Author's note

Quick shoutout to the first follower: CaptinThor

Thanks for reading ;)

It would be perfectly reasonable to assume that I did not sleep very well that night, without a bed and all. So when I rocked up to my new school the next morning, Westfield High it was called, my purplish red hair was swept into a messy bun and I knew I had bags under my eyes. However, I'd deemed arriving at school on time more important that putting on makeup, so I'd skipped doing that.

I could feel people staring as I walked through the halls, trying to find the administration building, so I gave them something to stare. I smiled and nodded as people looked me up and down, giving a little wave to the most obnoxious looking. It was fun seeing their shocked expressions, as if I wasn't supposed to acknowledge them. But it did what I'd wanted it to do. They quickly looked away, refusing to give any more signs that they were watching my every move.

Good for them.

I was just about to give up searching and ask someone where to go to get my timetable when my shoulder was being tapped.

"Hey there." the guy from next door said, his dark eyes crinkling as he grinned at me.

"Uh...hi…" was the best response I could manage to get out. He was wearing a rather ugly, oversized mustard yellow sweater, black jeans and converse. Not that I could talk with my black combat boots and tights, and oversized purple shirt.

"The girl from the window, right?" He asked, sticking his hand out in front of him. I gripped it and shook it a few times, nodding as I did.

"Yup. And you're curtain boy." I replied.

"Well, new next door neighbour…you appeared to be rather lost so I figured I would take mercy upon you and show you around. Name's Tate by the way." Was the instant reply as I was suddenly looking at the back of his blond head which was disappearing through the growing crowd as I stared after him.

Hurrying to catch up I allowed Tate to show me around, thanking him profusely as he led me to the office where I finally received my timetable.

"Good to see you've made a friend." The lady at the counter, stuffed into a very tight hot pink dress, said as she slid various pieces of paper over to me. The comment itself wasn't unusual in the slightest, in fact at all my new schools it had often been said when I'd found some random group to attach myself to during my short stay. The interesting thing about it this time however, was that it didn't appear to be directed at me, but rather at, my new so called friend.

"Well thanks for showing me around, Tate." I said with a smile as we walked out of the office, pausing in the seemingly endless hallway. Generic navy blue lockers lined the walls and the grey linoleum beneath my feet squeaked as I shuffled my shoes.

"No problem window girl," Tate winked, giving a small wave as he headed off, presumably to his own lessons.

"Name's Calypso, not window girl." I called out to his back, but he didn't seem to hear me. Sighing, I looked down at my timetable and groaned. Math. Distaste for the subject would be putting it mildly to say the least. It was more of a loathing.

Yes, loathing would be accurate.

I dragged my feet as I made my way to the room, reluctance preventing me from walking too fast.

"How was school, sweet heart?" My mother called as I walked in the door. I barely registered the question as I stared at the mess that was our new house.

"Ah…" was the only noise that came out of my mouth as I stared at the furniture. Yes, the furniture had finally managed to make its way to the Devin residence, but it wasn't our furniture.

"You like it?" My mother asked, beaming as she finally walked into view, "Pete surprised me and bought it all new!" She exclaimed, clapping her hands together in that increasingly irritating display of happiness.

"All?" I asked hesitantly, my eyes finally tearing away from the new leather couch and glass dining table. My mother hesitated before nodding slowly, as if afraid of my response. Damn right she should be afraid.

I dropped my bag to the ground as I tore up the stairs to my room, swinging the door open wide.

A wave of revulsion rippled through me, making me shiver with disgust as I looked at my new bed. A plain black leather headboard had replaced my old, silver metal one and a pang of sadness swept through me instead of disgust. My father had designed the head board for my old bed, the intricate swirls of the metal combing to create a bigger mandala-like design.

Growling with anger, my eyes swept the room, determining what else had been taken from me. My wooden desk had been replaced with one made of shiny black glass and instead of my stool, a leather office chair was tucked beneath it. And then I realised that something was missing.

I spun on the spot, frantically searching, and then I was no longer revolted, or angry, a deep-rooted anguish was filling me, making my hands shake.

They'd taken my easel.

"MUM!" I screamed, only to find her right at the door.

"Calypso, look honey-" she began, trying to soothe me, but I wouldn't have it.

"You took my easel! Why?" I demanded, interrupting her without hesitation.

"You're so…obsessed with that…thing…you're always hiding away up in your room. I figured it would be good for you to have to go out and make some friends for once." she said, placing her hands on her hips, as if daring me to challenge her authority.

She was in for a surprise.

I walked over and gripped the handle to my door. I think she could feel the anger rolling off me in waves, because for a second, as I stared her down, she faltered and slightly worry flickered in her silvery grey eyes. The only thing we had in common.

And then, without any regret, I slammed the door in her face.