It's a bit shorter, sorry. But just as Jim and Claire are entering the new school year, I'm graduating in three days and was scrambling to get this out. Thanks to my good friend AngelicVollyball, for reminding me to post, otherwise there wouldn't have been a chapter.

In other news, a concert, a chem final, a speech, and three days left... I've survived four years of hell and these last days are going to be nuts. We've got the best senior prank lined up, and I have a personal one that's going to be the talk for years to come. If anyone can guess what my prank is, I'll send you the entire next chapter via PM, two weeks early.

I don't own trollhunters, enjoy!

-last chapter, Jim and Claire go shopping and sign paperwork so they can go to school, and Jim's really hungry.-

Jim's P.O.V.

As soon as we reach the cave I sprint into the bedroom, but figuring that my instincts are going to make me eat like an animal, I decide to see it myself before I let Claire watch me. I turn in the doorway, "You, stay here."

I return to my bag on the floor and when my stomach growls, I double over in pain. I snarl at how week I feel, and I'm surprised I didn't collapse on the way back.

I pull the bag open and reach for the first package of meat, steak. I frantically rip open the packaging not caring about the meat juices dripping on me and my cloths, I pick up the first steak in my bare hands and stare at it for a moment before letting myself tear into the thick red meat.

The smell fills my nose, and red juices drip down my jaw to my chin. The muscle fibers in the meat are a pleasant texture, and the light flavor of the uncooked meat is more delicious than I had previously thought. Using my tusks I pull off another bite, and snarl and growl as I devour the package contents. I pull out another package of steak, some of the pieces fall on the dusty floor. Too hungry to care I eat them anyways, noticing the slight and flavor and grit the dirt gives to the meat.

Once filled, I sigh, and feel much better now having sufficiently met my dietary needs. I lick my face off with my longer than normal tongue, licking the juices from my chin, muscle fibers from between my teeth, and move to clean my fingers. My shirt is soaked in the front with meat juice, I take it off and feel a bit more relaxed then before.

I pick up the backpack and my shirt, then wander into the kitchen to put away the rest of meat.

"Done murdering your dinner?" Claire smiles then sees my shirt in my hand, covered in the meat juice. "What happened to your shirt?"

"I… uh, got a bit messy." I smirk, and turn to wash the shirt in the copper colored sink.

"I can see that," Shs pauses. "So, how did it taste?"

"So good. Like I haven't enjoyed something that much in all my life, but that could just be the hunger talking. The flavor was light and not as strong as it is when it's cooked. But I feel full and healthier all ready."

"I'm glad you're feeling better. But why didn't you just eat back at the police station?"

"I didn't want to gross Skinner out. And also, I've decided you will never see me eat meat." I ring out the shirt, and hang it over the tap.

"Jim, I've told you. I want you to be comfortable around me." Claire whines.

"I know, and I am. But this is a personal choice that I'm saying. I don't want you seeing me when I eat raw meat."

"I'll respect it, but just so you know. You aren't kissing me until at least an hour's past. I can smell your meat breath from here." She waves her hand in front of her nose and pretends that she can actually smell it, crinkling her nose.

"Awe common…" I walk closer, she holds her hand out on my chest to stop me.

"Nope, besides. What if I got sick from something you ate?" She gives a devilish smirk.

"I didn't think about that," I pause thoughtfully.

"Well, that's what you've got me for." She teases, "So, what are we going to do for the rest of the night?"

"I have no idea, but if this is what it's going to be like for the next two weeks. I'm becoming more and more glad we decided to go to school." I move to sit on my calfs.

"These next two weeks are going to have me bored out of my mind!"

"I wonder how soon we can get a new forge going. I wouldn't mind having a little fun sparring." I growl playfully.

"Hmmm… I would, but I didn't even stand a chance against you with my Shadow staff, let alone without it." She rolls her eyes.

"We could figure out some lies." I raise one of my bushy eyebrows.

"What?"

"You know, like if someone asks us where our parents are. Or when we tell them that we're not actually brother and sister… because I am not going to pretend you're my sister. I can do girlfriend, not sister."

"That's smart to plan for those kinds of questions. You're starting to think like a changeling." she grins.

"Hey, Strickler never got caught until Bular told me. So it might not be such a bad thing."

"That's true, so do you want to write these down or…?"

"No, let's just get them figured out first." I stand, "but let's do it in the living room, it's more comfy."

