I bolted awake with a scream. I remembered burning up from the inside out. And hearing the screams around me. But when I looked around my darkened room it was just as pink as it had been the night before. The moon was low and full and cast a bright glow across my new desk. I heard footsteps rushing down the hall and was temporarily blinded when my light flicked on. Emma, my new mom was rushing towards me wrapping her arms around me. I had tears on my face, and I could feel sweat dripping down my neck. She hugged me tight, Henry looked around the room and nodded towards us then walked off. I could hear him going down the stairs. The whole time he was gone Emma hugged me tightly.

"Don't see anyone."

I found my voice eventually.

"I'm sorry, it was a nightmare, I was on fire. Or in a fire. I'm okay, I really sorry for scaring you."

"Shh. Its okay. You've been through something very traumatic and you're in a strange room, its bound to be scary for the first little while."

Emma continued to hug me tightly. She rocked me for a few more minutes. After I calmed down, she turned the light off and went to their room. I lay there staring at the ceiling in the dark a long time. I was trying my best to put it behind me, but a new name and a new family wouldn't wipe the fiery memories away.

I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I remember was the sun streaming through my windows through the branches and budding leaves of an old oak tree. I don't ever remember the sun feeling so good as it did since I woke up in Precious Angels. It energized me in a way I still can't describe. I went to the so-called kids bathroom and had shower. I brushed my teeth and went back to my room and got dressed. I went with my old worn black and silver superman t-shirt and a pair of jeans. I know it looked like it was two sizes too big but it was my good luck shirt at this point and first day at a new school with six weeks left to go I would need it all. I had already been told I would be guaranteed a passing grade, but I still had to show up and go through the motions. I looked at myself in the mirror. I frowned I could see the shirt starting to hang off my chest which would not stop growing. I was going to look out of place in a grade seven class I was sure. My hair looked good. I had to admit, I looked good. I didn't deserve to, this wasn't my body. It was something I stole. It didn't belong to me. I sighed and went down to the kitchen.

Emma was long gone, and Henry was putting cereal out for Sarah. He gave me his usual shy look and put a bowl out a glass down in front of me and silently offered me orange juice. I smiled and nodded. He poured me a glass and I ate my cereal Sarah had her tablet leaned up against an old wooden napkin holder. She was watching a video intently and slurping up her milk and cereal. Henry cleared his throat, and I could tell he was trying to form words.

"The bus will be here in ten minutes. You should get going Amber."

I nodded and rushed my way through the rest of my food and grabbed my school bag and ran to the stop. I managed to beat the bus by five minutes. It stopped and I got on. It was very noisy. The other kids were talking over each other. It was a mix of junior high and grade school kids. It got quiet when I stepped on the bus and all eyes were on me. It was quite embarrassing, but I guess with a small town new kids were rare. There were only two empty seats. One was beside a very large kid, he lifted his bag up and put it on his lap. He wasn't fat but he was just built like a tank. The other was beside a blonde girl who put her bag down beside her. It made the choice obvious. I sat down beside the boy. He had been reading a book. Already putting him above the rest of the rowdy kids on the bus in my eyes. He looked at down at his closed book and bag and seemed like I was making him uncomfortable. I had enough awkward weirdness and silences over the last few months, so I just blurted out.

"Hi, I'm Amber."

He glanced at me out of the side of his eyes and a smile crept onto his lips.

"I'm Jacob."

"Hi Jacob, nice to meet you, thanks for moving your bag so I could sit down."

"No problem. So…uh did you just move here?"

"Yes, I was adopted by the Morris family."

"Adopted?"

"Yes, my family died in an accident and they are relatives."

"I know them, your mom is Edna Kent's daughter."

"Yes, she is."

"The Kents are good people you're lucky."

I smiled at him

"I am very lucky."

"Kind of mean of them making you start school with only six weeks to go. They could have waited until next year."

I shrugged.

"Grandma Edna was adamant I get to school as soon as possible, can't have young girls running all over here and there."

