The Gift of Resilience - Re-Vamped

by KNeu21

(RV2)S to 'TGoMisfortune'-Set during NM:RE-VAMPED VERSION! After waking up from a vision to find herself not only back to where she started, Leandra learns how to begin rebuilding the relationships she couldn't live without, and struggling to recall the details. While trying to avoid becoming the monster she fears she is destined to become. COMPLETE!

4. Chapter 4

Chapter Four

I woke pretty rested in the morning, taking my time waking up. I thought the bed would be too overwhelming, but I loved it. There was so much room to stretch out. To roll, and to move without worrying too much about falling off the side.

Rolling over onto my back with a yawn, I kicked the blanket off of me.

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, the brightness of the room made me blink a few times. I wasn't used to this much sunlight, so the bright yellow replacing the dull gray I was used to was a very big change. Having been so tired when I went to bed the night before ensured I slept through the night, no matter where I was.

Then I remembered.

Smiling a little, I hopped out of bed, and scurried downstairs. I really hoped they had made it like Esme said they would.

Spotting what I was looking for as I jumped off the bottom step, I suddenly felt a whole lot better. Taking an almost flying leap over the back of the chair, I flopped half sideways across Emmett's lap before I could stop and wonder if he'd mind. He didn't seem to mind as he laughed, tickling me a little.

"Hi." He grinned, and I returned it.

"Hi."

"I take it you missed me?" He asked and I rolled my eyes a little.

"How could I not?" I asked, "Nobody pisses me off like you do."

"Aw, I'm flattered." He told me and I laughed a little. Climbing off of him, I sighed as I sat upright on the armrest of the chair next to him. I still hated lap-sitting. Unless it was Esme, I wouldn't linger there. Glancing around, I knew he and Rose must have been here awhile, but I didn't see her.

"I'm getting too old for that stuff." He chose not to comment on that, "Why didn't you wake me up when you got here?"

"You need your beauty sleep." He replied, "And I didn't want to scare you again."

"I've been getting better about that."

"You seem unusually cheerful this morning." He pointed out, "What gives?"

"I didn't dream." I replied, "I think for once, I was too tired."

"Well, that's a good thing at least." He smiled, "See? And you were so worried about coming here."

"Yeah, yeah." I muttered, but couldn't help smiling with him, "But that drive was insane, and I kind of miss home already." His smile softened, "I missed it right when we left."

"You'll get used to it here." He told me, "It's new, but this is home too."

"For you." I countered, "I've never been here before." He allowed that with a small shrug.

"What are you going to do today, shorty?" He asked, seeming genuinely interested. I appreciated the subject change.

"I have no idea." I frowned, and he smiled, "Probably exactly what I did back at home. Sit around and bug you."

"There's a park just a little bit that way." He suggested, "Go make friends, or play or something." I wrinkled my nose.

"I had friends." I pouted, leaning back and he smirked.

"There's that famous moodiness Esme was talking about." He chuckled, "I'd think you'd have been happy to get out of that place. Brand new place. New start, and all that."

"You know me." I mumbled, "I didn't change just because we live somewhere else now."

"I'd drag you out there myself, but we've gotta be more careful here, shorty." He sighed, lounging back as well, "It's sunny."

"I see that." I nodded, laughing a little, "But the house isn't anywhere near people, right?"

"Well, no, but it's still better to be careful." He replied.

"Maybe I'll just.. I don't know." I shrugged, "Circle the house. Catch bugs or something."

"Your luck, one would bite you." He pointed out and I rolled my eyes.

"Probably." I had to agree with him.

Sighing, I stretched out a little. Pursing my lips as I thought. When we left, I'd been doomed to stay friend-less. I already missed the boys, and I had no idea when I'd see them again.

"You okay?" He asked, and I nodded.

"Just thinking." I answered, and he knew by my tone that that's all it was. For right then, anyway.

Suddenly, I remembered. I had a way to talk to them. Well, Josh anyway. The little folded piece of paper sitting on my dresser upstairs.

"Hey," I sat upright, "How do you use e-mail?"

He smirked, "You don't know how?" I shook my head, "Where have you been the last sixteen years?"

"Not born for half of it." I replied, "Can you show me?"

"Sure." He finally chuckled, standing. Standing up as well, I followed him further into the house. Passed the stairs, there was a small hallway that held two more rooms, a separate bathroom, a closet, and a small office. I spotted the computer immediately.

"Stay." I said to him, gaining a replying chuckle as I turned and ran from the room. I had to go get the piece of paper. I stumbled a little, tripping on the stairs on my haste up them, but I managed to catch myself, "Ouch."

I ignored the throbbing pain in my toes, continuing on.

It really wasn't that hard to figure out, just like Josh said. It didn't take me that long to set everything up. I sent Josh a message, saying I was alive and I made Emmett give me the address to send him.

There were rules, though, to using the computer. Emmett wasn't joking around when he told me this, so I knew to pay attention. If nobody was around to watch what I did, I shouldn't stray. Just e-mail, and that's it. Stay away from chat rooms and things like them, and if I ever found myself in one, never give out my name or where I live.

Blah, blah. All of that was common sense.

"I can handle it." I nodded, concentrating as I poked the 'send' button, and he smirked.

"If you say so." He said, "But if I find out you didn't follow these rules, I'll kick your butt from here back to Washington."

"Yeah, yeah."

"I mean it." He stressed, "There are a lot of weirdos out there."

"I know that." I reminded him, swinging a little in the swivel chair, "If anybody knows that, it's me. I'm not gonna be doing anything else but e-mailing Josh. Maybe Zack too."

"Alright." He said, nodding. I laughed a little, standing up. I was done with it for now, and Josh wouldn't get that for at least another few hours, so I could find something else to do.

Emmett and I wasted the morning and most of the afternoon by watching a movie marathon on TV, and I forgot all about wandering around outside. I didn't want to leave the house anyway. Rose and Esme unpacked boxes of things brought from the old house while we lazed around. Pictures and things Emmett and Rose had brought with them.

I was actually glad to see that they'd thought to bring a lot of stuff from my room. One thing in particular, and that was one of the few pictures of the boys I had. It sat in one of the new picture frames I'd gotten for my birthday. The picture itself had been taken at the beginning of the summer, and Heather had taken it for us. I was even smiling a little.

"Should you really be letting her watch this stuff, Emmett?" Esme frowned, finally catching on to exactly what we were watching. A smaller box in her hands as she paused on her way toward the kitchen.

"I hide her eyes when it gets bad." Emmett assured her, "Or she does it herself." She shook her head, continuing on with what she was doing. I didn't care what we watched. Lounging around, it was almost normal, which I really needed.

