I blinked.

It happened to quick.

"You're moving." "You're going to Gekkoukan High School." "There's 25 hours a day." "You need an evoker." "Live with us."

I'm not able to comprehend half of the things I do during the day - marijuana induced or not. I guess one of the reasons why I moved and am going to this school is because of being under the influence -- one reason down.

Okay, so just don't do drugs. 25 hours in a day is next.

The dark hour; a time that exists between midnight. Only certain people can experience it, and only 'special' people have a Persona to fight the creatures in the extra hour. That goes to the evoker.

It's a gun, but it doesn't shoot bullets. You shoot yourself in the head with it, and out goes your persona. You have the option of having a cool catch phrase like "Let me handle this!" -- That's a favorite of Akihiko, a team mate.

Or a friend. Team mates are friends, seeing as they save your ass during late night expeditions.

I blinked again. I need to get focused. It's only been two weeks since everything hit me, and I was probably already failing freshmen year.

I wrote down the date on the test in front of me. 20/3/07. We're off to a good start. Name - Marcelle Pierce. Good.

1) What are the names of the chambers located in the heart? How many valves are in each chamber?

Not so good. Who even learns this in science?

I looked to my left. There was the team mate slash friend - Akihiko - smoothly moving his pen across the page. Of course he would get this perfectly.

I looked to my right. Shinjiro only wrote his name on the top line. His eyes were staring hard at the page, but I wasn't sure if he was concentrating or not. His pen moved, circling C.

Right, why didn't I think of circling the most common letter?

"It was hard." I said with a shrug, getting out of the seat. "I studied, too. I'm sure my test will be okay in the long run, though."

"Staying positive?" Akihiko asked with a smirk. I rolled my eyes, always one to be cocky. "It was easy, Marcelle. Most of the answers were 'C', anyway."

"Then I did good." I grinned, turning my head to Shinjiro. "How about you?"

He sighed, slowly getting out of his seat. "How do you think?"

"I don't know. That's why I asked you."

"If what Aki is said is true, then I did okay." He replied simply, giving a light shrug.

Talking to Shinjiro was...difficult. Though once a conversation was in motion, it was okay. But starting took every ounce of energy you had out of you, and put into a one liner that was hoped to be enough to talk to him.

It was quiet for a few moments. I guess mine didn't work, but it's worth trying again.

"Well, I don't have soccer practice today. You guys wanna get ramen?"

"I can't." Akihiko sighed, "I have boxing."

"Shinji?" I turned toward him, using the puppy dog look to the fullest extent. It has to work, it never not works.

"Tch. Don't give me that look." I didn't stop though, and eventually he gave a sigh. "I was going to go anyway. Idiot."

I grinned, strapping the purse that held my books around my shoulder. "Great. Let's go."

"So, it was totally just a random thing." I explained after swallowing what was in my mouth. "But I guess it's okay, or else I wouldn't have you or Akihiko or Mitsuru to understand where I'm coming from."

"But you don't do good in school right now. How did you get a scholarship here?" Shinjiro asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I did good back home. I'm doing okay now, but I'm still going through withdraw I think. It would explain why I can't focus on anything."

"Well, you're from what, New York? Aren't New York girls never focused?"

My eyes narrowed. "No. I'm not the regular Manhattan girl who gets drunk every night. I knew when to party, and when to study. I can't believe you actually said that."

He shrugged. "I was just saying the stereotype. Don't be quick to jump at my throat."

"Do you ever not kill the mood?" I asked, pushing the empty bowl to my right. "Honestly, Shinjiro."

He produced a laugh without humor. "Do you ever not talk shit?"

"I wouldn't have to if you weren't so monotone all the time. Be an actual human."

"Stop being so emotional. You're pissed 'cause of what I said. It wasn't even bad."

I rolled my green eyes. "Whatever, Shinjiro. I'm leaving. Go have fun listening to The Cure or something depressing while eating ramen. I'm going to go have a life."

"Right, 'cause people want to be with you." He muttered under his breath.

"We get into fights a lot. It happens." I told Mitsuru assuringly. "Relax. The team won't be split."

She was still uneasy, keeping her eyes fixated on the carpet. "I don't want there to be any unnecessary conflicts."

"In all honesty, Mitsuru, Shinjiro is actually one of the best guy friends I've had. Since we're both hard headed, we'll fight a lot. It's what friends do." I sheepishly admitted, letting out a sigh. "But for your sake, I'll try my best to change."

She gave a soft smile. "Thank you, Pierce."