Finally, Peter's first appearance! What do you think?

Welcome to Dodo Academy for The Gifted!

Curious, Happy, Love!

"But Principal, please consider again..."

"No, Crysta. Peter White has to be dropped out!"

"He's a magnificent talent, a smart one too, Principal. Aren't those more important than his disability?"

"Precisely. I cannot accept a blind student no matter how bright he or she is. Those with phsycal or mental issue should just go to that stupid Dodo Academy. I only accept perfect students."

"Is that so, ma'am...well I suppose I can do nothing about it..."

Peter White retreated from the Principal's door and gripped his walking stick. He then, using his hearing and his walking stick, carefully went to search of his locker.

Just a month ago, Peter had an accident and lost his ability to see. He was blind, and his life was over. Despite Peter was a young pianist with international degree, apparently, Richford couldn't accept blind people.

If Richford couldn't, no other places would accept him. He had nowhere to go. He's finished, just a history.

After taking out his books and everything else from his locker, he felt if there was something left inside, and then slammed it close before bringing his goods carefully in one hand, other hand tapping the stick to help him feel the path.

He carefully got down the school's porch and sighed, thinking deep.

Peter had a big dream, to be a professional pianist. He wanted to be heard across the world, entertain many kinds of people. Actually, right then, all he wanted was to play the piano—he wondered if his hands could be familiar enough with the keys, despite his blindness...

But then, who would listen to a blind boy?

Not to mention he was an albino. He stood out too much with the white hair and his pale, sensitive skin. It was easy for his teachers to spot him out and gave him more attention, which irritate many students. He also had red irises, a genetical issue that happened in every five generations in his family.

Peter felt that he's a kid from a freakshow when he first gone to school. Girls were afraid of him, because red eyes indicated wizards. Boys mocked him as a freak. Yet, that didn't matter when he could see and play the piano.

Now he's blind and he had nothing to live.

RRRIIIING!

The albino stiffened when the school bell's rang loudly, and he could hear eager steps coming from his rich school. He heard the main door opened behind him, and he could hear laughter.

"Heeey White! I heard you're dumped out huh, blind bat?" he heard many steps approaching and circling around him.

"That's what you get for being an attention-sucker!"

"I didn't—"

"Shut up, numbskull!" Peter's heart jumped when someone kicked his shin, and he fell kneeling to the ground. The laughters were ringing in his ears. His books fell along with his walking stick. He was blind and he couldn't find his things because of it.

The bullies laughed even louder to see Peter frantically swiping his hands on the ground, looking for his books or at least his walking stick.

"You're like playing single-man show, right? Here, why don't you train and be a Daredevil, prancing around blindly and save the day?" a boy mocked, tapping something that sounded like his walking stick. Peter heard some kicks around him, assuming that the boys were kicking away his books.

He wished this would end. He wanted to die.

"Einstein I choose you!"

"OOO AAA AARGH EEEP!"

Peter heard frantic light steps, and the bullies around him shrieked, as he felt something rushing and ripped.

"Hey! What the heck is wrong with your freaking monkey!"

"Get off me! Aaargh! He bites me!"

"Stop him! Make him stop, stupid prat!"

"Then leave that boy alone, stuck up ugly prats!" Peter heard the girl's voice again. Oh man, a girl trying to save her...what a life! He begged in his heart for her to run, or she'll get murdered...

"Who do you think you are, dumbass!? Just because you're a girl, doesn't mean I won't kick you!"

"Yeah!"

This is it...Peter hated himself because he couldn't do nothing but listen.

"Ha! You're ugly and mean! No one will want you! You'll never get a girlfriend, you'll never get married and you'll never be a president! Go ahead, do it, and I'll tell all the girls that you're sickos who'd hurt the weak!"

Peter facepalmed.

She's setting fire to the kerosene.

He couldn't help but admire her guts...but maybe she's just dumb.

"Y-You...You little..."

"What's going on here?" another familiar voice approached. "Alice, what the heck are you doing in my school?"

"Scarecrow, those prats are bullying this prat!" the girl, apparently named Alice, explained to the newcomer.

"Blood, you know that airhead?" a bully asked, and Peter realized that the newcomer was his senior, Blood Dupre.

"Watch your mouth, Elburg. She's dumb, but she's as fierce as a crazy monkey." Blood deadpanned.

"No, actually, as fierce as Stitch." Alice corrected.

"Whatever. What the heck were you doing with Peter White anyways!?" Blood incredulously scolded the boys. "If you don't promise to stop bullying him, I'll report to Mrs. Snowpidgeon!" he threatened.

"Wait, don't!" the boys whined.

"Scarecrow, you're such a snitch." Alice snorted.

