had broken my right arm and was still wearing a cast to show for it. I had done everything I could, the medics telling us I had kept her alive for longer than she should've been, but it wasn't enough. I hated the man who took her from me. I hated him.

I drove to school in silence, not bothering to listen to music. Nothing was the same with Jaileen. I pulled into my usual parking spot and grabbed my bag and iPhone, placing my headphones in and finally clicked onto Pandora, hoping to drown out any questions or sympathetic remarks. I walked into the building, noticing the sign on the door that notified us we had an assembly this morning.
I knew they were going to talk about Jaileen.

I sighed and bit my lip, rushing to the gymnasium. I saw everyone there and their faces immediately feel, sorrow written all over their features.
Principal Holland directed me over to the staff area and allowed me to stand there, noticing my discomfort. Teachers shot me sympathetic looks, but not one dared to speak to me, even as I took my headphones out.

"Welcome back students and staff, let's make this year a great one. To start off with, I'd like to introduce the new senior guidance counselor, Mr. Fuentes." The students clapped as I watched a man with short, brown hair and tan skin walk to the podium where Principal Holland stood. He waved at us and I groaned.
Why did he have to be here right before they made the announcement about Jaileen?

"Please make him feel welcome, and to those of you who didn't make it to senior orientation, please see him before the bell to pick up your schedule. We also have another announcement, one we wished we didn't have to make. This summer, two of our students were involved in a crash with an intoxicated driver. For those of you who were not aware of what happened, Jaileen Brown was driving home with another student of ours when her car was hit, and she unfortunately passed away. Please refrain from talking about the incident publicly to respect the other student. Jaileen will be dearly miss-"

I turned on my heels and walked out the gymnasium door, unable to control the sobs that racked my body. I heard footsteps coming after me, I heard someone yelling after me, but before I had the chance to figure out who it was, I slammed into another body.

"Woah, I'm sorry! Hey- are you okay?" The voice asked, and I peered up to see a boy about my age. He had a labret piercing and was tall and lanky.
"Hey, I'm Mike... Do you need to talk?" He asked.

I shoved past him and kept walking until I got to the senior hallway, sliding down the floor in front of the music classroom.
I couldn't do this, not today.
I knew that at some point, I'd have to go to class. But I needed my schedule first, and I really didn't want to see the new guidance counselor, especially after my vanishing act.
I continued to sob until I had no more tears to cry, but I kept my head down. I didn't want to be seen.

"Are you alright?" My head shot up to see none other than the devil himself. Mr. Fuentes stood there, concern in his eyes.
"Yep, I'm good. I actually need my schedule for this year."
"Um, yeah, okay. Follow me, I'll get it for you."

I stood up and followed him to his office, not daring to say anything. He looked through a file and handed me my schedule, but not before something occurred to me.
"How do you know my name?" I asked.
"I was briefed on the incident that happened. I'm here for you, Hannah." He said, smiling at me.
"I don't need you or anyone else's help. Leave me alone." I growled, turning and walking out of the office.


I glanced down at my schedule and smiled widely at it.
Wilson, Hannah P.
Period 1- Guitar 4.
Period 2- AP Chemistry.
Period 3- Introduction to Music 4.
Period 4- Lunch A.
Period 5- Band 4.
Period 6- Dual Enrollment placeholder.
Period 7- Dual Enrollment placeholder.
Period 8- AP Calculus AB (Online).

I had the perfect schedule this year, thankful I had Mr. Preciado and Mr. Perry only. They were my absolute favorite teachers and I was finally glad something was working out in my favor.

I smiled once more and walked to my first period, swinging the door open and grinning widely at Mr. Preciado.
"Hi Hannah!" He yelled out, grinning back at me.
"Hi Preciado, I'm so excited for this year! You have me three times!" I giggled, placing my bag in the seat at the front.
"Great, because I have a new student in the fourth year of three classes as well, just like you. His name is Mike, and he's new, so I want you both to partner up." He said, rubbing my shoulder.

I nodded my head and retrieved my guitar case from the storage room, nearly dropping it. There was Mike, the kid I nearly trampled earlier. It suddenly clicked, and I sighed loudly. This was my partner, Mike.

The bell rang and the other students filed in, taking their seats from years prior. I ignored all of them and Mr. Preciado directed Mike to me, and he took a seat at my side.

"Um, so basically we just do whatever we like." I mumbled, not bothering to look up at him.
"Sounds like fun! I'm actually going to be working on guitar and drums, but it's all cool. I'm Mike, but I already told you. Mike Fuentes."
I turned to look at him, the last name making me want to roll my eyes.
'Is the guidance counselor-?"
"Yeah, he's my brother." He interjected, cutting me off before I could finish.

I nodded and turned to my guitar, trying to tune it properly.
"What's your name?" He asked, staring at me intently.
"Hannah."
"That's a pretty name." He commented.

I ignored Mike and focused back on my guitar, not wanting anything to do with him.

"Hannah, look, I know you just had some stuff happen but I just moved here and I'm lonely. I didn't have any friends at my old school, I was picked on a lot and being the new kid, everyone has their clic and I don't. We have a bunch of courses judging by the schedule on your desk, actually all of them, so please be my friend. Please."
I looked up at Mike from my guitar and saw the tears in his eyes and instantly felt bad. I knew I wasn't being fair to him, I knew Jaileen wouldn't want me to be this way.
"Okay, yeah. We can be friends. I'm sorry, I just don't really like groups of people and such." I mumbled quietly.
"Well, you can be my only friend." Mike said, giving me a small smile.
I returned the smile and scooted closer to him, delving into conversation about this year and how it would be the best so far.

Little did I know those words would come back to bite me in the ass.

Notes

Just for those of you who may not know, Dual Enrollment is taking college courses while in high school :)

ALSO this is a Vic/Hannah fic, I just have to develop plot etc :)