The weeks past slowly, and Claire and I did nothing but eat sleep and cuddle. Skinner brought us our schedules a few days after we filled out the paperwork. I'm really glad we have a few classes together, I don't know if I'll be able to spend much time away from her. And it's not like I'm trying to be possessive, I just am.

We went and got our school supplies and wondered around Corbin City, found a good pizza place for Claire. And bought a surplus of mints for me. They don't taste good anymore though, the peppermint oil burns my tongue a bit, not painfully. Just, uncomfortable.

We also got some house essentials like soap and some better cooking utensils, a trash can. A few things for the bathroom, and some things for Claire.

But in all that time Blinkey still hasn't come to talk to me or Claire, guess he's not ready to be reasonable.

The day before class started, we decided it would be best if we tried to sleep through the night. So we stayed up through the day and got ready for bed, we both had separate showers, but afterward I gave Claire a quick tongue bath. So I'm just laying down in our blanket bed in the bedroom, Claire in the crook of my body, and I'm staring at the wall. Not asleep.

I check the time, 4:32. I moan to myself, I've only got an hour left to sleep. It's close enough to day I should be able to sleep, but I can't. I lived in Arcadia my whole life, I knew everyone. Now I'm on the other side of an entire continent, and I know two students. One of which, knows I'm a troll. And the other thinks my mate is my sister, if that's not extremely weird.

I don't know any of the teachers, and for all I know, there could be changelings too. Wouldn't that be a nightmare.

I can see it now, the teacher gets to my name on the roll and looks at me and then starts threatening to gut me for banishing his pale lady.

That's a bit unrealistic. Why do people's minds wander to the worst case scenario first? Positive thinking, the teaches will be great and everyone will be as ignorant as they were back in Arcadia… pht, that's not going to happen. I'm fairly sure no one even cared when the power went out after Aja and Krell knocked out the power to get us the lighting in a bottle.

I check the time again, 4:50. I force my eyes close, and take a breath in of Claire's hair, rubbing my nose deeper into it. I force my brain off and rest.

Until the alarm goes off.

Claire moans, "ugh… why?"

I chuckle to myself and click off the high pitched ringing.

"Thank you." She mumbles, and curls up tighter to my body.

"Uh, no." I say. "It's time to get up." I nudge her head with mine. Making her moan and try to recede closer to me. I get up and crawl around her, as I leave she tightens from the cold of the cave.

I stare at her for a moment. She's wearing a dark magenta tank top and a pair of thick black leggings, her slender form outlined. Smiling to myself in the dark room, I nudge her again, she pushes my head away. I rub my horn across her cheek, "Claire, you don't want to be late for school do you?"

"Sool," she says it absentmindedly and sleepily. "Shool?"

"Sure, we can call it shool." I tease. "But if we want to make it there, we gotta leave before the sun comes up." I tilt my head to look at her face.

"Shool…" her eyes shoot open, "School!" She bolts upright, "We get to go to school!"

"Yeah, and we gotta get ready to go." I smile, and press my nose against hers nuzzling it gently, she returns in kind.

"I'm gonna go get dressed." she gets up leaves the room.

I follow her out and dig through my small pile of clothes, I pull on a plain white T-shirt. And leave on the pants I had slept in, a pair of black cargo pants. I pull on a dark blue zipper hoodie, with a graphic design of a skull with horns, on the back, it felt appropriate. No shoes, the glamor mask can take care of that.

I move to the kitchen, smiling to myself as I listen to Claire's happy humming. I make her a sandwich, with turkey breast, tomatoes lettuce, some pepper jack cheese and deli mustard. And pack a few other things for snacks.

Then I move to my lunch. In a leak proof container I put a few stakes and chicken breasts in, then lick my fingers of the juice and put a few soda cans in the bag. I laugh at the thought of someone finding this.

I put our lunches in our bags, and turn to face Claire in her favorite Papa Skull shirt and a black mini skirt with leggings. She ran her fingers through her hair, finding that she no longer needed the clips when I cleaned her hair, it sat straight, above her shoulders. The ever present white strip brushing her cheek.

"You ready?" She smiles, not bothering to hide her excitement.

"As I'll ever be. But I'll be glad to not be bored out of my mind in a cave everyday. Now I get to be bored in a completely different way." I pick up my bag and sling it over my shoulder, and hand Claire hers. She places it on her back and retrieves the glamour mask from the bedroom.