"So I take it you've forgiven me?" Emmett asked at one point, and I looked over at him.

"I still haven't figured that out yet." I sniffed.

"Definitely a female." He chuckled, shaking his head.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.

"You can stay mad forever, and not give a clue as to why."

"You know why." I grumbled.

"I wasn't replacing you, shorty." He replied, laughing a little. I just looked to the TV again. I wasn't expecting him to actually know that much. So he tried a different approach, "And besides. I thought getting you out of that whole school thing made up for it."

"Okay," I muttered after a second of thought, "I have to give you that one."

"Did you really whack her on purpose?" He asked.

"Yeah." I sighed, "And I'm not sorry."

"That's not very nice."

"I don't care." I replied honestly, "It's her own stupid fault. She got what she deserved."

"Shorty." He muttered, and I looked over.

"What?" I asked, "It's true. I'd hit her again if I had to."

"Well, then I guess it's a good thing you're here, and she's way over there, isn't it?"

"Probably." I agreed, shrugging a little. That was another thing. I hadn't thought of that yet, and it really got me down to think about it now, "I won't see him again, either." My dad. Without living so close to where he lived, I probably would never see him again.

"Oh, boy." Emmett muttered. He obviously caught on to what I meant, "Aw, hell. I'm sorry, shorty." Seeing how upset I suddenly was, he reached over and scooted me over, hugging me into his side. It had meant a lot to me to get him back when I let myself rely on it. Now that that was gone, I felt the familiar pangs of disappointment.

That was pretty much it for the conversation, and I didn't mind that.

As for Lily, I didn't fully understand what the big deal was. I mean, I knew it was wrong to hit someone on purpose, but she deserved it. As did Mr. Mitchell, and Andrew. They all deserved it.

It wasn't even dark yet before Alice and Jasper showed up, and I immediately felt even better. Rolling up off the couch and clamoring over Emmett to get to the door.

It was hard the night before when we'd gotten there and nobody else was with us. Now that almost everybody was here, I felt like I could start adjusting. I missed home, but not as much as I would have if they weren't here with me. There was someone missing, however.

"Where's Carlisle?" I asked from where I stood hugging Alice, "I haven't seen him all day."

"He's at work, honey." Esme answered, coming in to greet Jasper and Alice as well, and I frowned.

"Already?" I asked, unable to hide my disappointed tone, "So soon? I mean, we just got here yesterday."

"They had an immediate opening." She smiled a little, "People tend to make room for him." That certainly explained Carlisle's rush to get here.

"Oh." I mumbled, "Well, that's good, I guess."

"He'll be home soon." Esme assured me, smiling at my disappointment. I let Alice and Jasper into the house, looking up at Jasper. He still had yet to look directly at me, and I frowned. Was it something I did?

I didn't want to ask, and risk pissing him off even more. He didn't seem pissed off, though. More like unhappy. Distracted, or deep in thought. I'd been that way before, so I left it alone.

"What about Edward?" I asked, curious, "When is he coming?" A heavy pause made the end of that question quiet a bit as I glanced around.

"He's not." Alice told me after a moment of awkward silence, and I frowned, "He might visit now and then, but.." She trailed off, shaking her head.

I didn't know what to say to that. Learning that Edward wasn't going to show up bothered me. I'd been a little hopeful I could talk to him a little more, because as it was, he was the most unfamiliar to me.

I couldn't help thinking that Edward's decision not to follow the family was because I was here. Thinking back to just a few days before, and how I'd reacted to him learning everything about me, I was leaning more toward that explanation.

"Come help me unpack?" Alice offered, probably trying to cheer me up, and I glanced up at Jasper.

"Um." I mumbled, hesitating and waiting for Jasper to protest. When he never did, I just sighed, "Sure." I was still pretty out of it. I wasn't feeling all that well, and I was sure it showed.

"Trying to steal her again?" Emmett asked from his place on the couch, "I'm not done picking on her."

"I only looked away twice." I mumbled in my defense, looking to him.

I did follow her, however. Curious which room was theirs. I was always sort of separated from the family, my room being on the first floor back home. Now that I wasn't, I liked it. She smiled a little at me as she showed me that she and Jasper had the room beside mine.

So that was one positive note. Theirs looked almost exactly like mine. About the same size, but with a much different color scheme, and it seemed more homey. Where mine was mostly made up of brown, gold and red, theirs was more of a beige and light blue.

"How are you liking it here so far?" Alice asked, setting her bag down.

"My bed is huge." I replied. That was meant to sound like a good thing, but I could see how she could take it differently. She laughed a little.

"Does that bother you?" She asked, looking to me as I leaned against one of the posts on their four-poster bed.

"No." I mumbled, shrugging a little, "It's nice. I just miss home, I guess."

"I know." She replied quietly, "This is something that happens a lot, though. You'll get used to it. After awhile, where you are stops mattering as much as who you're with." I already noticed that, so I believed her easily. Nodding a little.

"I've never lived anywhere but Washington." I admitted and she smiled, "So it wasn't just that I hated Ken that scared me so much about having to live in California. I mean, yeah, he was a big part of it, but not the whole part." Her expression softened.

"You shouldn't be thinking about him."

"I know." I murmured, "I can't help it, though."

"Has that happened a lot today?" She asked, and I knew what she meant. She was referencing my inability to control where my mind wandered. Something that usually happened a lot in the days leading up to one of my bad days.

"Yeah." I admitted with a sigh, "Pretty much every day for the last week. Even after that night, which is weird. Normally I have a little bit of a break. I didn't tell Emmett about it today, though. He's been so nice to me."

"What about Esme?" She asked, and I shook my head, "Leandra, you shouldn't hide it."

"It's just hard." I mumbled, "I'm still stuck, I think."

"I'm sure the move didn't help."

"Probably not." I sighed, shaking my head.

She also sighed and stood upright, "And Esme says you say this happened before?"

"I don't know very many details." I replied, "Not yet."

"But you're sure it has?"

"I'm sure." I replied, "That's about the only thing I do know yet, but I think it's different this time. Well, I know it's different this time, but this is different." I gestured to now.

"She mentioned that too."

"Because I don't remember this place." I added, "I've never seen it before."

"Maybe last time we went somewhere else?" She suggested, and I shook my head. She frowned, "Maybe you'd been hurt too in what happened that night last time?"

I hadn't considered that before, but thinking about it, I shook my head again. It was dim, vague, but I remembered that much. My head ached, trying to force myself through the small details, but it was coming.

"I just can't imagine why we wouldn't take you with us."

"I'll work on that." I murmured, "Sometimes it takes its time. Especially if there's a lot of stuff that happens at once."