He laughed.

"Well she was the sheriff for twenty-five years."

"I wouldn't have guessed it, she looks like she's been farming her whole life. And she sure knows her way around and engine."

"Everyone around here has been farming for their whole lives. Well except for me, rich dad means I don't get to enjoy farm chores."

"Why are you on the bus then?"

He cleared his throat and made his voice deep.

"You won't be spoiled under this roof son, you're going to go to public school and take the bus like everyone else."

It was my turn to laugh. He had a light in his eyes.

"Who's the girl up front who glared at me and put her bag down on the seat?"

"Oh, that's Amanda. She's just mad her best friend is off for a week and she's stuck sitting alone because no one wants to deal with her."

"So, she's mean?"

"She's bullied most people on this bus, but without her friend she's kind of an outcast. Don't let her get to you."

"I won't its kind of hard to make my life worse, orphan, new school, new family."

He nodded. I looked at his book. It was the same series April loved so much.

"I know that book, my best friend loves that book."

"Oh ya, well I just started reading it. It's funny. My dad decided to foster a girl our age. She's not starting school until next year. Apparently he funded a surgery for her. Your new grandmother mentioned she was going to be stuck at a group home. Dad isn't much of a softy, he usually just funds surgeries for tax right offs but for some reason he called up the state and demanded he be allowed to foster her. He's a big contributor to the Republican party so he pretty much gets what he wants."

My eyes went wide. It was too many coincidences. Tears started to well up.

"Is her name April?"

"Yes, how'd you know? What's wrong? Did I say something to upset you?"

I shook my head wiping away the tears from my cheeks.

"No, no, that's my best friend I thought I'd never see her again. I asked if the family could take her in too but Edna said that they can't take any stray they find off the street. She never told me she was going to help April."

"Oh wow, I don't think I ever appreciated the Sheriff for how awesome she was."

I continued to wipe away my tears. I was going to look awful now for the first day of school. But It didn't matter. April was here.

"You should come by after school."

"Could I?"

"Of course, Dad's off on some business trip to Gothem. Left us alone with Karen."

"Who is Karen?"

"She is part nanny and part tutor. All mean."

"Oh."

"Don't worry about it. She can go stuff it, if April is your best friend you should see her as soon as possible. She asked if I'd seen any new kids around town. It makes so much sense now."

"Thank you, Jacob. Thank you so much."

"Any time Amber."

He was smiling and the more we talked the more comfortable he seemed around me. He looked at my shirt.

"I noticed your shirt, it's awesome. Where'd you get it?"

"Someone donated it the long-term care facility I woke up in."

"Superman…oh man, superman was so awesome. I've been to that memorial so many times. Watched the videos."

"I visited first time on Saturday."

"Wasn't it great?"

I shuddered at the memory of what happened when I got close to his remains and pushed the memory away.

"Ya..ya it was great."

He started talking about Superman this, Superman that. I lost track of most of his gushing as we drove past the high school and I took in the sites of all the older teens. I couldn't help thinking that if not for the accident I would never have gotten to be one of them. And I was suddenly very excited for the prospect of going to school and being just a normal kid. Not special ed, or disabled, just a normal junior high student. The bus rolled to a stop and I felt Jacob nudge me gently. I nodded and picked my back up and got up. He waved to me as he went off to his classes and I went towards the office.

I sat down and waited for the chaos to subside as teachers and students rushed to class and then went to the desk a woman was typing at a computer and looked up at me over the top of her reading glasses.

"I'm Amber Morris, I was told to come to the office when I arrived."

The woman nodded and pushed her reading glasses up and started looking over a printed list. She nodded again.

"Welcome to Smallville Public School, the Principle likes to speak to all new students personally. Just have a seat and she'll be right with you."

I sat back down and hugged my school bag. I could feel my thighs rubbing together as my feet bounced slightly. Apparently now that I had legs I was one of those people. I calmed myself and my legs stopped moving. After about ten minutes an older woman came out. She was your average school teacher.