"Let's go."

We reach the warehouse and I place the glamour mask on my face, in a flash of light I'm human Jim, but wearing troll Jim's cloths, but jeans instead of cargos.

"Why the change in appearance?" Claire asks.

"Because people would flip if they saw a half troll." I smirk.

"No, you butt! The clothes!" she playfully backhands my chest as we walk on the sidewalk under the grey sky.

"Well, I'm not quite the same as I used to be. So I decided a change in attire would match my new persona." I take her hand in mine, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"It's edgy, I like it." She leans her head on my shoulder as we make our hasty walk to the school on the north end of town. Racing the sun.

As we enter the doors of the school, I can feel my ears twitching like crazy. Constantly biting back the low growl trying to escape my chest.

"Ouch, babe. Not so tight." Claire says, releasing my hand.

I drop her hand, "sorry, just nervous." I tense, and out of habit try to run my hand up my horn. Only to run it through hair, and not fur.

The main office is to the left, and large concrete pillars hold banners between themselves, benches rest at the bottom of each.

"Hi, I'm Sophie, I'm the student body president this year. You're new right?" A tall girl with short straight, brown hair, and a jacket declaring her name, grade, and position. In deep green on a grey blue, with white accents. Her eyes are a dull brown that match her hair.

"Yeah, we are." Claire starts. "I'm Claire, and this is Jim." she smiles.

"O M Goodness, you're Jim?" Her smile widens, revealing a row of perfectly white and straight teeth.

"That's me, has everyone heard of me?"

"In a small town word travels fast. Somehow you've managed to stay the topic of the town for two weeks." she winks.

"Well, I'm just a regular teenager…" I shrug and rub the back of my neck, then pause. "What has Justin been saying?"

"Just that you're freakishly strong, and you killed the creature that everyone kept seeing." She says, eyeing my thin legs and arms doubtfully.

"Well," Claire speaks. "Nice to meet you but we've got to find our first class." Then we walk past, leaving the too close for comfort conversation behind. We walk past the pillars into a narrow locker filled hallway.

I dig out my schedule, History is first. "We have history together right?" I ask.

"Mhmm. I have no Idea where it is though. Do you want to ask someone?" she says thoughtfully looking at her paper.

"I don't want to risk another one of those conversations. I think this town talks too much. But at least Justin isn't saying much." I shake my head and sigh.

"Why don't we just ask Amanda?" she says, pointing down the hallway.

"That'll work." I wave her down, "Hey Amanda, do you know where the history room is? We have that first."

She looks at my paper and points to a hallway splitting off to the left, "Just take that hallway, make a right and it's the first door on the right." She smiles, holding onto her shoulder bag.

"Thanks so much." Claire says, and we head for the room. Once inside the empty room a projector shows assigned seats. Claire and I on opposite ends of the room, "Pht, that's not going to happen." I roll my eyes and place my bag on the table next to Claire's seat.

"Jim, don't you want the teacher to not hate you right off the bat?" she folds her arms and stares at me.

"If it's teacher hate or not sitting by you, I'll pick teacher hate." I smile with a playful growl and sit. She rolls her eyes and takes her seat next to me.

Suddenly, a high pitched ringing splits the air, "GAAHHHHHHH!" I clasp my hands over my ears and double over, I can feel beneath the mask their pressing against my head. The ringing stops a few seconds later, and what feels like an eternity.

Claire looks at me, brows furrowed and she puts a hand on my shoulder. "Jim, are you ok?"

From my bent position I look at her with a face that says 'Really?'

"Sorry, stupid question." she retracts her arm. "Are you going to be ok?"

I sit up and take a deep breath, "Yeah, I'll be fine. Just need to figure out how to not do that everytime the bell rings." I run a finger along the round part of my ear thoughtfully.

Students slowly file in the room and the bell rings again, this time I was more ready for it. It's still really loud though.

A tallish man, dark spikey hair, dark blue eyes, pale complection. Wearing a plain purple polo and slacks. Enters the room and sits at the desk in the front of the class.

A kid stands uncomfortably glancing at the screen and the seat that was supposed to be his.

The seat I'm in.

"Ummm, Mr. Cunningham, the new kid is in my seat." The kid says, grasping onto the stap of his backpack.

