So I think someone asked for this, but mainly I was really curious about how the antagonism between Carter and Mason started, that is how this was born.

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Carter stared at her reflection. The new Hamilton Prep uniform fit her well enough and looked impressive, freshly pressed, and with its badge on the chest. But she didn't care. The girl in the mirror had lifeless eyes and a hallow look about her. The vibrant, determined girl of two weeks ago hadn't reappeared and Carter didn't think she ever would.

Her father stepped into the bathroom doorway and Carter met his eyes in the reflection. They watched each other, twin mirrors of pain.

"You ready to go?" he asked.

She lied when she nodded. She didn't want to leave the apartment. Most days she found it hard to climb out of bed. Grabbing her beat-up backpack, she followed her father out of the apartment.

The car held silence. The news played but went unheard. As the car passed the security check and pulled through the gates into Hamilton Prep, Carter couldn't muster anything at all.

Gray brick with vines climbing the outer walls, it looked like history and old money. A fraction of Carter still functioning knew that she did not belong here. But after everything her father had done to make it a possibility, she would say nothing. Besides, it meant she knew no one. That no one knew the old her. She liked it better this way.

As she followed her father up the front steps, she noticed the way other students wore their uniforms. Despite all appearing to wear the same navy blazer, oxford shirt, and khaki pants or skirt, they each held their own distinctive take on it, setting them apart from each other. For Carter that set her apart in a way that was all too apparent that she didn't have their type of money.

When Carter and her father walked into the main office, a man in a gray suit with graying hair approached them, a smile at the ready.

"You must be Mr. Owens," the man said. "I'm Principal Withers."

The two men shook hands and Principal Withers smiled in greeting at Carter.

"We're happy to have you here with us, Ms. Owens. Your test scores are unlike any we've seen before and we have no doubt you'll do well here." He gave a joking laugh. "As long as you stay out of trouble."

Carter's father laid a hand on Carter's shoulder and for a moment she wanted him to hug her. She wanted to feel like she wasn't drowning on dry land. He met her gaze and gave her a slight nod. She straightened, letting it be what she needed.

"Don't worry," her father said. "You'll have no trouble from Carter."

After the two men exchanged more information, Carter was handed a class schedule. The cheery-looking secretary guided her out of the office door and pointed down the hall.

"Your first class is just around the corner," she said.

Carter thanked her and looked to her father, who exited the office.

"Have a good day at school," he said.

"Okay."

As she turned away, he spoke again.

"I love you, Sarge," he said.

Carter felt her throat tighten in response.

"I love you too, Captain."

Forcing a smile for his benefit, she turned away, her face falling the second he couldn't see her. She needed to be strong for him. By the time Carter got to her classroom, the bell had already rung. She stepped inside and the room fell silent, eyes pinning her in the doorway.

"Hi," a sweet-faced teacher said. "You must be our new student, Carter Owens. I'm Ms. Woodson. Why don't you take a seat. There is one open in the back by Mason."

Before Carter could ask who Mason was, she heard a faint muttered curse and found a familiar blonde-haired boy. Mason Douglas looked exactly as he did in photos and on TV, except for the scowl he wore right then.

"Do I have to be paired with the new kid," Mason asked. "I actually want to get a good grade on this project."

A few kids around Mason chuckled and offered him sympathetic glances. A spark of annoyance flared in Carter but fizzled out quickly.

Ms. Woodson smiled at Mason, but there was steel in her eyes.

"Yes, Mason, you do. And I'm sure as someone who understands the importance of good relations, you'd be happy to lend her a hand."

Mason didn't reply, but Carter could see he hadn't at all changed his mind about wanting to be her partner. Not having any other choice, Carter took the seat beside him.

"At least tell me if you're stupid," Mason said. "That will make my decision on how much I ask you to help with this project."

Irritation flared again and this time Carter grabbed hold of it. For the first time in two weeks, she felt something other than numbness and didn't want to go back. Besides, something about this boy's arrogant attitude pissed her off. Instead of helping her adjust to a new school, he was going out of his way to make it difficult for her. If he didn't plan on playing nice, neither would she.

"I'm about the dumbest person you'll ever meet," she said. "Looks like you'll have to do the project all by yourself and simply tack my name onto it. If you left it out I'm sure Ms. Woodson would assume you did it out of spite."

Mason stared at Carter, eyes narrowed as if not sure if he should be annoyed or impressed with the way she handled the situation.

"A girl with a quick tongue, aren't you a little cliche?" he asked.

"A President's son who thinks he above everyone else, aren't you a little cliche?"

The pair eyed each other for a long minute while Ms. Woodson continued explaining the guidelines of the in-class project. Blood rushed through Carter. It felt good to feel something again.

Free to get started on the project, Carter and Mason worked alongside each other. At one point Carter glanced at Mason's work and pointed out his mathematical mistake. She gave a dramatic sigh.

"Great," she said. "Because I'm the new kid they paired me with the idiot of the class."

"What happened at your last school, mouth off enough people that they kicked you out?"

"My brains got me into here. It makes me wonder how have you stayed here?" She tapped her chin in mock thoughtfulness. "That's right, your daddy is someone, so naturally they couldn't kick you out."