"You must be Amber. Join me in my office."

I followed her to her office and she pointed to a chair then sat down.

"I like to talk to all our new junior high students before they join classes."

She adjusted her glasses and read over the screen in front of her.

"I see here that you did two standardized tests at your last care placement. The first test you failed, with a three percent and on your second test, five months later, your math and reading skills were at a high school level."

She looked back at me and looked me up and down.

"I understand you have had a rough year. I see you have recovered nicely from your injuries. I also understand due to your amnesia and lack of records we have nothing to determine where you are at scholastically except those two tests. What they tell me is that you are ambitious and determined. You increased from being at a kindergarten level, to a grade nine reading level in five months. I also see from your records you were doing rehab, building muscle mass and learning to walk again, and that you were walking on your own in three months. If you keep up that drive and ambition at this school and in life you are going to succeed fantastically. Welcome to Smallville Junior High."

She smiled and led me to the office proper, then down the halls to a locker. Which I put my belongings in and pulled out a notebook. She led me to a door and knocked on it a man who looked to be in his twenties answered the door, he was wearing jeans and a plaid shirt. Pretty standard fair for the men of Smallville.

"Mr. Baker. This is Amber Morris, she is just transferring in to the school."

He smiled.

"Welcome Amber, come in. Grab any free desk."

I nodded and walked in. I saw a few open desks one was beside Amanda, who quickly put her backpack in the chair. I rolled my eyes at her antics a seat beside Jacob was open. That seemed like the best choice. Unfortunately, it was also at the front of the class. A place I wasn't exactly comfortable with. At least I knew him. I slid into the seat beside him and he smiled at me. I smiled back.

"We're reading Great Expectations. Just read along with someone."

I glanced at Jacob, he gave a have shrug and nodded and I scooted my chair closer. I had heard of Charles Dickens, only through listening to A Christmas Carol. It was an interesting morning, and afternoon. I came to determine my favorite class was gym. Of course, it was, for thirteen years I couldn't even walk, now I could run. It was great right up until Amanda tripped me when I was doing a lap, by accident of course. Honestly, its been years and I still have no idea why she hated me so much. Oh well.

At the end of the day I didn't take the bus, I went to the daycare and picked up Sarah. It was a very heartwarming experience. I waited with her and eventually Heather appeared in her pick up truck and we climbed in. Heather was full of questions. She noticed the bruise on my hand and split in my elbow.

"How was your first day of school?"

I shrugged.

"It was good, I found out my friend April is living with a family here, Jacob Filoni's family? I was wondering could I get a ride to see her after dad gets home?"

Heather frowned at the mention of the name.

"Well, that's not a family you want to hang around with Amber."

"Why?"

"Lets just say, Jacob's father isn't a nice man."

"What do you mean? He paid for April's spinal surgery and he took her in."

"Probably because Edna twisted his arm. I just don't think it's a good idea you hanging around with them."

"Please? April is my best friend in the whole world."

"Okay, you just be careful."

"I will be."

She pointed her chin towards my injuries.

"What happened there?"

"I tripped when I was running, I'm still getting used to working legs."

She gave me a skeptical look.

"Its fine, I'm just clumsy."

"You are a terrible liar Amber. I've seen you running over from Emma's house, you aren't clumsy."

"A girl tripped me."

"Why ever for?"

"I don't know, she seems to hate me, I have no idea why."

"What's her name?"

"Amanda."

Heather laughed. I gave her a questioning look.

"Her father is the pastor over at the Smallville Baptist church. They used to protest at sheriff's office because Edna and I are gay. Little brat."

"So she disagrees with your relationship and is bullying me because of it?"

"That about sums it up. I'm sorry Amber."

I shrugged.

"Her loss. I know you said Jacob's family is..I don't know. Anyway, he was the first person to talk to me and treated me like a normal person instead of an alien."