The teacher looks up from his desk, and eyes me carefully. "Mr. Lake, would you like to move to your assigned seat?"

I sit straight, still relaxed in the chair. "No, I think I'll stay here, sir." silent gasps fill the room.

He smiles and says, "That's alright, Liam, just take Mr. Lake's seat." He gets up from his chair, and clasps his hands together. "Alright class, before anything else let's have our two new students come up and introduce themselves."

I'm about to situate myself further into my seat when Claire whispers for me to hear, "Jim. Get up. Now."

So I stand and get up in front of class, Claire at my side. I stand comfortably with my hands in my pockets, restraining myself from taking her hand. I glance at Mr. Cunningham, he nods for us to say our names.

"I'm Claire," She says than looks over to me.

"And I'm James Lake Jr." I sigh. "but the rest of you probably know me better as Jim." the class bursts into a wave of whispers. I shake my head and sigh again.

"Alright, alright, class, calm down. Now Jim, Claire, where did you move from?"

Claire answers, "We moved here from California."

"Oh, warm climate. Make sure you get good snow gear, the winter months are harsh." Mr. Cunningham says. I just roll my eyes. "Now, Jim. For the person who royally pissed off Randy Cross, you get to choose where you sit for the rest of the year." he gives a proud grin.

"Thank you. And why would me 'royally pissing off Randy Cross' get me such high regards from you?" I pull a hand out of my pocket and talk with my hand.

"Hmm, let's just say we've had history. Now, are you ok if the class asks you some questions? I don't think we'll get much done if they don't." He gives a forced laugh.

I roll my shoulders and nod, "Only a few, and by raise of hands." I add, hoping to avoid loud noises.

Hands shoot up all around the room, I point at the kid whose seat I took, Liam.

"Justin said that you caught a punch that Dr. Cross threw at you from behind. Is that true?" Liam asked eagerly.

"Yes, I did. Next question." I point at a girl in the back, dirty blonde with a hot pink streak in her bangs.

"How strong are you?" she muses.

"What kind of a question is that? Like how am I supposed to answer that?" I look at Claire, who just shrugs. "I'm a lot stronger than I look." I roll my eyes, "Next." I point at a kid in a brown leather jacket.

"Justin said that you killed the creature that showed up in the wearhouse a few weeks ago. Is that true?"

"Yeah," I rub the back of my neck, trying to avoid dangerous territory.

"Justin said you're a supernatural expert. Is that right? And what was the thing you killed called?" A brunette asked.

Right, I did say Skinner brought me in as an expert… "You could say that I'm an expert of sorts. And the creature is called a Stalkling." I replace my hands into my pockets, "No more questions."

"Alright, you two can sit down." Mr. cunningham says. I nod and take my seat, as does Claire.

I hear her whisper, "We're going to be having words with Justin." I give a firm nod and listen to the first course disclosure of the day. For there will be many to follow.

After history, I ask the kid in the leather jacket if he knows where the math room is. He leads me there, and Claire finds her AP english class on her own. My instincts nagging at me to not be away from her, I can feel my ears flicking against my head under the mask.

I enter the math room, long desks with four chairs each fill the space, on one of the whiteboards that line the walls is written. 'Find a seat, wait quietly.' I do as the words instruct and pick a seat near the door.

A younger woman, with straight black hair enters not to long after, students slowly filtering in. I brace myself for the second bell, and wince once it comes.

"Alright class, welcome back. Hope you all had a good summer" she says, she wears black dress pants and a ruffle button up shirt. "We have a new student, James. Would you like to introduce yourself?"

I reluctantly stand, "Hi everyone, I'm Jim. I won't be answering any questions. So let's just get through class so we can go to lunch." I force a smile and nod at the teacher.

"Alright, most of you should know me from last year, but for those of you who don't I'm Ms. Jackson. I'll be handing out the course disclosure, so please follow along as I read through it."

She starts reading the same thing the history teacher did, just worded differently. I release a long mental sigh, and burying the annoyed sounds that a human should not be able to produce. The first days, with the stupid rules. It's not like we've been hearing them since 6th grade or anything.

"... so make sure you come prepared every day." Ms. Jackson says, then the bell rings. "Make sure you get these signed and bring them back on Thursday." there's a chorus of moans, and excited shouts as we head to lunch. I follow the flow of kids to the lunch room, but hesitate when I notice the walls are basically windows.

