DUNPHY'S POV
The morning sun filtered through the beige curtains, casting a soft golden glow that barely made a dent in the chaos unfolding at the Dunphy house.
"Luke! No pajamas to school!" Claire's voice rang out, followed by the unmistakable sound of a backpack crashing to the floor.
Phil, half-dressed and holding a banana like a microphone, was trying to rally the troops. "Alright, team Dunphy! Big day! First day of school! Who's excited?!"
Haley groaned in response, already seated at the breakfast table, scrolling through her phone and clearly not planning to interact with the real world just yet.
Alex, sitting neatly in her usual spot with a well-packed bag beside her, sipped her juice like a soldier preparing for battle. She was calm on the outside, but her thoughts were swirling.
High school. Real high school.
She glanced at the fridge, where an old picture of her in kindergarten still clung on with a cupcake magnet. Her bangs had been too short, her backpack way too big, and she'd worn a shirt that said "Future President."
She smiled faintly. That girl had no idea what was coming.
This was supposed to be a big step forward, and it definitely was. High school was the perfect opportunity to prove herself academically. Alex felt the familiar rush of excitement at the thought of classes, grades, and the challenge of outshining everyone else. She was determined to be at the top of her class, and this was just the beginning.
"Mom! Tell Luke to get out of the bathroom!" Alex shouted, standing up and grabbing her bag. "We're going to be late!"
"You're fine, Alex. Just relax," Claire said, shaking her head with a faint smile. "And don't jinx us, we're actually on track for once."
Phil wandered in, finally victorious over the toaster. "Big day, huh?" he said cheerfully, holding up a very burnt Pop-Tart.
Claire exhaled through a smile, watching Alex walk down the stairs with her bag perfectly packed and her hair neatly pulled back. "Yeah," she said, her voice softer, "It really is."
She felt it—not just pride, but something quieter. The kind of ache that only parents feel when a chapter turns without asking. High school was the beginning of something new for Alex… and a small reminder for Claire that her kids weren't kids forever.
"Mom," Alex said, pausing at the bottom step, "Is my collar uneven?"
Claire walked over and adjusted it gently. "Perfect," she said. "You're ready."
Alex gave a slight nod, unaware of the flicker of emotion behind her mom's eyes.
Outside, the morning buzz had begun. Kids were already gathering on sidewalks, backpacks bouncing and excitement mixing with nerves. The first day of school was officially here.
20 minutes later
"Luke,Haley! Come on! We're going to be late!" Claire called, her patience starting to wear thin as she looked at the clock. Her fingers gripped the car keys tighter, but there was no sign of her children being ready. She could hear Luke's voice rising from inside, and sure enough, he came barreling out of the house in a rush, one shoe on, the other still dangling in his hand.
"Mom, my shoes!" Luke whined, clearly more interested in something he'd forgotten than actually leaving.
"Luke! You're wearing mismatched shoes!" Claire exclaimed, her voice rising in both disbelief and frustration. "For the last time, put on the other one!"
Haley stepped out just then, looking as unbothered as ever, despite the growing chaos. "I can't believe you're actually letting him wear that," she muttered under her breath, not even bothering to hide the annoyance in her voice. "Mom, tell him he looks ridiculous."
"Haley, just get in the car!" Claire snapped, her tone sharp but worn from the familiar morning routine. She wasn't even sure where the time went anymore, between trying to make everyone breakfast, get them dressed, and make sure they didn't forget half of their school supplies. It was always something.
Phil was by the car, holding the door open, still in his half-dressed state, trying to smooth over the morning drama with his usual calm demeanor. "Come on, guys. Team Dunphy, let's go! First day of school—let's make it count!" he said with his usual cheer, holding up a burnt Pop-Tart as if that could somehow fix the madness.
"Dad, we're seriously going to be late!" Haley shot back, looking like she was ready to grab the keys herself and take over.
Claire sighed deeply, looking at Luke, who was now attempting to climb into the car with his shoe still off. "Luke, seriously?" she muttered under her breath.
"Mom!" Luke finally managed, still hopping around as he struggled to put on the right shoe. "I can't find the other one!"
Claire pinched the bridge of her nose and took a deep breath. "For the love of—okay, fine. Just get in the car, Luke. We're leaving in two minutes, shoe or no shoe."
By the time they were all in the car, the only thing that was left was to hope they weren't too late to school. Claire glanced back at her kids, shaking her head, but also feeling that familiar pang of sentimentality. "Alright, we made it. Team Dunphy, first day of high school. Let's go make this a good one."
Samuel pov
Samuel pedaled steadily down the street, his favorite dark forest green hoodie snug around him. He liked the way it felt—like a shield he could pull up whenever he wanted to blend in and go unnoticed. He wasn't one for standing out, especially not today, and the soft fabric of the hoodie offered a small sense of comfort as he navigated through the busy morning streets. Maybe it was just the genetics from Oliver Queen—his body naturally gravitating to hoods, as if they were a second skin, or maybe it was just the comfort they provided, a quiet way to retreat from the world when needed.
