Know that feeling when you don't eat anything for a long time, and you're feeling perfectly okay, and then you smell food and realize you're starving?

Well, that was what just happened to me. I didn't think I was going to eat anything- I was actually feeling pretty sick- but as soon as I've reached the food line and aroma of freshly baked bread hit me, my body screamed at me to eat.

I walked towards the line, unsure what to do. Near kid was gone, and even if he was here, I knew I wouldn't ask him anything- partly because I still felt unable to communicate properly, partly because he freaked the living sh*t out of me.

It turned out I had nothing to worry about. Nice, elderly woman at the food line smiled at me and handed me over a tray with full meal on it.

"You're the new one, right?" She grinned at my surprised facial expression. "Here, we give you kids full meals, since most of you would live on junk food if we allowed you."

I gave her a shy smile and scanned the room for an empty seat. Or more like, empty table. I found one pretty near entrance/exit doors, and sat down, finishing the dinner in less than five minutes.

Well, I was starving. Last time I ate anything was 28 hours ago.

When I finished all the food, I started wondering what was I supposed to do with the empty tray. Then I realized people were just leaving them on the table, so I gladly did the same and got up, wondering if I'll be able to find my way back to the room. I had it memorized (more-less), but still…

Again, it turned out I worried for nothing. Just as I've left the cafeteria, familiar silhouette stepped in my way.

Roger!I gratefully smiled at him.

"Well, hello." He smiled back. "I was just looking for you. Let's go to my office."

I followed him up the stairs, realizing I had no idea how to get to my room.

He let me enter his office first, and then closed the doors behind us.

"Please, sit down." He said, taking his seat. I complied without hesitation.

"How do you like it so far?" He asked.

I gave him a tiny smile, apologizing wordlessly for my lack of communication.

"Did you think of your new name yet? I believe it would be better if you'd have it your first day of school."

I bit my lip. I completely forgot about that. Well, guess this was a time to prove my brilliant last minute thinking.

Idea bloomed inside my head within a second. I smiled.

"Alexx." I whispered. "With two x."

He nodded, not rising a huge fuss about the fact I've talked to him. "Okay, Alexx. Are you planning to continue talking?"

I nodded.

"Talk to me."

"I do." I chuckled.

"Okay, we got that down." He said, getting up. "To tell you the truth, I was already worried you've gone mute for good."

SodidI."I'm sorry."

"No need for apologies." Roger smiled again. This guy obviously liked smiling. "Now, let me explain you how Wammy's work."

Half an hour later, I was in my room (Roger gave me a map of Wammy's, just in case I got lost after my classes tomorrow), staring at the class schedule (also something Roger gave me). We had classes every day, except on Sunday, but at least they lasted only half an hour each. My first class tomorrow was science, and I knew I was probably going to cry in ten minute break between it and math. Dad loved chemistry. He'd always help me with homework, although I knew perfectly well how to do it myself. It was just something we did together. Fact that we'll never be able to do it again felt like someone was turning me inside out.

I pressed my eyelids shut, holding back a wave of tears. I knew I won't be able to hold it in for long, but I wanted to get ready for tomorrow before having an utter mental break down.

I've quickly scanned my schedule for tomorrow- science, math, Latin, French (how in the earth did they know I've already studied it?), ancient Greek (okay, something I've never done in my life) and history of art. We had ten minute break between each class, giving us enough time to go to our rooms, pick up books, and get back.

Roger has also informed me that here, exams were written on almost daily bases, and each month, they would make a list featuring top ten students. L would have full access to them, and in the end, they would make him decide who was to inherit him.

"We've just made one." Roger said. "You have one month to get to the list."

I smiled politely, glancing at the paper he pushed towards me. I recognized the name at the top.
"Near is number one?" I asked. I was a bit honored to have the smartest kid in the Wammy's lead me to cafeteria.

"Yes. Near is brilliant." Roger said, pride in his voice. "He's been number one since he arrived here. Mello is stuck as number two since then. He takes it quite personally."

I've checked the list. Really, Mello whoever-he-or-she-was landed second. "Oh."

"Well, that would be all. You better go to your room and get a good sleep." Roger said. "There aren't many girl here at the moment, so you should be able to get to the shower. You know how to get to them?"

I looked at the map. "I'll handle."

"Well, good night then, Alexx."

"Good night."

Next morning, I was already awake when the alarm clock went off. I was sitting up in my bed, staring at the old oak tree, shocked to see I've actually slept this night. Guess my body was too tired- I didn't sleep much since the fire- to stay awake and let me stress over today.

I turned the alarm clock off and got out of the bed, quickly getting out of one of dad's shirts I've slept in- I guessed something familiar will help me relax- and getting in jeans and black t-shirt I've picked for today. Then, with moment of hesitation, I took one of mom's necklaces and pushed it under my shirt. It was too extravagant to wear it outside- golden, with green, heart-shaped diamond size of my thumbnail. Then I rushed to the bathroom, quickly washed my face and brushed my teeth, and then took a good look at my reflection.

Well. I looked almost creepier than Near.

My skin was ghostly pale, with fading bruise matching my pale greenish eyes covering half of my face. Then, my hair- it used to be long, blonde and shiny, but since it got burnt in fire, it was now long little over my shoulders, pretty messy. I sighed and ran my fingers through it, too tired to look for a comb.

Bathroom was empty- rest of girls were probably in cafeteria, having breakfast, but I was way too nervous to eat. With a deep breath, I gave my reflection one last glance, and then rushed to pick up my science books, hoping I won't get lost. Wammy's was pretty big, after all.

