A/N Hello. New Chapter! Yay. Thanks for the reviews! I was really surprised! Please Review again!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything Looking for Alaska related. It belongs to John Green. Nerdighters!

two hundred and twenty eight days later

or

one day before

Day one in Culver Creek had been interesting.

After I met the Colonel, I was pretty much left alone. Good, in a way, but felt pretty creepy. A couple people went past my room, bags in their hands, and with the door slightly open; I heard whispers pointed at my door. A few sounded like "Alaska" and "New girl". It was to be expected.

My room, shockingly enough, had a cool breeze through the window at night. The window opened easily, and I could see the lawn, all the way across to the moonlight shining on the lake. It was surprisingly pretty.

The next morning, I woke up to the sun streaming through my window. It almost reminded me of home. That reminder reminded me that I should talk to my friends. I flipped open my cell phone to twenty texts, all asking me how much I was suffering. I sighed, and replied to them all with a "Of course, I miss you; I wish I was home, etc." Suddenly their questions seemed tedious, unimaginative. Like they didn't really care, just asking out of obligation. Huh. Maybe they had forgotten about me already, moved on. It was a weird feeling, not exactly sad. Kind-of alone.

I changed and walked to breakfast, yawning. I kept wondering about the Colonel. His friend was arriving today, Pudge. After what I had heard on the phone last night, I might have a friend. As I crossed the grass toward the cafeteria, I began to get nervous. What if they didn't like me? I apparently had a lot of potential to live up to. Alaska. I had to find someone who knew about her. The problem was, she seemed like someone who was important, and most people didn't talk about her, other than say her name.

I walked into the lunchroom, to similar stares as I had gotten yesterday. As I walked through, everyone slowly and almost subtly glanced at me, evaluating. It made me feel like an animal being lined up for the slaughter. When I went to sit, the Colonel caught my arm. It made me jump at little, but when I saw it was him, my heartbeat slowed.

"Hey Gemma. If you want to, you can sit with my friends and me," He looked a little unsure, like maybe I would say no.

"Of course, thanks," He turned and I followed him to a table where a girl and guy were already sitting. I smiled at them, and they smiled back. I sat down, and the girl spoke first,

"Hey Gemma, I'm Lara," Her smile was warm, but her eyes were cautious. After speaking, her eyes shifted of mine, to another table. It was weird, like she didn't want to look at me.

"Hi. Are you a senior too?" It seemed a normal enough question, but she still didn't look back. I could almost see a slight glisten in her eye. Like a tear.

"Yeah, we both are," The boy answered this time, "I'm Takumi, good to meet you."

"You too," His eyes weren't cautious, they were sad. His smile was careful; he wasn't as good at hiding his emotions as Lara was. He also turned away, and then he and Lara started talking in quieter voices

The Colonel placed his hands together, like a paused clap. He looked pleased at the events. He cleared his throat, and spoke with the voice of a leader,

"So, my friends, in a few hours we will be reunited with the completion to our circle, Pudge. Since our new friend here hasn't met Pudge, allow me to elaborate."

Lara and Takumi tensed, even while trying to eat nonchalantly, I could tell they were listening intently.

The Colonel continued without pause,

"Last year, Pudge was new, from Florida like you, and he went from risk-avoider to risk-taker in one month flat. Hopefully, Gemma, that's what we'll do with you."

I opened my mouth to say that I took risks, but he cut me off,

"Save it. Around here, we are the metaphorical royalty. Since last year. But be warned, others will try to take it away."

This time he let me speak,

"Others?"

He thumbed nonchalantly toward a large group of rich-looking, a little preppy, football-player and cheerleader type group,

"Those are the Weekday Warriors. They are named such because they leave school on the weekends to their primped up homes with maids and pools and everything. Got it? It's us and them. That's how it goes."

I nodded, but a small voice in my head told me that the Weekday Warriors were where I would have been. One of the boys was eyeing me as I looked over, and I quickly looked back at the Colonel.

"They are….well not the enemy, but competitors. Be sure that they will try to influence you in every possible way. Every possible way."

The Colonel enunciated the last sentence with such inflection it almost made me flinch. But the Weekday Warriors just looked like what I was used to, fake smiles and gossip. When I thought about it, I didn't really miss home anymore. I was eager for what the Colonel had in store for us.

"I see. I'll be careful, don't worry. I've dealt with people like that before."

The Colonel suddenly smiled, eyes gleaming,

"Good, that's what I was hoping. Don't let them know you hate them, just politely discourage."

I could tell he already had plans circulating; it wasn't that hard to see where they led. I smiled, and stood up. Lara and Takumi had already left, quietly, and the lunchroom was mostly empty. I walked with the Colonel to put away my tray, when the boy who had been looking at me walked up to us.

"Good morning, Chip."

The Colonel turned, and ground his teeth,

"Hello, Kevin. How may we assist you?" The tone of his voice was the most concentrated form of sarcasm I had ever heard, though Kevin seemed oblivious.

"I wanted to introduce myself to the new girl."

"How nice of you. Don't worry, Chip," I smiled, I liked using his real name, "I can take care of myself," I smiled at him, letting him know I had no interest in this Kevin.

"No problem, as long as you meet me on the far end of the lake. The Adirondack chair," The Colonel said.

"I promise," I replied as he walked out the door. I turned to Kevin, and put on a flirtatious voice. I hope I knew what the Colonel was planning; otherwise this would be pretty humiliating.

"Hello Kevin, I'm Gemma," I said. I held out my hand formally, and it took a second before he shook it, shaking his head at the same time. I smiled.

"It's great to meet you, Gemma. I hear you're in Alaska's old room," He said, smiling, but a touch of sadness in his voice too. Hm.

"Yes, I am, careful though, I seem to already have a bodyguard." He looked down, obviously nervous, "But who doesn't like a little risk?"

He shook his head again. I sighed, this was going to be easier than I thought. Finally he spoke,

"Well, it seems to me you would be much better suited in our group. Trouble wouldn't suit you here, Gemma," He said skeptically, he already saw the allegiance I had made in my head.

I laughed, and turned to walk away,

"I find that everyone could use some trouble once in a while," Pause for dramatic effect, "But thanks for the offer. I always keep my options open."

And I walked away. I had never done anything like that at my old school, and I had to admit, it felt great. The Colonel was waiting for me as I walked out, I wasn't surprised,

"Holy shit," was all he said as we walked toward the lake.

As we approached an old chair, he said to me,

"You can be great, Gemma. I know it. Cigarette?"

I laughed, shaking my head,

"I thought you couldn't smoke on school grounds. Should I be aware of any illegal activities I might be getting into?"

He smiled, lighting his cigarette,

"Almost all our activities have some illegality attached to them. Are you in?"

I paused. And thought. Why not? If my parents wanted me to have fun and take risks, why not here, with these guys? Of everyone I'd ever met, the Colonel seemed the most real to me, like he had been through more experiences and older in a way then I.

"Yes, I'm in," I spoke with a strong conviction, this was my decision.

The Colonel put his arm around my shoulder and turned around, looking a boy running towards us,

"Good, cause the Pudge has landed."

a/n I guess that's kind-of a cliffie. I have finals next weeks so I probably won't update until late January! Sorry :)