Finn: POV

I woke up a little less scared. It was my second full day at Shue's but it wasn't that bad because I had friends now. I wasn't even all that mad at Puck anymore.

Not that I would tell him. He needs to suffer.

Anyway, I got up and showered before shuffling to breakfast. We met up with the guys and spent time talking about our families. Train, Scoop, Karofsky and I were the only ones who were only children.

Evans had a younger brother and sister, Wheels had a younger sister, Az had two older brothers, Bowties had an older brother, there were eight of them for the Changs and Puck of course had Nic.

We spent most of breakfast talking about siblings and they tried to convince us we didn't want any.

I told them about my mom dating some guy with a son but we haven't met yet. At this rate, she'll have broken up with him before we do.

Anyway, we had a lot of fun until we had to go to class. I hated school. I didn't get a lot of stuff and my teachers don't care.

I was working on my history but I was stuck. I looked over at Puck, who was good with dates. He was blowing passed questions. I bumped his arm. He looked over. "What'd you get for number four?"

He looked at me in shock. "What?"

"What'd you get for number four?"

"Why don't you ask the teacher for help?"

I made a face. "Because I need help."

"She'll help you. She's nice."

If he wasn't going to help me then I was on my own. I frowned down at my workbook.

He kissed his teeth and raised his hand with an eye-roll. The teacher came over. He hooked a thumb at me. "He needs help."

That traitor!

She smiled at me. "What are you working on?"

"History." I mumbled.

"What question are you on?" She came to my side and pulled up a chair.

"Number four. What year did the Civil War start and end?"

She flipped back through the reading and pointed out a paragraph. "Reread this."

I read it over and it said the answer in black and white. "Thank you."

"No problem. Do you need help with the rest?"

I blinked in total shock. She would stay with me and help me?! I nodded. "Yes."

"Okay, number five; what year did President Lincoln sign the Emancipation Proclamation?"

C-E-L-L

Quinn: POV

I was excited for after lunch. We had an hour before therapy so it was time for us to watch TV. Our favorite show always came on right after lunch. Supernatural!

Everyone knew how we felt about Supernatural and knew not to get in our way when it came to watching it. We've even converted a few girls. Luckily there was a following so we didn't have to fight.

Mercy loved Castiel. He was pretty cute for an angel. Marcy was insane about Dean. He was very rugged if you liked that sort of thing. But me? I was in love with Sam. He was perfection.

He was smart, dedicated, caring, socially conscious, politically correct and gorgeous! Not to mention he was tall. Like 6'4. He was huge. In the show, he gets called Moose but I don't care because I'd marry him if I could.

I couldn't because he's played by Jared Padalecki, who is married.

But I could dream, right?

Mercy, Marcy and I sat on a couch and curled up as an episode began to play. It was the one where they found out the trickster was really Gabriel. I love that episode!

It's really funny that they were spoofing all those shows and it was even better that they had a bit of Japanese in it (cuz we're fluent).

All of us girls were staring at the screen, laughing when appropriate and cheering when they figured out how to "play their roles". It was a little sad to hear Gabriel talk about his family.

If anyone understood family issues, it was the Fabanges. We were an issue.

But the episode went off and the three of us went to therapy. That was okay. We had Ms. Pillsbury. She and the other two counselors on call rotated between here, Shue's and the high school. She was the only one we'd talk to so we played games with the others and saved what we wanted to talk about for her.

She was here today and sat primly on the edge of her chair. She was a tiny woman, redhead, nervous (OCD; we definitely knew those signs), sweet. "How are you doing today?"

"We just watched Supernatural." Mercy gushed.

Ms. Pillsbury shook her head. "That is much too much violence. Don't you girls want to watch something different?"

"Yeah but the show doesn't require them to take their clothes off so we're stuck watching them fight monsters." Marcy picked at her nails.

Ms. Pillsbury turned red. "Marceline Anne!"

"The things I'd do to Jensen Ackles are illegal and not one has to do with me being fifteen."

"We are changing the subject!"

"I'd have his babies."

"To something else!"

"I'd marry him?"

"No." Ms. Pillsbury frowned. "We will not be talking about Supernatural this session."

"Thanks a lot, Marce." I teased. "You ruined everything."

"Dang, Lucy. I'm sorry." Marcy grinned.

Mercy giggled. "Bad Marcy!"

"I apologize." She bowed her head.

We all giggled. Ms. Pillsbury was not amused. "I haven't seen you since Monday. Have you made progress on your assignment?"

That stopped our giggling. "No."

She wanted us to think of three people we've wronged and write apologies to them. It was a total bummer…

"Why not?" She asked. "You can't think of three people?"

