School was not what I had expected. I understood there was social hierarchy and plastic people. But until you see it and speak to people, you don't really understand how diverse and strange humans can be.

I got through the rest of that lesson without any real issues, other than glaring from Kaila's social group.

But it all made me feel… happy.

For the first time in my life, I was sitting in a room with other teenagers getting to talk to and even deal with conflict from others in my surroundings. I couldn't be more pleased with myself for being here in this room.

After English, the blue-haired girl stayed behind to introduce herself. "I'm Kat." She greeted tentatively.

I waved awkwardly, smiling. "Nessie."

We walked out of the room together, and I was grateful to have another friend.

Two in one day.

Score 2 for Nessie.

"So where are you from?" She asked me.

I had been prepared to answer these answers for months prior to being allowed to go to school

"I'm originally from Alaska. My family moved down here when my dad got a new job."

She seemed intrigued by this. "Isn't it really cold and desolate up there?"

I laughed. "A little, but there are some towns and villages. I was home-schooled since we lived too far out."

This answer seemed to settle her. "So this is the first time you're seeing real people?"

Her question seemed full of jealousy rather than judgement.

"I mean, I spent time with my family and close family friends, but yeah." I replied.

"Lucky. I wish I could be home-schooled instead of stuck in this place."

Realising her words were directed towards someone who had never been to a real school she retracted her words.

"I mean sure, the school is great. But it's run by real bitches."

"Like Kaila?" I asked.

"You learn quick." She complimented. "She's the head bitch. Head cheerleader. Dating the linebacker on the football team. Followed around by clones and with rich parents to boot."

"Well she seems like an awful person when you meet her." I honestly told her.

Kat laughed at my blunt opinions. "You like to give your ideas out freely, huh?"

"I was raised in a very blunt household. Not mean or anything, just… honest."

She nodded as if she understood me.

"Well anyway, you can't trust her or her circle. And you definitely should steer clear of the football team." She looked me up and down and continued. "Once they get wind of you, they are all going to fight to claim you as their trophy."

How disgusting! I was not some prize. And I definitely wasn't about to stoop to their meat-brained level.

"Well I don't think I want any of them as friends."

She smiled at my innocence. I may have the body and mind of a 20 year old, but I had the innocence of a child. That was the downside of my upbringing.

"Have you made friends?" She asked, genuinely worried for me.

"Well there's you." She smiled at my statement. "And Simon. I helped him pick up his stuff this morning, and he showed me to class. But the other guys weren't exactly nice to him."

"You got Simon Knowles to talk to you?" She seemed shocked by this. "That boy only talks to Dylan, his step-brother, and his friends Kyle and Lucas."

This didn't make sense. He was so kind to me.

"Well he was nice to me."

She couldn't seem to figure me out. She showed me to my classroom, which was Math, and waved me goodbye before leaving me to the wolves.

I spotted Simon sitting in the back of the classroom as I entered. I waved at him and his face went pink as he waved back. They all watched as if we were animals in a zoo as I took one of the seats next to Simon.

"Hey Simon."

"Hey Nessie." He greeted happily, still a bit uncomfortable.

"Pssstttt."

I heard the noise coming from somewhere.

"Psssttt, new girl."

I looked over to see one of the other boys from earlier calling me.

"Ditch the nerd and come hang out with me." He groomed his dark hair and attempted to smoulder.

It was not attractive.

I simply ignored his advances. He was not making me want to be near him with his actions.

"Shut up Harrison." A boy in the same jacket was scolding his friend.

"Of course you would defend that nerd."

Before even I could react, the boy had got closer to Harrison, towering over him.

"What was that? I couldn't hear you."

"DYLAN KNOWLES."

The teacher, Miss Keyes, was very stern in her tone. She was a beautiful middle aged woman with tight black curls and chocolate skin. And though her features were delicate, she had a very scary demeanour.

Dylan walked away, taking his seat in front of me. Harrison was muttering under his breath as he looked between the three of us. I looked at Dylan, and this time really looked at him.

He had floppy chestnut hair and emerald green eyes. He had a very handsome face, but he seemed tormented. His expression reminded me of Jacob a little bit.

Thinking about Jacob made my heart ache.

I shook the feeling off and tried to pay attention to class.

After Miss Keyes had finished introducing the lesson I tapped Dylan on the shoulder. He seemed startled by my confidence.

"That was a nice thing you did. Protecting Simon." I complimented with a smile.

He was still shocked that I had been so forward, but also looked proud of himself.

"Well he is my brother. Blood or not." He looked at Simon as he said it and Simon nodded respectfully to him.

Dylan turned back to me. "How did you meet my brother anyway? A girl like you talking to a guy like him."

"I don't understand the question. Is Simon not a nice guy?" He seemed amused by my innocent ideals.

"He is, but girls don't talk to him because he likes superheroes and video games."

I really didn't understand what he was trying to say. Was I too pretty to like those things too? Humans really did baffle me.

"Well I happen to like those things too." I corrected him.

He gawked. Simon laughed. I liked seeing him happy rather than terrified.

"Who are you?" He asked me, genuinely not sure of the answer.

Everyone seemed to see me as some exotic creature, but I wasn't. I was just… me.

"I'm Vanessa. Nessie." I held out my hand.

He shook it, still not sure. "Dylan."

I smiled. School wasn't so hard after all.