During the course of fifth period, Ash seemed to be slightly annoyed. As soon as the bell rang, she stood up and dashed out of the room before anyone could say anything.

"Wow, she ran out quick!" Patty exclaimed to her sister as she skipped down the steps to the floor.

"That was kind of strange," Liz replied before mumbling, "then again, who here isn't?"

"She probably just wants to make sure she gets to her next class on time, since it's her first day." Maka said after walking over with Soul by her side.

"Ash has lunch next though." With crossed arms, Kid had a slightly worried look. 'And I'm supposed to keep track of her...'

"Then she must be really hungry then! Let's hurry to so we can have her sit at our table, okay?" Patty ran out the door with Liz in tow. Maka sighed as she, Soul, and Kid finally left the classroom.

"Out of curiosity, do you know where Black Star and Tsubaki are?" Kid asked as they moved through the crowded hallway.

"Oh yeah, they took off today for some mission in Oregon. At least Ash's first impression of the school won't be too bad because he's not here..." Maka replied. "She's in for a rude awakening when he gets back Friday though."

They eventually caught up to Liz and Patty at the cafeteria doors, and when they walked in, Ash was nowhere to be seen. Patty insisted on looking around while the others got in line, got their lunch, and sat down at their table.

Patty gave up after looking around once, but after she got her lunch, she saw Ash standing by, looking around for an empty table.

"Hey Ash!" Patty said as she hurried over. "You should come sit with us!"

"Wha-" Before she could protest, Ash was being dragged by the strap of her messenger bag and to the mostly full table.

She was forced to sit down on the end, next to someone with pinkish hair and a strange black thing sticking out of his back.

"Who's this chick? She looks almost as pathetic as you, Crona." The black thing said rudely.

"D-don't be mean to her, Ragnaroc, you don't know her..." Crona seemed even more uncomfortable than usual as he sat next to Ash, who kept her head down as she ate.

"If you really thought that, you might actually do something about it." Maka, who sat to the left of Crona, said. She immediately received a glare from Ragnaroc because of it.

"Just what are you trying to say, bookworm?"

"You're nicer than you make yourself out to be. You just put up the tough guy act so that you won't be picked on, especially ever since you became smaller." She smirked and continued to eat like she wasn't in danger of starting a fight.

"Why I oughta'-" Crona shoved a piece of bread in Ragnaroc's mouth with the hope of pacifying him. He eagerly swallowed it whole before smacking Crona.

"I was saying something you idiot!"

"I-i just don't want you to start a fight..."

"What was that? You want a fight? Come on washboard, let's take this outside!" Ragnaroc started poking and pulling Crona's cheek, and Maka was steaming from the way he referred to her.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me, washboard."

At that moment, a thick hardcover book landed hard on his head and he let out a yelp. Crona cringed as Maka proceeded to get up.

"I'm not going to deal with you today. I'll see you guys later." Leaving that comment, the table soon grew quiet. Until a soft voice spoke out.

"That was a tad dramatic." They turned to look at Ash, who was nearly done with her food. She looked up and met their puzzled gazes. "Hm?"

"She usually is like that." Kid, who sat diagonally from her, replied.

"Yeah, I'm just glad it wasn't me this time. Anyway, I should probably go after her. See ya." Soul hurriedly got up to throw away his food and rush after Maka, who was probably on her way to the library.

"So, where are you from, Ash?" Liz, sitting on the far side of Kid, decided to probe the new girl. She took a moment to think before answering.

"I travel around a lot." The vague answer left an awkward feeling amongst the remaining occupants of the table.

"Where did you live before coming to Death City?"

"Europe."

"Um... Why do you travel around?"

"Personal issues."

"What about your family?"

She took a longer pause, keeping an unreadable expression.

"It's complicated."

"Is there anything you can tell us?" This time Kid took a shot at opening her out.

"I'm a universal weapon, so I can turn into any weapon I've seen."

"Really? That's so cool! Can you turn into something right now?" Patty asked excitedly, though earning no special reaction from Ash.

"Maybe another time."

"Let's all meet at the park after school! We can tell Maka and Soul about it next period, and you can come too Crona!"

"Patty, I don't believe they have-"

"I-if Maka is going, I wouldn't mind..."

"Geez, do you have a crush on her or something? You're like a lost little puppy the way you hang around her all the time."

"N-no! I... I just... feel more comfortable... around her..." Crona's voice got quieter as he kept talking.

"I was planning on staying home. Alone." Ash tried to subtly get out of it, but Patty wouldn't give up.

"You shouldn't have to be alone, especially after making friends on your first day!"

Ash had the intent of glaring at the happy-go-lucky blonde sitting across from her, but it turned out softer and mistaken as a look of hope. Patty's bright blue eyes looked back at her joyously, and she caved in.

"Okay." Patty immediately jumped up out of her seat gleefully.

"Hooray! It'll be right after school at Baron Saturday Park, so we can all walk there together!"

'Here we go again... I'm sorry...' Ash thought before going to throw away her trash.