"Sh-Shut up. Anyways, you're...better now?"

"Yup! I'm healthy as a horse! Anyways..." Peter heard the girl was walking around him, and then, stuffed his books to his chest. "Are you hurt somewhere? Wait, let me see...oh, they kicked your shin! But it doesn't look so bad..." he felt her tapping his shin softly, and his body shivered.

"Th-Thanks..." Peter stuttered out shyly, and he felt warm when she giggled.

"So," he heard Blood said, trying to gain back the girl's attention. "Why the heck are you not at school?"

"I just came out of the hospital for check up, and Mum let me walk home." Peter heard the girl explaining with nervous tone, something that couldn't be noticed without intensive listening. "Anyways, you're Peter White, right?"

"Huh? Yes, I am. H-How do you know?" He wasn't expecting this.

"I saw you in the hospital last month..." he noted how she sounded a bit down. "I saw them brought you on the rolling mattress to the emergency room...what happened?"

The white-haired boy bit his lower lip and sighed. "Oh...I...my driver lost control of the car and we hit a truck..."

"I'm so sorry to hear that...how's your driver?"

"He's...he died..."

There was a long silence. Not an awkward one—loss at word, yes, but not awkward. A very sad one.

"Why were you at the hospital last month?" Blood finally broke the silence. "I thought you were busy with festival and zoo..."

"O-Oh, I'm...you know, monthly dental check-up, hahaha!" even if Blood wasn't blind, they could clearly heard how nervous she was. "Anyways, I gotta go home! See ya! And, Peter?"

"Huh?" he almost jumped.

"I want to play with you if we can meet again, alright? Oh," she suddenly took his hand and shook it. "...And nice to meet you! I'm Alice Liddell."

~.X.~

And we're back to Dodo Academy! That rainy, thunderous day on the first week of November, a dramatic cry was heard from the small school. Pierce's cry to be specific...

"Noooo! Nooo! Don't kill me!" the boy cried helplessly, cornering himself in the class.

"Pierce, seriously! Just one tiny stab—"

"Aaah! Aaaaah no! No! No!"

Boris sighed and shrugged, leaving his cousin. Nightmare frowned, crossing his arms in worry, Alice was still trying to convince the boy that it wouldn't hurt so bad. Julius had already half way done with his own research, and Gray...

"Wait, children, where is Gray?" Mr. Gowland asked, just realizing this.

"Uhm...he's..."

"What the hell is wrong with you, dumb fuck!? Leave me the hell alone!" a familiar shriek came from the hallway.

Then, the class' door was slammed open. Pierce shrieked and curled in the corner. Vivaldi appeared with fiery wrath on her face as she dragged Gray's collar.

"I believe this stupid sicko is yours!" Vivaldi deadpanned grudgingly. "Listen' up! I may not be a discipline student, but it's so effing embarrassing to be stalked—Oh~ Alice~! You're healthy again~!" the purplette dropped Gray off her grip and skipped to a nonchalant Alice, who was busy holding Pierce's finger to stab it with a needle.

"Hey, Vivy."

"Bro! Glad you're back! Wait, what the heck are you doing!?"

"I'm trying to get a bit of blood from Pierce so we can know his blood-type." Alice explained.

Vivaldi hummed and for the first time, she observed her surrounding. "Blood-type? Wow, that's so advantageous! We wouldn't do that project unless we're on Highschool!"

"OOOOW!" Pierce cried as Alice finally stabbed his index finger.

"Huh? Seriously?" Alice looked impressed, then grinned. "This is awesome! Nighty, won't you get the sample glass?"

Nightmare handed a small square glass to the girl, who dropped some blood to the surface.

"It's done, Pierce! Now we can know your blood type!" Alice cheered, ruffling the boy's head. "Good job, you're such a brave boy, lil bro!"

"I-I am...?" Pierce stuttered, blushing happily.

"Hey, hey, I want to try too! How do you do it?" Vivaldi asked curiously. "My school should do this kind of projects often!"

"Well, this is a special school, because we learn faster from real practice..." Mr. Gowland chuckled. "Alright come and join Alice's desk, Vivaldi. Gray, get to your seat. I'll explain this from the beginning!"

"Today, we're going to do a practice to test and find out which is our blood type. There are four types, according to Karl Leindsteiner; A, B, O and AB. To find out, first, we have to take blood from anywhere—I suggest your finger—and dropped it on two different places on the glass sample."

"Next, name them A and B, so you can differ which is which. After that, I've provided two type of serum called Anti-A and Anti-B. Drop each of them on different blood you've prepared, and then we'll know what is your blood type."