I didn't get lost.

I also arrived quite early- class was supposed to start in fifteen minutes- but some people were already inside, so I guessed I could come in too. It seemed like a better idea than awkwardly standing in the hallway, waiting for someone else to enter first.

I got in the room pretty quietly, but I still managed to get everyone's attention- okay, everyone was consisting of two guys, but still. They turned to face me, gazed at me for a second, and then turned back to their work.

Feeling like I'll pass out any moment, I walked over to the seat in the back, and flipped random page of my science book open. I've tried to study a bit last night, but everything reminded me of dad so much I just couldn't focus. At least everything seemed familiar- if my focus problems never disappear, it might help me to pass this class somehow.

Hoping I look deeply interested in whatever-I-was-reading, I glanced at the two guys already mentioned.

I've already seen them in cafeteria last night- goggles guy and his friend with girly haircut. They were in the middle of a conversation, although I couldn't hear anything. Feeling a bit bored, I studied their appearance. Both were pretty skinny and pale (although I was still paler than them). Goggles guy had hair of an unusual red shade, stripped shirt, and some sort of sweater or whatever. And goggles, of course. His friend was dressed completely in black, and he had no shoes.

Was there a normal person in this freaking place?

Goggle guy suddenly looked up and met my gaze. I awkwardly looked back at the book, feeling like my face was burning. I knew it wasn't- I don't think I've ever blushed- but it still felt uncomfortable. I could hear their giggles as I continued gazing in my book.

Five minutes later, doors opened again, and Near walked in. He was still dressed in white- well, boy likes white- and he still had his toy robot with him.

"Hello, Mello, Matt." He said, walking past the guys, staring at his toy.

"Near." Female cut replied, giving him a cold look. "Good morning."

"Thank you." Near said, still not looking up. He took his seat, somewhere in the middle, and started quietly playing.
I locked my eyes to the book. I really didn't want to be caught staring the second time.

Mello? Seriously?

I actually managed to get some facts into my head when rest of the class arrived. Shortly after, a gray haired woman entered the classroom. Everyone rose to their feet, and I quickly did the same.

"Sit down." She said. Her voice was almost as emotionless as Near's. "Who's the new student?"

I held my hand up. "Um, me."

She nodded. "You have a name?"

"Alexx." I said. Withdoublex.

She nodded again, and walked to the front of the class. "Today we're writing a small check. I think you should all know by now how I don't tolerate cheating or talking during the test. And remember, new month has just started, and this is your chance to make a fresh start and maybe make it to the list." She said. "Apologies to the ones who are on it."

Then, as if she just remembered me, she looked to my direction and smiled, catching my completely off guard.

"Oh, and Alexx, try to do as much as you can." She smiled. "Okay, now, take out a blank paper…"

Day went of at the same tone, and finally, it was lunch break. I was still nervous, but my body cried for food.

I managed to find cafeteria- I was getting good at this- and walked over to the food line. Same woman from the last night greeted me with the smile and handed me a tray filled with food.

"Thank you." I smiled and headed for first empty table I spotted.

I was too busy eating to realize something was going on, but soon it became to hard to ignore the fact everyone seemed to stare at me. I looked up, unsure what to do.

"Hey, you. X or whatever." Guy at the table near to mine called me.

"Alexx." I said, facing him.

"Where have you studied science?" He asked. Half of cafeteria stopped talking, staring at me.

"Um, at normal high school." I said awkwardly. "But my dad often gave my private lesson."

"Who was your dad?" Another guy asked.

"Scientist, obviously." Someone said.

"Why?" I asked, to no one in particular.

"Haven't you seen the results of science test?" Guy from before asked. I shook my head. "You scored number one."

Number one? Whoa. But that wasn't really that big of a-

Oh. Near took the same test.

"I did better than Near?" I asked the guy- he was probably getting annoyed by me.

"Duh. He was second best." He said, enthusiasm radiating from his face. "Not one person ever did better than Near at anything. You're, like, a goddess or something."

"Charlie, you're making the girl uncomfortable." Girl sitting next to him said, and then turned to face me. "I'm Ali, by the way."

I smiled, ignoring the fact Charlie used to be my name.

"Alexx." I said. "Double x."

"Come sit with us." Ali offered. Rest of table-a guy and a girl, looking very alike, nodded their heads in agreement.

"Okay." I shrugged, shocked to see how well things went for me. Just as I placed my tray next to Ali, someone rushed to me and yanked my shoulder, turning me to face him. It was the female-cut from science class.

"How did you do it?" He asked, looking as insane as he could.

"Mello." Goggle guy was standing behind us, looking very bored.

"How?" He shook my shoulders. "I've been trying to-"

"Mello, calm the fuck down." Goggle guy- well, Matt, obviously- said. "She's probably just a random science genius. Let her go."

Mello sighed and loosened his grip. I staggered a few steps backward.

"No hard feelings." Matt yelled at me as Mello dragged him out of the room.

"Well, that was…" Ali said, staring at the entrance doors. "Wow."

"What's his problem?" I rubbed my shoulder and sat down.

"He's Mello-always-second." Girl whose name I still hadn't known explained. "He's been trying to beat Near since he arrived here."

"And now you come-" Guy next to her continued. "And beat both of them just like that. He's pretty much going insane."

"Oh." I said. That explained a lot.

"I'm Theta, by the way." Girl said. "And this is Dark."

"They're siblings." Ali explained.

"She can see." Charlie murmured. "She is a random genius, after all."