Moving hadn't been such a drastic change for me. With no real friends at my former school, it was ideal for me not to put up much of a fight when my mother announced we would be moving. If she was happy, I was happy, so we had packed up our things and relocated to Beacon Hills, California with her new husband, Alan Deaton. I'd known the man for most of my life and the fact that I didn't have to hide from him was just an added benefit to the compassionate emissary's character. I could show every single part of me. Every. Single. Part.

So as he dropped me off in his Chevrolet Equinox and wished me a good day at school, I couldn't help but give him a huge smile and an excited, "Thanks!" as I hopped out the car. Peers stared me down unashamedly as I climbed the stairs to the school, sporting a black crop top, green cargo pants, and ankle boots. I figured it was just teenagers appraising the new student, but I'd received the same "welcome" everywhere I went in town. I ignored the protruding glances and stares. Removing my black sunglasses and throwing my backpack over my shoulder, I strutted carelessly to the entrance.

Pushing through the blue doors, several heads turned to examine the new specimen that had arrived. It was becoming exceedingly hard to ignore their stares as I ambled to the front office. There I was given a schedule and map of the school. A student aid was appointed to show me around and I followed eagerly to see what exciting adventures high school would bring my way. "Don't worry too much about the stares." She told me. "It's just...new student and all. Especially since you're so hot." I was taken aback by her comment but smiled nonetheless.

Although her attitude was rather brash and obscene, Kate Argent was helpful enough and soon we were laughing together like old friends. Unfortunately, Kate and I parted ways at lunch, with her promising to meet me after, and I shuffled to lunch alone. I scanned the cafeteria for a friendly face upon walking through the door, though the search was pointless. During classes, I was consumed with the arduous task of what Kate called, "new girl work," hence my lack of lunch buddies. She laughed at the abundance of assignments I was expected to complete voicing her sympathy toward me.

I sat down at an empty table with my lunch and began to nibble on my food as I again examined the eatery. I instantly began to assort the individual cliques: outcasts, artists, hipsters, drama kids, preps, emos, nerds, cheerleaders, and jocks.

My attention came upon one teenage boy sitting, it seemed, in full center of what I guessed was the basketball team. He was spinning the orange ball on his finger before passing it to a teammate across the table. It was strange how he stuck out to me but it was as if he wasn't really sitting with the childish, conceited boys that surrounded him on all sides but instead that his energy and focus was gravitating somewhere else. And something in my heart told me that it was because of me, that other days he would laugh and talk with the other boys, be one with them, but not today. Today he was occupied, disinterested, too busy looking at me the way I was looking at him.

I had to catch my breath when his eyes reached mine and I suddenly realized that he and I were alike. I'd seen the color of his eyes in the sunlight and his gasp from across the room told me that he'd seen mine too. I was a werewolf...and so was he. "Derek Hale is staring at you." a voice stated beside me. I looked to my right at the pale brunette and she offered a small smile. "Is that a big deal?" I asked looking back at the young werewolf. "Kinda. To everyone else, but I have a feeling that it's not going to be to you." "Right." I said, "I'm Kamina by the way." Her smile still remained on her face as she introduced herself, "Paige. Nice to meet you." "You too. And I gotta tell you. Sitting alone at lunch, not the best way to start off the first day of school."

She laughed at me, sarcastically saying, "Seems like that would be terrible." "But not for you huh? You're sitting alone by choice." I observed. "It helps to study during lunch." She explained tapping her book with her knuckles. I suddenly felt extremely inconsiderate. "Oh I'm sorry. I didn't know you were doing that…um." She waved me off smiling, "It's fine. Today I just won't study...to save you from the social humiliation." I smiled at her kindness, forgetting the boy who had already discovered my secret and focusing on a blossoming friendship.

We talked for the rest of lunch, realizing we had our next class together. I separated from her to head to my locker while she went on to English. The halls were emptying quickly yet I strolled along carelessly. I could always use the I got lost excuse. I opened my locker with ease, retrieving my new notebooks and paper. I spun, feeling a presence behind me, to find Derek Hale.

My heart sped at the thought of him knowing my secret but then his face softened, calming me slightly though I still felt uneasy. "I won't tell." He said. My face scrunched up at his cryptic remark and I questioned him, "What?" "I won't tell anyone." He told me, "You and me, we have to stick together. Wolves travel in packs after all." He shot me a toothy grin while my face displayed a dubious look.

"There you are," a voice sounded from down the hall. We both turned toward it to see Kate stalking toward me hastily. She seemed to pause a moment when she noticed Derek but continued her journey to our position. "What happened to meeting after lunch?" she asked immediately upon reaching us, completely ignoring Derek's presence. "I had to go to my locker." I excused. She latched onto my arm pulling me away from Derek, who stood with a smirk watching my unwilling participation in the situation. "Well now we have to go to class," she claimed just as the bell sounded overhead. The last thing I saw before we turned the corner was Derek's smug smile and taunting wave.