*~*~ A/N – Okay, so onto chapter 2: As previously stated, this is a different perspective from Kit. This is Kari, who is human.

Yes, I know, her clumsiness does seem a bit ripped off from Bella, but at the time I wasn't thinking that. Her clumsiness is already part of the story, so I can't really change it. I'm not even sure I want to change it. I like it.

Well, I hope you like it too. Here's Kari.*~*~



KARI:

I was late to class. I was always late to class, especially the one after lunch. I'd tripped with my food tray on my way to the table and had spilt milk down my shirt. Fortunately I was used to my clumsiness and kept several changes of clothes in my locker. I just changed shirts after lunch and was now on my way to class, making a conscious effort to not trip on my way there and sprain my ankle. Again.

I hoped my face wasn't too red with embarrassment as I slipped into the classroom. I glanced at the teacher, but he merely waved me to the last empty seat in the back of the room and I gratefully hurried out of sight. I took my seat at the lab table setting my bag on the ground. I hesitated a moment before nudging the back pack with it's potentially dangerous loops away from where my feet might go.

It was only after the teacher had settled back into his lecture of introduction that I looked up to see my classmates. I was relieved to see no one staring at me. Perhaps they were all used to my clumsiness by now and came to expect it. I glanced over at my lab partner and nearly had a heart attack.

He wasn't looking at me, as he stared boredly out the window; but I already knew who he was. He was the new heart throb all the girls in our class were atwitter about. My friend Anne had already described him to me in extensive detail. Including her plans for a shopping trip over the weekend for a new wardrobe planned at catching his interest.

Great. Trust my luck to put me in the most potentially embarrassing situation ever. Science labs and gym were my two most hazardous subjects, not only would I nearly kill myself repeatedly this year but I'd do it sitting right next to the most popular boy in our class. Perfect. My high school life was doomed.

I sighed, resigned to my fate as I folded my arms and laid my head on the desk. At least he had a reputation for avoiding conversation. I didn't have to suffer myself to be social. I really didn't know what to say to him.

His quiet reputation lived up to it's name as we spent nearly the whole class in silence. It wasn't till near the end, when the teacher handed us locks and assigned us lab drawers that we broke our silence. The teacher was handing me my lock, when my fingers slipped and I dropped it. It landed with a soft thunk on the back of my other hand.

I bit back the cry of pain and tears as I snatched my injured hand back to my chest. I picked up the lock and hastily scribbled the drawer number on my notebook, hoping no one saw. The teacher hesitated, but decided I was fine and moved onto the next pair. Beside me I heard a soft chuckle.

My face burned as I attached the lock to the drawer under the desk, and hastily gathered up my books. The rest of the class had already left once they received their locks, and I hurried to follow before I made even more of a fool of myself.

As I stood, I'd forgotten about my back pack. My foot caught in the strap and I fell. I heard a loud bang and suddenly I was on the floor. The world around me spinning. I could hear people talking around me but couldn't make sense out of it.

I felt strong arms try to lift me up and I panicked. "No, no, I'm fine. I can walk..." I insisted, my voice sounded slurred as I struggled out of the arms to stand on my own. The arms didn't try to stop me.

As I teetered to my feet, my world immediately spun violently again and I could feel myself falling. The strong arms caught me before I could hit the floor. I stopped struggling and allowed myself to be carried.

I was aware of a dull throb in my head growing steadily worse and I was almost certain I had a concussion. Again. If I tried to walk like this I'd just embarrass myself more.

As the pain sharpened and my head cleared a little, I was more aware of my surroundings as I was carried down the halls towards the nurses office. I glanced hesitantly up at the person carrying me, already fearing the worst. I was right.

I groaned to myself as I dropped my gaze careful to not upset my throbbing head. He stayed silent as always as he made our way to the nurses office. A voice called out that made him stop and stiffen.

"Damian!" The girl's voice called out in shock. I could feel him wince at the accusation in her tone, and hear the foot steps of the girl approaching. "Just WHAT did you do to that girl?!?"

He sighed, "Nothing, Kit. She fell, and I was taking her to the nurses office." I opened my eyes to look at the girl as she stared back at my face. What she saw must have alarmed her as her eyes widened. I closed my eyes quickly before I could see her pity me.

"How... thoughtful." Kit spoke as if the words felt awkward speaking them to her brother. I guessed it wasn't a common thing for him to carry injured girls. I felt myself wishing I could just disappear.

He grunted in response, "Not really. I was just the only one left capable of carrying her."

He sounded really annoyed. "Uhm, it's alright now. I can walk myself. You can put me down." I spoke quietly. He didn't even hesitate as he moved to put me on my feet.

"Damian, don't you dare!" Kit scolded stopping him. "She's very seriously injured, you be a gentleman and take her all the way to the nurses office right this minute."

I was surprised at the tone in her voice, even more surprised when I felt him lift me back up into his arms in obedience. He grunted annoyed, but allowed Kit to lead the way to the nurses office.

"I'm Kit, by the way, Damian's little sister. What's your name?" She asked me cheerfully. She was like the complete opposite of her brother. Talkative.

"Kari." I answered slowly.

"It's nice to meet you Kari. Do you happen to know who my brother's lab partner is?" I could feel his arms stiffen around me, and I got the impression that he didn't want her to know.

"Uhm, shouldn't he be the one to answer that?" I asked confused. I owed him for being such a klutz, protecting his privacy was the least I could do.

Kit made a face, "Yeah, but I doubt he will." She eyed him questioningly but he shook his head. "See?"

I took a deep breath, "Well, if he doesn't want you to know then I don't think I should tell you." I told her, "Sorry." I added as an after thought when her eyes narrowed. She smiled, seeming to forgive me.

"No, it's alright. I'll just get someone else to tell me." She assured me. I sighed, she was right. Someone else would tell her. I tried at least.

We reached the nurses office not long after, and I cringed at the nurses why-am-I-not-surprised sigh. "You're early Kari. Trying to get a head start on the year?"

"Sorry." I spoke quietly, my face turning red again. "I fell and clipped my head on a table. I think. Probably just a concussion."

The nurse sighed as she led us to the back where there was a bed. Damian set me down and stepped away as if to leave. Kit snatched the back of his jacket and stopped him.

"Are you sure you're okay Kari?" Kit asked.

"Yeah I'll be fine. Go ahead and go to class, I don't want you to be late because of me..." I assured them. The nurse handed me a cold pack wrapped in a paper towel for my head.

"If you're sure..."

"I am. Go..."