Elias, Adrian, Gabriel and I are very talented individuals. However none of our talents include baking, I can cook pretty well though if I say so myself. There's a reason why I didn't bake the cookies we had on Christmas Eve two months ago. This is why I'm very confused as to how we got grouped together for the bake sale. Yes, a bake sale. Mr Bowman decided that we should earn the money we need to compete at the running competition rather than just paying it like we normally do. Adrian sighs and leaves the room.

"If he gave up does that mean we can binge Netflix now?"

Elias smiles, "No Raven. Adrian is away to get our secret weapon."

I look at Gabriel and he sighs, "Before you ask, I'm as confused as you."

Suddenly Mason bursts into the room, "Hey guys!"

"Hello secret weapon."

He laughs, "Raven you are such a joy."

"Thanks, I try." I nod.

"So what are we actually doing?" Mason asks while putting his arms around his brother and Gabriel.

"We are baking for the bake sale but none of us actually know how to bake." Gabriel answers.

"So that's why I'm needed! Let's begin then!"

Surprisingly Mason is very experienced in the art of baking. As we each begin on different items - mine being cookies - he glides around the kitchen giving us advice or comes to us if we need him. Eventually we somehow get a batch of cookies, cupcakes, muffins and a chocolate cake. 

"Well done my students! Gabriel your creativeness really came in handy for decorating the cake!"

"Uh... Thanks Mason." He faintly blushes.

Mason laughs then addresses us all once again, "To congratulate you all on a job well done I made a batch of brownies for us to enjoy while watching a movie!"

The other three smiled and made their way into the living room to start the impromptu movie night. 

Meanwhile I stand in the kitchen and mutter to myself, "How did none of us notice him baking those?"

"Raven get in here, the movie's about to start!" Elias shouts.

                                                                                ***

When you go to school you feel like the same day is repeating over and over. You go to school, fail maths, get lunch with your friends then go home just to do more work. Normally I don't have a problem with this as my school life has been pretty good. I have friends, a boyfriend and I actually managed to somehow get my math score up last term. However I'm now losing my patience.

Atlas has been insulting me secretly for month. Every day it's the same. Be isolated by Atlas, get insulted by Atlas, questioning myself about why I'm letting it happen. The same thing repeating every day. Which is why I'm not sure whether to be excited or scared that I know something weird is going to happen today.

Only Levi and Ryan know about all this happening. Even though I hate being insulted by someone I've known for a grand total of two months, I've gotten closer to Levi and Ryan. No matter what happens they insist on hanging out with me at practice. Gabriel and Elias have noticed that somethings wrong though they can't figure out what.

The first weird occurrence of the day happens as soon as I arrive to practice, "Raven Winters! Come here!"

I jog over, "What is it Mr Bowman?"

"I spoke to Atlas last week about how he's settling in, he mentioned that you weren't making him feel welcome." Mr Bowman states.

"Uh... I suppose we just don't get along? I've never went out of my way to make him feel unwelcome though." Of course I don't don't get along with him considering I don't like getting insulted, but I don't think Mr Bowman needs to know that.

He gives me a small smile, "Considering you've been on my track team for two years already I like to think that I know you. I'm fully aware that you would never bully someone, but you have been acting oddly. The real reason I asked you over here was to make sure you were ok."

"I'm fine." I respond quickly.

He gives me an odd look, "Alright, as long as you're sure. Just remember you can always come to me if you need to."

"Thanks." I say and head over to the other runners.

Elias comes over and stretches beside me, "What's happening? What did Mr Bowman want?"

"Not much. It's all sorted now."

Elias looks away for a moment but then asks, "Could I talk to you after practice today?"

"Sure. Are you ok?" I ask in concern, Elias now accompanies me when speaking to anyone who needs my advice, except for Jason, meaning I've now become quite protective of him.

"I'm fine, I just need advice... Well two pieces of advice."

I smile, "Don't worry, I'll help however I can."

Just as he's about to say something else Atlas shouts, "Elias!"

For some reason he looks at me conflicted, "Are you coming?"

"I have to speak to the captain, I'll come over later." I lie.

Lately I've taken to lying about talking to the captain... Well it's more of a white lie as I do hang out with the captain, just not for important stuff. I used to think that the rest of the team were all a bunch of meatheads. They are but they can also be decent people if they try hard enough, in fact one of the seniors actually helped me do math. For that I'm forever grateful.

