Chapter Text
Ryland knew it was his fault. This new school, new year. But it was also a chance for a do over.
He slung his hefty bag over his shoulder, collecting the last of his papers before going out the front door.
"Hey c'mon we don't have all day!" Colt called out from the porch, he dragged his feet farther and farther from Ryland threatening to leave him behind.
"Ok give me a second!!" Ryland stuttered, papers slipping from his hands. He scurried through them but can't find the one he needs. Crap. This was his first day and he was already messing it up.
"Ryland."
A voice echoed behind him and a hand tapped Ryland's shoulder. He spun around hastily, face contorted with panic and worry. Uncle Holland gave him a tut, hand holding out a document.
"Your timetable?"
Ryland let out a sigh of relief, "Oh my gosh thank you, thank you!!"
"It's ok kid," Holland patted Ryland's shoulder passively and took a long drag. "Just a first day don't get your nerves high."
Ryland nodded along half-heartedly to Uncle Holland's words and continued down the porch — Colt grumbled in annoyance as he arrived, giving a playful punch towards his brother. The two boys were out on their way to the street until another shout was made from their uncle.
"Also don't forget Ryland! Try not to get kicked out of this school!" Holland laughed but his face became stern and serious.
Ryland's face flushed at the comment; they were seriously doing this now huh. Well he guessed the word will get out eventually so the least he can do is brush off his uncle's remarks. Ryland gave back a measly nod before turning his head down and Colt slinging an arm around his shoulder.
Colt Seavers Grace goes to Grover Cleveland High School. Statement.
However now, Ryland Amry Grace will go to Grover Cleveland High School. He scanned his new timetable again, triple checking the kinds of classes he'll partake at this new school.
It did not help that with each passing look of the periods, Ryland's head unearthed some not fond memories of his previous school. A private school for one. Not too pretigious but he did gain entry through a scholarship. His uncle Holland always insisted that good things will come to each of the twins ways and that Ryland was destined for great things at this school.
Which lasted up until senior year.
"So new year, new school," Colt butted his head into Ryland's shoulder, reading over his brother's timetable. Ryland turned away in annoyance.
"I guess, doesn't mean I'll skimp out on my grades."
"Oh I'm sure you won't," Colt said confidently. "But don't piss off any principals this year."
"Hey!" Ryland slapped Colt in the back of his head. He's sure the red on his cheeks have become deeper like a sunburn plastered on his face. The memory jolted out of his mind again. The true reason why he doesn't go to that preppy private school and probably won't see one for a while.
Colt likes to keep teasing him about it; it's not that serious if you aren't the one getting in trouble. Ryland is the one that remembers all the stern talks, the arguements with adults, his borderline reckless behaviour in class in the name of 'science'. He truly took the cherry on top with the insult to the principal.
His uncle wasn't happy with that. His principal wasn't happy with that. His brother was over the moon.
He claimed that his poor little Ryland can finally stand up for himself — and hey, they can go to the same school now. It was worse in the moment but Ryland convinced himself it will be fine in the end. Should be fine.
"Alright I won't bring it up," Colt waved his hands up innocently.
"Good," Ryland's tone dropped an octave making it harsher than he usually sounds. "I really don't want rumours to spread on my first day."
"Don't worryy," Colt dragged out the last vowel and smiled at Ryland. "You have your awesome twin brother to show you around the place."
"Uh huh… great.."
Ryland had a gut feeling this year will be a disaster.
The school itself was… nice. Certainly not up to Ryland's previous school's standards but it still had funding from the government. Colt started off by touring the gyms and outdoors area of the school. He rambled on and on, nattering into Ryland's ear but it just went out the other. He was too focused on well… his own thoughts.
Anxiety was something that came naturally to everyone although in the moment, Ryland felt like his nerves were running on straight caffeiene and anxiety since this morning. It was different everything for him. Different rooms, different halls, different peers. He twiddled his thumbs nervously on his timetable, wrinkling it slightly.
Fudge was it really obvious he was the new kid here? Seriously, someone who joins at senior year? Everyone probably already made all their high school friends and cliques. He just hoped to fly under the radar and not draw attention to himself again because that worked really well at his last school — so well they revoked his scholarship!
"We have separate classes but we do have geometry and PE together," Colt opened the doors into a new building hallway (Ryland believes its either H building or G building but he wasn't given a map to reference). "Now you don't wanna be my enemy in dodgeball."
