Before drifting off in a gentle slumber that night, Eve's thoughts were bouncing around in her mind, the day's previous events occupying most of them. Her plans before even stepping into the school were to lay low and simply get through the rest of her year without interacting with a single soul, but obviously, she'd failed, and quite horribly.

Surprisingly though, she didn't mind. Not having a single person to talk to the rest of her high school life would've been...sad, to say the least. She knew what she was getting into might only cause people to hate her, but, she'd allow herself this one act of selfishness. Konan...she was such a kind girl despite having such a hard-looking exterior. Eve was glad to have met her, and hoped to get to know her better over time. Hidan she could do without, but perhaps he had his charms? The rest of the group seemed lively, except for...

Evelyn's brow twitched. Annoyance? She wasn't sure, but the fact that every time she and Kakuzu so much as even made eye contact, it was dirty look after dirty look. What was his problem? Did he know?

Surrounded by unpacked boxes, Eve turned under her covers, hugging her pillow tightly. Sleep finally embraced her, taking her to a snowy next day.

WEDNESDAY | 01/08/2020

Eve took Konan's previous advice and decided to use a different bag. After peeking out the window, she knew she'd at least need to wear a coat. Staring at the outfit in the mirror, she nodded to herself and picked up her bag and went out the door to catch the next bus.

Unlike her first day at the school, there were no students loitering around the front doing suspicious things. She paid no mind, perhaps they finally got stopped by a teacher? The thought was fleeting and she made her way into the school.

The bell rang as soon as she looked at the time on her phone.

Of course she was late.

She might need to start taking the buses the school provided for free.

Rushing to her first class on her second day wasn't in her schedule, but neither was going to this school. Mr. Umino didn't seem like the type to freak out on her since he didn't reprimand Kakuzu in any way, though, she supposed he had a better reason for being late. Finally making it to the door, she knocked, panting a bit. Deidara was the one who opened it for her. He sidestepped out of her way, shutting the door and looking at her once more. She didn't look like the type to be late.

Eve settled into the same seat as yesterday, letting out a silent sigh once she touched the seat.

"Alright, everyone's here now. I'll hand out the sheets and you can partner up with your assigned partner. Ah..." Mr. Umino looked at Eve, causing her to stiffen. "Kakuzu's been working alone, so you two can work on future packets together."

Eve swore she felt dark energy fill the room.

"You can't suddenly make me work with someone."

Even Hidan was surprised by the protest.

"Well, I can! I'm sure she doesn't bite, Ayers."

"I won't be working with someone who's only here to look down on people."

Huh?

"Why is she even here in the first place? To document how much worse an inner-city school is compared to something like whatever prestigious high school she came from?"

What the hell was his problem? No...she should've known this sort of thing would happen.

She stood up, looked him in the eye, causing him to flinch when he saw the tears running down her red face. She grabbed her binder and threw it at his face, hitting him with a loud smack. Several gasps and murmurs, even some laughter covered by coughing. She knew she looked pathetic, but anger overrode all her rationality.

"Eve!" Mr. Umino began walking towards the potential fight but paused when she began speaking.

"You don't even know who I am! You know my last name! That's all you know!" she said through her teeth, trying to hold back any more tears from falling. She'd already had enough of this. She may need to switch out classes to be away from this man who was talking about her with so much venom in his tone despite never even having a single conversation with her.

Embarrassment began warming her body even more when she realized people were staring at her.

"Fucking child," he spat, standing up as well.

Eve snapped, stomping toward him, but was held back by her teacher.

"I guess she does bite," Hidan commented with a stupid smirk.

"Eve, Kakuzu, go down to the principal's office right now. Hidan, you're on thin ice."

Mr. Umino's tone left absolutely no room for discussion. Kakuzu picked up his bag and began leaving the room without another word.

That's how Eve and Kakuzu found themselves sitting as far apart as possible in the office chairs that lined the wall. Kakuzu was bouncing one of his legs and Eve was thinking about what would happen if they called her father if they hadn't already. She shivered a bit, gripping her arm so tightly it was leaving a mark.

"Ms. Ross? Come in here, please," called a man's voice. She looked up, seeing a tall, blonde man who looked a little too young to be a principal.

Eve slowly walked into his office and he only slightly shut the door behind them before sitting in a chair across from him, their only blockade being a desk adorned with pictures of what she assumed was his son and wife.

"It's your second day, Ms. Ross. What happened?"

"Um..."

She went into thought. Lying probably wasn't the best idea. "I threw something at a classmate."

The man frowned. "This is high school. You also..."

"I know. It won't happen again. Just...don't call my father. I let my emotions get the best of me."

"I'll give you some leeway since you're new here. Despite how everything seems around here, we don't tolerate violence. Understand?"

"Yes, sir."

The slight quiver in her voice didn't go unnoticed by Kakuzu, who was listening. Despite how maturely she could present herself, she still sounded...off.

"I don't think I properly introduced myself. I'm Mr. Namikaze. If you have any issues with another student, don't hesitate to let me know. You can head back to class now." Eve took no time leaving the office and grabbing her bag off the chair. She glanced at Kakuzu once more, holding in a scoff before sauntering off to class.

"You're next, Mr. Ayers."