It was the second day of school, and I wasn't doing much better for myself. Somehow, things had gotten worse.

"Pet do you want to eat lunch with me and my friends?" I was walking out of class, my books clutched tightly to my chest to avoid my having a panic attack. It was a lifeline by this point. When Gray asked me the question, I just grabbed them tighter, the edges of the books digging into my palms.

"No thank you." My tone was clipped and I was pretty sure that my eyes looked frantic. Which sounded about right, considering I'd been searching for a way to escape this hellhole for the past 3 hours.

I'd forgotten how truly terrible school could get, so I had lost my ability to desensitise myself when facing situations like these. Everyone kept looking at me. Constantly. No matter what I did there were whispers about 'that new girl' that no one knew the name of, apparently, considering no one had called me anything other than new girl either yesterday or today. It was getting quite repetitive, if I could say so myself.

That wasn't the only problem though, I seemed to only have 1 class with Gray, the one before lunch, and bullies flocked me during these Gray-free periods. I'd been called told so much already (ranging from being a fat bitch to doing… the nasty with Gray), and that's not even mentioning the boys. They seemed to like winking at me and then laughing with their friends – as if pretending to like someone for the jokes was just so funny.

I wanted to punch someone, to say the least, but that's where the problem was. I simply couldn't. I'd had it enforced in me since I was little that behaviour like this towards me was completely ok. And even though I'd become unaccustomed to it during my residency at the Benedicts', I couldn't just let myself start imagining crazy scenarios where I was somehow just as important as the other kids in this school – which I wasn't. I suppose that's what I hated the most about this school day, the fact that it was bringing back all the rules, all the defence mechanisms, everything, as if I had gone back to the monster's house for a day trip.

"Well, if you're sure." He looked like he wanted to argue with me, cocking his head to the side and narrowing his eyes in question. It was obvious he didn't believe I really wanted to refuse his offer, but I did. I couldn't imagine a worse way to spend lunch than surrounded by jocks (who were bound to be the people Gray hung out with) and, knowing my luck, I bet the people from yesterday would be friends with him too. Exactly what I needed, being treated like I was slow for a whole half hour. Or even better yet, being made fun of for having to tail someone to be able to get any friends.

Making my way across campus, I sat down at the base of a willow tree. Smiling at my solitude for the first time in the whole day, I took out my sandwich, which had been forced on me earlier today by Sky. I munched on it slowly, never taking my eyes off the beautifully cascading leaves. If I concentrated hard enough, I could almost feel as if I were able to sway them with my mind. Back and forth, back and forth, slowly dancing with the wind to a song I set the tune to. It was beautiful. That is, until it was interrupted by someone pulling up the curtains that willow tree provided.

"Hey, you're in my spot." Glancing upwards, I saw a girl with pixy hair who looked like a force to be reckoned with. She wore a black tank top with a matching leather jacket, and a ridiculously short skirt, red like her nails. This was all paired off with over the knee socks and (red again) ballet flats. Her glowering eyes made me immediately stand up, wordlessly offering up my seat. I'd find someplace else, it didn't matter.

"Sorry." I was just about to leave when she called out to me. Her eyes softened and she tucked a stray strand of black hair behind her ear, making her look innocent suddenly, rather than intimidating. How someone could change so quickly was anyone's guess, but it made me stand still, awaiting her response.

"I mean I don't normally like people sitting here but I guess I can make an exception. Wanna share?" Not wanting to seem too eager to keep my place under the willow tree, I pretended to take a minute to think about it. Of course, there wasn't really anything to think about, giving her a nod after a couple of seconds, not able to keep it back any longer.

I didn't particularly want to give up my solitude to sit with this girl who looked like she could use me as a tooth pick, but it would be good enough for now.

"Cool."

"Mhm."

"So, I've heard a lot about you but I haven't really heard your name. You're that new kid, right?"

"Uh, yeah. My name's Maisee but no one really seems to care about that. They much prefer the gossip about me over, you know, actually getting to know me." A grin took over her features at my sarcastic response, and I could swear I heard a laugh slip out before she covered it with a well-timed cough.

"So I'm guessing the rumours about you sleeping with Gray are false then?" Before I could formulate a response that left very clear what him and I were most definitely not doing, heat spread from my neck up to my cheeks. I could practically feel my stomach lining blushing.

"Um… No." She let a loud guffaw of laughter – that I would've never expected to hear come from a girl that small (she was smaller than me, somehow) – out as she threw her head back. I stared confusedly at her as she got it out of her system, but when she looked at me again she just laughed. I was starting to think it would never end when she finally got her composure back.

"Oh my god, your face. I'd kill to see that expression again, you were all like-" And then she made a couple of facial expressions at me that I could never see myself making. Unable to hold the grin back any longer, I allowed myself to giggle softly at the ridiculous impression of me she was making. "It was great. See, I knew you were going to be great fun. You shrunk back when I looked at you. It's always the shy girls."

"You hunt for shy girls?" It seemed I once more hadn't gotten an absolutely hilarious joke, the girl laughing again.

"Nah, I actually don't really like friends. They're cumbersome to keep, you know?" Then she leaned forward, as if she were sharing a big secret with me. As I shuffled closer too, I realised how much I was actually enjoying talking to her. Her bubbly laugh and everything's-funny attitude were making my afternoon seem a lot more fun. Also less peaceful, but fun. "I was kind of hoping you'd be anti-social too." She stage-whispered this to me, making a big show of looking around her afterwards as if someone may catch on to her secret. This time, it was my turn to laugh, and I wasn't even ashamed of doing so loudly – it seemed like everything was allowed when talking with her. No rules, no nothing, just fun.

"Oh don't worry, I am." I whispered this back to her, grinning at her pleased expression.

"Good, cause I hope you don't expect me to go out shopping every afternoon. God, I'd kill myself." Remembering the last time I was at the shopping centre with Gray, I could do nothing but agree with her, wholeheartedly.

"So I gave you my name, it's only fair if you give me yours."

"The name's Althea." She then gave me the most vibrant grin I'd ever seen and stuck out her hand, as if I was to shake it. Tentatively, I placed my palm against hers, allowing her to shake my arm so hard it was almost painful. "Althea and Maisee, we make an odd pair, but I think we'll be great friends."

Hi :)

Ok guys so today's a very very special day, even though you may not know it yet. I introduced a new character *gasp* Nah, I'm kidding, it isn't that special xD But I do want to know what you think of Althea, cause I've been thinking of maybe making my next story about her. So give me your thoughts on her :D

Thanks so much for the reviews, I love you all so much. Maybe we can get the review count up to 65 by Thursday? I mean you guys don't have to, but I'm just putting that out there xD

Right, bye bye :)