She nodded, looking down briefly. Setting the stack of jeans over the foot of the bed with another sigh, "Now. About the direction your thoughts have been going." I looked down, "What's got you so fixated lately? You've been having such a hard time."

I honestly didn't want to talk about this, but thankfully, I got my escape. I looked up as Jasper appeared in the doorway.

"Um.. I'll be downstairs." I forced a smile to Alice, looking to Jasper again as I left the room. Listening to her sigh sadly behind me. I half expected Jasper to tell me it was alright if I stayed, but he never said a word, so I kept going. He could probably tell I was grateful to get away from that particular line of questioning.

I flopped back down beside Emmett with a deep sigh that turned itself into a yawn.

"Tough day?" He asked, and I stayed quiet. Knowing he probably heard what I told Alice before. I just kept my eyes on the TV, and he didn't press.

By the time Carlisle did come home, I was eagerly looking forward to his arrival. I'd missed him. However, he was distracted. Borderline stressed, and heavily so. Like Jasper had been, and I wondered what they had to be so distracted about, even if they weren't about the same things.

Carlisle came in, hardly noticing me standing there, and instinct told me to stay out of the way. I could tell something was wrong. but even though I was curious, I wouldn't press. Everything was so different now. Before, I'd never felt like I was in the way. Not when it came to Carlisle, but that was the distinct feeling I got now.

Carlisle told us he needed to talk to Esme, so Emmett took me outside. That usually meant it was about me, so naturally, I was nervous. What the hell had I done now?

Since the sun had fallen enough, Emmett walked with me. We left the front yard, and slowly stepped along the deserted street. The street was paved, but ours was the only house for a good while. Then again, I'd only seen the front of the house so far, I reminded myself.

Though I was dressed, I hadn't grabbed my shoes before leaving the house, but the street was warm from the sun on it all day. Where my feet would probably have gotten cold back home, with the pavement nearly constantly wet, this was warm and dry. I didn't mind this change. I watched my feet on the smooth pavement, stepping over small pebbles.

"Sorry you got stuck with me while they talked about me." I muttered, looking up at Emmett beside me.

"I don't mind." Emmett told me with a grin, "I'll babysit you."

"If you sit on me, I'll stab you." I mumbled, and he looked to me.

"That's not very nice." His attempt to hide his laughter failed. Even I had to laugh a little at how serious I was when I said that. Even if I really didn't feel like laughing.

"And I'm not a baby." I reminded him.

"More of a baby than I am." He replied, "Itty-bitty baby sister, and since I'm older, I get to sit on you. That's how it works."

"Is it?" I laughed a little, "You'll smash me."

"Nah. I wouldn't do that to you. Especially since I heard you broke your butt." Emmett said conversationally, and I looked up at him.

"I didn't break my butt." I muttered, "I bruised it."

"So much for padding, huh?"

"I'm not fat." I sighed. He shook his head, laughing a little, "Does everybody know about that?"

"No." He smiled, finding it amusing, "I overheard Esme telling Rosalie about it." I rolled my eyes a little.

"In other words, everybody knows about it except for Alice and Jasper."

"Pretty much."

I shrugged, "It hardly hurts anymore."

"Just when you sit on it." He shrugged also, and I didn't bother denying that.

It fell quiet as we walked. Several minutes of that went by, and the entire time, I knew he was watching me. I kept my gaze down, and I could feel the nearly permanent frown on my face. The seemingly never-ending crease in my brow.

Trying to make sense of everything, unavoidably, I thought too much. Too far one direction and when I got that far, it was hard to come back on my own. Getting lost in the tangled mess that was my head, sometimes I forgot to leave a trail of crumbs.

"Where'd you go, shorty?" He asked after several minutes, knowing my moods. I sighed, shaking my head a little.

"A long time ago." I mumbled in reply. I knew it was useless to try to hide it anymore. Emmett was far more observant than that.

"Wanna talk about it?" I slowly shook my head. He sighed, "Shorty, you know you can talk to us. You don't always have to be on your own." But I did.

"I know." I mumbled anyway.

"We're all here for you." He told me, and I was quiet, "I mean, it's really not like we have anything better to do."

"So I'm a hobby?"

"Um." I couldn't help smiling a little at his slight discomfort, "That's not what I meant. Unless you think it's a good thing, then that's totally what I meant."

"I don't even know." I admitted, laughing a little, until that faded too.

"So tell me." He urged after a moment longer of silence, "What were you thinking about?"

"It's not that easy." I muttered, and he seemed confused, so I decided to explain, "It's not that easy, just giving one answer. When I think, it's never just about one thing, and when I remember things, it's never just one thing. It's a whole lot of things all at once. Some things I might be able to say, but other things I don't want to say. That's what makes it hard to tell, or explain to someone."

"Your head sounds like a busy place." That actually seemed to concern him.

"Always." I sighed, "It never stops. Like, I could be in the middle of talking to someone about this thing, and I'll think about a whole other thing the second I have a chance to."

"I've noticed that." He pointed out.

"When I stay quiet for a little too long before I say something?" I asked, and he nodded, "It's because I get mixed up, and it takes me a second to remember what we were talking about. The worst part is that I can't control it. I just want my head to slow down, you know?"

"No wonder you're always so tired."

"That's not why I'm so tired." I shook my head a little, keeping my gaze down on my feet, "I'm so tired because it's hard to sleep. It's hard to sleep, because I remember a lot more when I'm sleeping. Not more things, but more about things."

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"Well.." I paused, thinking, "When I'm awake, memories are just memories. I know they're memories. When I'm asleep.. Those memories real again, and I don't know I'm dreaming. It's like.. When I'm awake, it's like staring at a still picture. It's flat, and even though I can see it, it's just a picture. When I'm asleep, it's like I'm there."

"I see." He was quieter now.

"I remember everything when I'm asleep." I went on just as quietly, "When I'm awake, I don't smell the things I smelled then, or notice the little things I noticed then. I don't feel everything when I'm awake, but I feel and notice and smell everything I felt and noticed and smelled back then. It's real to me, and that's why I'm always so tired. I don't like going back there."

He was quiet, so I went on.

"And then," I muttered, "There's all the stuff I dream about that I don't remember when I wake up. Like what happened with you all. I know there's something there that I should be able to remember, but I don't remember it. Those are the ones that make me nervous, because I don't know if they're good things or bad things, and I don't really know how to feel about them." I paused for a breath, "Then there's the things that I do remember. I don't remember the things that happened the last time, in the vision or whatever it is, on my own. My dreams help me with that sometimes."

I closed my eyes, unable to help it as I stopped walking.

"When my dreams are good, they're not so bad. When they're bad, they're really bad, and it bugs me so bad that I can't choose where my thoughts go." I had to at least express that, "Because even though I'm here, I get scared and remember seeing things that I saw way back then that I don't want to ever see again. And it hurts. So bad, sometimes I can barely breathe."

