(Ally's POV)

I have no idea why my parents had to go on me like this. They never had a problem with each other since I've been around - they never fought once. Guess that just shows you how long anything lasts these days...

Well, there are two things that come out of this. The good news is: I won't have to worry about what happened as much.

The bad news is: I have to manage finding a home, getting a job, and going to school all at the same time...

All at age fifteen.

I made my way up the steps of West Eastman High School, carrying practically everything I owned in several backpacks.

"Dr. Rubin," I greeted, "it's such a pleasure to meet you."

"Welcome to West Eastman, Miss Hopkins," Dr. Rubin replied, shaking my hand. "Why don't I get you some help with your things?"

"That would be great," I answered.

"Phelan," she began, addressing a student putting materials into a locker across the hall, "could you help a new student with her things?"

"Certainly," he replied. "I'll give her the grand tour if you wish."

"Well, see to it. I have some paperwork to attend to."

And with that, Dr. Rubin left for her office, leaving me alone with Phelan.

"Welcome to West Eastman, my dear," he greeted, kneeling down to kiss the back of my hand.

I blushed a little. "Please, you don't have to be so kind," I said.

"Oh, but it's my duty to make sure you're happy while you're here, princess."

Confusion got the best of me. Princess? I thought.

Phelan grabbed all of my bags for me as we started walking. "So, where did you reside before coming here, princess?"

"Tennessee," I simply replied.

He seemed surprised. "My, and I'm sure you were the most beautiful chipmunk there."

"Um, Phelan... I was practically the only chipmunk there."

"Then there's no contest!"

Laughing at Phelan trying to cover up his embarrassment, we stopped at a row of lockers on the far side of the school building.

"Well," Phelan began, "you can drop off your stuff off here before we head to first period. We'll be late, unfortunately, but it will be well worth it when you're here for the long run."

After dropping off my stuff at my locker, the two of us made our way to first period: algebra.

This is going to be a very LONG day, I thought.

Phelan told me to wait at the door before going into the classroom as he explained to the teacher about my prescense. He then motioned me inside so we could sit with one of his friends.

"I never got your name back at Dr. Rubin's office," Phelan noticed.

"Ally," I replied, trying to get a grip on some of the algebra problems in the textbook.

Suddenly, I saw Phelan's friend slip a note underneath my desk and into my left hand. Opening it, I read:

"Don't worry if you can't solve any of those problems yet. I'll help you out if you need it."

I turned around to see him smiling back at me, sort of stiffly. I gave the note back to him, and thirty seconds later, he added:

"Phelan told me about the whole 'princess' thing, and I know for a fact that he's just trying to be friendly. Just try not to be so freaked out."

"The key word being 'try' in your last sentence," I wrote before handing the blue Post-It note back.

He laughed. "I figured you might say that."

Just then, the bell rang. Trying to grab everything I had recieved from the teacher, I fell head first onto the floor, my chest pinned against the side of my textbook.

"Are you okay, Ally?" I heard him ask, grabbing everything out from under me so I could get up.

I wasn't sure if it was the fact that I was thinking of my parents or if it might have been just me but I seemed to be getting nervous at that particular moment. "Yeah, I'm okay," I replied. "Just a little shaken at the moment. Why?"

"Well, I just wanted to show you my schedule... You share everything with me - how convenient."

Yeah, I thought. More like perfect.

Unlike my parents.

Oh, no... Here come the tears.

Simon turned to me in concern. "What's wrong?" he asked, putting his hand on my shoulder.

"I can't quite say yet," I replied honestly. "I'm not ready to say it without breaking down."

He patted my shoulder. "Just tell me when you're ready."

Nodding, I said, "I will, Simon... I will."