I cracked my knuckles as I squared up my shoulders and lifted my chin."Let's go, Kay, before we're late." I glanced a glare at him and he followed me like a lost puppy as Istrode across the parking lot. Except lost puppies don't huff and puff and they definitely don't mutter cursesunder their breath.As I reached the door, I took a deep breath and yanked it open. Kayden fell in step beside me,sauntering through the hallway with a confident look on his face. I must admit, it's pretty cool, how he canfake confidence so easily.Although, I have it mastered, considering I've been doing it for the past years of my life. And it works,because as I strode down the hallway, the loud gossiping and sports talk faded down to a soft murmur.I felt eyes on me, and I must admit, it's a little unsettling, even though I've dealt with it for a while. It'sdifferent because I'm actually going to know these people and introduce myself to them later.Oh God, I hate doing that.As I walked like I belonged there, which I really didn't, I glanced around, never looking into the eyes ofour onlookers. I could already tell they recognized me.The hallway was pretty dull, it was just a normal high school hallway. The lockers and the tiled floorwere to be expected, just like the gazes of my classmates were.I caught some of the squeals and whispers that really weren't as quiet as the people saying themthought."Leah... Rayne? There's no way that's her.""Oh my God, I (*I never really understood why people curse*) love her so much.""The new girl's hot. What I wouldn't give to (*I barely resist the urge to cover my ears and starthumming*). Wait, what do you mean she's famous?""She said she was moving from Florida, but I didn't know she was moving here. We're so lucky, whatare the chances?!"I also heard some swoons concerning my brother, and basically, I wanted to puke. What the freak dothey see in him?The muttering slowly died down to just plain staring, and to say the least, it was awkward.I almost sighed in relief when I saw a group of people that weren't affected by the sight of me and myugly brother as everyone else.As we walked by them, I saw a girl that has excellent taste in fashion throw herself on a boy that wasclearly not interested in her. They were also attracting a significant amount of attention, like us, shown by thelarge group gathered around the pair.I almost completely breezed past them until I heard a familiar voice speak louder. "I told you already,Carrie, you're annoying and I don't want you. And let me just say this, anyone who's watching us right now,mind your own (censored) businesses.I froze, my eyes widening. I elbowed my brother hard, making him stop and stare at me incredulously.I gestured pointedly towards a tuff of familiar hair, and he smirked, causing another round of murmurs to occur from our stalkers.I licked my lips and spoke out-loud clearly, "Wow, self-centered much, Ry?"The boy in question stiffened up and turned his head sharply towards me, a glare evidently present onhis face.It faltered though, as he caught sight of who I was.He looked older than I remembered, which would be obvious considering the last I'd seen him was fouryears ago, when he was thirteen. His brown hair fluffed up differently and his jawline was sharper. The blackt-shirt he was wearing showed off his muscles that I'm sure he gained from (who wants to guess?) football, ifhe's still playing it. He looked amaz- I mean, different.I definitely meant to say that.But the thing is, I think I now know why he had such a large crowd gathered around him.His adam's apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed, eyes widening as he showed off his longeyelashes that girls would die for.Including me. What I wouldn't give for long eyelashes.Let's not get sidetracked."El? Wha-," he faltered.I beamed, rushing forward to throw my arms around Ryder. He stumbled but caught himself and strunghis arms around my waist, chuckling deeply as I squeezed him tight.Once I finally pulled away, I looked into his brown eyes, another thing that hasn't changed in hisappearance. They searched my face but then caught sight of an item gleaming on my neck. His lips turnedup."What are you doing here -wait. Kayden?" His eyes caught sight of Kayden, standing awkwardly behindme. Ryder let go of my waist and pushed me aside before they both performed their handshake they madeup when they were eight and somehow still remembered. It consisted of rapid fist bumps and explosions thatI had no interest in, but had no choice to watch as they reconnected.I crossed my arms and sulked as they continued to ignore me and did a bro hug.Eventually, I went around Ryder to stand next to Kayden because I would be ignored like a peasant nolonger. In fact, I should be first priority. Obviously, they didn't know that yet, but I'll make sure they do soon."What are you guys doing here? How did you know... wait, why are you... wait the- what?" He soundedflabbergasted, his eyes darting between us.Kayden and I both chuckled at the same time before looking at each other and glaring. I narrowed myeyes as he made a really rude gesture at me. That's offensive.All of a sudden, Carrie, I'm pretty sure her name is, walked up to us and strung her arm throughRyder's. My eyebrows lifted up in amusement as he quickly unstrung his arm and stepped away, lookingready to barf.Carrie had long sleek blonde hair and big siren blue eyes. She was, sorry to admit this, kind of pretty,and she knew it too. But, she didn't quite have the effect she wanted to. There was an aura surrounding her,and the aura said try-hard. Her skirt was way too short and her top was... skimpy. But, I had to agree they looked good, and I'vebeen around a lot of models to know if an outfit looks good or not. Her clothes were modest enough to passdress code but at the same time very revealing.Not that she has anything to sho- stop.I assume she was the type of person to bad mouth everyone behind their backs and use a differentpitch of voice when talking to guys she was interested in."Do you know these people, Ry?" Her high pitched voice (of course) asked him as she focused hereyes on Kayden.Ew.Ryder did not give Carrie the liberty of him answering her question, but he did state sharply, "Don't callme that."She looked up at him with wide, fake innocent eyes. "But she called you Ry, so I thought I could too."She said the word 'she' like she was talking about pests. She also narrowed her eyes at me, and I gaspedinternally.I, in fact, am not a pest, nor should I be treated like one. Carrie shall now die.Before I could pounce on her, Kayden grabbed my wrist like he knew what I was thinking. I suppose hedid, though, since he has lived with me since a very young age.Since I was born. He's lived with me since I was born.Soon-To-Be-Dead-Carrie continued, "What's your name, Handsome?" Carrie fluttered her eyelashesflirtatiously, and I made a mental note to tell her to get her eyes checked soon.I literally gagged while her attention was focused on my brother, glancing at Ryder and sharing amoment of widened eyes and suppressed wheezes together.Carrie's eyes trailed down Kayden's body, looking at the hand that was around my wrist.Her jaw ticked.Kayden cleared his throat and glanced at me. I could tell he was holding in a laugh. "I'm Kayden...Rayne."Her eyebrows raised and she tilted her head slightly. "Aren't you Leah Rayne's brother? Wow, so you'retechnically famous." She stated, acting like she was very knowledgable while her eyes gleamed gleefully.Wait, has she not recognized me yet?Her expression dropped as she looked towards my attractive self."Is this your... girlfriend? No offense or anything, but she looks kind of..." she trailed off.My eyes widened and I flickered my eyes towards Ryder and the others to see if they were getting this.They were, because I saw everyone's jaws dropped to the floor as I glanced around the hallway.First, I knew she was dumb, but I didn't know she was this dumb. She knows Kayden's my brother, butagain, she doesn't recognize me?Honestly, that's just plain offensive.And second, did she just insult me? I'm this close from ripping the hair off her head, but because I'm sonice, I'll refrain from killing her.