So, this is a story my sister and I both secretly wanted to do, then decided to write it together. It's about the goths being sent to boarding school. Where everyone is a preppy conformist or a stereotype. This is going to be chaotic. Also, it's going to be in first person. Because.

Chapter 1 – Regretting Nothing

Karen's POV

I couldn't believe my ears. This couldn't possibly be happening! I stood in Henrietta's house as she, Pete, Michael and Firkle were confronting their parents. I couldn't pay attention to what anyone was really saying, because the moment they had said "boarding school" I knew that my life would come to a stop.

It had been about six years since I first joined and befriended the goths. I had been afraid that they wouldn't accept me, they had a reputation after all. But Michael, Firkle and Pete had pretty much welcomed me with open arms. And for some reason they didn't care if I was completely goth or not. I just had to wear black and smoke a lot and they accepted me. I didn't want to lose them. Not now.

"What do you mean you're sending us to boarding school?" Henrietta snarled, snapping me out of it.

"We've all been talking and we thought it would be best," her mother said. "We know the camp didn't work out, but this place is legit! Isn't that wonderful?"

Henrietta's eyes narrowed. "You can't do this to me again, you conformist bitch!" she hissed. The other parents gasped over-dramatically.

"Now Henrietta," her father snapped. "That's just the sort of thing we've been talking about. This boarding school specializes in kids like you. It'll straighten you all out so we don't have to." My friends glared at him.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me," Michael growled, rolling his eyes.

"That attitude of yours is exactly why we're doing this," Michael's father told him. "This school will teach you proper behavior. It'll be good for you. And you'll all be there together."

Except for me, I thought miserably. My parents weren't here, telling me I had to go to some boarding school. I'm not even sure they knew that I had ever turned goth. What was I going to do without my friends? The only other friend I had was my brother. I was going to be all alone again! Well, I wasn't going to stand for it.

"The school is called Sunshine Academy," Firkle's mother said cheerfully. We all groaned. It sounded nightmarish already. "It's tuition free, so we don't have to worry about a thing. They have a pool and lots of after school activities."

"This can't be happening," Pete groaned. I, on the other hand, perked up. An idea was forming in my head. There was no way I was going to let them face this alone.

"The new term starts next week, which will give you plenty of time to pack," Henrietta's father said, ignoring the horrified looks on our faces.

"Not unless we just walk out of here and wander the streets until we get hit by a bus," Henrietta growled under her breath. Her father glared at her.

"That's enough, young lady," he said. "We've all made up our minds. You're going to this school and that's final!"

"No, it's not!" Michael growled. "You can't make us go!'

"Oh yes, we can," his mother replied in that weird, gravelly voice of hers. Michael narrowed his eyes at her but didn't reply. "This school is going to whip you all into shape. Turn you into normal children!"

"Not that fucking bullshit again," Michael growled.

"That's what you said about that fucking camp and looked how that fucking turned out," Henrietta snarled. I had no idea what they were talking about, but I didn't say so and instead just nodded vigorously.

"Our minds are made up," her dad repeated. "Now all better go start packing this instant!"

The five of us rose from our chairs and headed for Henrietta's room, casting angry, mutinous glares over our shoulders at the adults. Henrietta made sure to slam the door as loudly as possible when we were all inside.

"I can't believe our parents are making us go to a douchy boarding school," Firkle growled, flopping onto Henrietta's bed. I sat down next to him.

"Seriously, what gives them the right to do that?" I wondered.

"I'll bet it was that asshole principal who put them up to this," Pete sighed. "He probably found out that we weren't going to class and then narked on us to our parents, saying we don't 'apply ourselves' or some bullshit."

"At least we'll all be there together," Michael pointed out. "And maybe if we just stay out of everyone's way, our parents will let us come back."

"Or we could break out," Henrietta added, pulling out a cigarette. "I'm seriously considering just walking into traffic right now just to get it over with."

A while later saw Michael, Pete and Firkle walking me home. The four of them always insisted on walking me home from whoever's house we had been hanging out at. I told them it was no big deal, that I could get home on my own, but they went with me anyways, especially when it was dark outside. I wouldn't admit it, but it was actually very sweet of them to worry about me like that.

My dad was on the couch when I had said good-bye to the others and entered my own house. He was passed out and drunk like he usually was. I could hear my mom in the kitchen with Kevin, though I had no idea where Kenny was. He was probably out with his friends. Or working. Kenny did have a job now, I reminded myself.

Taking a deep breath, I made my way into the kitchen.

"Oh, hey there, sugar," my mom greeted. "I was getting worried about you. Did you have fun with your friends?" I let out a sigh.

"I guess," I replied. She nodded and went back to what she was doing, which was putting more toaster waffles into the toaster. It seemed like so long ago now that the other goths and I had gotten back from the Village Inn only to find all of their parents waiting for us. I looked over at my mom. "Mom, I want to go to this boarding school," I stated.

