Junpei leads me to the roof, a deserted area that is littered with random food packages and crushed soda cans. It's calm and quiet and the breeze filters my thoughts away nicely.

"So what's going on? Something changed back there and I couldn't tell what it was." I lean against the stone railing that keeps people from falling off. The view of the city is incredible. I haven't gotten the chance to explore it yet, but I know I will soon no matter what. I heard there was a bookstore in the strip mall.

"The girls here just remind me of why I left my old school."

"Your old school huh. Why'd you leave?" I put my head into my arms and watch a few birds fly and tumble around buildings.

I consider my answer before saying anything. He doesn't look like a person to tell a secret when he knows one, but it's only my first day and I still really can't tell who to trust. "It was just too much. Too much hate, too much bullying. I couldn't even go to school without being tortured. And when I went home they would send me mail or make characters on the online games to follow me there. It never stopped."

"Wait, wait, wait. You play online games?" He makes his way over to me and puts his hands flat on the stone, a surprised expression waiting on his face. It makes me laugh a little.

"Yeah why?"

"I freaking love gaming! I didn't think I'd meet a girl alive who played too." Junpei started to spin around dramatically, closing his eyes to the sky. We talked for a while about different games and I almost forgot why we were up here in the first place.

"You know, I really thought Gekkoukan would be different. The brochures looked so nice..."

"They usually do, although I think that's the point. The schools great -if you like that kind of thing- but people are always iffy. Especially in high school. Don't let it get to ya! They'll give up eventually."

We looked at each other for a minute and I wondered if he was thinking about the things people have said to him also. How much happens that no one even seems? He comes off as confident and energetic but is that always the case when society isn't looking anymore?

Overhead the bell rings out, signally us back to what we are supposed to be doing. Junpei sighs heavily and looks at the door to the school.

"Man I don't want to go back in there. First day and I'm ready to quit."

"Hey, don't let it get to ya!" I mimic the advice he just gave me and start towards the door.

"You're different aren't you?" This question takes me by surprise and I turn back around to see what he means.

"Different?"

"Than the other girls. You haven't called me a creep or a pervert yet, it's kind of unsettling." I smile to myself and grip my books closer. I shouldn't let myself get attached to someone so soon, it isn't healthy.

"I guess I am. Although I totally agree with that pervert thing. Bringing me up to the rooftop? Very smooth." We laugh awkwardly and I move so I'm beside him for a moment, just looking over the balcony at whatever lies below. "You know, I haven't gotten to go into the city yet. My mom and I have been too busy unpacking."

"You haven't huh? I guess we'll have to do something about that then."

"Yeah, I guess so." I rock on my heels like a child, waiting for the question to hit.

"Hmm...I wonder how we could go about fixing a problem like that?"

"Stop it!" For the first time in my life, I hit his arm with the back of my hand, just like any other girl trying to be cute. I have never attempted to flirt with someone until this point. And before the chance for me to embarrass myself even more comes along, I pick up my bag and books and am out the door.

I know Junpei called me back but I keep walking, not even sure where I'm going anymore. This school seems like a maze and I have to keep checking my schedule to find out where I'm supposed to be.

When I enter my class, I apologize for being late and brush it off as simply getting lost. Every person in the room stares and me until I sit down in a random empty desk beside the window. The only person I recognize is that girl who was around Yukari. Great. She doesn't take her eyes off of me as she pulls out her cell phone and sends someone a message.

Before I ever realize what I'm doing, I put my head onto my desk and stare out the window until class is over. Not one word of the lesson made it into my brain and I'm not even disappointed. The teacher doesn't stop me or question why I wasn't looking, he just lets me slip out the door and into the crowd of people in the halls.

I wish for a moment that I would blend in like everyone else. I watch a small girl read a book by herself in the corner. She doesn't look lonely even though no one goes near her. Maybe that's the way I need to act too.

"Saki! There you are." Yukari comes from around the corner, alone for once.

"Hey."

"I've been looking for you everywhere! I haven't seen you since this morning." Is she really being serious about finding me?

"I've just been everywhere." It isn't a complete lie.

"Well hey, I just wanted to say not to listen to Hiko. She can be a real pain." Instantly I know she must be talking about her friend, just by the way she address's her.

"Oh, it's fine." Even though it isn't, I don't know what else to say to her. Maybe Yukari and I really can be friends, but I don't think we will ever be alike.

"Will you be alright getting to the dorm tonight? I have to walk home with one of my friends but if you need me to stay, it's no big deal."
"No, I'll be o.k! Don't worry about me." She smiles and pats my shoulder.

"Alright, well I'll see you later!" I watch her leave and begin the search for my next class.

I walk into a large room, packed with people. I think this might be an English class but I can't tell at first. I begin to pile the books needed for this class onto my desk when I notice someone sit down beside me.

"So, when are you free?" The fact that he still remembers what I said makes my stomach bubble with butterflies. I wish I wasn't so embarrassing all the time.

"What about after school?" He twists his hat backwards and gives me a full, toothy grin.

"Sweet! Only a few classes left. I'll wait for you by the front doors alright?"

The end of the day seemed to never come and as my last class finished, I hurried to collect my things and make it downstairs. I fumbled with my shoes and almost forgot to pick up my bag that I set on the floor.

I spied Yukari leave with her friend and even Akihiko and Mitsuru headed off in the same direction. What was it going to be like to live with people like that? When Junpei finally arrived, he stuffed a bunch of loose papers into a trashcan and kept walking like nothing happened.

I took a deep breath and continued on as if I wasn't getting more and more nervous as time passed. I didn't want him to see the way my palms were sweating or how my hands shook too much if I didn't hold them together. When we passed the gates of the schools entrance, I touch one of the bars hoping maybe this school will be right for me.