"Good to know…" Ryland bobbed his head slowly. "Anything else to show me?"
"Pffffft, that's about it," Colt shrugged his shoulders. "Public school. Not a lot going on like your fancy private school."
"Wasn't that fancy to begin with but anyways."
"Oh fuck turn away."
"Wha—"
Colt yanked Ryland's hand hastily and shoved them both around the corner. Ryland tugged at his hand but then Colt started shushing him to get behind him again. This was getting weird.
"What the freak Colt."
"That's Tom Ryder," Colt whispered to him. "Avoid him at all costs."
"What why?" Ryland asked confused. He tried to take peak around the corner however Colt snapped his head back to face him instead.
"He's the biggest douche this school has ever seen," Colt groaned, clenching his fists. "The school's quarterback, casted in all the big starring roles in the school play, ladies won't get off his back."
"But you're friends with him?"
"Not by choice," Colt scoffed. "He likes me enough. I'm always on defense for him as well as his understudy during plays. Two guys in the whole of the theatre department and I still somehow get all the ensemble roles."
Ryland made a turn again to try and see the guy himself. He was… he certainly looked like a douche. Just his surroundings, he had an army of boys with layered shirts and letter jackets, cackling like a pack of wild hyenas. His beach curled hair was tossed to one side and oh my god did the indoor glasses just top it off. He gave a snarky grin to a passing girl before going back to hooting and hollering with his friends in the hallway.
Ryland whinced, "I'll make note to avoid him."
"That's good Ryland. I'll see you in third period." Colt gave me a pat on the back then said his goodbyes as he not so subtly ran the opposite direction from Tom Ryder. He left Ryland in the dust behind him. Ryland tried to call out to him again, holding his timetable out confused — he really thought Colt would have the decency to walk him to his first class but he guessed avoiding Tom Ryder had more urgency.
Ryland grumbled to himself then looked around the crowded hallways. He attempted to recall where Colt has showed him the different subject blocks and classrooms; nevertheless he was truly a bad tour guide in the end. Perhaps he only showed like, half the school and then not even where Ryland's classes would fudging be. Or maybe he just didn't pay attention enough when he was anxiously thinking to himself. It was easier to blame Colt in the end though.
Ryland looked up from his hands for once and into the sea of sweaty teenagers. Ok, human interaction it is. Here goes nothing.
His eyes caught the attention of one particular redhead leaning against a locker. Her hair was warm against her pale skin, the monotonous face wasn't too bitchy that she wasn't entirely unapproachable. She also seemed to be the only person in the hallway to be alone. Like him.
"Hey do you know where the AP History class is?" Ryland asked bashfully, pointing at his first period. The girl gave him an unexpected reaction. She looked Ryland up and down then raised an eyebrow at him
"Colt you have been at this school for 3 years you must know your own schedule by now."
"Oh I—" Ryland faltered at the comparison to his brother. "I'm not Colt."
"More jokes now?"
"No I'm his brother, twin brother?" He added on, extending a hand. "I'm Ryland Grace."
The girl looked down at his hand and left his hand hanging, "Eva Stratt. Different last names?"
"Yeah uh, our last names actually Grace. Seavers is his middle name," He explained. "He finds Grace too feminine."
"Sounds about right," She unlatched herself off the lockers and started walking away. "I'll show you to the classroom."
Ryland hurried behind him, struggling to keep up with her pace.
"How do you know my brother?"
"He's hard to miss," She said blankly. "Football team, theatre troupe, runs his own film club with Jody Moreno."
Ryland made a curious sound — he didn't know his brother was so infamous.
"I also tutor him in history sometimes."
"Ah." That made more sense. Whilst Colt enjoyed more extracurriculars, grades aren't always his strong suit (even though Ryland firmly believed they could be on the same level if he just put in a tiny bit more effort).
"Here it is," Eva stopped in front of a classroom. "Now I hope I don't have to tutor another Grace brother on civil war."
"Nope. Nope, I'm pretty good with my grades," He smiled, a smug smirk tugged at his lips.
"So why have you moved here?" She turned to fully face Ryland, narrowing in all her focus to him.
"Um…" Ryland fumbled at the sudden question and also unwanted attention. "I'll explain later."
Eva didn't interrogate him further, only turning back to the classroom and going in. She looked back at Ryland and tilted her head as if to ask is he following along. Ryland took a breath.
So far it looks like he has two rules in high school.
Follow Eva Stratt wherever she goes.
And stay away from Tom Ryder.