This summer was a bit hectic. After my week with Aaron, my application for a job in the mall food court passed through and I got accepted for a trial period at McDonald's. I finished all of my summer homework early and decided to hang out with Katelyn and Kawaii~chan.

Week two, my mom helped me open up a bank account and gave me a debit card and a credit card that's billed $500 a month. I was fully accepted at Mcdonalds and ended up joining a gym for the free MMA lessons. My mom agreed to pay half of the fee to allow me to save some money for a new laptop and, hopefully, later a car.

Week three, I started volunteering at an animal shelter as a dog walker and a cat cage cleaner. I also volunteered at a hospital as a messenger and they give all volunteers first aid lessons in case of emergencies.

Week four, I got my first ever paycheck and went to the mall to hang out with Vylad. Travis is away for the summer and Garroth and Laurance are doing jock things at sleep away camp. I also finalized my classes for the new year because I wanted some things added and taken away.

Week five, my personal schedule finally evened out and I only had Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays for myself.

Week six, Teony asked me to be a part of the new mentorship program to help freshmen get used to the school. I said yes and she texted the date of the practice tour and information cramming session so we could answer all questions.

Week seven, I bought new school supplies and the MMA instructor started teaching how to fight instead of just deter and defend.

Week eight, I went shopping with Katelyn, Kawaii~chan, Teony, and Lucinda. I bought new workout clothes, bras, and we all got the new school uniform. Afterwards, we watched the new frozen movie, then went bowling.

Week nine, I took a break from work and volunteering to train for the mentorship program.

Week ten, I finally got my finished class schedule and I met up with my boss to move my shifts to fit around school activities.

Now, I'm here. Teony asked all mentors to get to school an hour early to ensure that throughout the day someone is always available to help. We got our sashes and she sent us off.

I chose to hang out by the entrance because that's where I almost had a breakdown freshman year and it turned out to be a good decision.

"Casey?" I spot a blue-haired freshman who I think is Katelyn's brother panicking on the stairs and call out, but he didn't seem to notice me.

"Maybe it's not too late to run away?" well we can't have that.

I approach him. "Hey Freshman? Would you like some help?"

I can tell I startled him because he immediately tensed up and turned to face me like I'm his executioner. Now that I can see his face it's definitely Casey.

"Casey!" I pull him in for a hug. "I thought I recognized you!" He's the only person I know that doesn't make short jokes. Though not for long, Katelyn's family is the worst.

"Aphmau?" he blushes. But relaxes a little when he realized it was only me.

"I'm glad I found you!" I pull away, looking him over. "Katelyn asked me to look out for you," why is your tie crooked? "Where is she by the way?" and why is your tie so bad?

"She came to school earlier," she's doing clubs then.

"While I'm here do you want any help?" like your tie? "I can show you around if you want?"

"No, a cool sophomore like you shouldn't be seen with a lame freshman like me,"

Aw, he looks so sad. "Casey," I let out a laugh. "Hierarchy isn't a thing here," I grab his hand pulling him along. "Anyone who believes it is is either an idiot or delusional." Most students don't have time for the popularity bull. PDH is actually really good about that. Ivy, the Shadow Knights, and a few Werewolves are the only exceptions but Aaron did a good job last year so there shouldn't be any problems. "Plus I'm a mentor. It's literally my job to help."

"I couldn't ask that of you. I don't want to waste your time."

"I'm going to ignore the nonsense coming out of your mouth and show you to your homeroom," I continue before he can protest.

"But-"

"If you dislike me that much I can find someone else to show you around?" but I still have to fix your tie.

"No!" he objects before realizing how loud he was. "I mean, I would prefer if you showed me around," he mumbles.

So cute. "Great!" we finally get moving. "On the way, I can show you around if you don't mind not being 30 minutes early?"

Casey is way too timid. Because I'm so short I'm used to power walking to keep up with the giants. Now I have to slow down because I'm pretty sure I'm his new makeshift shield.

"Here is the front desk," I grab his hand pulling him to my side. "This is where the lost and found is and where you'd go if you're lost and can't find a mentor. To the right is the lounge. Although you probably won't need it anytime soon, that's where kids who have to leave early or people who are just bored during study hall go to hang out." I glance over to make sure he's paying attention and see that he's bright red and has probably not caught any of what I just said. "Casey?" he looks like I'm going to eat him. "How about I show you the cafeteria then just drop you off at your homeroom?"

The cafeteria is the easiest place to find at PDH so most people use it as a reference point to find the rest of their classes. Breakfast is served until second period, snacks are available all day in the vending machines, and the average hot or cold lunch is about $6.

While we were there I see that Garroth has gotten even prettier over the summer and that even though Gene is gone the Shadow Knights are still around and just as annoying as ever. My new strategy for dealing with them is to pretend they don't exist so hopefully, they'll learn to buzz off.

After that, I take Casey to his homeroom, remind him to text me whenever or I'll find him then head off to check in with Teony.

"Teony~" I peek my head through the door. "I'm back~ do you still need anything or can I head off?" I really want to be done.

