Author's Note: Dang, can't believe i messed up my pronouns again... Regarding my last statement, sorry... Miss Applegate was wrongly identified as a male... Thank you for your correction. Going to be uploading all the way now, i finished the story already.

Tobias POV

My name is Tobias.

If anyone ever asked me to describe my life, I would answer him, without any hesitation whatsoever, that it sucks.

As if it isn't enough that my own parents didn't even care to stick around to take care of me, they dumped me on some far flung aunt and uncle that separated and would treat me like an unwanted millstone around their necks.

As if it wasn't enough struggling through school dressed like a bum from the Salvation Army, some people would actually make it their life mission to make sure my hell of a life got even worse.

No, it got a hell of a lot worse.

Because now, I think, I've fallen in love.

It was impossible not to notice her. Long blond hair that looked more fitting on an angel than on an ordinary human being and a subtle grace that was evident in her every movement. Eyes that mirrored the heavens above. But it wasn't just her looks. There was a sort of untamed restlessness present within her and every so often she would look up to the sky beyond the windows of our airless classroom as though yearning freedom from this mundane existence.

And she's about as attainable as the bringing a Tyrannosaurus Rex back to life.

Compared to her, I would describe myself as insignificant insect. I spent most of my time in school dodging thickheaded louts who would constantly bully me and watching her. It was more than enough for me to see her smile. I doubt I was worth even that much.

Anyway, this particular hot day, I was creeping around the back alley of the school to get to class. I always arrive late so that when I step in to the classroom, the teacher was already there to ensure my physical well being. Unfortunately for me, our teacher didn't show up.

"There he is!" I heard malevolent cheers coming from behind me. "Get the wimp!"

Panicked, I latched on to the nearest window, jammed it open and slipped inside. Feeling my way through the darkness, I finally found the doorknob.

I twisted it as noiselessly as I could and peered outside. So far, the coast looked relatively clear. I opened the door further and took a step out.

The next thing I knew, pain was radiating on my right temple and I was knocked back on my butt on the floor.

I sighed. I knew it was only a matter of time before they found me anyway...

But a familiar voice jolted my entire nervous system.

"Are you planning on sitting there all day?"

It was her. I muttered an affirmative and clambered to my feet, desperate for an escape.

It was enough that everyone secretly laughed behind my back about my woebegone attire. I doubt I could handle it if she was the one laughing.

But she wasn't letting me go that easily. She stopped me with a hand on my shoulder and I reacted on instinct, bracing myself for any blows. But what she said next floored my better than any punch ever would.

"Aren't you mad at me?"

Confused, I met her eyes for a moment and hastened to reassure her. I was used to stuff like this happening to me and I had no reason to get mad at her for…

That turned out to be the wrong thing to say. Her eyes flashed and she started ranting, going on about how I should stand up for myself and that I had every right and obligation to do so.

And all the while, I couldn't stop the surprise and respect that probably showed on my face. I felt happy that she would get riled up over someone as worthless as me when we weren't even acquaintances before today.

I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I nearly fell back on the floor when she shoved me.

"You get pushed, you push back. That's not just your right, that's also your obligation. Because if you don't…"

"No one else will do it for you."

It was then that I saw it.

She felt sorry for me. She didn't like the way I just let everyone walk all over me and she wanted to do something about it. But she couldn't.

Because as long as I swallowed every indignity I had to suffer through, I wasn't just the victim, I was also a conspirator. I was letting them hurt me. She was right. No one would ever respect me, as long as I never had any respect for myself.

And she wanted to teach me this lesson.

She turned on her heel to go, annoyance and disappointment mixed up together on her features.

Wait… I… I know now… That you… And I… Well, I… Words were jumbled together in my brain, and I was afraid if I opened my mouth, they would pour out.

So I did the only thing I could to show her that I got her message.

My push connected between her shoulder blades with only a minimum amount of force behind it. I didn't want to end up hurting her…

But again, bad luck was following. Her balance was off since she was turning back, that the momentum caused her legs to entangle. She landed with a solid thump on the floor.

I was rooted on the spot. First thought: I just hit a girl! This alone would have been enough to send me to shock completely. Next thought: Is she okay? This thought however, sent frissons of fear through me. I didn't mean to hurt her, I actually wanted to thank her… and I found myself caring, perhaps too much, if she ever so much as pricked her finger.

I was ready to drop to my knees and beg for pardon when she stood up, dusted herself off and told me off for hitting her while her back was turned.

"I'm Rachel."

I felt like the world I had come to know and anticipate, the world where I was a nobody except as a favorite target for the bullies, was receding and giving way to bright future.

"I'm Tobias." I answered and smiled.

The world… My world… Began anew.