I enter cautiously, still avoiding the rays of the sun, even if I can see the tint that makes it safe. I lift my nose to test the air, and find Claire in the crowd.

A look of release comes over her, and she makes strides toward me in the shadows against the wall. "Jim, do you realize that just about every girl here has their eyes on you?"

"Oh, is that what that was? I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me." I smirk.

I get a healthy glare back, "Well, you're already spoken for. So don't get any ideas."

"Last I checked, trolls mate for life. So this half troll's already had his pick and chosen."

She rolls her eyes, "Well, come sit with me. I made some friends in Mrs. Bennett's class of doom. Ugh, she's the worst." She takes my hand and tries to pull.

"I'm hungry and I need to find somewhere to eat. And it would be really bad it I started eating my lunch in front of other people, so…" I stand firm in my place as she stops pulling.

"Hmm," She glances around. "What about up there?" She points at a pair of cream colored support beams crossing each other, not ten feet away, reaching the ceiling with a few large plates securing it to the concrete beams going across the room, about twenty feet up.

I grin, and tighten the straps on my backpack. "That'll work."

"Come find me when you're done." she smiles and heads for the rows of tables.

I glance around to make sure no one is watching, then climb up the beam, grasping onto the bolts that line the side. I reach the top and swing my leg up on one of the concrete supports. It's flat and wide enough that I can sit comfortably. I set my backpack down and loop the strap around one of the protruding pieces of metal. It's above the lights and dark enough that no one will be able to see me if their not looking.

I find Claire in the crowd, and sit cross legged on the beam. Pull out my lunch and remove the glamor mask, tucking it safely in my backpack. Feeling a bit more comfortable in my own skin, I dig into my lunch, as carefully as I can. It would be bad if raw meat juice dripped on some kid's head.

Directing my attention to Claire, I watch as her and a small group of girls converse. I turn my ears in her direction, and filter out the sounds of the surrounding students.

"...Yeah, I've never seen snow. Southern California is always really warm, and it only rains, but never snows." She says.

"Oh girl, you're going to be in for it this winter." A girl with hair as black as mine laughs with Claire and Amanda.

I move on to the next steak, and decide to save the soda cans for later. Someone might hear the loud crunching.

"So Claire, why the big move?" Amanda asks.

Claire's eyes wander up to me, I wave and give her a toothy grin. "Hmm, well that's a really long, personal, not for me to tell story." She takes a bite of her sandwich.

"Com'on, you can tell us." Amanda beggs.

"'Manda, if she doesn't want to tell. She doesn't have to. It's her business, so mind your own." The raven haired girl says, giving Amanda a stern look.

"Thank you Maggie, you can ask Jim. And he'll tell you if he wants. But seriously Mrs. Bennet? Homework all ready?" Claire whines.

Maggie rolls her eyes, "Yes, every year too."

I chuckle to myself and finish my food. Cleaning off my hands and replacing the mask, I slide down the beam and walk towards Claire, placing a mint in my mouth. I take a seat next to her, "Hi, Claire, Amanda."

"Jim, done eating all ready?" Claire says.

I smirk, "Wanted to meet your new friend."

Maggie sits up and smiles, "I'm Maggie, great to meet you." She extends her hand for a handshake.

I take her hand, her grip is vice like, I counter so it's not uncomfortable. "Nice grip." I grin, staring into her green eyes, a dark almost black ring of blue around the iris.

She returns my grin and lets go of my hand, "You too."

"Ugh, Maggie. Stop being weird." Amanda whines.

"Anyways, Claire. Did you want to come over to work on the english assignment?" Maggie says. "Amanda's coming too."

Claire looks over to me, heasatent excitement reflected in her eyes, she whispers so only I can hear. "You ok with that, babe?"

I can't leave till dark, and I doubt Claire's going to want to hang around with me until then. I give a subtle nod.

"I'd love to! I don't have a computer at home yet so that would be great." She sighs.

"Jim do you want to come?" Maggie says, a flattering sparkle in her eye.

I take a deep breath, "No thank you, I already have some plans. You know, getting used to school and stuff." I shugg. I'm actually going to be sleeping up in the rafters, where I just ate my lunch.

"Alright then. Girls night, my parents are out of town so I'm ordering pizza."

"Yes, pizza." Amanda squeals.

