Wow, has it really been two years since I first published this story?

Anyways, hi guys, I'm not dead! I don't really have an excuse for not finishing this story, other than I had a really bad first year of college, and it took another whole year to get my grades back up, and then I went and changed my major and four million other things happened and I just didn't have the time or the heart to get back into writing. But, since I've decided that this is the year of change for me, I've opted to get back on the proverbial horse and start writing again. One way or another, this story will be finished in completion by the end of December (hopefully the beginning of December because I'm actually supposed to have jaw surgery and it's a long recovery but nonetheless). I had such kind reviews and kudos and whatnot the first time around, and I know a lot of Twilight stories (mostly those with OCs) don't update that often. And while this isn't necessarily the story I want to tell, I do think continuing this will give me a sense of satisfaction for actually finishing something as well as ease me back into writing.

I'm hoping that the first nine chapters will be out within the next month, as they are technically already written, but I am doing some major revising on my story: changing the main character's name, taking out certain move-specific plot points, adding in some new conflicts, etc. All in all, a minor overhall of the original idea. I hope all those who read the story in it's originality will enjoy what I've done with it going forward, and I hope to attract some new readers as well.

Thanks for coming to my TED talk, guys! And now, on with the story!

"This is your lunch," Fiyero said to me, his piercing verdant eyes filled with concern and his deep voice, which was usually profoundly modulated and pleasant, was taut with emotion. "Alright now, I put a dollar in there so you can buy some milk. You can ask one of the big kids where to do that," he smiled down at me, his attempt at being reassuring, and hesitantly handed me the brown paper bag.

"Now," Aurora added, her short black hair bobbing as she spoke. She was normally quite a demanding woman. So careful, so sure. A place for everything and everything in its place. I had never seen her this unnerved, yet equally as proud as the blonde man who stood beside her. "Do you remember your phone number? I wrote it down for you, just in case," she spoke hurriedly as she handed me the faded yellow note and offered a sheepish grin of her own. "Put it in your pocket, I don't want you to lose it."

I quickly did as she asked. It was important to follow Aurora's rules. It was important to follow the Council's rules.

"Ok," Aurora breathed out, effectively ending the comfortable silence between the three of us as she moved to smooth out the nonexistent wrinkles in her dress. The tears were beginning to build in her soft golden eyes. How did I get so lucky to be paired with the most amazing caretakers at the School? "Are you ready?"

I rose to my feet, standing eye level with my 'parents'. I flashed them a giant smile, as I was more than ready to start this brand new chapter of my life. "I think so."

Their faces morphed into giant grins, with Fiyero beginning to bounce slightly with excitement. It did me well to see them happy. They had been filled with worry the entire trip over the sea. After all, my success here in a normally-functioning society reflected just as much on them as it did me.

"It's Sterling's big day!" my 'father' exclaimed whilst he pulled out a camera. My mother swiftly molded herself to my side for the picture, but was too overwhelmed with emotion to look decent for it, tears raining down her sharp features. I think, for once, it didn't bother her that she didn't look polished and refined. It was quite endearing to see her normally calm and collected exterior fall for me.

I guess it's natural for parents to cry on their kid's first day of school. But, of course, that's usually when the kid is five. I'm seventeen, and, until today, I've been in boarding school. I know what you're thinking. Boarding school kids are troubled. Or fabulously wealthy and preppy or something.

But my family was relatively normal, except for the fact that we're mythological creatures, and, like all dragons my age, I've spent the past several years under strict tutelage and training before I was allowed to enter the 'normal world'. And, surprisingly, I'll be the first of my brood to do so. It's normally not accepted for hatchlings to leave the School before their fiftieth year (which is the rough equivalent to a human's twenty-first), but I'm not 'normal'.

Apparently, before I was hatched, the previous dragon monarch passed and transferred her soul into my egg, making me her heir. I've spent my entire life in England, living at the School: the leading private institute that trains young dragons. I've never once stepped foot outside those stone and iron gates. There, I had private tutors, private quarters, private everything.

I had a great life, almost perfect. Despite being alone and closed off the majority of the time due to my special lessons, there was always something that would peak my interest: an important guest, a gala, a debate between two warring supernatural species.

Besides, I wasn't there to have fun. I was there to be taught. After all, you can't just become the ruler of the mythological world without some sort of guidance. But then, the Council decided that I needed more 'real-world' training. So it was 'good-bye' England, and 'hello' high school. Fiyero and Aurora, my guardians and for all intensive purposes 'parents', were assigned to me through the Council so that I appeared 'normal' to the mortals that surrounded me, even though my school was mostly for the supernatural.

My parents walked me to the school, Excalibur High, home of some of the more powerful creatures of legend. I turned to walk across the road when a monstrous, heaving yellow beast sped past me. I screamed in my panic, thinking for sure that there had just been an attempt on my life.

Aurora and Fiyero thought the same, and began to move forward to protect me, my mother figure letting out a shriek of her own. I spun to face them, the worry and fear slowly draining from my face as I composed myself. "I'm alright! Sorry!" I called, pushing the curled, ebony locks away from my face. "I'll be careful," I promised, continuing towards the front doors backwards.

I waved good-bye to the one final time before I turned and briskly continued my path across the black pavement and towards the doors of my new school.