"When you say wronged, do you mean you did something bad and you care or you don't care?" Marcy asked.

"You've wronged people, Marceline Anne. That's why you're here."

"That is not why I'm here."

Mercy pouted.

Ms. Pillsbury sighed. "Let's talk about Supernatural."

C-E-L-L

Ellen: POV

I was completely terrified of this place. I've never gotten along with too many girls (I'm shy and quiet, my father's a mortician, I'm a bit kooky and all around awkward) and I hate to say that's better than I am around boys. I'm really a loner.

The only peace I have is at home or behind my camera. I love taking pictures. I love taking pictures of things people don't normally view as beautiful and showing its inner light.

Not that I could do that here. I don't have my camera for starters but also there is no beauty here.

Well…

There is a girl. Just thinking about her makes me blush. She seems so dark and mysterious. Full of secrets and pain. She has beautiful long. dark curls. Real curls like mine (corkscrew) in an array of colors. Her hair was mostly black but I could see brown, red, blonde and orange in the fluorescent lights.

She had the prettiest, clearest caramel skin. She had not one blemish but a beauty mark by her mouth. And it was a great mouth. She had full lips. They looked like they were puckered even when they weren't. They were pink. Wait, that's not completely true. The bottom one was as pink as bubblegum but the top one was a dusky rose.

She'd only smirked at me but I longed to see her smile. Really smile.

She had a small round nose and elf ears. They were small, too but proportional to her small round head. It wasn't completely round. It looked like you could outline it and it'd be a heart. She had a tiny chin that was rounded as well but wasn't weak that went with her jawline and high cheekbones atop her full, chubby cheeks.

She has three holes in her ears and her hair was mostly up but gathered at the back of her nape hazardously with curls framing her face. None so much as her bangs. They were straight(ish) and fell into her eyes.

Her eyes were the best part of her face (even above her mouth). The first thing I noticed was they were green. Usually black people had light green eyes but hers were dark. So very dark that I almost thought they were black.

The lights bounced off her eyes and I was able to tell their real hue. I saw everything I'd ever wanted in her eyes. It was like she was telling me her life story and yet withholding herself at the same time.

I could read that she had a story but also that she wouldn't tell me. I saw dreams and stars and clouds in her eyes. I saw the future and it had the both of us in it. Her eyes changed when she looked at me. I know it sounds super selfish but I know they did.

When she looked at me, her eyes lightened. They went from emerald to peridot. I could see a fire, and ice colliding with that fire and the result was her eyes.

It was incredible.

I knew in that moment I wanted to know her. I needed to know her.

I began to feel bad and didn't say much at dinner because I didn't want her to know why I was there, at Sly's. She would probably judge me. I couldn't imagine why she was there. She looked sleek and dangerous but that was only to people who didn't know her.

I didn't either but I felt like we were kindred spirits. My soul recognized her soul. My missing piece.

Which was weird because I'm not gay.

I mean I've never had a boyfriend but I've always been attracted to guys. Guys that never responded to my feeble attempts at flirting.

sigh This is getting depressing.

I guess it's all moot anyway because she hasn't said two words to me after she asked for my mashed potatoes Tuesday.

She didn't even look at me much. I knew because I was nearly downright staring at her. I know it's stupid but it was like I was trying to read her mind. She didn't say much at dinner.

After we ate, we went to watch TV (some stupid thing I didn't try to look at because I was staring at her) then showered and went to bed.

Big A was nice and all but she kept talking about things I didn't care about (i.e. how this place was run) and I wasn't listening. So I faked being asleep until she stopped talking then I really did go to sleep (dreaming of sage irises).

When I woke up this morning, I didn't know how my second full day at Sly's was going to go but it was okay. We went to shower then to eat and I saw her again.

She didn't speak much then either and neither did I. We all split up and went to different rooms for school and I was so happy that I was in the same room as her.

She sat in the front and did her homework. She didn't stop for an hour straight. Then she put her pen down and crossed her limbs before watching the clock.

I stared at her the whole time. The teacher came by and asked me if I needed any help but I said no. She told me I had plenty of time to finish before lunch. I nodded so she'd go away then continued to stare at the goddess in front of me.

And goddess she was. Not only was her face beautiful but her body was what I'd never be. Even in this ugly blue jumpsuit, she looked good. She had thick curvy legs with a round bottom. Her waist was thick and soft with big, round breasts sitting on top.

Her arms were chubby but she kept them covered. Her feet were small and so were her hands. She was short herself but I could just call her my pocket goddess.

