A/N: Since I only have a few chapters left in PROM I figured I would do another teen merder story. I really hope you like it! Please review and tell me whether I should continue or not. BTW this is just the prologue
Summary: Derek is the son of the rich and famous, Meredith is the daughter of a struggling family who was awarded a scholarship to the great Catherine Academy. Soon after their first few years in high school, they fall in love. But their parents do not approve so they decide to do what every in-love couple would do…runaway.
Song: Get out of this town by Carrie Underwood (this song actually inspired the fic, hehe)
High School Orientation, never would he have guessed this to be the best day of his life. He was a 15 year old boy, the son of a rich Senator. His father insisted he go to Saint Catherine's Academy, a school for the rich and the genius. Of course, like most teenagers, he hated the idea of going to a prep school. In his mind, the school catered only to rich, snobby geeks from the mainline. For the most part, this was true. But, there was one girl, one amazing girl, who changed his life forever.
"Son, get your things together, you have orientation in 10 minutes," Brian Shepherd instructed his son as he threw his newly pressed tie on.
"In a minute," Derek replied, playing the last bit of notes on Guitar Hero.
"Derek Anthony Shepherd don't make me ask you again," his father warned. "Your mother and I will be in the car."
The limo Derek thought to himself, disgusted that his family had to travel in an all-out limousine. The school was only five minutes away from his house; they didn't always have to show up fabulous and perfect. As he shut off the TV, he quickly grabbed his leather coat, courtesy of Senator Rubenstein, his father's closest and most trusted friend. In fact, Senator Rubenstein's step-daughter, Cristina, was also attending the academy. They didn't get along much, but Derek was relieved knowing that he would be seeing a familiar face.
"Hi hunny," his mother said as he climbed into the back seat of the limo. "How do I look?" Sarah Shepherd never left the house without make up and a fantastic outfit. She was the wife of a senator; she had to look the part.
"You look fine mom," Derek replied, pushing his father's mass of papers to the side.
"Aw thanks sweet heart, and so do you. New haircut?" she asked noticing her son's new trim.
"Laura cut it for me," he replied bluntly. Laura was the family's care keeper. She took care of everything; appointments, dinner, breakfast, and yes, even haircuts.
"You look very grown up Mr. Shepherd," the limousine drive, Lewis, said.
Derek smiled, rubbing his hand in his hair. "Lewis, I'm 15, I look too grown up."
"No such thing!" Lewis declared pulling into the school.
"Here we are," Brian announced, flattening his tie against his chest.
The car bumped along the stone driveway that led up to the huge stone-brick mansion. Along the driveway stood paths of flowers and honey suckle trees. This was truly a school for only the best of the best.
"Wow," Derek breathed staring out his tinted window. "This is nice."
"You should see the inside!" his mother squealed, placing her right leg out of the car. "It's lovely!"
As soon as his parents exited the limo, a swarm of photographers collapsed onto them. Derek rolled his eyes, used to the attention. His father had been thinking about running for President, and ever since, the paparazzi ceased to go away.
"Hey dork. Love the hair cut," Cristina Yang declared sarcastically, pushing Derek. "Are you planning on going to military school?"
"Shut up," he shot back, "Nice dress."
"HEY! My stupid father forced me to wear it, not my fault." She brushed her feet against the pavement, not caring about the scuff marks forming on the tip of her shoes. "So...excited?"
"For prep school?" he asked not too enthusiastically.
"No idiot for clown school…of course prep school! I took seven courses over the summer, and am taking five AP classes this semester," she announced proudly.
Derek's mouth dropped in astonishment, though he shouldn't have been surprised. Cristina Yang was the over-achiever. It would be unnatural is she didn't take a course over the summer.
"Wow, smarty pants. I went to Mexico," he sighed, remembering the horrible plain ride.
"Woo, you went on a plane?! Wow, good job, now there's a good boy!" she laughed, taking great pleasure in making fun of him. It wasn't his fault he hated planes!
He was about to yell a nasty comment right back until a skinny blonde girl interrupted them.
"Excuse me, do you know where we are supposed to meet?" the girl asked, dressed in no more than jeans and a T-shirt.
Derek took a step back. She wasn't wearing a dress or a skirt or anything appropriate in that manner. She didn't look like the daughter of a politician or congressman…she looked normal.
"Uhm, down in the main hall," he said. "Are you here supporting someone, you don't really look "Catherine Prep" material?" He made air quotes around Catherine Prep and expected her to respond with a yes. There was no way that girl could afford to go to this school, no way on earth.
"What?" she asked, acting as though he had just asked her how she planned on hijacking the President of the United States. "No, I'm attending the school this year. Why don't I look like Prep material?"
"He was just kidding," Cristina spoke up, jumping in front of Derek. "I'm sure you are a very smart girl."
She blushed, tucking her hands into her jean pockets. "Well I am here on a scholarship," she said shyly. "…if that's what you were thinking?"
"Of course," Cristina nodded, shining a smile (something she never did) "Well we look forward to seeing you."
She nodded. "Okay, bye guys."
"Bye," the two replied in unison. Once she was out of sight, Cristina turned towards Derek, a stern look on her already cold face. "Are you an IDIOT?! The school gives out scholarships to smart kids who can't afford to go here! Gosh, you just made a complete fool of yourself."
"Who cares," he shrugged. "It's not like we're going to talk to her this year anyway."
"True, but still, we have to act nice and sophisticated."
"Is that what your daddy told you?" he joked, sweeping his hand across her puffy dress sleeve. "…just like he told you to where this hideous dress? Or maybe it's not the dress; it could be just you…"
"Shut your trap asshole," she responded, a coldness overshadowing her eyes. "You just wait, I'll be valedictorian and you'll be sweeping the rose pedals thrown on the stage for me."
"Whatever you say Yang," he retorted, heading towards the main hall, happy that this stupid orientation will almost be over with.
Once they reached the crowded room, they found a seat next to their parents (right in the front, of course.)
"Welcome, welcome," Principal Brookes spoke up among the noises. "We are so pleased to have you all with us. Our school year is going to be fantastic, and we can't wait to get to know each and every one of you! Now, most of you probably think this is pointless and no big deal. But really, it is. High school is the most important time in your young lives. You will grow tremendously. This will change you forever…"
Sitting in that chair, Derek thought this was the stupidest remark ever made. High school can't change you forever. It was a simple milestone till college, and that was where the real action began. But, not so long after that, he began to realize that high school can indeed change your life. The people you meet, the classes you take, the decisions you make can turn your life upside down and either reward you or chasten you. He didn't know this, could not comprehend this. But nevertheless, Derek Shepherd embarked on a journey he never saw coming with someone he never thought possible…and it was all because of high school.