Many apologies if I'm incorrect in any information posted; I've recently rediscovered the series (no lie, this was my childhood growing up), and the original is just amazing. Why the heck do they keep making more series? It just gets so confusing! Anyhow, please review, because I only have two, and I feel so self conscious about this.

Many thanks to my friend Kiara Lee Phoenix, who is an amazing person and I hope to god that she's accurately portrayed in this as she is in real life, because I assure you, she is awesome.

I grew up with the anime, so I know the English names by heart, and that's what I'm going to use; if you've got an issue, well, you can exit out of the story by clicking that little icon at the top of the screen with the 'x'.

For the first portions of the story, it's not at any particular point in the series, fyi. It's between Battle City and Duelist Kingdom, that's about all.

Kiara woke up at 5:30 to the smell of cooking bacon, and the sound of her best friend singing from downstairs. She's had that strange dream again, the one where the heat is so stifling, and she can't breathe without wincing, she's so thirsty. There's more to that dream, she knows it, but she can never remember the rest. There was something about incense, and secrets…

She runs a hand through her hair and scowls, mornings suck. Always.

She peels herself out of bed and heads into the bathroom to shower and get dressed, because when Ray's in her zone in the kitchen, she doesn't like people intruding; it's an outlet for her anger, and she can have a lot of it.

The flat is great, really, she thinks as she changes into her uniform and puts a clip in her hair to keep that one, really annoying lock stray out of her eyes; the clip's in the shape of a crescent moon, and it's a pale color that looks fine with the uniform.

The uniform flatters Kia's slender, wiry frame, and the pink brings out the freckles in her cheeks; she's quite unsettled to see herself look so good in an outfit that should be ridiculous. For a moment she debates on makeup, but decides simply on Chap Stick and a clear gloss.

"OI! Kia, breakfast's done!" Raven shouts up the narrow stairway.

Kiara grabs her backpack and sighs; frankly, she doesn't think that she's ready to go to school, and she doesn't know whether or not she trusts Anat.

Anyone would question the sanity of Raven; she talks to someone nobody else can see, she often gets readings off people's emotions, and sometimes she really does talk to herself; but Kiara's seen examples of Anat's existence: the bully's punishments, the way that shadows seem to bend unrealistically, the strange weather that sometimes happens…things that seem small, but she knows that it's the woman in the shadows.

The kitchen smells great; Raven's placing full plates of bacon, fried eggs, buttered toast and sausage patties on the table, a large bowl of sliced fruit, as well as a glass of milk and juice, each. Kiara stares at the heaps of food in amazement. She sits down warily as Raven starts piling her plate.

"I can't eat all that." Kiara admits, Raven chuckles.

"Well, eat as much as you want, we'll have the rest for dinner." Kiara notices that Raven's still in her pajamas, with her hair brushed into two ponytails, but she doesn't question it. When you know Raven, and some of her schemes, you learn that the less you know, the better.

They eat quickly, and Kiara's surprised to notice that she's eaten over half the food before she's finished, and more astonished that Raven's plate is cleaned of food.

"Where do you put all that?" She asks without thinking, before flinching at the look in her friend's eyes; Raven has food issues. Her father often made snide comments about her weight when she went to get second helpings as child and into her teenage years, but the fact was that Raven just had a large appetite. Many remarked that Raven had a man's stomach. "Sorry, I just wish I could eat what I wanted."

"So do it. Eating shouldn't be a guilt trip."

"Nah, I don't like that feeling of being overstuffed, it makes me sick." Raven waved her hand in dismissal.

"Whatever. I still think that you ought to eat more; you're too skinny." Kiara smirks; food's always been Raven's family's way of conveying love. It's the southern blood in them, really.

"Did you call your Mom yet?" Raven shrugs, meaning that she hasn't; Kiara can't blame her for wanting to put the call off; Felicity Martin doesn't like to lose and is the type of Mother to worry incessantly. For the next 3 months whenever Raven picks up the phone, her mother is going to try and talk her into coming home.

"I'm gonna call the twins after school, make sure they're ok, I guess. I feel bad for leaving them."

"It was a quick move." Kiara agrees, sipping her orange juice.

"Short notice."

"Speaking of noticing; Why aren't you dressed yet? We need to leave soon." Now she's getting suspicious; usually her friend wants to be early to everything.

Kiara didn't like the look on her friend's face; the look of complete evil and perfect planning. And she sure as hell didn't like how Raven produced the handbook provided with enrollment; a page is dog eared, and as Kiara opens it, Raven takes the opportunity to run upstairs, laughing.