"If it means I have to spend another class with you, I hope he gets impeached."

"Wow, such loyalty. Do you plan to be President one day? Because so far it doesn't look like you have the qualities to make it. I've known you all of half an hour and I want you kicked out of office."

The bickering continued until the bell rang and they had to turn in their project. At the door, Carter saluted Mason with a patronizing smile.

"Good luck on your future campaign, Mr. President," she said.

As she strode off to find her locker, Carter realized she felt fully awake. Though that bit of pain that her mother's abandonment had left behind still hung around her, she didn't feel like she was drowning anymore. Savoring the reprieve from the grief, she stopped at her locker and worked her combination.

"You sat with the new girl, she's kinda hot. What was she like?" a male voice behind Carter said.

She froze and rolled her eyes as she heard a now familiar and irritating voice.

"Don't waste your time, Lucas," Mason said. "She is a complete pain in the a-"

"Are you talking about me?" Carter asked, spinning around. "Because the Future Savior of America would never use such language when describing a future voter." 

The boy next to Mason grinned, eyeing Carter in a proprietary manner. She glared at him.

"Watch where your eyes go," she said. "You should know it's hard to see anything with two black eyes."

"Feisty, I like it," Lucas said, smiling wider. "I'm Lucas Benton."

Carter eyed him up and down. "What makes you think I would care? You find me attractive after I've just threatened you, that shows some serious psychological problems. I would never be interested in you."

Completely unfazed, Lucas winked at her as he headed away.

"We'll see."

Mason rolled his eyes and walked away, not bothering to glance at Carter again.

As each class passed, Carter slowly built up her armor to the students around her. Not partnered with anyone, she was left alone. It wasn't that they ignored her, it was that she didn't even warrant notice at all.

In her off-the-rack uniform and loose ponytail she clearly didn't come from money. And not recognizing any aspects of her face, she couldn't have been related to anyone of worth. Therefore she could have been a part of the scenery for all they cared about.

When Carter stepped through the doorways to the cafeteria, she paused gazing around for a spot. The only empty table lay next to the trash cans in the back corner. Not daring to show uncertainty, she strode to the free table and claimed it for her own.

Instead of pulling out the sandwich Maggie had dropped off early in the morning, Carter surveyed her peers. Though she didn't have her father's skills, she had his voice in her head telling her to look at the details, read what was being said by how others responded. She threw herself into the analysis of her fellow students. It felt like a challenge, one that could make her forget for a time the gnawing pain of loss.

An older girl with auburn curls approached Carter, breaking Carter from her thoughts.

"Hi," the girl said. "I'm Liv."

Carter noted the tailored uniform, glossy hair, and flawless makeup. She wondered why this girl was talking to her.

"Look, I know you're new here," Liv said. "I figured I would give you a piece of advice."

Carter said nothing.

"Don't get on the wrong side of Mason. He's the golden boy of the school whether any of us like it or not. Piss him off and you might as well say goodbye to making any friends."

Though Carter felt the absence of company around her, she also knew she wasn't likely to be popular with many people. The lack of response to her presence already told her that people were reluctant to go out of their way to befriend her. In turn, she didn't feel like jumping through hoops to make others accept her. Better self chosen isolation than rejection.

"Thanks for letting me know," Carter said.

Since this girl had approached her, Carter almost asked her if she wanted to sit down, despite her resolution, but a handsome faced boy called out to Liv and she nodded to him.

"Well, good luck," she said, walking away.

Feeling a prick of disappointment, Carter searched for a distraction, finding it in a couple who were on the brink of an argument. Before she could see the eventual explosion, Mason crossed in front of her table.

"First day and already at the trash table," he said. "You must have mouthed off to someone important."

Carter blinked at him. With the lack of an instinct response, Mason frowned.

"Did you hear me?" he asked.

Carter shook her head as if shaking off a thought.

"Sorry," she said. "I was trying to remember what you actually said because whenever you open your mouth all I hear is 'blah blah blah I feel inferior and must assert my dominance by picking one someone else blah blah blah."

Mason reddened.

"Was that not what you said?" she asked.

"You should watch yourself, Owens. You won't like your life here if you cross me."

Carter grinned, an action that felt foreign after frowning for so long. "Oh, I think I'm going to like life a lot better here if I keep crossing you. Where else would I get the entertainment?"

Mason backed up a few steps, but the look in his eyes told Carter that this wasn't over. As he turned away, she saluted him.

"This," she thought, "is the start of a beautiful friendship."

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Ummm...boo?

(It's been a rough week, that's all I got)

If you have a brain and that brain contains thoughts and if those thoughts pertain to this chapter and you want to detain me with them, I'd love to read them! 🗯💬💭

(Not gonna lie, 👆I think that is one of my best)

I found this chapter really interesting because Mason in his 'I'm a complete butt to everyone' sort of way was key to helping make Carter into the Carter we know! Who knew!

Any who I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I loved writing it and putting on all the little Easter eggs of Principal Withers talking about Carter staying out of trouble and Lucas being the complete idiot that he is! 

Vote, comment, follow but only if you feel it's absolutely necessary!

Both of these describe me this week