And that's why I hate you

I can get used to staring. And hostility. Friendliness is the thing that I don't know how to deal with.

So it's kind of a good thing that I never socialise. That way I don't have to be placed in awkward situations, especially when I have to leave for another stupid home in this stupid country on this stupid planet. God, I'm starting to hate Japan. It's great for natural scenes and festivals and culture, but I've been practically everywhere here. One day, I'm going to get bored of Earth itself, and when that day comes, I pray to whoever the hell's up there that I'll have found the others and we'll be migrating back to Lorien as soon as possible.

God help me when that day comes.

Until then, it looks like I'll be going through this routine: starting a new school, over and over again.

Oh, joy.

Still, better than staying at home and watching my Cêpan scanning the internet all day long. All night long too, sometimes. I wonder whether the other Cêpans are as dedicated as Zangetsu is. He takes his Cêpan role seriously, and I sure hope all the other Garde are treated like I am, although sometimes I can get infuriated by exactly how over-protective Zangetsu can be.

So, my very first lesson is science. And, in irony, it appears to be... astronomy.

Figures.

The new teacher is actually droning on about how Earth is the only life-sustaining planet in the Milky Way galaxy, which makes me smile inside. I certainly find it funny how ignorant humans can be. So blissfully unaware that their planet is covered with Hollows from Mogadore and a small group of aliens from Lorien. I think it's probably a good thing that they don't know- after all, if they were aware that there is a whole race of powerful aliens intent on destroying a small number of other aliens, and they're prepared to 'deal with' the human race if they get in the way, the humans would probably hand us over. Better than getting into some intergalactic war over six remaining alien children and their Cêpans.

Rukia Kuchiki goes to sit somewhere else in the classroom next to some other girl and I am told by the teacher to sit next to one of the strangest looking kids I've ever seen, and that's including myself with my vibrant orange hair. He looks like an albino because he has snowy white spiky hair, but his skin is not pale white and his eyes are turquoise. He also looks quite small, as if he's too young for this class. The kid isn't actually paying attention to the teacher, or even me as I sit down next to him; he's too intent on a picture of a dragon he's doodling on the edge of his science book. I look over at the the book to see his name scrawled at the top in quite neat writing: 日番谷 冬獅郎- Toshiro Hitsugaya. Well, I can certainly understand the 'Shiro' part.

'Kurosaki-san, would you like to come to the front of the class and tell us about yourself?'

Hell, I hate it when teachers ask you that.

'Uh... sure...'

As I leave my seat the kid, Hitsugaya, finally looks up from his drawing as if only just noticing my existence. I wonder what his attention span is- not that high, I'm guessing, 'cause after watching his turquoise eyes widen as he stares at my hair, he pauses for a couple of seconds and then gets back to his drawing. I turn away and then make my way up to the front of the classroom. When I turn to face the others again, I see about thirty pairs of eyes (give or take) all fixated on my hair. Crap, they always look at my freaking hair.

DAMN MY STUPID GENES.

'Um... there's not really much to say,' I begin, the usual frown on my face deepening.

Useless, chides the pale me.

For the first time, I truly regret shoving off Zangetsu's description of my latest background. I can't... remember it.

Oh shit.

'Well, tell us where you came from,' Ochi-sensei says, smiling.

Shit... America, wasn't it?

Why're you asking me? Dumbass...

'I was... born in America, and... that's where my family is from!' I exclaim, remembering. 'But I've lived in Japan most of my life.'

'Where have you been living until now?'

I have to give an incorrect answer for that one, because I have to wipe away any evidence of my previous home. This is all because it would be easier for the Hollows to track me down if I don't. Finally, I'm allowed to go and sit down in my seat again, and the class continues. By the time I get back to the desk, Hitsugaya has coloured the dragon in a pale blue, and it looks as if it's made of ice.

'Hitsugaya-san, perhaps you could bless this class with your concentration,' Ochi-sensei says irritably.

The midget snaps out of the daydream he must have been having as he stares at the teacher blankly.

'Huh?'

'As I thought. Tell me the answer to the question I just asked the class.'

Hitsugaya continues to look clueless, and I can tell he's about to admit that he wasn't listening. Before I know it, I'm nudging him and scribbling on my new books the words, The answer's Proxima Centauri. The white-haired boy stares at the message, then says, 'Proxima Centauri?'

The teacher makes a 'tsk' noise, mostly out of surprise and slight irritation. 'Correct. That doesn't actually prove you've been listening in any other part of this lesson. I can see that obvious illustration on your book from here. See me after class please, Hitsugaya-san.'

.

I've finally located my new locker, and I'm surprised to see that mine is right next to Rukia Kuchiki's.

She ignores me, as if I'm not very interesting, which is a first. I kind of like it when people aren't staring at my freaking hair the whole time. She's also trying not acknowledging the existence of the blue-haired kid behind her, but it seems to be becoming rather difficult.

'Go away, Grimmjow.'

'So, Kuchiki, I hear you hit one of my mates this morning.'

'He insulted my Chappy the Rabbit drawings.'

'Yeah, well, they are kind of crap.'

'And that is why I hate you,' Rukia says in a false cheery voice. 'Now piss off.'

Grimmjow laughs. 'You don't want that, really.'

'You heard her. She wants you to get lost,' I say loudly.

Ah! So the mouse can squeak! The pale me exclaims.

'What did you say, Carrot-top?' Grimmjow says, his arrogant blue eyes now fixed on me.

''Carrot-top'? Making fun of my hair colour is fine coming from you.'

'I wouldn't bother- he's not worth it,' Rukia says, finally talking to me.

'He obviously doesn't know that, or he wouldn't be bothering you,' I say dismissively. I swear I catch a glimpse of a small smile appearing on Rukia's face as she turns away. Just for a second. She walks off, twisting in and out of crowds, and round a corner, out of view.

'So, what's your problem, Carrot-top?' Grimmjow taunts.

My hand itching to punch him, I reply in a voice only just in control. 'Nothing. Goodbye.' With that, I close my locker and walk away, listening to Grimmjow and his gang laughing.

Aw, come on, don't walk away! I want action.

Tough.

'I wouldn't bother with them,' comes another voice from next to me. I turn and have to look down to see Toshiro Hitsugaya looking up at me.

'What?'

'He just doesn't like you 'cause of your hair. I get the same crap, too.'

'Well, it's not the first time,' I mutter, and Hitsugaya smiles.

'There's no point. Together, he and his gang could wipe the floor with you.'

That's so not true.

'Well, maybe with you,' I reply. 'I mean, given that you're so...'

'So what?'

'… small.'

'I'm not that small!' he shouts in protest. 'Besides, I'm not that bad at fighting- I kind of have to if I want to survive school. You may look like you can fight, but Grimmjow's really good, and he's got a gang behind him. He's just the type that you should stay away from.'

'Yeah, I kind of gathered that.'

'Well... see you.' He makes his way over to wherever his next lesson is.

'Thanks for the advice... I think...' I call.

So... you gonna fight anyone now? I hear the pale me ask hopefully.

SHUT. UP. FOR. ONCE.