He was the only one who could ever tell when something was wrong, not even my roommates or my best friend could notice it. I had become good at hiding mostly because I didn't want to burden people with my problems; he was good at it because he didn't want people to take advantage of him. Though when I was around him I felt...I don't know how to explain it...comfortable. We weren't exactly friends, just housemates, but we came together over something so unlikely.

Jerome Clarke was different, he understood, which only lead to my downfall. I guess I have to really explain, I'll have to go back. Back to where it all begin, where everything changed.

It started off like any other day had the two weeks before; I sat next to my best friend Amber who was ranting about some new celebrity. I think the whole reason we had become friends was because we were so different. Amber wasn't the smartest, and she always preferred shoes over a book but she kept secrets and always supported her friends. I was relatively smart nothing to brag about, I was sporty but I was also a writer, a journalist.

"What do you think of that dress?" Amber asked, sliding the magazine over to me.

"Personally too much sparkles but you could pull it off," I said then realizing she wasn't even listening to me.

"Mick, you're back!" she squealed seeing her boyfriend. I smiled and went back to my notebook doodles. I can't remember anything strange happening in that class, at least I hadn't then. I went to all my classes, French, Biology, Algebra, History, Drama and Music. It wasn't until I had gotten back from fencing practice that I had found out about our new housemate. I walked in while Alfie made up some delusion of the new girl being an alien. I sat down on the end of the couch shaking my head.

"Alfie, I will show you all the evidence that proves aliens do not exist again," I reminded him.

"I shall never believe it!" he shouted. We all just laughed, well except Patricia. Patricia seemed furious. I decided to not get into it, I felt safer not getting in that girl's way when she's angry. I ran up stairs, took a quick shower and changed. I was putting up my hair as Amber walked into the room.

"The new girl's name is...actually I don't remember what her name is," she said then shrugged grabbing a magazine.

"Can we at least act civil towards her? She has enough to deal with, with Patricia nagging on her," I said, putting on my boots.

"Yes, I guess we can," she said about to walk out the door but then turned to me, "are you really wearing that?"

"Like I have told you countless times before yes," I sighed, as she walked out, "what is wrong with my outfit?"

"I cannot even begin to tell you," she said, giving me a sweet smile.

"If you weren't my best friend, I would smack that smile right off your face," I narrowed my eyes.

"I know!" she smiled even bigger and went downstairs for dinner. I gave out a defeated sigh before I joined the group for dinner.

I sat down in my usual spot and the new girl sat down next to me. I gave her a small smile as Amber walked up.

"That's my seat," she said bluntly. The new girl sprang up,"oh, sorry here."

"Where is Mick?" Amber asked, I just shook my head.

"I don't even know who you are so-" the new girl said but was interrupted by having the giant pepper grinder pushed at her by Amber. The new girl took it, looking confused about what had just happened. I laughed, and just shook my head at Amber's obliviousness.

"Didn't you hear what she just said? That's her seat!" Patricia said as soon as the new girl sat back down.

"But she's not here right now," she tried to defend herself.

"That's what you do huh, Nina, take someone's place as soon as they leave-" Patricia began.

"Patricia!" I yelled, I was offended by what she was saying there was no telling how bad the new girl felt. Man, I really need to find out her name.

"Patricia is head of the welcoming committee, don't worry sit wherever you like," Fabian gave the girl a smile. Thank god for Fabian.

"I'm Rose," I gave the new girl a smile.

"I'm Nina, from America," she gave me the best smile she could manage. Which may I say, wasn't a very good one. I heard Patricia let out a heavy sigh but I chose to ignore her.

"I can tell," I grinned. Then I heard the all too familiar sound of food hitting someone's face. I turned only to get hit by some spaghetti. Red sauce on my blue dress.

"Really, every meal?" Fabian gave out a loud sigh. Then I got hit by some water, well actually it was poured all over Nina but I got hit by it too.

"Seriously Patricia!" I said, I got up and went into the kitchen to find Trudy. I didn't even want to have to deal with whatever happened in the dining room after I left.