He didn't rush. He didn't need to. Unlike most kids facing their first day at a new school, he wasn't nervous.
As he rode past the Dunphys' house, he saw the familiar, chaotic blur through the windows. Claire was standing by the door, frantically trying to herd Luke and Haley into the car. Luke was bouncing around like a ping-pong ball, jumping into the car with one shoe on and one shoe off, while Haley snapped at him to stop being so ridiculous. Phil, as usual, was just trying to keep up with the madness.
Samuel slowed down, the bike humming quietly beneath him as he watched them.
He shifted in his seat, slightly angling his body toward the house as he pedaled, trying to catch a glimpse of the chaos inside. The Dunphys sure know how to start a morning, he mused, his curiosity piqued as he kept riding down the street.
He wasn't sure if anyone noticed him, though Claire's quick glance toward him made him think she might have seen him as he rode by.
He leaned forward a little more on the bike, a spark of excitement running through him. Something about this moment—the first day of school, the chaos of the Dunphys' house—felt like the beginning of something new. He couldn't help but feel a little thrill as he pedaled faster.
When he arrived at the bike rack, Samuel quickly locked his bike, the familiar click of the lock giving him a sense of reassurance. The school loomed in front of him, filled with the buzz of students arriving. He stood for a moment, just taking it all in—the mix of anxiety and excitement, the newness of it all. After a deep breath, he made his way toward the front doors.
As Samuel stepped into the school, the noise hit him immediately. Hallways were crammed with students chatting, laughing, and rushing to their next class. The air felt thick with anticipation, and Samuel was immediately struck by the overwhelming amount of people everywhere.
He pulled out the folded piece of paper from his pocket—his schedule. He glanced at it quickly, scanning the names of the classes. It was the usual mix of subjects, but today it was all about orientation—the one class that felt like it was more about getting to know the chaos of high school than anything academic.
He looked around at the bustling students. He could barely make out any signs for classrooms with all the movement happening around him. The halls felt like a maze, every direction leading to a new group of people or more confusion. He squinted at the map, but it didn't help much—too many hallways, too many turns.
Frustrated, he stuffed the map back in his bag and sighed. Forget it, he thought. Instead of trying to figure it out on his own, he decided to follow the tiniest people he could find. If they were freshmen, maybe they were just as lost as he was. He figured they'd be the easiest to spot—small, probably a little nervous, and likely just as clueless about where they were going.
As he trailed a group of shorter kids, he realized he wasn't alone in his confusion. The younger students huddled together, chattering and looking around uncertainly, and Samuel couldn't help but feel a little better knowing they were all in the same boat.
Finally, they came to a stop in front of a classroom door. One of the freshmen, a small girl with glasses, reached for the handle and paused, looking around at the others before pulling it open. Samuel followed behind them, slipping into the room with the crowd, relieved to have found his first destination.
The room was large, with rows of desks already filled with students. Some were talking quietly to one another, others were sitting in silence, looking around nervously. A few were glancing down at their shoes or fidgeting in their seats, clearly just as uncertain about the day ahead.
Samuel scanned the room for an empty seat, and after a quick search, he found one in the back corner. He made his way over, avoiding any unwanted attention as he slid into the chair. He tried to settle in, his nerves bubbling just under the surface as he glanced around.
The door clicked shut behind him, and the teacher walked in—a woman with a warm but authoritative smile. She looked out at the room, her eyes sweeping over the students. "Welcome, everyone, to your first day of high school orientation. I know it may feel overwhelming, but remember, we're all in this together."
Samuel leaned back in his chair, letting out a small breath as the chatter in the room slowly quieted. He wasn't sure what to expect next.
Mrs. Thompson smiled again, giving the room a moment to settle before speaking. "I'm Mrs. Thompson, and I'll be your guide through the next few months as you adjust to high school. I know it can feel like a lot, but don't worry—you're not alone in this." She paused for a moment, her gaze moving over the students, ensuring she had their attention. "This year is all about getting acclimated—learning how to balance your classes, your activities, and your personal time."
She went on to explain the structure of the year, outlining the basic schedule and expectations. "You'll have core classes in the morning, followed by electives and extracurricular activities in the afternoon. We'll also have regular check-ins to make sure you're staying on track, both academically and emotionally. High school isn't just about grades, it's about growth—and we're here to help you every step of the way."
The room was quiet as Mrs. Thompson continued, her voice reassuring. "You'll also have plenty of opportunities to get involved, whether it's through sports, clubs, or other activities. It's all about finding your place here, and remember—it's okay not to have everything figured out right away."
The bell rang, signaling the start of the first period, and the classroom quickly filled with noise. Students chatted excitedly while Mrs. Thompson, standing at the front of the room, calmly waited for the class to settle. The buzz of conversation died down when she raised her hand.
"Alright, everyone, let's settle in," she said with a smile. "We're going to start with introductions. I want each of you to tell the class your name, where you're from, and your favorite hobby. Let's go around the room, starting here." She gestured to a student sitting at the front.