A lanky arm wraps around my shoulder, "What's up?"

"Hi Raven." Ryan stands to my other side.

I turn to Levi, "To the seniors."

"Nope, I'm forcing you to hang out with Ryan and I today." He laughs while directing me to the bench, "So would you like to tell Ryan and me what dear old Mr Bowman wanted with our favourite junior?"

"I think you mean 'Ryan and I' but just about how I'm not making Atlas feel welcome."

Ryan quietly sighs, "I think you should say something."

"Nah." I respond. 

Levi whacks my shoulder, "This has went on for what? Two months? Or more? I can already tell that many people are connecting the dots that something's wrong but aren't saying anything."

"Like who?" I challenge.

"Well for starters Elias and Gabriel know something's up. And Mr Bowman and the seniors-"

I interrupt, "Wait, why the seniors?"

"You aren't challenging the fact that Mr Bowman knows?" Ryan questions.

"Mr Bowman asked if something was wrong at the end of our talk." I answer.

"Raven!" Levi shouts, causing half the team to look over at us, Levi sheepishly apologises then turns to me and whispers, "That was your way out and you let it go."

"No point causing a fuss." I quickly respond.

"You do realise that-"

"Hey guys." Noah greets while putting his arm around my shoulders.

"Hi." I respond while leaning into him, his arm tightens around me.

Levi raises his eyebrows, "Surprise seeing you over here."

"How come?" Noah questions.

Ryan puts his hand on his arm, "Levi, don't."

"Fine." He relents, "So how did baking go for you Raven? Noah had us working like a conveyor belt."

Noah laughs, "I wasn't that bad, I let you guys have a five minute break."

We all laugh before we hear, "Noah!" Atlas of course.

When I look at Noah he looks almost reluctant to go, that's new he normally doesn't react, "Sorry guys, looks like I have to go." He gives me a quick kiss before heading over to Atlas.

Levi sighs, "At least he looked as if he felt bad this time."

I smile wistfully in the direction of Atlas, Noah and the other freshman, "He chose good friends. Just wish that didn't mean trying to boot me out."

"We won't let that happen." Ryan says confidently and puts his arm around me.

"Yeah! You're basically Ryan's twin!" Levi agrees.

I smile, "That makes no sense."

"Yes it does, you two are extremely similar!"

"Theres also a two year age difference." Ryan points out and we laugh at Levi.

"Race time!" Mr Bowman shouts.

"Let's go!" Levi exclaims and drags us both over to everyone else.

"Time to draw names! We have: Adrian and Oliver, Ryan and Elias, Atlas and Raven-" The names continue but I don't listen. Levi and Ryan put their arms around my shoulders as I shake.

"It'll be ok." Ryan says quietly, "We'll walk you over to the line and come for you after. Just stay strong, it'll be ok."

We then head over to the starting line, Atlas smiling at me with a menacing grin. Standing at the starting line all I can feel is dread. This is the only time where he can speak to me. I don't know if I can take anymore.

"You're pathetic."

Ignoring his voice I focus on getting ready to run.

"The captain is an idiot for thinking you can take his place next year."

I can feel myself shaking, I look over to see Mr Bowman talking to Levi and Ryan. Could he not just start the race?

"Noah doesn't deserve someone as pathetic as you, he deserves someone better like me."

I can't do this anymore, so I do the one thing I do know how to do. Run. Sprinting past the bleachers I stop at the side of the school. I turn my head and realise that Atlas decided to follow me. Pushing me against the wall he goes to start talking again, but I don't want to hear any of it. I shove him back and begin to walk away. Until he grabs my shirt and pulls me back. I then punch him. He looks at me in surprise for a moment then begins to punch me.

I just put my arms up and accept the blows.

I punched someone.

Why did I punch him?

I never would've before.

Dad and Issac are going to be so disappointed in me.

I might be thrown off the team-

"Raven." I look up and see Ryan in Atlas' place.

He smiles softly while wiping my cheek. I didn't even know I was crying, "We're gonna go get you cleaned up."

"I punched him."

He pulls me up and wraps my arm around his shoulders while his arm goes around my waist, "I know and it's ok. I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"Levi was livid when Elias ran and told us all, while the seniors came to grab Atlas and I came for you... He decided to tell Mr Bowman all we know. I'm sorry Raven."