The passage is highlighted, and once she reads it, Kiara doesn't know whether to laugh either.

(Line)

Everyone has their quirks, Kiara thinks as they exit the apartment building and step out into the street and the early morning crowds, but this is absolutely ridiculous.

Raven is dressed in the boy's uniform, her hair pulled into a French braid with just a few strands escaping and framing her face.

Even though it's just past six, the streets are crowded as people rush to get to their destinations; some are teenagers like them, in both normal clothes and in varying uniforms of many types. Venders are on the street selling various things; there's a man advertising crepes a few doors down. Does the city slow down at all?"I still don't know why you're being stubborn."

"I don't want to wear the uniform."

"You'll look great!" Kiara tries to convince half heartedly. At the suspicious eye that she gets, cocked in her direction, she sighs. "Fine, the outfit is a disaster, I admit it. But what about, uh, not caring what people think? And, what was the other one?, um, letting others judge by what's inside-"

"You're losing." Raven deadpans.

"Grr! Not everyone can argue like a boss, okay?" Raven broke out laughing.

"Did you really just say, 'argue like a boss'? God, where do you come up with this stuff?" Raven's laughing so hard she's wheezing, and tears are streaming from her eyes like they always do when she's laughing especially hard.

"Shut up! Fine, why don't you want to wear the outfit? Give me a good reason that you're not just trying to stir up trouble."

"Kia, as much as I enjoy setting the cat among the pigeons, I assure you that I have a good reason for not adorning that eye cringing monstrosity." Raven smirks and changes her voice to imitate a stereotypical socialite, lifting her nose into the air and waving her hand in dismissal.

"Then please do enlighten me, Miss Martin, as to the reason." Kiara adapts a similar tone, increasing her step to catch up.

"The reason, darling, is that that shade of pink does not flatter me, nor does the cut of the jacket."

"You're kidding me, right?" She can't help it, and drops the voice.

"Nope. You noticed how the uniform flattered you, right?"

"Yeah?"

"It's that jacket; it's meant to flatter the naturally slim. The color brings out the flush in your cheeks, and the cut makes you seem more delicate than most people would think, while ignoring the small waist. It just makes me look fat; besides, this uniform looks great on me, doesn't it?" Just for effect, she does a twirl, and Kiara has to admit that on Raven, the boy's outfit looks a lot better than the one she's wearing. Despite who it's meant for, no one will mistake her for a boy.

"Jeez, and you know all this by looking at it?"

"Someone's jealous…" Raven singsongs, before getting a thoughtful look on her face.

They're passing an enormous skyscraper now, and Raven stares at it. The sign's so high up that they can't read it, but Raven points and says, "That's where Jake works, isn't it?"

"Yeah, he pointed it out on the way back from the airport, remember?"

"I'm thinking about bringing him something to eat after school." Kiara chuckles.

"We still have to find jobs." Kiara reminds her, lightly.

"Oh yeah…well I saw a help wanted sign on that burger joint…"

"You wouldn't work out as a waitress." Raven is synonymous for forgetful, quiet and clumsy.

"Not for me, for you; I'm gonna ask around in the library."

"Hon, we haven't been here for a full 24 hours and we don't know where the library even is-"

"I'll find it." Kiara has no doubt of that; if there's a book within a mile radius, Raven can sniff it out. She volunteered at the library in their hometown and had a knack for finding the exact right book for every person (she says that it's because she took a psych course offered by their high school, but Kiara doesn't know about that; even before the class she could just tell what the person needed).

"They might not need help."

"Every library in the world needs someone who's passionate about books and willing to work; they may pay low but it's a guaranteed income. Besides, the libraries here are better funded."

Kiara likes the city; it's bustling and exciting and there's something new to look at with every glance. The buildings, the sights, the air; she likes how different everything is here, it's like walking through the mirror and seeing the opposite of normal. Back at home, she always felt like the world moved too slowly, like she was 2 steps ahead of everyone else, forcing herself to slow down so everyone could keep up; now it's like she can finally be her true self.

The walk to school is very exciting, and by the time that they are in front of the impressive building, both of them have exhausted idle chitchat and have to acknowledge how nervous they are.

Kiara can see it in her friend by how she's closer to her than normal; she's practically clinging to Kiara's side. Normally Raven has an issue with physical contact unless she initiates it; but she's scanning the crowds like she's waiting for an attack.