Mom dropped a waffle into the toaster and turned to me, clearly shocked. "Why on earth would you want that, pumpkin pie?" she wondered. "Besides, boarding schools are for rich kids. There's no way we could ever afford it."

"The school is a government paid facility," I told her. "It's paid for by tax dollars. The tuition is free. It's called Sunshine Academy! Please mom, I really want to go!"

Mom cocked her head, considering me. "I've heard of that place," she muttered, mostly to herself. "But why do you want to go there all of a sudden? Don't you like the school here?"

"Not really," I said earnestly. "None of the other kids talk to me because I'm so poor. I only have four real friends besides my brother. I just really need to do this! Please, mom? I'll be fine! I promise!"

She thought for a long moment, looking clearly conflicted. After what seemed forever, she gave a long sigh. "Well, if you really want to go to this fancy pants school, I'll at least look into it for you."

Despite the fact that goths weren't allowed to grin, a huge smile broke over my face and I ran over and hugged my mom tightly. "Thanks mom!" I said. "This means so much to me!"

The next week was kind of hectic. My mom, once she found out that the school was indeed free to go to, immediately signed me up for the fall semester, and I spent the last week of my summer vacation packing what little I had. I had called my friends and made up a story about how their parents had also talked my parents into forcing me to go with them.

The night before I was supposed to leave, I got a knock on my bedroom door and I turned to see Kenny standing there.

"Hey kiddo," he greeted with a warm smile. "Mind if I talk to you?"

"Sure, Ken," I replied. He came over and sat down on the bed next to me.

"So, you're going to boarding school, huh?" he said after a moment.

"That's right," I answered. "Sunshine Academy." He let out a sigh.

"Be careful, ok sis?" he told me. "I've heard weird rumors about that place. Just stay close to Henrietta and the others, ok? I wouldn't want anything to happen to you."

"I'll be fine, big brother," I told him, smiling reassuringly. "I'll call you every day and I'll have my friends with me. You don't have to worry about anything."

"Sorry, worrying is what big brothers do," Kenny stated. He leaned over and wrapped me in a hug. "I'm gonna miss you, squirt."

"I'll miss you too, big bro," I replied, tears coming to my eyes. "But I'll be back for breaks and stuff. And like I said, I'll call you every day."

"You better," he replied. "Because if you miss a single day, I'm coming to that school and dragging you home myself." I grinned at him.

"You're the best big brother ever," I told him. He grinned back.

"I know," he stated. "Just don't tell Kyle that."

The next day all of our parents pretty much had to drag my friends into their cars. They had organized some sort of plan where we would all leave and arrive together so none of us could try to escape. I had to hitch a ride with Firkle and his parents because my parents didn't own a car anymore. He looked rather nervous as we drove past country sides and towards a quiet little village where the school was. I couldn't say I blamed him. I didn't want to go to this school any more than he did.

"I can't believe this is actually happening," I grumbled. "What could possibly be worse than a boarding school?"

"Having that boarding school be called Sunshine Academy," Firkle muttered back.

"True."

"So, how horrible do you think this place is going to be?" Firkle asked after a long moment of silence. I thought for a moment.

"Well, with a name like Sunshine Academy, it's either going to live up to its name, or be the exact opposite," I replied. "I don't really like either of those scenarios."

"I just hope no preppy conformist bitches try to talk to us," Firkle sighed. "I can't stand the thought of becoming one of them." He shuddered at the thought. I put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, the five of us can look out for each other," I told him. "If it looks like one of us is turning into a conformist, the others can just smack him. Or her."

Firkle looked at me with wide eyes but didn't say anything more and after a moment quickly turned his head away. Weird. I opened my mouth to ask him something, but it was at that moment that the car came to a screeching halt and we were both flung forwards.

"We're here!" Firkle's mother said cheerfully. Firkle and I exchanged glances before reluctantly getting out of the car. The others were already there waiting for us, and my friends were staring at the gates in horror. When I looked up at the school, I knew exactly why they were horrified. It was the brightest, cheeriest, most conformist looking set of buildings I had ever seen in my entire life. And there was a middle-aged man wearing all yellow with a terrifying smile on his face, standing at the entrance of the gate, welcoming people in.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I swear I could hear the theme from Psycho playing.

I'm going to end the first chapter there, because honestly, where else would I end it? The view point is going to be constantly switching between the five of them. I don't know who will be narrating next time, but we'll get to explore this terrifying place and meet some of the students that the goths are going to have to put up with. That will be fun.

So, tell us what you think in a comment, and please wait patiently as the two of us like to work on multiple stories at once. Hopefully my sister will have the next chapter soon-ish. And I'll have one of my other works updated soon. We'll see.