When the next hour was up, the teacher came by again to get me to work but I put her off so I could continue watching her. I really should learn her name…

For the next hour, she was writing something in a book. I tried to work because I knew she wouldn't do anything else while writing but I kept looking up, fearful that I'd miss something.

The teacher made me stay behind to talk to me. She said I had to come back after lunch so I could finish my work. She asked why I was so distracted but I shrugged and told her I wasn't used to this place.

She said she understood and to go to lunch. That she'd see me after.

So I left and went to lunch to stare at her again. I tried to listen carefully for someone to call her name and I almost cheered when they did.

Her name was Shadow. I knew it probably wasn't her real name but I was happy to know that much. So I ate my meal happily and watched her as discretely as I could.

After, we went our separate ways and I went to finish my work. Luckily I knew what I had to do (boy, the next chapter was going to kill me!) and finished in two hours.

The teacher let me go but said I had to see Sly. I was scared. That woman terrified me. She was big and blonde and had a whistle she kept blowing. So scary.

I went to see her and prayed I wasn't in too much trouble.

She sat behind her desk and glared at me. "I hear you're having trouble fitting in here."

I blinked. What was I supposed to say to that?

"That's a good thing but you can't let your schoolwork suffer just because you're scared."

"I just finished my work." I mumbled.

"I gave you morning classes. Do your work in the morning."

"Yes, ma'am."

She smirked. "Now don't think of this as a punishment- or do. You might deserve it."

I blinked in shock.

"The point is you're going to be working in the library in the afternoons. There's only two other workers so it won't be crowded."

I didn't want to do that! Other girls hated me! "Yes, ma'am."

"Good. Now get out of here! I have another appointment and you have books to shelve!"

"I don't know where the library is." I stood up.

"Do you remember the front office?"

I nodded.

"It's right next door. The left is the nurse's office, the right is the library."

"Thank you." I fairly ran out.

"Good luck!" She shouted after me but I could hear the laughter in her voice.

I sped all the way to the front office. I went to the right and found the library. It was filled with books and a couple tables and desks with computers.

I went up to a girl and tapped her on the shoulder. "Do you work here?"

She pointed down a walkway to an elderly woman.

I went up to her. "Hi, I'm Ellen. I'm supposed to be working here."

She put her glasses on and stared at me. "Yes. Majors. Cassidy is in the infirmary now. Caught a nasty bug. You're her replacement."

I shrugged. Sly never said one of the girls was sick.

"Here." She handed me a stack of books. "Stock these in the classic section."

I took the books. "Yes, ma'am." I went through the aisles looking for classic literature. I found the row and started stocking but two wouldn't fit. So I went around the corner to match the authors and I saw her. Shadow.

She was reading a book while she slowly put books on a shelf. I gaped at her but she continued reading. I looked for a while before I realized she could turn at any moment and catch me staring at her like a freak.

I pressed my back against the wide area of the bookcase. I tried to control my breathing but I felt giddy and like I was going to throw up and faint.

"You don't have to hide."

I jumped. That was her! Was she talking to me? I kept quiet.

"I've been stared at before. Just not for three days straight."

So she noticed… I counted to ten before coming around the corner- and nearly ran right into her. She'd moved to stand at the end of the aisle. I gasped and dropped the books.

She stooped down and picked them up before standing. She looked at the titles before putting them where they belonged.

Then she looked at me…

I was so tongue-tied, I could only stare back.

"You don't talk much, do you?" She asked.

I shook my head with a blush.

She looked me over. There's no way to emphasize it to its fullest degree. I felt stripped, bared and naked to her gaze. A small part of me felt demeaned because I felt like she was judging me but the majority of me felt elated.

It felt like she was judging me worthy. I felt sexy and alive and the most important person in the world.

She finally got to my eyes and she smiled. Not smirked; smiled. It was a little one but it changed her face from exotic sex appeal to sweet open beauty. She seemed approachable.

So much so that I squeaked out, "Hi."

"Hello."

I was ready to kill myself after being so lame but her "hello" put me at ease. I wasn't coming off as a complete loser. Yet. "How- how are you?"

She just looked at me for a moment. "Let's skip the formalities. What do you want from me?"

I blinked. "Want from you?"

"You don't stare if you don't care. Obviously there's something you want that you think I can give. What is it?"

"I don't want anything."

"All living beings want something. They may deny it, to the world and themselves but want is something that transcends humanity. Desire doesn't have to consume you but it's there. Always. Ever-changing."

I stared at her. Did I want something from her? I suppose I did. I want her to look at me. Forever. Boy, was I clingy! I didn't even know if she was into girls! And I still wasn't! "Um…"

"Yes?" She said patiently.

A brilliant thought came into my head. "I want to be your friend."