Raven can see it in Kiara by how she's clicking her tongue; it's a nervous tic that she doesn't even realize that she has, but Raven knows it and tries to keep calm. But, all of a sudden, dressing like a boy isn't the smartest idea.

Everyone watches them pass and snickers, it seems like, and she's starting to regret her decision; but she won't show weakness.

"You alright?" Kiara asks, Raven nods.

"We'll be fine." Raven promises.

"Yeah, definitely." Kiara agrees, and they walk up the steps and into the school.

(Line)

Anat's soul room is warm and scented heavily with the incense, and the large bed where she rests her consciousness it cut off from the room by sheets of gauze that are suspended from the canopy frame.

She breathes in the scents and sits in the darkness, her consciousness between the plains of this life and the last, a mixture of a memory and reality.

The stars looked so alive through the skylights in the tent; she felt his warm breath at her ear and she smiled; she was happy, so happy, more so than her time at the palace, and certainly more so than her time before. She can smell him; he smelled like the wind, like freedom, something that she's never before had, and now has stretched out before her.

"What are you thinking about?" His voice is rough and tired, but curious. It's his curiosity that makes his job so easy.

"I'm thinking about how the stars look like diamonds."

"If that were true I'd find a way to steal them."

"Is all the world something for you to steal?" She teased, turning to face him.

"Yes, of course it is."

"And me?"

"I've already stolen you." She laughed and kissed him again, and he cupped her face.

"That is true," she granted, but then her smile faded. Anat looked into his eyes. "Promise that you won't return me?"

"Never. You belong to me now, and I never return what is mine."

Her chest is tight, and she touches the space above her heart; this feeling…

They are close… she doesn't know whether to feel more excited or upset by this. Even if it is the God's will…she has to face him once more, and Anat isn't ready for that.

"Akefia…" She whispers, bowing her head.

(Line)

Akefia…

Raven stares around; she's sure that she heard Anat's voice…

"Did Anat say something?" Kiara asks conversationally, Raven shakes her head.

"No, I haven't seen her this morning. I think that she must be resting or something." Kiara, since she can't see Anat, just takes Raven's word for it and looks down at the map that came with enrollment.

"Okay, this is room 44B, and the Office is…" Kiara cocks her head and twists the map the other way for some reason, before pointing down the hall, "that way and hang a left!" Raven laughs and lets her friend lead the way, although she's still worried; Anat had said something…

Akefia…

Why does that name sound familiar…?The next thing that she knows, her and Kiara are in the office, and Kiara's speaking with the secretary. She blinks; time often gets away from her like that, like things suddenly click out of place, and she doesn't know where they're supposed to be.

That's the reason that Kiara and she are such good friends; Kiara knows this about her, and she's able to handle her blank periods, as they call them, and make sure that she doesn't hurt herself.

Sometimes she wonders exactly what she did to deserve a friend like Kia, who's able to accept her ups and downs and knows when to back off on her bad days and when to be there for the worst ones.

Kiara talks to the secretary and silently gags on the ostentatious perfume that she's wearing.

"Alright, the principal wishes to speak with you, so just take a seat and he'll be right with you…" She stares at Raven. "Um, did you receive the proper uniform, Miss Martin?" She asks as politely as possible. Raven smiles at her.

"Yes I did; according to the student handbook, this is the proper uniform."

"But not for a female student."

"If you look at the student handbook, the passage states, and I quote, 'Students are to wear the school issued uniform; on special holidays casual clothes are allowed, but unless specifically stated the uniform is to be worn at all times.'" Raven quotes, adopting a confused, puzzled expression. "Since this is a school uniform I thought there wouldn't be a problem. Is there?" The secretary blinks before withdrawing her own copy of the handbook and looking through the appropriate section.

Sure enough, this new girl had the page memorized to the letter. The secretary smirks; the girl can play innocent all she wants but no one would look at that particular spot without the intent to find a loophole.

"You'll have to speak with Mr. Kuzumo, I suppose, but you have a point." The secretary, Ms. Erin gives her a conspirital wink before going back to her work.

Kiara doesn't sit; she's too hyped up at the prospect of the day, instead she paces and wrings her hands nervously. Normally, she's able to channel the nervousness, but she just can't handle it right now.

"You think that we'll get along with people here?" Raven asks, Kiara nods. Raven can tell that she isn't listening and decides to mess with her.

"Do you think that our people are coming yet?"

"Maybe."

"We got the transmission from base last week; I wonder if the overlord has decided on a course of action."

"Yeah."