Vivaldi had used Gray's desk for her own research, since Gray was too busy staring at her.

"Oh!" Vivaldi gasped. "My blood turned like jelly because I dropped the anti-A serum on it! What does that mean?"

"Well..." Julius cleared his throat. "You should try the anti-B first to the other sample. If your blood aglomerrates, that means it has aglutinin B which he A and AB type has."

"Okay...whatever." Vivaldi shrugged and dropped the anti-B on her blood. "It doesn't...aglomerrate! What does that mean again?"

"It means...you're the A-type." Gray sighed, and Vivaldi realized he was leaning to her face. "That fits you so much...now..."

"Gray, what the heck are you doing getting close to my face!?" Vivaldi pushed his face away nonchalantly and then grinned to her blood. "Cool, I'm A-type, huh? What about ya, Monrey?"

"A-type." Julius muttered irritatedly. "You don't really look like the A-type, though."

Vivaldi twitched. "What the heck does that mean!?"

Julius sighed and looked around the class, then crossed his arms. "Well, in Asia, there's a belief that blood-type can define most of one's personality. For example:..."

"An A-Type is a hardworker, obedient and perfectionist." Julius explained, "B-type is the opposite, they're carefree, optimist, and hate ordinary things, and like to be different." He nodded to Boris, who grinned widely—his shirt was already off.

"O-type had an aura that makes anyone wants to befriend them. They also like to procrastinate works, bad at lying and when they really want something, they'd do everything to get it." Julius glanced in suspicion to Nightmare, who tried not to look pressured.

"The last, AB-type, they're very hard to understand. If A-type wants to be understood while B-type doesn't, AB-type is hard to understand. But they usually coped with unique personalities."

Vivaldi turned to see Gray was asleep beside her, then pushed him off her shoulder, blushing madly. "Hey, dude! What's your blood type?" she asked, shaking his shoulders. The girl groaned and took out the skittle on his table, and fed him awake.

"Mm...Skittles—V-Vivy...?" Gray fell off his chair, and his friends laughed at his antics.

"Dude! What the heck is wrong with you!? Seriously!" Vivaldi sighed and rolled her eyes. "So, what is your blood type?"

Gray stared at her for a while. "Why do you want to know?"

"Just curious." Vivaldi shrugged.

"Very-very curious or not very curious but just curious?" Gray narrowed his golden eyes on her.

Vivaldi deadpanned at him, unimpressed. "Forget it."

"Oh, so you don't wanna know...? Fine, that's alright...what a shame..." Gray shrugged.

Vivaldi twitched and turned at him again, feeling very curious. "Okay, I'm very curious! Tell me, idiot!"

Gray glanced at her with his eyebrows raised. "Okay, but you'll have to do me a favor."

Vivaldi sighed and facepalmed. "Okay, what is it?"

"Will you let me kiss your face?"

...

...

Nightmare's jaw fell. Ace looked curious. Julius' glasses fell down his nose. Alice froze. Pierce gaped pricelessly, and Boris twitched in disbelief.

SMACK

"Hell no!" Vivaldi yelled, and Mr. Gowland gasped as Gray feld across the class. "What the—who do you think I am, idiot! I'm not some cheap girl who'd kiss and strip to get anything she wants! You're so mean, Gray! I so freakin' hate you!" she scowled and ran away from the class with teary eyes.

Gray grunted and got up, feeling in pain, but it wasn't a big deal than how guilty he felt. His eyes widened and he suddenly ran out of the class.

"Vivaldi! Wait! I'm sorry!" he called as he left the class.

"Boy, that escalated quickly..." the class chorused.

Mr. Gowland sighed and then took his noteboard as he walked to the middle of the class. "Alright, then, are you done with it?"

"Yes, Mr. Gowland..." the class answered.

"Now, I'll take a note and then I'll explain you about blood donating. Ace?"

"I'm O-type, sir~! Awesome right! Oh my GOD!"

"Yeah, yeah, Ace, get back to your seat..Alice?"

"AB-type, Mr. Gowland." Alice answered knowingly, and got some curious stares from her friends. Julius was scowling, however.

"Boris?"

"B-type, ehehe! B for Boris!"

"Fits you very well, Boris. Gray is out...Julius?"

"A-type, sir." Julius scoffed at how obvious this was.

"Nightmare?"

"O-type, sir..."

"Wow, I'm surprised about that. But then again, O-type has two category; introvert and extrovert. I guess you're the introvert...Now, Pierce?"

"...A-t-t-type..." the youngest boy in class sobbed.

"Okay, good. I'll explain to Gray myself...now, everyone pay attention to this chart..."