"Jim, you'll pick me up from her house when you get done?" Claire asks.

I nod, "Yeah, I'll get done around dark. If that's alright with you Maggie."

"Totally fine, if you want we can save you some pizza." She smiles.

"No, I don't like pizza." but the pizza boxes taste pretty good.

"Well you're no fun." Amanda says.

"I'm plenty of fun," I act offended. "Just wait till you get to know me."

"I can't wait." Maggie smiles, head held high.

Ok, she's totally hitting on me… Claire sees it too and bites back a glare because they think we're siblings. Again, weird.

"So, Jim." Amanda starts, "Why did you move here?" She rests forward on her elbows.

"Wait till you get to know me a bit more, than I'll tell you. It's kinda a long, personal story." I smirk at her.

"Ugh, you're as bad as Claire." she whines.

The bell rings, saved by the bell.

"Nice to meet you Maggie. Amanda." I wave goodbye.

"I'll meet you guys out front after school." Claire smiles and walks away, next to me.

"So what do we have next?" Claire asks, "I've got a free study period in the library."

"Cool, me too." I stretch and produce a big yawn. "Man I'm tired." I shake my head slightly like a dog before catching myself.

"Didn't you sleep last night?" She says as we make our way to the library.

I shake my head and sigh, "No, I'm fairly sure that being nocturnal by nature isn't something you can change."

"Oh, sorry babe." We enter the library, only three other students. No teacher. "You know you could probably sleep in here." She says smiling, a slight tilt of her head.

"That sounds wonderful, then I'll sleep up in the rafter's after school." I moan, stopping myself from growling. Man this is getting frustrating.

We find a few seats in the back corner of the library, next to the computers. "You just take a nap, I'll wake you up before the bell rings. I'm going to get a head start on the english paper…" She rolls her eyes. And I close my eyes and easily fall asleep, with my hood over my face

I wake to claire's gente voice, "Jim, it's time to go to our last class. We both have chemistry." She attempts to pull the hood off my face.

I yank it back down, "But sleep."

She huffs, then I feel her nose brush against the skin on my face, pulling a quiet purr from my chest. "Get up." She pulls away smiling. Reluctantly, I comply.

"How dare you use my natural instincts against me." I say, she laughs as I quiet my purr, I leave the hood up, eyes not ready for bright light. Than throw my bag over my shoulder and follow Claire out.

Once we find the Chemistry room, I pick a desk at the front of the class, but close to the door. Rectangle desks placed in lines around the room with two chairs at each. I take off the hood and watch the same familiar students file in. Amanda and Maggie sit at the desk next to Claire and I.

"Hey girl," Amanda says.

"Hey Jim." Maggie adds.

I roll my neck and look in their direction, and give an unspirited, "hey."

"Jim, you've gotta wake up." Claire snorts.

"I am awake, but it's fourth period. Teachers are always grumpy and mean by fourth period. Also, science teachers are always so strict." I drag my hand down my face.

"You just described the exact opposite of Mr. Werber." Maggie laughs.

"He's like the chillest dude ever." Amanda adds.

The kid in the brown leather jacket speaks, "He cares a lot for the students. He knows how to teach really well too."

"He also shreds on the guitar." the girl with a pink strip says. Sitting next to the boy, at the table behind Claire's and mine, she does some air guitar.

I turn to see them, "Hey, you're in our history class right?" Duh, of course they are.

"Yeah, I'm Alex," the girl says.

"And I'm Kyle." He holds out a fist for me to bump. I do.

"Nice to meet you." Claire says.

"But com'on, no teacher is that chill." I say.

Alex grins at me, leaning her elbows on the table. "Just wait, you'll see."

The bell rings, I'm getting used to it. And the teacher comes in holding a matte black six string guitar. He has a strong build and short buzzed hair. Wearing a pair of colored pants and a blue polo with the school's name on it.

"Alright everyone." he pronounces in a loud voice that commands attention. "I'm Mr. Werber. You all know that. Except for you two." he points with the neck of the guitar. He grins at Claire and I, "Claire?" he looks at her. She nods.