"Perhaps the senate is holding off the invasion…"

"Could be."

"For god's sake KIA!" Kiara snapped to attention like the kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"What?"

"Relax, hon. For god's sake, you just agreed that the Earth will soon be invaded by aliens and that their Overlord is having trouble with what strategy to use and the Senate on their planet."

"I did?"

"Yes. Why are you so nervous all of a sudden?" Raven asks, although inside she feels like she's been capsized at sea without any idea of where to go. The depth of her stomach feels sick, and she's starting to regret the big breakfast…

"Maybe it's the fact that we're more or less stranded in a different environment without a clue. Look, I'm scared, I've got my occasional moment of weakness and I need that right now, so just give me a minute and I'll be cool." Raven nods and thinks about Anat again.

She hasn't appeared at all this morning; usually she says good morning, at least, or there would be the barest trace of her somewhere, but not this morning; it's like she doesn't exist today, and that's rare. It worries her. A lot.

"Ah, you must be Miss Jennings and Miss Martin?" Kiara manages to plaster a smile on her face just as she turns to speak with Mr. Kuzumo, who bows to her. It takes half a second for Kiara to realize that she has to reciprocate, and does so quickly.

"I'm sorry, we need to adjust to the customs." Mr. Kuzumo laughs; he looks friendly, if a bit dim, and wipes his bald head with a handkerchief.

"I'm sure you'll get the hang of it; you'll find that so long as you're polite most people are willing to forgive you most slip ups in etiquette." Kiara suspected that might be the case, but she's grateful for the assurance anyhow.

Mr. Kuzumo has hopes for these girls, and after having a serious discussion with Raven (and inspecting the rules himself); he thinks that they'll survive the shark tank that is Domino High. Oh, the school board and PTA and rattle on about the anti-bullying policy all they want, he knows that it's like any school in the world; the weak is targeted, and the strong does the targeting.

He thinks that Kiara and Raven have what it takes to stay alive.

(line)

Mr. Kuzumo escorts the two to their first class after the bell has rung and assures them that they will enjoy their time at Domino; Raven knows he's lying.

Kiara is the one to knock on the door, and gives Raven a quick, nervous smile, before entering the room, her friend following.

(Line)

It's the staring.

Raven's hands twitch, and she tries not to start REALLY twitching (when she gets nervous she can have full body twitches that are embarrassing in public; however, considering that she gets most nervous in public that means it's when they occur most), she wins up shuffling her feet. Kiara introduces them both, and she won't look up from the floor.

She hates it when people stare!

Kiara prays silently as she talks that the teacher doesn't prolong this pseudo hell as she chatters like a goddamn chipmunk about nothing consequential. Why the hell is she making them stand here? God, she can practically feel Raven trembling next to her.

For all of her bravado, Raven was cripplingly insecure out of her element, and in the limelight is one of the many.

"Would anyone like to volunteer and help Miss Martin and Miss Jennings get their bearings here?"

"Um, Mrs. Kimora, that isn't necessary, I can read a map perfectly well, and so can Raven-"

"Oh nonsense, it wouldn't do for two new students to be unable to figure out how to get their bearings!" Mrs. Kimora searches the class, trying to think of a good name, before finally settling on Tea Gardner.

Tea is a busy looking girl with short hair and interested blue eyes; Kiara's interested in her but Raven just wants out of the spotlight, both she and Raven follows the teacher's orders to take a seat somewhere.

There are no open seats next to each other, and for a visible moment, Raven freezes. Kiara squeezes her shoulder, and gives her a look that means, clearly, 'I'm right here, we'll be fine'. Kiara takes a seat next to Tea, and Raven searches for an out, before she sits hurriedly beside a boy absorbed in his computer.

Everyone is staring…

Why is it that they always stare?

Kiara keeps an eye on her dark haired friend who's practically wilted under the eyes of their new classmates.

"Don't worry, they'll lose interest once class starts." Tea assures, making Kiara look at her.

"Are you sure?"

"She'll be fine. I'm Tea." Kiara knows her name, and Tea knows that she knows, but she appreciates that Tea introduced herself properly, and returns the favor, smiling.

Tea and Kiara get acquainted through the class, very quietly.

"Let me see your schedule." Tea asks, holding out her hand, Kiara produces the sheet of paper from her jacket pocket, and watches as Tea compares it to a similar sheet that in the protective plastic of a binder. Tea smiles at her, and Kiara notices that it's a sweet smile. "You're in luck, we have most classes together." It turns out that the classes that they don't have in common are several advanced art courses that Kiara had to fight her way to get into, and Tea knows where they are anyhow.

