Changeling: A child believed to have been exchanged by fairies for a human's true child.

I closed my book of myths and legends that Dad had gotten me for my birthday. It was about Greek and Roman legends, fairies, vampires, sirens, monsters, and more. Right now I was reading about fairies. The book was all about explaining why people thought fairies and vampires etc. were real. Did you know that they used to bury people facedown to make sure they couldn't rise back up? They also ran a stake through a person's heart to make sure they were actually dead. They believed the legends of vampires that much.

I'm sure it made sense to do it back in the thirteenth century, because they weren't very good at doctoring back then. Bloodletting and leeches. It sounds like a lot of fun for somebody back then. Well, we had to start somewhere. Anyway, back to the present. I like to read about things. Anything would do, whether it be fantasy, cookbooks, plays, or biographies. As long as it sparked my interest, I would read it.

I know you're probably saying "what's wrong with this girl? She still reads books!" Well, you'd read books to if you had a 123 IQ, was sixteen years old, and had no social life. It's not like I chose to be a pariah. It's just that I'm a little different from other people my age. While teenage girls were mooning over their latest celebrity crushes; I was excited to go to a book signing by my favorite author.

In case you couldn't tell, I'm not very relatable to other people. Why you ask? I have a superior intellect. I'm not bragging; it's a fact. I also don't get out much because of my health. I happen to get sick a lot. I'm also afraid of fire and iron. What? Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Mae Harrison, teenage… person.

A sunbeam suddenly showed up on my hand, bringing me out of my little reverie. I looked out my window to see my home city, Brooklyn. We lived in an apartment located in an industrial neighborhood in Brooklyn. Looking out at all the enormous buildings, their lights starting to go up as the sun went down. They reminded me of canyon walls, trapping the streets with their shadows. If I looked closely, I could see the Catholic Church where my aunt attended. She dragged me there once, but I never went back.

I stood up and stretched, as I had been reading at my wooden desk for the past hour. I put the book back on its proper place on my bookshelf. I looked around my green bedroom, reminiscing on the future. Sometimes I liked to imagine myself jumping from my windows, but instead of falling, I would fly from one building, over the bridges, all the way to lands unexplored. But I knew that if I was ever stupid enough to jump, I would fall thanks to gravity.

I just wanted to have a little something to spice up my life. Everyday it was wake up, go to school, avoid all iron objects, don't talk to people, come home, do homework, read, eat, sleep repeat. Every Saturday, I would see my therapist for my phobias and what she called 'anti-social tendencies." I was like a wind-up doll, never stopping, always going to the same beat, and going wherever someone placed me.

Don't get me wrong; I'm a very lucky person and I'm grateful for my blessings. I have two wonderful parents who love me, plenty of food and water, an education, and lots and lots of books. I just want something new.

Sighing, I put on my Knicks sweatshirt over my blue T-shirt. I laced my red Nike sneakers. I was going to go on a walk around the block before the sun set. Going on a walk in the cold always clears my mind, even though I hate the cold. I walked out my bedroom door, making a quick pit stop in the bathroom. I did my business, and brushed my blonde hair. I exited the bathroom making sure to turn off the light.

I walked through our living room and out our door, walking past the other identical apartment doors. The only differences were the numbers next to them and the dings and dents. We lived in an apartment, on the seventh floor to be exact. When the electricity went out, it was a hassle to climb all the stairs. Still, it was better than living on the 20th floor.

I reached the elevator to and pressed the down arrow. Normally I wouldn't take the elevator, but my legs were still a little asleep from my reading time. The elevator was made out of steel, which is a mix of iron and other metals. If it was made out of pure iron, I would run back to my room. But since the elevator has mix of metals, I could stand it if I had to.

I hoped that I would run into George, the closest thing I had to a friend. He was our doorman, and was a very friendly 20-year old. He never finished high school, so he's constantly reading to catch up. Right now, he's reading the American classic "The Great Gatsby'. George said I could borrow it when he was done.

'Ding' went the elevator as it arrived. I stepped in and pressed the One button that would take me to the lobby. As the elevator doors closed, I could have sworn that I saw a cat. But pets weren't allowed in the building. It was just my imagination. Right?

Reading Addicted here! It's summertime over here, so I have plenty of time. I decided to redo this story, so here it is. Hope you enjoy it! Please review, if you want to. I'll give you a virtual hug if you review. Make it better and have a lovely day!