We stood in silence once more, this time neither of us expecting me to say something else.

"Aw, shorty.." He obviously didn't know what to say. I didn't say anything either. Eventually, he slowly reached out and turned me to face him. I could only glance up at him, noting his deep concern. I only managed one sob before he lifted me up, and hugged me.

Standing there in the middle of the road, he hugged me tight and I returned it.

Before the last two weeks, I'd been doing so well, but now I was beginning to learn that the pain never goes away. It never stops hurting, but I just learn how to deal with it. I'd been doing so well before, but it was like I lost my ability to hide it so well that night.

"Why can't it be over?" I couldn't help asking, "It still hurts. It doesn't stop."

I felt him turn around, and I knew he was carrying me back toward home. With me stuck to the front of him like a monkey. Trembling with silent sobs I knew he could hear.

"What happened?" Carlisle was there the second we were through the door, "Where did you go?"

"We just went for a walk." Emmett answered, letting me down onto the couch. I scooted back onto it, nervous at his tone as I struggled to calm down.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" His tone told me he was barely holding onto his temper. I looked up, watching as Carlisle followed him outside. Closing the front door behind him.

One by one, they were all getting an idea. Edward, the one other that had an idea about what went through my mind, wasn't coming. Jasper could hardly look at me, no doubt blaming me for my emotions, and Emmett never followed Carlisle back inside. That almost crushed me, but I managed to keep it back.

"Where'd he go?" I asked quietly when I saw him alone, and Carlisle looked to me.

"He'll be home later." Was all he told me, "Don't worry."

Too late.

"I don't know why I told him." I sniffled, shaking my head, "I don't know. I keep chasing people away."

"No, Leandra." Carlisle told me, "It wasn't you. He went into town for an errand." I hardly believed him, but I wasn't going to insist. The last thing I wanted was to piss him off too.

I sat there on the couch, sniffling as I slowly calmed down. Carlisle stood there with me, watching me. I wanted to say something, but I was so worried about bothering him. Especially when he still seemed so distracted.

"I just need to keep my stupid mouth shut." I muttered after a few minutes.

"Leandra, no." Carlisle replied, "That's the opposite of what we want."

"Then how come every time I do, someone gets mad?" I asked, "I get why Edward got mad, but I didn't even say anything that bad to Emmett."

"He's not mad." Why was Carlisle lying to me? I looked up at him, and I could see he knew he was lying.

Each minute that passed, I got even more tense. What was Emmett doing? If he wasn't mad, then why would he run off like that?

He was only gone half an hour, but it felt like hours. When he finally returned, I was so close to tears, I couldn't help but cry when I saw him close the door behind him. Carlisle looked on from where he stood talking with Esme.

I was so worried I'd run him off too.

He gave me an apologetic smile, crossing the room to sit beside me. From inside his coat, he pulled something out and handed it to me. I had to smile at what it was.

"I'm sorry. About leaving like that, but I had to take a walk." He said, "To clear my head, and when I saw this, I had to get it for you." I ran my fingers over the soft fur of the teddy bear in my hands. It was a violet purple color, and not especially large, but big enough to hug. I appreciated this gesture more than he knew.

"Thank you." I murmured, smiling a little. He smiled, nodding. He was quiet for a moment, until I spoke again, "I thought I'd chased you away too."

"Too?" He asked, frowning.

"Well, there's Edward." I reasoned, "He's not coming. Then there's Jasper. He hasn't said anything to me since that night. He can't even look at me. I chase people away, but I swear. I won't anymore." Then I thought about it, "As much as I can help, anyway. I don't have the nicest thoughts or easiest emotions, but I can try harder. It's just been hard lately." He studied me for a minute.

"Jasper." He called, and I looked up at him.

"Don't worry about it." I murmured, shaking my head, "It's fine."

"Jasper." He called again, this time in a funnier tone, "Don't make me have to go up there. I don't wanna see that." I frowned, confused for a moment. I yelped quietly as Jasper was suddenly there.

"I hope this is important." Jasper told him, straightening his shirt.

"Is she right?" Emmett asked, "Have you been avoiding her?" Jasper looked down, sighing as his gaze found the floor, "Why?"

"I think we both could do without a repeat of the other night." Jasper finally answered matter-of-factly, "I think it's best if I keep my distance. It was reckless of me to get so comfortable."

"Until she starts feeling like this." Emmett told him incredulously, "You nuts?"

"Emmett, it's fine." I mumbled, and again, he ignored me.

"You can't just 'distance' yourself like that." Emmett added.

"You can't just walk away, either." Jasper countered.

"You didn't hear what she said."

"You don't feel what she feels." Jasper replied, "I wouldn't live with myself if I ever hurt her because I got too comfortable again. The truth is, humans bleed, and the truth is, that can happen again."

"What's her emotions-"

"She was afraid." He answered, and I looked down, "I felt her fear, and I didn't like it."

"Is a broken heart any better?" Emmett muttered. Jasper sighed, shaking his head before Emmett looked to me and spoke up again, "Wait. You think Edward isn't here because of you?" I hesitated, "Why?" I wasn't sure I liked having this turned around on me.

"Because of the things he saw?" Jasper asked me. I didn't know how to answer. If I answered honestly, they'd want to know what those things were. If I lied, I doubted they'd believe me anyway.

"Leandra, honey." Esme spoke up, and I looked back at her near the kitchen, "Come here, please." Gratefully, I stood up. They could sort out whatever they needed to sort out, and I didn't have to sit there through it.

Sighing as I followed both her into the kitchen, Carlisle following me. From in the kitchen, I could still see into the living room, so it wasn't any more private, but I could tell she just wanted to move me away from them. Either so Emmett and Jasper could talk, or she could talk to me without many distractions. I wasn't sure which.

It soon became apparent which one it was, though, by the way she looked to me.

I found a seat at the round kitchen table, sitting down and looking up at her. I waited, watching her glance to Carlisle. This wasn't an easy subject, I could tell immediately. It made me nervous, and I tensed where I sat. Sitting straighter in my seat.

"I wanted to ask you something." She began, and I waited. This seemed so hard for her, and I was starting to worry. Until she spoke again, "Honey, how set against attending school are you?" That was both relieving, and more worrisome.

"Very." I mumbled immediately. Probably even more now.

"Are you at least willing to try?"

"I have tried." I shook my head, standing back up. Nervousness making me do so, "I can't do it."

"I was hoping you wouldn't say that." She sighed, and I frowned, "Honey, as a requirement for them allowing a transfer, you-"

"Transfer?" I asked, confused.