"Jacob is a good kid, it is his father that is the problem."

We pulled into the Kent farm and she parked the truck. As were getting out I leaned down to Sarah.

"Want to play hide and seek in the barn?"

"Yay!"

We must have run in circles for an hour. Edna eventually called me over to help her with something and I sent Sarah inside to Heather. Edna was trying to change a tire on the seeder. Apparently it had gotten punctured. She was having trouble with one of the nuts. She asked me to help. I almost laughed at her. There was no way I was stronger than her, but maybe she was just sore so I gave it a try. The nut popped free after I put my back into it.

"Wow I was sure that wasn't going to work."

"Thanks Amber. My back is killing me today."

"No problem Grandma. Anything else?"

"Yes go grab the spare from the vehicle shed."

I nodded and rolled it out for her.

"Okay lift it up and put it on the bolts there. Good. Now put the nuts on."

I followed her instructions and then she showed me how to lower the jack so we could tighten the nuts, which I did for her as well.

"I knew you'd earn your keep around here. Thanks."

She wiped her hands off with a rag and offered me a clean one from her back pocket and I wiped the dirt and grime off my own hands. She was looking at the ground and then back at me. I wasn't great at reading people but I could tell she wanted to talk about something. I waited patiently like they did with me when I was struggling.

"Look, I heard about Amanda Cobb today. Its not right that you're getting flack for Heather and I. I'm sorry."

"Grandma, its not your fault, its hers for being so narrow minded. I'm tough, I can take it."

She smiled at me and patted me on the back.

"You are smart kid. And you have a good heart."

"Of course I do, I'm a Kent."

Her smile widened and I swore she was about to give me a bear hug, but she didn't she just patted me on the back again.

"You remind me a lot of Clark."

I rubbed the back of my neck and felt the sweat from my efforts on the tire for the seeder. I looked up at her and then back down at the ground. I wanted to ask her about Clark. I swear he could be Superman's twin. But I shrugged it off.

"Something up?"

"No. Its just silly me seeing things."

"I thought I was the senile old woman here."

I laughed.

"Tomorrow after school I could use some help in the east grazing field. Someone hit one of the fence post when they ran off the road, need to get the fence up so the cattle don't get out. Can you do that?"

"Of course. Always happy to help."

"Thanks, just come over when you get off the bus. I promise I'll get you home in time for what passes for supper when Henry cooks."

I smiled. Remembering the cereal this morning.

"Speak of the devil."

Edna waved to Henry as he drove up the driveway. I saw him stop the car, and watched him get out of it, he was lanky. He waved back then went inside.

"Looks like he's here to get you."

"Umm actually Grandma Heather is giving me a ride over to Jacob's house. I forgot to thank you.. you know, for helping April."

Edna started to blush.

"Found out about that did you?"

"Jacob and I talked a lot at school today."

"I really had no standing to take her in, but I knew Mr. Faloni could do it. He owes me a few favors."

"Heather was saying he wasn't a good man."

Edna wiped her forehead with a rag and then put it in her back pocket. She looked pained.

"Mr. Faloni, he's a businessman. He's a bit ruthless about it. But he's a man of his word. If Jacob likes you, you'll be on his good side. Besides he knows your my kin. That will put you on his good side on it's own. Heather, well she thinks I associate with him too much."

I nodded.

"Just keep your ears, eyes and hands to yourself at that house and you'll be fine."

"Don't eavesdrop on his business dealing and you'll be fine."

I nodded again. I saw Henry coming out with Sarah and Heather was walking towards her truck with her purse. I smiled at Edna and gave her a wave and went to the truck. We drove a bit further out from Smallville about fifteen minutes. Jacob lived halfway between Metropolis and Smallville. She pulled into the driveway. I smiled at her and thanked her for the ride. She grabbed my arm as I was about to get out of the truck.

"Remember what I said, watch yourself around the Filonis."

"I promise. Thanks again for the ride."

