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Chapter Twenty: The Second Day Begins

A/N: hey guys! Sorry for the delay, but here it is! Please review!

"The difference between school and life? In school you're taught a lesson then given a test, in life you're given a test that teaches a lesson." -Tom Bodett

The next morning the rangers were all up early to get to school. Mike grumbled about it the entire time. "Mike," Jayden said. "I will smack you if you keep complaining." This shut him up for a few minutes. As they ate Jayden thought over what he was going to face in the day. I really hope this day is as easy as yesterday.

As if reading his thoughts Antonio said, "Don't worry Amigo. You survived the first day. The first three are the worst. But it's all going to get easier. Once the "new kid" stigma wears off."

"New kid stigma?" Kevin asked looking slightly amused.

"Yeah. It's like you walk around with a big mark on you. Everyone kind of watches you, tries to tell if they can befriend you. The first day's the worst because everyone stares at you, but after you settle into the rhythm of everything the effect wears off. You know?"

"No," Mike said.

"Oh forgot, you guys didn't transfer schools every six months."

"I'm sure it want that often," Mia said.

"It felt like it."

"So you consider yourself an expert in being a new kid?" Lauren asked.

"Yes. I've done it enough to know how it works."

They didn't talk for a bit after this. Jayden wondered what it must've been like for Antonio to transfer schools a lot. Moving from place to place. Always making new friends. I couldn't do it, he decided. But he knew Antonio probably would've preferred stay in one place longer.

They finished their breakfasts, eating more than they did the day before, and grabbed their bags. "Don't forget," Ji told them. "Keep you eyes and ears open. And don't blow you covers."

"Why are you looking at me?!" Mike asked.

Emily smiled and grabbed his hand. "Come on," she said pulling him along. "Before Ji pins something else on you."

They set their doubles up again, then left. As they walked Lauren and Antonio held hands. Antonio could feel how nervous she was. "Laur, relax," he said. "It going to be fine. You survived yesterday, you can face today."

"It still feels weird. Like they know I'm different or something."

"Hate to break it to you sweetie, but these kids don't have special powers or anything. They're just regular people. No one can tell. We don't stick out that much."

"But we do stick out."

"Only because we're new. Don't worry." He kissed her hand. "It'll be ok. And worth it when we find what we're looking for." He slipped his hand out of hers and put his arm around her shoulders. She smiled and leaned against him as they walked.

Jayden was at the head of the group next to Kevin. "You nervous too?" the blue ranger asked.

"No," Jayden lied. "I'm fine. I did ok yesterday, so today can't be any worse."

"That's the spirit," Kevin said.

As they neared the school they could see kids going in through the gates. Just as he was about to go in Jayden got the feeling he was being watched. He looked around. He eyes narrowed when he saw Deker almost completely hidden in the bushes across the road. "Jayden!" Mike called. "Let's go!"

Jayden turned away and walked through the gates. The rangers took their spots on the steps like they had the day before. Jayden studied the kids. He could see people pretty much doing what they had been yesterday. Even Brad was once again excessively tacking people in his football game. "Hi Jayden," someone said. Jayden looked around and realized there was someone standing in front of him.

"Hi Lorrie," he said smiling friendly.

"What's up?" she asked him sitting on the step below him.

"Waiting for the bell," he answered. "You?"

"Just talking to some strange guy I met yesterday."

He smiled when he realized she was talking about him. Kevin casually kicked Jayden's foot. "What...oh. Lorrie these are my friends. That's Kevin, Mia, Emily, Mike, Antonio, and the one hanging off of him is my sister Lauren."

"Nice to meet you all," Lorrie said. "Did you all start here yesterday?"

"Yeah," Mia said.

A strange look crossed Lorrie's face. "Huh. Strange. We never get that many new kids in one day. Especially ones that already know each other so well."

"How do you know we know each other well?" Kevin asked.

"Well she's holding his hand," she said pointing to Mike and Emily. "She's hanging off of him," she pointed to Antonio and Lauren who were practically cuddling. "And you all just sit together like you know each other. Not in that awkward way when you don't know someone. And Jayden introduced you as his friends, so yes. I'm making the assumption you know each other well. And like I said, getting this many new kids who know each other well in one day is strange."

Jayden could tell by the look on her face she was trying to figure it out. "That's because we're from a foster home," Mia said quickly thinking back to the conversation she'd had with her aid the previous day. The other rangers glanced looks at her.

"That's asks sense," Lorrie said nodding. Jayden felt himself relax. Foster home, he thought. Well we do all live together. At that moment the bell rang. The rangers got up. Lauren and Antonio hugged and kissed good-bye before heading their separate ways.

"See you in gym," Kevin said.

"Right," Jayden said. He walked down the hall to his English class, Lorrie by his side. He was about to ask her if she was following him when he remembered she was in that class too. "I need my book," he said. He detoured through all the kids to his locker, Lorrie still keeping up with him.

"Your friends all seem really nice," Lorrie commented.

"Yeah, they're the greatest," Jayden said.

"I wish I could make friends like you," she continued as he shut his locker. "I could be so popular."

"Don't you have friends?" he asked.

"Not really," she shrugged. "The pink hair and red contacts tend to scare people off."

Jayden was happy to know red wasn't her natural eye color. "I can see how that would work," he said.

She shrugged. "If they're afraid of me because of the way I look, well then I don't need 'em."

Jayden smiled. "I like your confidence."

She smiled back. "And I like yours."

What confidence? he thought as they entered the classroom. He went to his seat and mentally prepared himself for the day. He hoped the teacher wouldn't keep calling on him again. Lorrie sat down behind him. He glanced back and saw that she was doodling in her notebook. Now that he that about it, she didn't talk to people like all the other kids did. In fact she and Jayden were the only ones who weren't.

The bell rang and Jayden turned his attention to the front. The intercom buzzed. Everyone said the pledge, then had a moment of silence before sitting down again. "Good morning class," Mr. Jillsen said. "Today we are going to read our essays aloud to the class." There was a very audible groan from everyone. "Are there any volunteers?" Everyone seemed to be looking at everyone else. "I'll choose then. Hmmm...lets see... Jayden."

Jayden hit his face with with papers. As he stood up he felt his stomach behind to tie into knots. His hand started sweating and shaking. He stood in front of the class and cleared his throat. "The importance of taking a foreign language..."