A/N: This goes directly along with the prologue. I hope it's not too dry! Like I said before, things get better when she gets to Gallagher Academy. Just wait!

Let me go back and explain. I started working at the age of 14, as a babysitter. The money I earned went mostly to martial arts classes and equipment. (I was very interested in self defense.) I was being homeschooled at the time, but I learned the material so fast I was onto trigonometry by 4th grade. My parents thought they must be teaching me wrong, so they sent me to a public school. This didn't work, because one week into the school year, I was called down to the principal's office to be told I was expelled for "cheating." This happened in the next 12 schools I attended. My parents didn't know what to do with me. Of course, I had come to the conclusion long ago that the teachers simply didn't want to deal with me and my advanced learning pace. They wouldn't even allow me to be tested so I could skip grades. I didn't fit in.

At the age of 15 my parents sent me to a military school. By now I was programming computers, and I was sure this new school would kick me out just as fast as the other ones had.

But I was wrong. It was three-quarters of the way through the school year. I had aced every test, project, and homework assignment. My GPA was 4.513 (we were allowed to do extra credit projects at the end of each trimester). After classes, I always conducted my own researches on higher level material.

On May 3rd, after the class had been dismissed, my teacher called me over. This is it, I thought. Well, at least I lasted longer here than anywhere else...

"Veronica," Mr. Keywey (that's my teacher's name) started sternly, "I would like to talk to you about—," he paused here and looked me in the eye—, "advanced schooling options."

He means this school isn't advanced enough for me. That I'll have to find a school somewhere else. That—

"As you obviously learn at a much faster pace than the other students, I've realized your great mind should be living up to its full potential. I've also realized your physical abilities are quite exceptional, and with farther training they could be put to good use." For a great mind, I had no idea what he was trying to say.

"Sir?" I asked.

He sighed. "Veronica, I would like to recommend you for a special school. A school where your talents could be made useful."

"A special school?" I asked carefully.

"Yes. I would like to recommend you for a certain school I have contacts at. If they accept my recommendation, you may be able to take a test and apply for a spot. The application will be tough, testing your mind, your intellect, and your physical abilities. See, this isn't an ordinary advanced school. It's a training school for—advanced professions."

"Like what?" I asked bluntly.

"Well... they'll explain when they give you the tour. That is, if they accept my recommendation and allow you to take the tour. Trust me, Veronica, you'll fit in better there. I'm sure they'll find you to be a real pavement artist."

"Pavement artist?" The term was completely new to me.

"A pavement artist is someone who easily blends in with their surroundings. It's a useful skill."

"Oh." I didn't know what to say. This school sounded like a really advanced school for kids like me—kids who were too smart to fit in.

"I'll talk to my parents about it, sir."

"As will I," said my teacher. "You know, that's what I think they'll like about you at the Academy. You never show emotion, but I know you ponder everything before you speak. Do you have any questions? I will call your parents about this tonight."

"Yes, sir. What is the Academy called? Where is it? Is it a boarding school? What are its times? When—"

"Veronica, slow down," Mr. Keywey commanded sternly. "You will ask and I will answer questions one at a time. The school is called Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women. So obviously it is an all-girls school for advanced students. Your second question, I believe, was where the school is located. It's in Roseville, Virginia. Of coarse, it's a boarding school, so it's very well protected. If you get accepted, you'll start on their first day of school, August 24. They have breaks for the winter, spring, and of course summer. I believe classes start around 7:30am and end around three in the afternoon. The food there is excellent, I've tried it myself. Any more questions?"

Maybe it was the big surprise of not being expelled. Or maybe it was the overload of information I had just received. Whatever it was, I no longer could think of any questions.

"Uh...no, sir," I said lamely.

"Alright then, Veronica, I'll speak more to your parents about this. I really hope you are accepted. You'd love it at Gallagher Academy. I'm sure you'd end up making some friends. I really think this Academy is for you."

"Me too, sir. Thank you, sir."

"Thank you. It's not everyday that I get to recommend someone for Gallagher Academy. Now get off to your dorm!" he barked, suddenly stern. "You will need your sleep!"

"Yes sir, thank you, sir," I said, backing out the door. As I hurried up to my dorm, skipping steps in my excitement, I couldn't help but smile. Everything was going to change. I could only hope it would change for the better.