As the first student began speaking, Samuel's attention drifted. He was more interested in the view outside the window than in hearing about anyone's hobbies. His eyes wandered out, watching the wind rustle the leaves of the trees outside. It's still early, he thought, feeling a sense of quiet that seemed so different from the chaos inside the room.
He watched a few birds flit across the sky, letting the words of the students blur into the background. I wonder if I could make some cash for that auction thing coming up, he mused to himself, his thoughts shifting back to his idea. Maybe I could write my own history books. People like history books, and I've got some great stories, especially Ragnar's. He paused, rubbing his chin. But I'd need proof. I can't just make it up. He frowned for a moment, considering. Maybe I could write a script instead. A TV script. After all, I'm in LA. Everything's a show here, right?
Samuel was deep in thought when suddenly, he felt a nudge on his arm. He blinked and looked over to find a classmate giving him a gentle shove.
"Hey, man," the classmate whispered with a grin. "I think it's your turn."
Samuel blinked again, realizing that the entire class was looking at him. Mrs. Thompson was smiling, waiting patiently. He quickly stood up, feeling a little flustered as the eyes of the room turned toward him.
As he stood, he pulled his hood down, letting the class see him more clearly. The movement didn't go unnoticed, and he could hear some quiet whispers—especially from the girls sitting nearby. He didn't quite catch what they were saying, but he felt their eyes on him as he stood there. He didn't really notice or care, though. His thoughts were still spinning, and he quickly said, "Uh, I'm Samuel Shore. I just moved here from near the LA forest. I... uh, like archery and history I guess.
There were a few quiet whispers, and Samuel could hear some of the girls giggling softly. He didn't catch what they were saying, but he could feel their eyes on him.He didn't let it bother him. He wasn't sure if they were whispering because of his height, his hoodie, or just because he was the new kid.
"Samuel Shore, huh?" one of the girls near the front of the room whispered to her friend, her voice barely audible. "He's tall."
Another girl added, "And kinda cute, don't you think?"
He quickly sat back down, his face warming slightly under the attention. As he settled into his seat, he looked out the window again, his mind returning to his earlier thoughts. History books, TV scripts... maybe I can figure this out. There has to be a way.
Alex's thoughts:
Wait, what? He's in the same class as me? Alex thought, her attention suddenly drawn to the new kid. She had been focusing on the front of the class, but when she heard his name—Samuel Shore—she couldn't help but glance at him. Wow, he's tall. Her eyes briefly met his, and she quickly looked away, her heart rate picking up for some reason. I can't believe he's in my class. And he doesn't even look nervous...
Something about Samuel was different. He just said he's into history and archery... That's kind of cool, I guess. But why didn't he say anything more? She couldn't quite shake the feeling of not knowing what to make of him. He had said just enough, but she was left with more questions than answers. I wonder if he's really shy, or if he's just... different? She frowned for a moment. And he didn't even notice me.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the first period, and the classroom erupted into conversation. People stood up from their desks, stretching and gathering their things, eager for their first break. Samuel stayed seated for a moment, gathering his own belongings and trying to ignore the buzz of chatter filling the room.
A few of the students turned to him, offering smiles and polite greetings. "Hey, Samuel, you want to join us for lunch?" one of them asked, a girl with curly hair and a friendly grin.
"Yeah, we're all going to hang out in the cafeteria," another guy added, nodding toward the door.
Samuel glanced at them, then shook his head with a small smile. "Thanks, but I think I'll just take a walk for now." He didn't want to be rude, but he wasn't quite ready to dive into the social scene yet. The chaos of the classroom still lingered in his mind, and he needed a moment to clear his head.
The group nodded, not seeming disappointed. "Alright, maybe next time," the girl said with a smile before heading out with the others.
Samuel stood up and made his way to the door, avoiding any unwanted attention. He stepped into the hall, where students were laughing, walking in groups, and getting ready for their first break. The sound of their voices was a stark contrast to the quiet he knew and loved.
He didn't feel like rushing to the cafeteria. Instead, he wandered down the hall, feeling like a fish out of water. There was so much noise, so much movement. He passed by groups of students standing in front of lockers, talking and laughing, and he couldn't help but feel a little disconnected. It wasn't that he didn't want to be part of it—it just didn't feel like the right time.
Samuel took a deep breath, trying to shake off the awkwardness that seemed to cling to him. It's just the first day, he thought, reminding himself that things would get easier. He wandered towards the school's exit, just needing a moment of solitude before diving into the hustle and bustle of the day.
Outside, the sun was bright, the air warm for early September, and he walked to the side of the building, leaning against the wall. He looked at the open spaces, the trees lining the parking lot, and found himself feeling... better. The chaos of the school, the noise, the newness—it was a lot to process.
But this was his new life now. And with it came the uncertainty, the possibilities, and maybe even a little excitement.
As he stood there, taking it all in, he realized that the day was just beginning. High school wasn't just about making friends, fitting in, or dealing with the social pressures. For him, it was about finding something that mattered. Whether that was history or figuring out how to make the auction work in his favor, he didn't know yet.
But for the first time, the chaos felt a little more manageable.