Confessions of a Teenage Caffeine Addict

Prologue

April 22nd

In a meeting of the students, parents, administrators, faculty members, alumni, and supporters, it was so evident to me, along with the dedicated service of so many people, to ensure that our students receive the best possible education. Northshire High School and South Creek High School will be attending King High School this fall to make space for a community park, as well as an assisted living centre. In establishing King High School, I am confident that we will work together with determination, creativity, and sensitivity to improve the education system, better students' wellbeing, and further academic goals as well as strengthen the athletic system.

∆

JAKE

August 28th

"Blah, blah, blah." Derek balled up the letter from Superintendent Madewell and tossed it carelessly into a trashcan as we made our way to class.

"I can't believe they just merged the two high schools like that!" A-Mart, slammed his fist against the side of some kid's locker.

"We've always been two schools," I said, and by two schools, I meant two hockey teams. No way was my position up for negotiation, and I also wasn't up for dealing with the rich, snobby, stuck up kids from Northshire, who we endearingly referred to as Northies. We had never gotten along to begin with, so I didn't understand why the school board thought shoving all of us into a big, new high school was going change anything.

"No way am I sharing ice time with a Northie." A-Mart shook his head.

"Dealing with Calum Brooks is not something I'm looking forward to." I shoved my hands into the pockets of my shorts. As soon as I said his name, Calum and a few Northie players materialized. Perfect. Just how I wanted to start my morning. He was like that annoying stain you couldn't get out of your shirt.

"Hockey season starts in three months, boys! Get excited." He rubbed his hands together enthusiastically.

"Yeah, like you scrubs will even see the ice." Derek brushed Calum off, just like he did to most of the freshman girls.

"You'll be too busy warming the bench for us." A-Mart added.

"Something I'm sure you know all too well, Martini," Dougie Remington gave A-Mart a shove. A-Mart held up his hands as the period three bell rang.

"It's fine. Closest he's ever gonna get to actually hitting someone." A-Mart sneered at Dougie.

"Watch your back, Roswell," Calum said to me before he and his scrubs pushed past me.

"Enjoy your three months of freedom Brooks, 'cause come tryouts, you're gonna wish you never set foot on our ice." I flashed him an award winning smile before walking off to my Calc class. Ever since I could skate, I have hated Calum... even more than I hated Coach Hawthorne's Breakfast Club Sprints. I hoped those sprints sent Calum to the hospital, because if they didn't, I would.

"Roswell! Leighton!" I heard Coach Hawthorne call out to Derek and me. We turned around to see Coach hurrying down the hall towards us, his tie swinging with his stride. "Let me see your schedules." He grabbed the papers from our hands and sighed almost immediately.

"What's up, Coach?" Derek asked, rocking back and forth on his heels.

"You two need to switch out of this history class with Douglas, you understand me?" he asked, and I could tell that this wasn't up for discussion.

"Uhh, alright. We'll try." I said as Coach patted my cheek before resuming his speed walking to wherever.

∆

KATIE

September 4th

"Merging the schools was the dumbest idea in the world," I told Isabel.

"Why? Look at all the new guys we have to pick from." She wiggled her eyebrows at me. No guy had ever noticed Isabel or me before, and I don't think they were going to any time soon.

I dismissed her comment. "Because they cut the track program so my stupid father could expand the hockey program." I clenched my hands into fists as she and I tried to find the library.

"Yeah but it's not like you're gonna see your dad," Isabel replied, and she did have a point.

"As long as I'm never in his Economics and Government class, I think I can manage to avoid him for the next two years." I rolled my eyes as Isabel and I entered a room that I assumed was the library. It still smelled like new paint, and for some strange reason, that calmed me down. She and I sat down in the section with all the computers and logged on to find our schedule, since neither of us wanted to wait in the line to get a paper copy. Isabel and I had made that mistake the first year and missed half of our first period class, couldn't find our lockers, and walked into a senior English class. All because of that stupid line.

"Good point. Besides, what are the chances you're gonna be in his class anyway? There has to be what, like five sections of it, right?"

"Yeah, you're right, Is." I printed out my schedule and almost started crying out of anger when I saw it. "I can't believe I'm in his class. Why am I in his class?" Isn't that like illegal or something for a student to be in their parent's class because of favoritism? Not that my father favored me, seeing as we hadn't spoken in 5 years.

"Wow, this might be a worse than the first day of freshman year." Isabel said, genuinely shocked.

"Let's just go to class..." I sighed before shoving my things into my backpack.