"Carlisle called in a favor." She explained, "Normally, since you're only a foster, they wouldn't have allowed you to come with us. Not that easily, anyway." She paused, "But because it was Carlisle, they hesitantly agreed to transfer your case here. It's a bit more complicated than that, and a whole lot of paperwork, but they agreed to do it. Under a few conditions. The one condition we're talking about now, is that you must attend school." My frown deepened, "You begin on Monday."

My heart dropped, and I couldn't breathe for a second. I'd have to go through all that again? It wasn't happening. I shook my head, instantly denying it. Monday? It was already Friday evening! That meant I only had two days.

"I can't!"

"You've attended school before, sweetheart." She assured me, "You can-"

"That was before." I reasoned almost desperately, "I've tried being around people, and I don't like what I do."

"We've done all we can to get them to change their mind, sweetie, but it's-"

"Try again." I whimpered, shaking my head. I was scared, and for very good reason. I didn't know these kids. Anything could happen, and I'd be screwed. How could they do this to me?

"It's a wonderful school, honey." She told me, trying to comfort me, "And it's only temporary." I gave a sob of dread, turning and pacing, "I know how much this worries you, but I know you can do this. You'll do fine."

Again with those lines! Didn't they learn anything from what happened just a few weeks ago?

"No I won't." I sobbed, "I can't do it."

It was useless to argue, and I could see that throwing a fit wouldn't get me out of it. I couldn't help it, though. I'd never really thrown a fit before school tried to start for me before, so this was somewhat new territory for me. I tried to hide it, but I just couldn't pretend to go along with this.

Being away from my family for any length of time in a place like that seemed so impossible, a sense of despair settled into my stomach, and I sat back down. Lightly thumping my head against the table. Not very hard, though, and it hardly made a noise.

"I can't." I argued anyway, "Don't you remember? Just because-"

"You'll be fine." She assured me, "You don't have-"

"Just because I'm in a different place now, doesn't mean that's changed." I finished what I wanted to say, "Do I have to kill someone for you to get it?"

"Honey, if it were up to me, I'd keep you here." She stressed, "But it's not. They want you in public school, and that's just how it is."

"They can go fuck themselves." I stood up again, "I'm not going."

"Leandra." Carlisle's tone was a correction, and I looked to him.

"Don't make me go." I was back to begging, "Please don't make me go."

"I'm sorry." He told me, "There's no choice."

"No." I was back to arguing, "No, no, no. I can't. I won't."

"I'm sorry." Was all he said in response.

After enough arguing, though, I got mad. The only way I could describe my arguing now was mean. Both Emmett and Jasper looked on from the wide kitchen doorway, surprised at my raised voice.

I was angry.

Accusing Carlisle and Esme of only wanting to get rid of me, and they were just getting rid of me slowly. Esme attempted to ease my temper, by reassuring me.

"It's not fair." I snapped, "Why should I have to do whatever they want? I thought you were supposed to be the parents, not them!"

"They set guidelines." Esme explained, "Based on what they think is best for you, and we have to follow them."

"Or what?" I challenged.

"Or they find parents for you who will follow them." She replied, "I'm sorry, sweetie, but I don't want to see that happen, so you will go."

"I won't."

"You will." She corrected.

"I'd be better off running away." I growled, "Then you couldn't make me do whatever you wanted."

Carlisle put a stop to that right in its tracks.

"Leandra." He said firmly, "That's enough of that." I wanted to keep going, but I couldn't now. Sitting back down with a sob, I kept my eyes down as I watched the table, "I know how hard this is on you, believe me, but that is no excuse to take that tone. Stop it."

Instead of arguing further, I stood up forcefully and left the room. Ignoring his attempts to call me back into the room. Yanking my arm from Emmett's hand as he tried to stop me.

Carlisle hadn't had to correct me like that before, so maybe that was what added to my upset state. Everything was changing. I cried myself to sleep that night, not at all as comfortable as I was the night before.

I wasn't feeling any better when I woke up the next morning.

It was stupid to protest this way, but I didn't know how else to really let them know how unhappy I was. Esme came upstairs to tell me breakfast was ready, poking her head in.

"I'm not hungry." I mumbled, looking away. Which was a lie. I understood that they had no choice but to make me go, but I didn't agree with it. I wouldn't go easily, because I knew what would happen. I knew I wouldn't do well at all there, and they'd see that.

"Come on out, honey." She urged, "I know how upset you are, but you should eat something."

"Come on, shorty." She wasn't alone in the hallway, "You're tougher than this."

"Bite me, Emmett." I muttered and he snorted.

"Leandra, you can't stay in here all day." Jasper's voice out in the hall as well surprised me.

"Oh, you're talking to me now?" I snapped, immediately kicking myself for not biting that one back. Instead of apologizing, I looked toward the windows across the room. Esme sighed quietly. I rested my chin on my drawn-up knees. I was quickly beginning to figure out that I hated fighting with them.

I just wanted to hide.

I could hear whispered arguing out in the hallway, but I couldn't hear what was said. They could argue with themselves all they wanted. I'd told them my position on this, and I wasn't budging, but I had a feeling Carlisle wouldn't be taking no for an answer this time. I couldn't refuse this time.

I ignored them out in the hall, until the door came open, and Emmett strode into the room. He lifted me up from my bed, and slung me over his shoulder. Which I really didn't want right then. So I bit him. The back of his shirt in my teeth, I hadn't managed to bite his shoulder.

He just sighed and continued on.

"Is she biting you?" Alice asked, surprised as he passed her in the hallway.

"Either she's a little moody this morning, or she's hungrier than she thinks." He answered simply, and I glared at Emmett's back as he continued on. I knew the group had followed us, but I didn't want to look at them. Being carried this way was highly uncomfortable.

He made it to the kitchen and stood there for a minute, "I'm putting you down now. You might want to let go or you're going to hurt yourself." True to his word, he flipped me back upright right as I unclenched my teeth. Sitting me in the seat I'd abandoned at the table the night before.

"Talk to me, shorty." I glanced to the group standing in the doorway, "What's bugging you?"

"I'm not going." I said firmly, "You'll have to carry me there, but I'm not staying. You leave me there, I'll run. I swear I will."

"Shorty-"

"No." I stood back up, "I won't go. You're the ones always telling me that you'd never make me do anything I don't want to do."

"Within reason." He reminded me, poking my nose and only gaining a glare, "It's not Carlisle's fault. It's not Esme's fault. It's not even the state's fault. It's a reasonable request, shorty. Now, my suggestion? Grit your teeth, and deal with it, because acting like this isn't going to change anything."

I stood there for a second, my anger fading slightly, until it flared again.

"I can't do it." I finally said, looking back up at him.

