Free The Dark Pearl Chronicles 1.1: Battle of the Half-Brothers by Levi Donaldson Page B

year is flying by, isn't it?
JAGUAR: This is true, my friend. And I have to retake Physical Fitness next semester since I failed it freshman year. I remember like it was last year.
JOSH: That's because it was.
JAGUAR: Yes it was. Wow time flies. (Chuckles) Hey do you remember why I failed the class last year?
JOSH (laughing): Yes I do. You broke your leg on the first day of school because you thought you could climb the flag pole.
JAGUAR: Yes. Freshman year. Those were the good ole days. And I barely passed.
JOSH: The teachers only passed you because they didn't want to have you in their classes again.
JAGUAR: I bet this is true.
(The two hear screaming from a crowd of girls down the hall. The screaming sounds as if it is from a crowd at a concert.)
JOSH: Oh no. Here comes the jerk.
(The door to the school swings open, and Zack Parker walks through in his maroon football jersey with the white number 7 imprinted on it.)
JAGUAR: You mean Zack?
JOSH: Wait for it...

(Behind Zack comes the shaggy haired, sun-glassed, dressed in a gray hoodie with baggy dark blue jeans Austin Jones. The girls are screaming his name, and he is soaking it all in. He flips his hair, points at one girl, and she begins to fan her face while her friends look at her in admiration for being noticed by Austin.)
JOSH: Ugh. I hate that guy.
JAGUAR: But he's your brother.
JOSH: Half-brother. Please. If he was my full brother I would have strangled him while we were in my mother's womb. But he's not my mother's child. His mother is some prostitute who he hasn't seen since birth because my dad decided my mom wasn't enough. As far as I'm concerned Austin and I aren't even related.
JAGUAR: That's a pretty harsh thing to say.
(Austin and Zack walk by. Austin pushes Jaguar into the locker with a quick "Get out of my way" and continues walking.)
JAGUAR (to Josh): I understand your pain.

(Zack and Austin continue walking down the hall. Austin catches a few "call me" signals from a handful of girls before spotting Cole standing behind them.)
AUSTIN: Yo, nerd!
COLE: Yes, Austin?
AUSTIN: I'm thirsty.
COLE: And?
AUSTIN: Let me have a dollar. I want to buy a drink.
COLE: I don't have one.

(Austin stares Cole down. He begins to read Cole's thoughts.)

Oh no, I forgot to study for that Biology test! What if I make another B! 
 
Oh forget it, Cole. You've got more important things to worry about.
 
Why is Austin looking at me like that? It is as if he knows I'm lying about the dollar, but I really need to buy myself some gum. I forgot to brush my teeth.
 
(Austin shutters at hearing the last thought, but then looks at Cole in anger.)
AUSTIN: You're going to lie to me like that?
COLE: What are you talking about, Austin? I'm telling the truth.
AUSTIN: Quit fooling yourself, Cole. I can see the lies all over you. You are a horrible liar.
ZACK: I don't know, Austin. His face looks pretty convincing.
AUSTIN: If you ask me, his face looks pretty pathetic. Covered in lies.
COLE: Okay, you caught me; just don't hurt me. (Hands Austin the dollar)
AUSTIN: Don't worry. I'll go easy on you today. (Walks away)
COLE (to Zack): You could find better friends.
ZACK: Like you? Sorry, I'll take my chances with Austin.
COLE: Of course you will. We'll see where he is when you're in need.
ZACK: Oh we'll see. (Walks away behind Austin.)

(Austin and Zack continue to walk down the hallway. Kara and Shawn come skating in the door on their skateboards. Kara bumps Austin and Austin shoves him to the ground in front of Shawn. Shawn tries to stop and falls over Kara.)
AUSTIN: Watch where you're going, fool.
SHAWN: Who are you calling a fool?
AUSTIN: Your little friend here, if it's any of your business.
SHAWN: Yes, it is my business, thank you.
KARA: Okay, let's settle down; I did bump into him.
SHAWN: Quiet, you! (Turns back to Austin) Stay out of our way.
(Austin grabs Shawn by the shirt collar and slams his back against the locker. He holds Shawn there and gets in his face.
AUSTIN: I think you