"You want to be my friend." It was not a question but it wasn't a fact.

I tried to look as innocent as possible as she stared me in the eyes. "Yes. I would like to be your friend."

She leaned close to me. Impossibly close. "You don't want to be my friend."

"I-"

I didn't get any further because she swept her lips over mine. It was the softest, gentlest kiss I've ever had and it was only the second one. She didn't add any real pressure and it was over in two seconds.

She backed up and I stared at her in shock. "Close your mouth before flies get in it."

I snapped my mouth closed and blushed. "That- that was- why'd you kiss me?"

She smiled. A real smile again but this time it was big. It completely transformed her face. She was dazzling. I felt lightheaded. But she just smiled at me and walked back to her book.

I just stood there like an idiot before I approached her. Then I stood there, too. I had no idea what to say. I should have been angry. She kissed me with no warning. I should have been angry.

Should have been… But I wasn't.

"You just keep coming back, don't you?" She closed her book and looked at me.

I swallowed. "Shouldn't we talk about- that?"

"What?" She leaned over and kissed me again. It was soft and quick and lit me on fire.

I gasped. "That!"

"What's to talk about?"

"I'm not- I'm not gay." I don't think.

"Neither am I."

I was really confused. "But you kissed me."

She kissed me again. "Did I?"

I grinned goofily. "Yes!"

"Sexuality is fluid. You could be straight, gay, bi-sexual, pansexual or it could just be me." Her eyebrows moved at that last part and she moved to put books on the shelf behind us.

I followed her. "What do you mean it could be you?"

"See some people believe in soul mates. That your soul was divided into two people. The other half of your soul could be in anybody, regardless of sex, race, religion or age."

That sounded amazing. Was she my soulmate? Did she think she was my soulmate?

"Or you could be a whore that'll sleep with anyone who'll touch her."

I blinked, my bubble burst. "I'm- I'm not- I'm a virgin."

"You can be a whore and be a virgin. It's a mentality, not a physical thing."

Was I a whore?

"You're not a whore."

I blinked. Did I ask out loud?

She leaned close and I thought she was going to kiss me again. "I'm only teasing, Red."

I was disappointed when she leaned away and stocked the shelves. "Right."

When she finished, she straightened and looked at me. "You still haven't told me what you want from me."

I gulped. I couldn't tell her what I wanted from her! Could I? But wait. What did I want from her? "I'm not sure what I want."

"Is it that you're not sure or you think I won't give it to you?" I looked down but she used her index finger to lift my chin. "I can only say yes or no."

"But-"

"I don't make or break you. You've gotten this far in life without me, you'll be fine long after you've forgotten my name."

I blinked, reaching for a life-raft. "What is your name?"

"You don't know my name? You're pretty bad at crushing."

"I'm not-" I blushed.

"You have to calm down, Red. You can't react to everything anyone says to you."

"You're so much cooler than anyone I know." I breathed.

She let my chin go and smirked. "Thanks, Red."

That was the third time she'd called me Red. I kind of liked that she gave me a nickname. I didn't have good ones at school. "Can we be friends?"

"Is that what you want from me?"

"No. But I think it'd be amazing to be your friend." I wasn't used to being this honest.

"It is."

She didn't say anything else. I was bowled over by her confidence but it was a start. If she was saying yes. "So are we friends?"

She smiled a small mysterious smile. "No." Then she walked off!

I was left standing with my mouth hanging open and like my heart was breaking.

She came back and grabbed my hand, dragging me behind her. "No because I want to fuck you."

My eyes almost fell out of my head and I knew my face matched my hair. "You- you- you-"

"Want to- fuck you." She said slowly as she searched for something. "And you want to fuck me, too."

My blush heightened. I couldn't. Could I? "You said you weren't gay."

"I'm not. I'm bi."

My mouth was an "O". "What am I?"

"Only you know that."

I didn't know anything. I was just fourteen. "We can't do anything. Can we?"

"Of course we can." She found what she was looking for and dragged me to a dusty corner with a tiny window. She let my hand go in order to light a cigarette. She opened the window to blow smoke out of.

"You smoke?" I couldn't believe it.

"Yep." She took another drag.

I stared at her as thoughts whirled through my head. "Could we be friends and still- do that?"

She smirked. "No can do. I would never do a friend like that. I've had FWBs before but they're more acquaintances. Do you want to be my acquaintance?"

"No. I want to be your friend." I didn't know why I was sticking so hard to that.

"Then I can't touch you."

That filled me with sadness. "But-"

"You gotta pick one, Red." She straightened from the window and stood directly in front of me. "But remember; I'd do anything for a friend and I can make your body hum, sing and dance."

I gulped.