"Did you help a single freshman?" wow.

"Yes," I would have felt too guilty to come back if I didn't. "I helped Casey, Katelyn's brother…"

"And…"

"That's it," and it was really hard.

"Good. That means this is working, would you mind heading out and helping some more before homeroom starts." um…

"I would mind, but if you really need me I'll do anything you say!" but I'll hate it the entire time.

"Alright," she giggles. "I'll take your sash for the day, just know that you'll still be required to help out at the club fair."

"No problem!" I salute and almost head off as Kawaii~chan walks in.

It was actually more of a leap and jazz hands to aggrandize her entrance. "Kawaii~chan is back!"

"Kawaii~chan, how did your round go?"

"Well…" the abashment on her face screams "not well." Apparently, her enthusiasm was too much for the freshman and she scared everyone off.

"I guess there are two types of people," sorry Teony.

"Alright," the fates brought in Lucinda just to prove us wrong. "I helped a freshman I think?" What do you mean you think? "Can we just chill with the mentoring for now? It's the first day."

"Four types of people." no one is as motivated as Teony.

"Alright, ladies we can take a break for lunch."

We all head to the bathroom because we're girls and like to pee in packs. Teony hands off our sashes to the next four mentors so we'll actually relax until lunch. We talked about our summer which led to the changes to the school that we've been able to notice so far.

The first is very obvious but not that important, at least not to me. Today is the first day of school. Last year, and every year before then for as long as most seniors remember, the first day was homeroom, the club fair, then dismissal at noon. This year it's homeroom, a level meeting for each grade, lunch, the club fair then normal 3 pm dismissal. Because the day is so long students only have to check into their homeroom at the beginning of the day, right before their level meeting, and right before the club fair.

The next two are the schedules and uniforms. Uniforms are basically the same with some small but noticeable changes. The skirts and shirt cuffs are light blue instead of gray and our crossover ties are smaller and a slightly darker shade of blue.

The schedules came out very late this year. They were supposed to be out by July so students have time to contact the school for any changes they'd want to make. I got my schedule last week and was happy to see that there was nothing I'd need to change. Lucinda was not so lucky.

The last thing to change was the principal. The old one was definitely insane. I found out that the principal was replaced because I saw her when I was training for the mentorship program. She's a gorgeous blonde that gives off fierce feminist vibes but I didn't think that she would`have much of an impact on my high school career. I was very wrong.

Shockingly, Teony is the one that finally gets us off of the topic of school. "So how was your summer ladies?"

Lucinda's was the most exciting. "Absolutely perfect! I met this guy~"

"Ooh, do tell."

"Yeah spill it Lucinda!"

"Well, maybe I'll wait until you meet him. He goes to our school now."

"Is he your boyfriend?"

"No," the blush on your face says yes!

"But you want him to be right?"

"Stop it. How about we focus on someone else," don't do it. "Like you Aphmau."

Oh boy. "You mean Aaron?" well they're definitely focused on me now. "It was nice," and very short.

"What happened?"

"He had a lot to do to prepare for college so we only had a week together," plus our parents not wanting us to hang out for various reasons. "We agreed to stay friends. We still talk though!" I try to appease them, seeing their solemn faces. "Now's just not the right time."

"Oh, Aphmau."

"Don't worry about me though. It's not the end of the world." just kind of disappointing.

"Well, there's still a chance! Maybe-" Teony looks down at her phone. "Aw, a teacher needs a mentor. But I still need to-" she puffs out a sigh and runs a hand through her hair. "Aphmau, I need you to do me a huge favor."

"Sure!" I've got nothing better to do.

"Can you return these books to the principal's office for me?"

"Sure?" where did they come from?

"Thanks, Aphmau!" She hands them to me.

Obviously, because nothing is ever easy, and I don't have a secret pocket dimension like Teony when Ivy and Lily trip me in the hallway the books go flying.

And of course, they choose to point and laugh obnoxiously as I try to gather myself. "Very funny," I roll my eyes and try to pick up a book.

Since Ivy is never satisfied she kicks it away from me. "Oops."

I stand up. "Look you-"

"Hey," A ginger meif'wa steps in before I can commit a double homicide. "That wasn't very nice of you." he steps between us and gives the witches wit look.

"Who are you?"

"Just an observer," he placates. "I saw what happened here and I think you owe her an apology."

"Yeah right, c'mon Lily."

"Of course," I turn to the unnamed upstander. "That was really nice of you but there's no point."

"Well, it was worth it to at least ask for an apology. You okay?"

"Yeah, I just need to deliver those books-" I glance down to see the floor is empty and glance back up to see he somehow picked up all of the books without me noticing. "Huh?" Does everyone but me have a pocket dimension? Is that where Kawaii~chan keeps all of her sugar? "Wow, you did that scary fast," I grab the books back. "Thanks for the help…?"

"Kai," he answers my silent question.

"Thanks Kai! See you around." I head off to do what should not have taken this long. There's no one in the principal's office when I get there so I leave the books on her desk where I'm sure she'll see them and head back out the door, straight to homeroom.