Despite ending up with a bloodied nose the rest of my day at Bridgeton Middle was a breeze and as I walked back to my apartment I felt a little more confident in myself. Later that afternoon after I tossed my backpack onto my bed I made my way towards the bathroom, my confidence slipping as soon as I approached the mirror above the sink.

"Okay, it's probably a lot less red and swollen now," I told myself though once I managed to sneak a peek at my face I stepped back, not liking the quick glance. "Well...it's kind of gone down. Going to be a pain getting to sleep tonight." I muttered, heading back to my bedroom before I flopped down on the bed.

Since it was still pretty early and I had hours to go before I'd usually go to bed I decided to fully unpack. Once I pulled out my suitcase I started to take out everything I'd brought for the month out and as I set down a few t-shirts and several pairs of jeans I began to wonder how my parents were doing without me.

Just thinking about them made me feel slightly sick to my stomach and I quickly shook my head, taking everything out. Focusing on making my room a little more like home made me feel better but once I had nothing else to do I frowned. "I've gotta get my mind away from being here and not home. Maybe I should watch a movie or read." I muttered, careful as I stacked the ten DVDs I'd brought along on the bed. I even unpacked a supernatural romance novel I'd bought just before I'd decided to try being a teacher's aide.

Sitting on the edge of my bed I tried to focus on my book though after I found myself rereading the first page I set it on my pillow, choosing instead to watch one of the Disney movies I'd brought along with me. Moving to the living room that also served as a kitchen I used the DVD player under the television, popping the DVD in. While I waited for it to load I searched the room but when I remembered that I was the only one there I sighed, sitting on the couch before I covered my face with a cushion.

"Maybe I should have moved into an apartment that wasn't just built. Though I guess I don't have to worry about nosy neighbors yet." I muttered, shaking my head as I fiddled with the remote.

"Feeling a little out of your depth yet?" Someone asked and I yelped, dropping the remote on the floor as the Shame Wizard poked his head through the floor.

"Will you stop being a stalker?!" I shouted at him as he completely emerged from the floorboards and as I narrowed my eyes he chuckled, obviously enjoying how much he'd startled me. "You know you're this close to getting smacked in the face," I warned him, leaning over so I could grab the remote though after a few seconds I blinked lifting my head in time to see the Shame Wizard tossing the remote back and forth in his hands.

"Temper, temper, Miss May." Shame Wizard chuckled and I just snorted, darting forward as I made a grab for the remote. Before the Shame Wizard had time to dart out of reach I slammed straight into him, sending us both tumbling to the floor. Having the wind knocked out of him wasn't what he'd intended on happening but as Shame Wizard lay on the floor struggling to breathe I coughed as I lay over his very skinny form I noticed. The moment I noticed I quickly climbed to my feet brushing at my pants before I awkwardly held out a hand, waiting for the Shame Wizard as he wheezed on the floor.

"Oh come on, I'm not that heavy. Stop being so melodramatic." I scolded him, narrowing my eyes as he coughed. After a long pause he reached out and once the Shame Wizard was back on his feet he brushed his cloak crossing his arms against his chest as I settled myself back on the couch. "Next time don't sneak up on me. It's not going to be pleasant for either of us."

"You're too easy to startle, Miss May. That's your problem." Shame Wizard replied and I rolled my eyes, picking up the remote before I fixed him with a raised eyebrow.

"Actually my problem is that you keep showing up. Why do you insist on taunting me about my scar? In case it missed your notice you have one too." I shot back, waiting as he traced the scar on the left side of his face. "Any way that can't be the only reason you keep showing up." When he didn't respond right away my lips curled into a smirk and he froze as I crossed my legs. "You're infatuated with me aren't you?" I teased, half-joking though when his eyes widened I snorted, bursting into a giggling fit as he cleared his throat his pale cheeks a faint pink now.

"Lisa, that was not at all amusing." He grumbled as I wiped tears of laughter from my eyes his attempt at being frustrated at me immediately dissolving when I lightly patted the seat beside me. "So you were just having fun with me?" He asked, curious and I nodded secretly pleased as he sat beside me.

"How about we call a truce? I'm willing to let my grudge against you go if you promise to act a little more civil to me." I told him and he blinked as I held out a hand, waiting patiently for a handshake. When he didn't move looking at me then my hand and back again I sighed, rolling my eyes at him. "Come on, I don't bite," I asked him and with a shrug, the Shame Wizard reached over giving me a reluctant handshake. "If we're going to be putting up with each other, as long as I can see you anyway, what's your name? I know that Shame Wizard's just your job so…."

"You're right about that, Lisa. My name is Lionel." He answered and I nodded, wondering how long it would take him before he started looking for ways to make me feel self-conscious again. For the next few minutes as I fiddled with the remote looking at the DVD menu, Lionel glanced at the television set and when he cleared his throat I glanced up at him.

"You can watch movies with me if you want," I told him, not seeing the faint smile that crossed his lips once I turned my attention back to the DVD.