"Why not?" He asked, and I sighed.

"I don't know." I replied sharply, "I didn't ask to be this fucked up. I just am."

"You're not fucked up." Emmett corrected me, "You just-"

"Stop lying to me!" I surprised myself by hitting him. Not hard enough to hurt myself, but a slap against his arm, "Stop it!"

"Breathe, shorty." He told me, "Give it a minute."

"Fuck you." I pushed passed him.

"You can fight it all you want, but it's not going to change by hiding from it." He told me as I walked away.

"I'm not going!" I shouted, spinning to look at him, "I'm tired of having to prove what kind of person I am over and over and over! For someone as smart as you guys are, you sure don't get it!" He didn't bother replying to that. Giving me a pointed look, telling me silently to knock it off.

"Sometimes you have to deal with new people, but it's for your own good." He told me, "You can't live the rest of your life hiding from humanity."

"What the fuck happened to 'who cares'?" I demanded.

"That was before." He replied, "Calm down, shorty." He did have a point. I hadn't acted out like this yet. Not toward them. Well, if they could change, I could change. He crossed his arms, "You'll go."

"Watch me." I replied sharply, continuing on. I stepped passed him the other direction now. Stepping outside through the back door. Closing the door firmly behind me.

I stood outside in the bright sunlight. In my thin pajamas, it warmed my skin in a way I wasn't used to. I slowly stepped off the back porch, onto the grass. Back here, the view was prettier. The backyard overlooked a large park quite a ways away. That must have been the park that Emmett mentioned the day before.

There was a steep, grassy hill between our backyard, and that park, but I liked the look of it. The same wall that surrounded the front yard was up back here, and it interested me to know I was just tall enough to lean on the wall and watch the park.

Taking a deep breath, I began to let myself calm down. Enough to think, anyway. I wouldn't go along with this easily, and I knew they knew that. It was going to be a disaster, just like before.

What was really bothering me about this?

It was more than just not wanting to go to school. Kids always hated school. That was just how it went. It was even more than being worried about what I'd do. It was everything.

Back home, I had the option of staying home all the time. I never had to leave. Back home, I had times when I would have time with just Carlisle, or whoever else I wanted. At the start of the summer, Carlisle had been taking lots of time to work with me, and I got used to that. Back home, I didn't have to worry about facing other people, and I was used to that. The entire summer had come and gone, and fall had started. I had time to get used to that, but lately, everything had changed.

Edward was gone, but that wasn't such a big change.

Carlisle worked all day now, and I hadn't had a chance to get used to that yet. Jasper was distancing himself from me, and though I understood that, it bugged me. Because he was the one to insist I talk to Carlisle in the first place.

Now, Emmett was pushy, which he never used to be.

This was a brand new place, and as much as I needed my family, that support wasn't there anymore. It felt too much like I was starting all over. Ripped away from where I was just starting to adjust, and tossed into the air again. I had yet to land.

They were still there, but starting on Monday, I'd be gone for several hours during the day. I wouldn't have the constant safety I had before, and that wasn't an option for me. I wouldn't have the option to run to any given family member, and I'd be stuck around other kids. Maybe that's what bothered me most before. When I refused to go to school before. I'd been trying not to lose what I'd worked for.

That was a whole separate issue, but equally as distressing.

Esme was right. I had gone to school, but that was before I changed so much. If I couldn't handle leaving the car at the school there, even with Carlisle there, what would happen in a crowded classroom? Without anybody?

Just the thought of that tried to close my throat, and I coughed a sob. I didn't want to face that.

Carlisle had told me that what I did wasn't my fault, but I felt that it was. I couldn't change it, but I couldn't be that way either. It was a very scary thing for me, being cornered. Stuck between the way I should be, and the way I was. Stuck between the way I couldn't be the way I was, and unable to change. Just the thought of it was enough to nearly smash me under the pressure.

But that was nothing new. I'd accepted that.

Now, there was yet an even larger problem. What bothered me the most, was that I would have to leave the house, and the safety of my family, for several hours each day.

Without even realizing it, I'd let myself depend on them completely. Without even realizing it, by spending every waking moment with them, I let myself get used to not having to worry. Without even realizing it, it had become unacceptable to ever leave their side without the option of coming right back, because being with them meant I was safe.

Sighing, I pushed myself up, and climbed onto the wall. Sitting down on the warm stone, a slow breeze pulled my hair from my face as I continued to think about my predicament.

I'd be out there, with other people, unprotected. Something I hadn't been since I last saw Jack. Until now, I'd been protected. Sheltered. Shielded. Now, they were telling me I had to step out from behind my protected shelter, and somehow still function? I couldn't do it.

Yet, what was I doing?

Snapping, yelling. Hitting. Shouting, cursing, and biting? Pushing them away? I didn't want that. I had closed my eyes. I was turning away, resisting their efforts now. How completely just moving to a new place could turn me around. Four days ago, I'd been fine. I'd been doing so well, and now, because absolutely everything had changed, I'd changed along with it.

They had to have expected this to happen. They had to have seen this coming. I'd always been told that healing from what I'd been through wasn't going to be easy, and nobody ever promised it would be, but I guess I was just surprised I was taking steps back again. Backing away, refusing.

Maybe I should just give up. Stop trying. Stop lying to myself, and just let myself be swallowed by the person I didn't want to become. It was useless.

Glancing behind me, nobody was watching me that I could see, so I hopped down. On the other side of the short wall now, and started down the grassy hill, toward the park.

It was steeper than it looked, as I had to keep stopping myself. The last thing I needed was to go rolling, and hit the short fence posts that bordered the park. I found it easier to brace myself without my shoes, though. My toes gripping the ground for me.

It took me a little while to get to the park from the backyard, and when I got there, I had to rest. In my pajamas, and bare feet, I sat on one of the five swings in the play area. The chains hardly made a sound as I pushed myself lightly, looking around myself at the deserted park. It being deserted was the only reason I considered coming here at all.

I didn't really get much enjoyment from swinging like other kids did. It was just something to do. I half wondered what made them like this sort of thing, but I just sighed and shrugged it off. I'd never understand them.

The entire time I sat there, I battled with myself. Fighting off panic, waiting for the moment Jack would find me here. I was paranoid, I'd be the first to admit it, but I had every reason to be worried.

Alice couldn't clearly see his decisions, and that was a problem. He could be standing right behind me before she'd know anything about it. She sometimes lied, saying she did see a little bit of something, but I knew it was a lie. Not with my mother stuck with him.

I wondered what she was going through right that minute. I hadn't seen her in five months now, and the fact that Alice couldn't see Jack's decisions told me she was still with them. I wondered if she was back to drinking yet, and they just continued on with their lives without me.