"And Jim?" I nod. His grin widdens and he looks around the room then sets his guitar on his extremely messy desk. The thing is covered in coffee mugs, laptops and textbooks. He begins nodding his head, and looks up at the class. "Everyone, listen up. I want you to take a page out of Jim's book." I freeze. "He was being disrespected, and didn't stand for it. Disrespected by an adult, nonetheless. The rest of you, minus Miss Mags, would have just stood there and took it, and it happens too often in my opinion. Now, not only did he stand up to an adult, he stood up to Ryan Cross. The man who thinks he's all that, and gets to do whatever he wants because he's the only doctor in town. And anyone who can royally piss off Ryan Cross and not get beaten to a pulp, well their fine by me." He finishes his little bit and the room goes into whoops and cheers. I let myself relax a bit, Claire nudges my shoulder and smiles at me. "So, Jim what do you have to say for yourself?" He asks.

I try and think of something profound to say, "Well, I think that it's important that teenagers understand that adults are humans too, and that we have a right to be treated with respect." I shrug, "In my culture, respect is earned by action and there's no room to show weakness. If you do, it could cost you everything, even your life." My voice darkened, I clear my throat to bring it back to my human tone.

He looks me over carefully, "Sounds like a rough culture." he looks away and at the class, "So, first day we're supposed to go over rules, and have a course disclosure."

I silently moan, and slouch in my seat. Not another one…

"But, you've been hearing that on the first day of school for the the past six years of your life at least eight times each year. You're responsible young adults, I expect you to behave accordingly." I sit up, and am beginning to like this guy more and more. "I do have a few rules though. When I'm teaching, please keep your phone put away. I ask that if you are having trouble with the material that you come ask me for help. And if you're having trouble at home, let me know and if it's a parent problem I will come and beat the crap out of them. And if you are just having a hard time, let me know. Last, you won't fail this class unless you try to. So as long as you show up and put effort in, you will get a B or better." He picks up his guitar and moves to sit on a stool. "And Jim," He moves his attention to me as he plugs in his guitar and points at Claire. "You treat her with respect or I'll rip off your arms and beat you with them." I'm taken aback for a minute until I realize he's joking.

"Mr. Werber, I'd sooner rip off someone's face, before I let her get mistreated." I smile but stay serious.

A devilish grin passes his face, "Good man." He plays a few chords and then yells, "Who's ready for a party?" The class cheers and he starts jamming 'Black in Black' by ACDC really loud. The door next to me swings open and in comes a person carrying a stack of pizza boxes. The cheering grows louder, I cover my ears but can't help but laugh. This guy is awesome!

For the majority of class we sit and talk with the other students and Claire enjoys pizza. Kyle asks me why I'm not eating any, Amanda buttes in with "'Cus he's a party pooper." I roll my eyes and tell him I'm allergic. He raises a sceptical eyebrow, but returns to his conversation with Alex.

Class ends and Mr. Werber stops me before I can get away. Claire gives me a quick nod then disappears with Maggie and Amanda, and my ears start to twitch again.

"What is it sir?" I ask, standing somewhat awkwardly.

"None of that sir crap," he sighs. "Jim, I was looking over your grades from last year back in California, as well as your attendance." He says, picking up an empty pizza box.

I tense and move to help him clean up the mess, "Yeah, last year was kind of… hell."

He lets out a deep belly laugh. "Brutally honest," he smiles and nods, scratching the back of his head. "I'm just wondering if there is anything I might need to know about, before we get into the school year, anything that's going to keep you from doing your best. You don't have abusive parents do you, problems at home? A drug problem?" He smiles.

"No, no, my mom's great. But she's back in Arcadia," I move some boxes to the trash. "And no drugs either. Just some weird dietary needs. But I'm sure there won't be a reason for me to miss anymore, I took care of those things at the beginning of summer."

"Haha, alright. Just know that the reason I keep teaching, it's the students. So if there's anything you ever need. Please come and ask me, really."

I pick up my backpack, "I'll give it some thought. I don't let people into my life all that easily, so we'll just have to see where this year takes us." I head for the door.

He nods, "Oh, one more thing Jim."

"Yeah?"

"I'm fairly sure that everyone thinks Claire's your sister. The teachers know otherwise, make sure the students know too. The boys in class were drooling today." He chuckles.

I roll my eyes, "Yeah, I will thanks."

I walk into the lunchroom, finding it empty I climb up to the concrete support beam and situate myself, I pull off the mask and secure my backpack again. I set an alarm for just after dark, then I curl up, and fall asleep in my natural hours of rest.

Please leave a review, they warm my heart. And see if you can guess my senior prank!