"That's cool. I don't actually need you to lead us around, though." Tea smiles and waves her hand.

"Well, think of it this way, you and your friend will be able to get around easier, and I can introduce you to people." Kiara's beginning to like Tea more and more; there's an honesty in her face, and it's something that she can appreciate.

By the time that the bell rings, Kiara and Tea find that they have a lot in common, and are talking about their various interests in music and exchanging favorite groups and songs when the class is finally ended.

Tea doesn't expect to see the other new girl, Raven, at Kiara's side a moment later, looking for all the world as if she'd just materialized. It throws her off for half a second, but considering that she's friends with Yugi and the trouble that he attracts, well, you learn to deal. Besides, Kiara acts like it's perfectly normal, so maybe it is.

"Hey, Ray, make any new friends?" Kiara teases, her friend smiles but shakes her head 'no.'

"Not during class time, are you kidding?" She replies quietly, although she's looking at Tea in a sort of suspicious way. Kiara grins.

"Raven, this is Tea, she's the one-"

"That's babysitting us, yeah, I know." Tea laughs, and Raven cracks a smile; she likes it when people laugh, especially when they don't laugh at her.

"Sorry, but at least you won't be on your own." Tea offers an apology.

"I'm not alone. I have Kia." Kiara pats her friend on the head.

"Ray's a bit like a stray cat. It takes her a bit to warm up, and she might go off on her own every now and then, but she comes back, and she'll stick with you for the long haul." Tea's face is practically glowing with the intensity of her smile.

"And Kiara's more of a German Shepherd; loyal and funny until there's threat, then she's dangerous." Raven teases, coming out of her shell long enough to return the playful jab.

"Great, you guys'll fit in with my friends easy. Just be warned, they're a bit high strung." Tea says quietly, Kiara says that they'll be fine. Raven nods, thinking about the twins and the time that they got into her birthday cake and ate it all.

Double German chocolate cake with fudge frosting and two hyperactive preteens; a nightmare in the making.

Just thinking about Jem and Care makes her chest hurt, so she banishes the thought of them into a drawer in her mind, instead of the show corner where the darker things sleep, nestled in cobwebs and biding their time.

"Earth to Raven!" Raven blinks and meets Kiara's gaze. "You okay? You totally spaced out for a bit."

"Fine. Tea, where are your friends?"

"OI, TEA!" Tea smiles and gestures to several boys who have just entered the classroom.

"Where have you 3 been? Why are you late?"

The boys who she's addressing are very strange to look at all together, they're just the oddest looking people that alone, let alone when they're grouped together like this, obviously the best of friends; one is bulky with tanned skin and dark eyes, his brown hair styled into an odd point like a lopsided pyramid pointing out from his forehead, despite his bluster, he seems sweet enough. There's a lanky boy with something akin to a Brooklyn accent and shaggy blonde hair; Kiara takes one look at him and knows that he's a brawler. Finally, there's a boy that's smaller than Jem and Care with pale skin and gentle amethyst eyes with the strangest hair that either Raven or Kiara have ever seen; blonde bangs, a black mass of hair shaped lips a 5 pronged star with the ends dipped in red…weird…

"Some idiots were hasslin' Yug to duel em and it got pretty ugly." The blond admits sheepishly, Raven raises an eyebrow. Duel? Like swords? The word is ringing a bell but in all honesty Raven's got no clue what the hell he's talking about.

"Again?" Tea asks, packing up her things. Kiara and Raven follow (okay, Kia does, Ray just sort of drifts behind her, unsure of what to do).

"Yup. Had to teach 'em a thing're two, but, hey, they'll learn eventually." The blond jokes, popping his knuckles.

"Who're you?" The smaller boy asks, before Tea can tell them, Raven takes charge.

"I'm Raven Martin and this is Kiara Jennings, nice to meet you." She ignores the bowing custom (in her head, her father is telling her never bare your neck to anyone; you aren't weak, and you don't show weakness if you don't want to get taken advantage of in the world and she banishes him to the Dark Corner) and extends her hand.

The small boy shakes it, as does the blonde and finally the pyramid head.

Their names are Tristan, Joey and Yugi; the last two names sound familiar, and Raven just knows that it's going to drive her nuts until she figures it out.

Kiara, however knows exactly who Yugi and Joey are; while she isn't a Duelist, she does watch some of the matches on television when she has free time, and occasionally she'll hear Jeremy and Carrie talk about their idols, two of whom are standing in front of them.

