A/N: Well, um hi everyone. This is my first story on , so it might not be so good… Also, I'm still a student and stuff so I hope my story's okay, though I know that this girl(s) wake up in Middle Earth idea is anything but original. I might not update as often as some people so I'm really sorry. Oh and by the way, this first chapter doesn't take place in Middle Earth yet – it's more of a backdrop to the character's past history. Anyway, hope you find it readable…

"Atlanta? Atlanta? Young lady, I will not have you slacking off in my class!"

Ms McKellon's sharp voice immediately snapped me out of my reverie. I turned my head from the window, guilt written all over my face. I silently admonished myself for not paying attention in class – usually I was much more attentive.

"Ms Liesl, I must say I am surprised at your behaviour! Perhaps you would like to share with the class what is outside that has so intrigued you?"

My face immediately coloured up to my ears as I heard stifled giggles from all around me. Then I scowled as I thought of the source of those giggles. There was no mistaking the high-pitched giggle of Samantha West, the most popular girl in Cresswell High.

"Well Ms Liesl?"

"I… Erm… It was nothing, nevermind." I mumbled, tucking my hair behind my ear repeatedly, as I always did when I was nervous.

Ms McKellon gave me one last piercing glare, before turning on her heels and walking back to the front of the class. I sat up straighter in my seat and continued listening intently to her going on about Math, Math and more Math. I did reasonably well in all my subjects, but I disliked Math and the Sciences the most. I knew they said it would be important to know in the real world and all but how many people really used everything they learnt in school? Did mothers have to solve math problems in the grocery store to buy a carton of milk? I knew as a student it was my responsibility to do my best to learn all that I could but I would choose English over Math any day. I sighed as I took notes down in my Math Journal, which always helped me keep up with the lesson.

I heard my name in a whispered conversation from behind me and listened more carefully to what they were saying. I had always had unnaturally sharp sense of hearing since young, as well as very good eyesight. It often helped me eavesdrop on others, though I only did so when they discussed something about me. I wasn't that snoopy!

"Atlanta is rather weird don't you think? I mean, staring outside? You know, once during lunchtime she stared at the clouds and said 'aren't they beautiful?' I mean, how weird is that?"

"I know exactly what you mean Cecilia! She told me she actually enjoys history, geography and literature lessons! Those have to be the most stuffy lessons ever!"

I clenched my teeth so hard it hurt, and I clenched my fists as I struggled to maintain my composure. "You're not supposed to be angry. You know you're right and that you're weird. You've always known, so why are you angry?" I mentally counselled myself. As I realised this, my anger left as quickly as it had come, only to be replaced with a dull ache of longing. I wished there was somewhere where I could fit in. Even among my small group of friends in school, I didn't really have a close friend or anyone remotely near to that. Even in my family, I sometimes felt out of place. I sighed again in resignation. There were so many facets of me; even I didn't know all of them. I was one person with strangers, another with my friends, another with my family, another with myself… So many times I had asked myself "Who are you?", but I never found the answer. I went home that day with a heavy heart, as I always did when I thought of this issue.

.

.

Back at home...

"Atlanta, are you okay? Something seems to be bothering you." My mom said when she noticed my long face.

"I'm fine Mom, there's nothing wrong with me," I replied, smiling as brightly as I could. "I'm just going upstairs to change." With that I bounded up the stairs and escaped from her prying questions to the sanctuary of my bedroom. I knew she was my mother, and that I should be able to tell her anything, but I couldn't without hurting her. I had realised long ago, that I could not trust anyone completely. Not even my family members. Often, I was torn with guilt over it - when I shied away when my Mom wanted to come too close to me; or tried to face my problems by myself and told no one of my feelings. But I couldn't trust anybody but myself with information like that – I could only trust myself.

By now, I had come to accept myself as an exceedingly eccentric person. Or at least I thought I did. But whenever anyone commented on my strangeness it always reopened the old wound, making me pensive and slightly depressed.

"If only I could belong somewhere…" I thought with a sigh. But I was still alone.