"Is your phone charged? Call me for a ride when you are ready to go home."

"Yes Grandma."

I nodded to her. She didn't release my arm and was looking at my elbow.

"Didn't you have a cut there when you got off school?"

I looked down, I was pretty sure I had, there was blood at when I fell. But now there was no sign of injury and the bruise was gone.

"It was probably just really red."

Heather released my arm. She looked a bit bothered but after I got out she smiled and waved at me and drove her car around the circle at the front of the house. It wasn't really house it was more of a mansion. I saw several cars parked outside. All what I knew now to be very expensive vehicles. Along with a black sedan with tinted windows in the back. I looked back to the front door and ran the bell. A man in a dark suit with a black tie answered the door.

"Yes?"

"I'm Amber, Jacob invited me over."

"Of course."

He turned towards the interior of the house, and spoke loudly.

"Master Jacob, you have a guest."

Jacob was wearing a white undershirt and a pair of jogging pants he was covered in sweat. He had a towel hung over his neck. He smiled as soon as he saw me.

"Come in Amber. Come in. Did you eat yet?"

"No, I came right over from my Grandmother's place."

"You should stay for supper. We're ordering pizza."

"Really? I've never had pizza."

"Seriously? Then you gotta stay. Come on, April's this way. I didn't tell her you were coming, wanted to surprise her."

I smiled and hurried after him. I could barely contain my excitement. He knocked on a door.

"Hey April, can I come in?"

"I guess."

He nudged me to open the door. Which I did. April was sprawled on her bed looking like she'd been crying all day. I couldn't help it I had to do it.

"Are your eyes always that red?"

It took her a few minutes for my voice to register and then she was on top of me hugging me.

"Oh my god, it's really you!"

She looked at Jacob and frowned.

"I thought you said you didn't know anyone named Amber."

Jacob laughed.

"When you asked, I honestly didn't. We met on the school bus today."

I hate to admit it, but I was a just as much an emotional mess as April. I was so happy to see her.

"Well I'm going to go finish my work out. Pizza will be here in fifteen. If you don't show up I'm eating it all."

He left the room and closed the door behind him. April and I looked at each other for a few minutes just soaking in the fact we were together again the same room.

"I can't believe you're here. When Jacob said I was the only new girl in Smallville I thought maybe you weren't here."

She sat on her bed and I plopped down beside her.

"Today was my first day of school and I spent most of the rest of my time on my Grandma's farm, or in Metropolis shopping."

"You got to go shopping?"

"Yes. One of my grandmother's took me."

"I didn't, I just showed up and there was a whole walk in closet full of clothes my size. None of which is anything I'd be caught dead in. I mean there's pink! My new tutor/nanny/assistant went shopping for me. I really shouldn't complain. Its just, not my own style. But I mean, who has a walk in closet?"

"I sure don't."

"Tell me everything. What are you new parents like? Do they have any kids? What is the farm like?"

"Henry and Emma are great. Emma is a lawyer, Henry is a writer. He is super shy. Its been four days and he has said exactly four words to me, and only because I didn't know what time the school bus showed up. Emma is great. And Sarah, oh Sarah. She's four. She's already told me she loves me. She's so adorable. Um the farm is great. Grandma Heather is the best cook. And Grandma Edna is well, so far she's taught me how to change oil in a tractor, change a tire. Milk cows, load a seeder. Tomorrow I get to help fix a fence!"

"Jacob told me the old Sheriff Edna, had told his dad about me. I barely said two words to Mr. Faloni. He's pretty busy. Always wearing suits. I get the feeling he felt obligated to take me in because of Edna. I can't say he doesn't like me. Look at this room. Its like I'm a princess."

"It's huge. I live at this old farm house. My room isn't big, but Henry and Emma they redid the whole thing for me. I have bed, a desk. There is this old oak tree outside my window. I named it Frank. Of course my room is also pink. I have to be honest I think they just used the leftover paint from Sarah's room. But that's alright. My room is cozy and warm."