It would be more difficult for them, what with Jack avoiding being arrested, but he was smart. Careful. He knew what he was doing when it came to that sort of thing, so I knew he wasn't worried.

I wondered what their lives were like now, and I wondered if they ever thought about me.

Probably. Jack at least.

I was Jack's biggest project. The one thing he devoted his life to, and the fact that I was brave enough to get away from him had to eat at him. He'd be determined, I thought. He'd be determined to get me back, and continue what he started.

I wondered what Ken was doing now. I wondered if he's shown back up for his grandsons yet. Probably. He wasn't done corrupting them. I saw that easily. Heather had to too. She wasn't stupid, so it confused me a little why she'd allow them to be around him. Even if it did make them happy.

How easy it would be to find me while I was at school. Away from my family, and away from the protection they offered. Especially for the two of them. They could do whatever they wanted between the time I arrived at school, and when I was supposed to be home. They could take me and be long gone with me before they even noticed.

Maybe that's why I fought this so hard. Because I wasn't stupid, and I refused to underestimate those two. Jack, especially. I couldn't. I knew him too well. My family was putting too much faith in some stupid school to keep me safe.

Taking a breath, I decided to think about other things.

This really was a nice park, though.

Plenty of mature trees with leaves just beginning to change colors. The trees began to remind me of home. They weren't the same, but it was something. The closest thing I had of back home. Cool, cement trails wound around the entire area, benches every so often along it. Cool grass, and sand under my feet. Clean, with no trash laying around.

However, on the other side of this park, was more to the city. I hadn't even noticed that the entire city seemed to bend around. Where it was further away one direction, it was much closer another direction. This direction to be exact. The city was a lot closer than I thought it was. This park sitting between the hill my family's house was on and the middle of the city.

Across the park, I could make out the traffic, and smaller businesses. Small stores, and restaurants. From what I could tell, anyway. I knew there was more further away, but even just that sight was enough to make me nervous.

Don't go poking around, I told myself. I'd follow my own advice. Even if I was curious, I was cautious. More so, and I knew better than to go sniffing for trouble. Even where I sat now was too close to people for my comfort, so it didn't take me long to decide to go back.

So I walked back up the hill, which was a chore but I managed, and climbed back over the wall. It may have looked close from where I stood now, but it really wasn't that close. Having experienced it, I knew I was further away than I seemed. The sun must have been playing tricks on my eyes.

I couldn't do it.

I sat back down, this time with my back against the wall. Hiding from the sight of the park behind me, and hiding back in the yard. Drawing my legs up just a little, just enough to rest my arms on my knees.

Sniffling quietly, I hid my face as my slow tears started.

I didn't look up at Jasper's voice from the porch, "Leandra, come inside."

He waited, and I knew he waited. I stayed like that for a few more seconds, until I forced myself to uncurl long enough to stand and cross the yard.

I stepped up the three steps, passed him on my way inside. Forcefully wiping my eyes, but my tears just renewed. Desperately trying to stay tough, to keep up my act of defiance. Crying ruined that, but I couldn't help it.

I found Esme waiting as well, and I just had to. Crossing the kitchen, I hugged her. To my relief, my efforts before did nothing to push her away, because she returned my hug tightly. I needed some sort of comfort, and I knew she was the best person to go to to get it.

"I know, honey." She told me, and that was all she had to say.

"It's going to take a lot more than that to change our minds, Leandra." Jasper informed me, "Especially when I'm right here, and I can feel what you actually feel. Not what you think you feel." I sniffled, turning to look at him, "Earlier? You weren't angry, Leandra. You were scared. It just took you some time to understand that."

"I know you don't want to start school, honey." Esme told me as I stepped back, "Believe me, I understand, but I promise. You'll be just fine there." I only cried harder, shaking my head, "Yes, you will."

I might have been stubborn, but they were more so. I didn't have a choice.

My first day at this school was one of the worst of my life, and I hadn't even left the car yet. Sitting outside outside the school, looking up at the gray brick building. I couldn't see a play area from where we were, but this wasn't the normal drop off area, either. This was the parking lot.

There were a lot more people here. I could tell, because the school was bigger. Much bigger.

Just like before, I refused. I couldn't make myself climb out of the car on my own, but he wasn't giving me a chance to get stuck again. With him standing outside the passenger door, I turned, attempting to climb into the back seat, but before I could even get half way over the center console, he reached in and plucked me up easily.

"No!" I was pissed again, kicking back at him. He set me down, trying to get a better hold on me, and I attempted to yank my wrist from his grip, but it wasn't working this time. He'd gotten smarter about this, but it was just pissing me off even more.

He paid no mind to my free hand trying to pry his hand loose, reaching in and grabbing my backpack for me. When it didn't work, I had to think. I sat down, right there on the parking lot pavement, glaring up at him. My arm stayed in his grip, but if he wanted me to go anywhere, he'd have to carry me or drag me.

With a sigh, he chose the first option, lifting my slack weight easily. I kicked again briefly, irritated beyond belief.

"Leandra." He corrected me, which stopped the kicking, but started the crying. He wasn't letting that get to him this time, though. He spoke up again, "Now, I understand how this might confuse you, but I know this is only for your own good."

I barely heard him, too upset to do much listening.

Once again, Carlisle had to go in and speak to the principal, so I sort of had no choice but to go in with him since he held me. I wasn't going willingly, which I needed him to know, but I wouldn't fight anymore. He never gave the panic a chance to set in. By the time I started to feel it, we were inside already.

He carried me easily inside the rather large building, and up the hall a ways until we reached the office. Me glaring down through my tears at my hand the entire way. I hated it. I hated that I had to be doing this.

We were greeted by two women, who seemed nice enough, but I hated them too. I paid no attention to what they talked about. I didn't care. I stayed bitter through the ten minute discussion, letting them talk about my imprisonment.

I did manage to gather that the woman on the right was the principal of the school, and the other was the school's guidance counselor. Just like before, but this time, the counselor was a woman. Both seemed enthusiastic to meet me, but I still hated both of them.

I nearly cried again as Carlisle finally let me down on my feet. That meant he was leaving me.

By the time he did leave, however, I was still just as against it as I had been when we got there. I couldn't stand the thought of him just leaving me there. Just walking away, which was what he did.

He stayed by my side as we stepped from the office, and into the hall. Giving me a brief hug and a few words of encouragement, he sighed when I refused to let go. Clinging to him as tight as I could, but that didn't help any. I think he expected a fit when he pried my grip loose, but only got a whimper.

He just turned. Walking away.

I couldn't follow him, though, which scared me. I struggled to keep myself under control as the counselor took my hand, and stood with me for a moment.