"Nice to meet you two, so, what classes are next for you guys?""Econ." Raven replied, Joey grins; they have this class together, along with Yugi.

"Chem." Kiara is sharing this class with Tristan and Tea, and immediately Raven starts to get nervous. Kiara catches the wide eyed look, along with everyone else.

"Don't worry, Raven, Joey and Yugi can keep you company." Tea says, gently, Joey grins and puts a hand on her shoulder.

"Econ's usually so boring we can get to know each other! Hey, what's it like in America?" It's not exactly something that he tells everyone, but Joey wants to travel when he's done with school; he wants to see the world, and meet people. Only Yugi and Tristan know this about him, because Tea wouldn't understand; she wants to go to New York to be a dancer, traveling is in the territory, but it's not something that she wants to do on her own.

"Oh, it's…we aren't from a big city like Domino, so…"

Kiara laughs quietly as the two of them lead her friend away without her realizing it, getting her talking and losing track of her surroundings.

"Should I be worried that they'll kidnap her?" Kiara asks Tea, who laughs again and shakes her head.

"No, Joey's a little rambunctious but he'll keep her safe, especially since Yugi's with them. Why's she so anxious?"

"Ah, it's just because she's nervous being here. She'll be fine once she warms up to everyone."

By now Kiara, Tristan and Tea are heading to chem., talking.

They spend the class period getting to know one another, talking quietly in a clean lab, following directions written on a sheet and passed out to them; a previous question finds it's way out of her mouth before she can stop it.

"Hey, why is it that most of the signs around Domino are in both English and Japanese?"

Tea looks up from her notes and greins slyly, "Domino's citizens are made up mainly of both English and Japanese speakers because of the large businesses here. Ethnicities of all types are in residence all for the large corporations that call for work forces without prejudice. People will go where there's jobs, and the fact that Domino City is pretty safe compared to it's size brings even more people; especially from America. About 10 years ago, city council started up a program to make the residency of non-Japanese speakers easier; they started printing things in both Japanese and English, offering English classes to the students, things like that. It attracted more people, and they brought their families, like Tristan and me." Kiara whistles lowly. That explains a lot about why there are so many non-Japanese; it was something that she'd been puzzling over, idly.

"That's pretty awesome. We wouldn't have that kind of money to start that kind of thing back home."

"Small town?"

"Yup. Ray and I grew up in this little spot in Ohio, like a Northern version of Mayberry…you know, like from the Andy Griffith Show?" Tea and Tristan nod, Kia grins; "we were born and raised there, it's a timeless place, really. I think that's the best way to describe it, other than stagnant." She can't deny the fondness in her tone, and Tristan looks amused by it.

"You sound like you miss it." Tea hands her the sheet to take a look at, and compare answers.

"I do, just a bit."

"Then why move?" Tristan tries to copy the answers, only to get an arm block from Kiara.

Kiara and Ray discussed this on the plane, because, for obvious reasons, 'my Guide told me that we needed to move to a different country to save the world' won't exactly be any help (and might be the best way to get them both locked in the loony bin, which is something that they want to avoid), even if it's that happens to be the truth.

Instead, she tells half truths, "well, after living for so long in that town, we got a little stir crazy. We want to see the city, have a change of scenery, so we moved here. Ray's got an Uncle who works around here and promised to keep an eye on us. So you know…" Kia shrugs, leaving them to draw their own conclusion.

Tristan accepts the story and goes back in his attempts to copy, or bum, answers, which Kiara playfully shoots down his attempts, and Tea plays along, although something doesn't seem right in the story.

Chem is almost fun; the teacher walks around the room, making sure people work, and he asks Kiara, quietly, if the lesson is at least understandable, and if she needs to stay after school he'll be happy to catch her up. When she explains that she understands, he nods and goes back to patrolling the class. She thinks that it's nice, him letting them work, but almost monitoring their progress.

Kiara thinks that they'll get along, and she's glad that Tea's so friendly; before class is over, Kiara knows more about the school than most people who go here, because her new friend is not only observant, she's also friends, genuine friends, with nearly everyone, and let's face it, most girls gossip. Not to mention the valuable insider info on several teachers who may or may not drink (but were always 'irritable' on Mondays, with red eyes and severe headaches, every week), and shortcuts to class, as well as tips on what to get, and what not to get, for lunch.

Idly, she wonders if Raven's having so good a time.