"Sounds nice. I think this one is a bit big, it has a fireplace for the love of god."

I hopped up and toured her room inspecting the nooks and crannies. I heard the doorbell ring.

"Sounds like the Pizza's here."

"I have never had pizza, so I'm super excited."

"Never?"

"Well I can't say never, I don't remember if I did or not."

"You'll love it come on!"

April grabbed my arm and dragged me out of her room and down to a massive dining room. Jacob was no where to be seen there were three pizza laid out and three spots set. I truly had never had pizza before. My parents never ate out or frozen food, there just wasn't enough money. April opened the three boxes and looked, she went for one she called Hawaiian pizza. I wasn't so sure about that one, there was one with all sorts of meat on it. I took a slice of that one and put it on my plate. I watched April eat hers and mimicked her. It was so good. I had finished a second slice before a freshly showered Jacob sat down. He looked at the Hawaiian pizza and shook his head.

"I don't sweet and pizza going together, it just seems wrong."

"You shouldn't be biasing Amber away from the best kind of pizza ever. She hasn't had it before."

I looked between them and shrugged and took a piece of the Hawaiian. I ate the whole slice, but I didn't love it. Jacob had been right the sweetness of the pineapple did not work for me.

"I don't think I'd want that again."

April sighed and frowned

"I don't think we can be friends anymore if you don't like Hawaiian pizza."

Then she laughed and took another slice.

I went back to the meat pizza. Jacob was splitting his time between that and the vegetarian pizza which I was in no way interested in. We talked forever I don't remember feeling so comfortable with other kids my age. Eventually we were interrupted by my long-forgotten cell phone ringing. I pulled it out of my bag and put it to my ear.

"Amber, its ten pm, you should have been home an hour ago."

"I'm sorry mom. I lost track of time."

"Mom said she dropped you off at Jacob Filoni's house, are you still there?"

"Yes, sorry, I should have called, I'm so sorry."

"It is alright. I'll come and get you."

Jacob made a waving motion.

"I can get you a ride home."

"Mom, Jacob said he could get me a ride home."

"Okay, but you leave right away."

"Yes Mom."

I hung up the phone and put it back in my bag. I looked at Jacob and April.

"Sorry."

"Hey, its okay sorry I didn't notice the time. We'll get you home."

Jacob vanished into the house and a few minutes later came back.

"Eric is getting the car started, he'll get you home safe."

"Thanks Jacob."

"No problem. See at school tomorrow."

I nodded and went out the front where the man who opened the door waited by the black sedan I had seen earlier. He opened the back door for me and closed it behind him wordlessly. He drove me back to my house and before he could get out and let me out I picked up my bag and got out.

"Thanks Sir."

"You're welcome Ma'am."

I closed the door and took a deep breath and went into the house. Emma and Henry were waiting though I got the suspicion Henry wanted to be anywhere but here. Emma started.

"Amber, you can't do this again, we were worried sick about you. You didn't answer any of our texts. You could have had another episode like you had in Metropolis. And we had no idea where you were."

I blushed when she mentioned Metropolis. Heather had said not to saying. I couldn't meet her eyes after that. Emma pulled off her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose and put them back on.

"Didn't think we knew about that did you?"

"Grandma Heather said not to say anything. I'm fine, it was just an allergic reaction or something."

"Allergic reaction? That is an understatement. You couldn't breathe. And mom should have told me herself instead of me trying to translate a four-year old's description of it. Which was horrifying by the way."

She paused and her eyes soften as she looked down at me.

"You aren't alone anymore Amber. You have a family now, and families worry about each other. If you go out again, which won't be for at least a week after tonight, you need to have your phone available and out and text us at least once an hour. Now it's past your bedtime so get yourself upstairs and get some sleep. Mom is taking you to the Doctor's tomorrow morning, I've already called the school and left a message."

She leaned forward and hugged me and kissed the top of my head.

"Good night mom."

"Good night Amber."