"Do you want a few minutes to calm down?" She asked me, and I took a shaky breath. Nodding a little. She gave me a smile, leading me back into the office and pulling a box of tissues from a desk off to the side.

It took me several minutes to relax enough to stop crying, but I wasn't sure how long that would last. I could always run away right now, since nobody expected it of me, but even I knew that had been an empty threat. I was too much of a chicken to do that.

"I know it's hard at first, sweetheart." She told me, "It'll get easier." I didn't want it to get easier. I didn't want to get used to it here. I didn't want to adjust. I wanted to go home.

Her words only restarted my crying briefly. How could he just walk away like that? I was fully aware that I hadn't been the easiest kid to deal with lately, but did I really deserve that? Just dropped here on my own. Abandoned like that? It didn't even bother him.

Eventually, she steered me up the hall. The opposite direction I wanted to go. Her hand holding mine kept me from following him, even if I knew he was long gone by then.

Don't bite her, I told myself. Don't bite her. Be good.

I hated it, but she adjusted her hold on my hand. Holding it just a little tighter, and that scared me. I yanked my hand away, giving her a look. Startled, she looked back down at me, laughing a little.

"I'm sorry." She said, "But here we are." She'd better thank her lucky stars. She seemed nice enough, but I wanted nothing to do with her. She pulled open the heavy wooden door, guiding me into the classroom by the shoulder now.

I kept my eyes down, hating how I could feel every pair of eyes on me, but just like Emmett said to, I grit my teeth and forced myself to deal with it. The teacher stood up, probably anticipating our arrival. He shook hands with the counselor at my side as she told him who I was. I watched his interaction with her, hating the situation even more. It just had to be a guy. Someone I was more likely to hate or punch in the face.

"It's very nice to meet you, Leandra." The teacher spoke to me, and I looked to him as he crouched down, "You can call me Mr. Kline, and I'll be the one you're stuck with every day." He was trying to be funny, but I looked back down. His smile softened, and he stood back up, "She'll be alright here. Thank you for bringing her, Julia." The counselor behind me gave my shoulder a pat, and I flinched away as she turned. Leaving the room.

I always remembered how it went with new students in any class. The teacher always made them tell the class where they were from and what their name was. I wouldn't do that, I decided, but he didn't make me do that. He did that himself. Standing with me, so I wasn't alone as he told the curious students my name. He got half a point in his favor for that one.

He led me to his desk, and gathered some papers in a folder, and two thin, papery booklets.

"This is all the stuff you'll need while you're here, and since the year just started, you're not too far behind." Mr. Kline assured me with a smile, offering the things to me. Hesitantly, I reached up and took them from him, "Your desk is right over here."

He led me up the second row of desks from the door to the third desk from the end. The only empty one anywhere around me, "You can set your bag anywhere. On the floor, hang it on the back, on the roof, who cares?"

He was trying so hard to make me like him. I sighed and sat down. Laying my backpack underneath my seat before stacking the booklets and stuff neatly in front of me, and he reached up, spreading my neat little pile a little, just enough to point to one of the booklets. That bugged me, but he had a reason to do so.

"This is just your copy of the regulations and rules. You know, dress code and what not to do." He tapped it lightly with his finger, "We don't use uniforms here, but that doesn't mean you can come to school in only a raincoat and flip-flops. You should go over this one with your parents, just so you're up to date on the rules here, too. It's probably exactly the same as your old school. Don't fight, don't set things on fire, don't break stuff. Don't maim or otherwise injure other students, either physically or emotionally. Blah, blah." Okay, I had to smile a little. I nodded, my smile fading almost immediately.

"In here," He tapped the light purple folder, "Is where all your writing assignments go and all the graded tests and whatnot I give back to you go. It's good to hold onto those. There's a few papers in there now, but that's just the rules of my classroom, and the map of the entire school. That's in case you start running around in circles, swearing you've seen that trash can before, and need to find your way back here. Boring.

"We're one of the only classes this grade level that doesn't switch between teachers for one reason or another." I nodded, "That reason mainly being we're way cooler than them, so just ignore that bell you hear every two and a half hours. Unless it's for lunch, or recess in.." He looked back to the clock, "Thirty minutes. Then it's every kid for themselves."

"I do have one rule that nobody new here is allowed to break." I looked to him, "That's you have to make at least one friend. That's all I ask." I sighed, looking down, "It doesn't have to be today, but nobody is allowed to stay lonely here."

I stayed quiet, choosing to ignore that. Opening the folder in front of me, I slowly pulled out the map of the school. Looking it over, all the major places were marked. The playground and field where recess and P.E. would be was out of this classroom, and further up the hall. Out of the back doors, and straight ahead.

The cafeteria, though, would take a few more minutes to get to. That one had a separate playground outside of it, and that's where we'd go after we ate. It was much bigger of a school than I was used to.

"You chose a great time to arrive, Leandra." He smiled, bringing my attention back to him, "We're reading."

Yay.

He lightly tapped the thicker booklet, with the colorful cover.

"This is just basic reading." He told me, opening it for me and turning to the right page, "You just read the short story here, and fill out these questions here at the end." I nodded, letting him know I would do that, "It's probably a lot like you're used to from last year, but trust me. It's a little bit harder. If you don't finish reading, don't worry. You can do that for homework, okay?" I nodded again, already looking over the three and a half pages of decent reading I had to do.

"Well, I think that's it." He said, "If you have any questions at all, or if you're not sure about something, feel free to ask me, or one of the other students. We're all pretty nice here. Except that kid." He pointed to a boy watching interestedly from the row to my right, and the boy laughed, "Watch out for him." I could tell it was a joke, shaking my head and fighting a small, amused smile as he continued, "It's great to meet you, Leandra, and I think you'll like it here." If only he knew it was impossible to like it here.

I didn't reply, keeping my eyes down. He smiled a little, turning and walking back up to the front. I took a deep shaky breath, letting it out in a sigh. Looking to the clock.

Six hours, and counting. What was I even doing here? I should have run away by now. I should have fought, begged, cried. I should never have gone along with this as easily as I did. I should be back home, where it was safe.

I was done reading and answered the questions in ten minutes, so I didn't have to do that at home. I'd be busy when I got home. Freaking out about tomorrow.

I could still feel many, many curious eyes on me, and I dreaded the rest of the day.

A/N: Woo. Well, that went well.
THANK YOU! To my reviewers! I'm SO glad to read you're enjoying this version so far. :D YAY!
We'll be seeing a lot of additions over the next several chapters. The further ahead I get in editing everything, the more I'm convinced the original version was one big typo. Nah, okay. Maybe not that bad, but it's still not pretty.
Needless to say, five won't take long to get out. :)
Until Five, my beautiful readers! :D