~.X.~

Finally recess time. Ace burtsed out of the school with Alice on his back—apparently giving the girl a piggy back was a fun thing—and Boris followed behind with a jealous scowl. Nightmare laughed behind him, while Pierce pushed his chair carefully. Julius came out the last, bringing the lunch that Ace had made for them.

It had been a routine for them; Ace would bake many bread for lunch, Alice brought her personal blend of tea, and they'd all sit under the tree where Julius would usually spend his time alone, and enjoyed the recess.

"Hey, since Gray's not here, can we eat his part?" Nightmare grinned devilishly.

"You're right! Aweee great! You can have them all, Alice!" Ace chuckled vigorously.

"Hey! I thought Nightmare said 'we'!" Boris twitched.

"I want your tea, Alice." Julius said, ignoring the others. Alice smiled and opened the thermos and poured some for Julius.

"Hey, we want some too..." Pierce braced himself to say. They were fans of her personal blend. It tastes different each time she made, but always good—just the taste or smell are usually different.

"Too bad Einstein can't come here..." Alice sighed after sipping her tea. "Lorina took him for vaccine. Anyways, that project earlier was fun!"

"Yeah, but it hurt..." Pierce mumbled.

"What a crybaby!" Ace laughed.

"Shut up, don't mock my cousin, only I can do that, dumbass..." Boris smacked Ace in a friendly gesture, and they laughed. Pierce grinned shyly.

"Alice, you're the AB-type, right?" Julius suddenly asked again.

"Yes, AB-negative. Actually I know Gray's an AB-positive."

"Really? No wonder he's so...quirky?"

"Oh, wait, I need to know this from the firsthand." Julius cut off Boris. "Your relatives are famous, so...their profiles are everywhere on the internet. Mr. Lewis Liddell and Mrs. Carroll Liddell were B-types. Lorina Liddell, your oldest sister was O-type and your second older sister, Edith Liddell was B-type."

"So what's the question, Jule?" Nightmare asked in confuse, but Alice fell silent, realizing what's on the Wallflower's head.

Julius frowned. "Mr. Gowland had explained, right? O-types plus O-types would only result O-types. A plus A has possibilities to result A-type or O-type, as well as B-types resulting B or O-type. A type plus B-type will result AB, A or B type and never O-type."

"Your parents were all B-type, Alice, how come you're AB?"

Now everyone were staring at Alice with intense curiosity.

Alice sighed and looked down on her tea.

"Fine...They're not my real parents."

"What...?" Nightmare looked terribly shocked.

"Not even you know about this, Nighty?" Boris asked in disbelief, since Gray and Nightmare were supposed to be Alice's oldest friends.

Nightmare shook his head, and frowned at Alice questioningly. The girl shrugged and took a bread from Ace.

"My Dad were twins. Lewis is the youngest twin, and Charles, my real Dad, is the eldest. Dad was B-type. My Mum's name was Lorina, and the Lorina, whom you think is my older sister, had her name taken from my Real Mum."

"What happened to your parents?" Ace asked with a worried frown, pouring more tea for the girl.

The girl sighed again and smiled blankly. "My Dad passed away because he was ill, long before I was born. My Mum took care of me for three years, then she passed away from an accident in her work. She was an Animal Researcher who took care of sick animals in Africa. A horde of wild Ox slammed her jeep and it rolled off the cliff..."

Alice noticed the terrified looks on her brothers' faces, and smiled calmingly. "But I'm okay, because I don't really remember her. Plus, I really think that Lewis and Carroll are my real parents, and my older sisters are like my real siblings, and they also think that I'm really their family."

Ace suddenly hugged and squeezed the girl. "Oh, poor princess...You're such a strong girl! Do not worry, milady. I'll stay by your side!"

"Stop that, moron!" Boris tried to push Ace away from her. "It's the job for a big brother to protect his sister. You can count on me, Alice!" the boy grinned at the girl, who laughed.

"Sure, but put on your shirt, Boris."

"Alice! You're younger than me! You don't tell me what to do!"

"Ignore him. That moron will soon catches cold, he won't get to school and the school will be at peace for a bit." Nightmare rolled his eye.

"What the heck! You wanna fight!?" Boris irritatedly chased Nightmare who laughed and quickly rolled away.

"Boris! You loot! Put down those cookies! Hey! Where are you taking them!?" Ace shrieked and chased Boris to get the cookies he stole.

Alice laughed as she watched the three chasing each other. Pierce giggled as he watched her laughing, feeling warm himself. Julius stared at the girl softly, and took her hand, giving a soft, comforting rub.

Alice noticed his gesture and smiled at him. "I'm really okay, bro. Besides, I've got all of you with me here, right?" she convinced him.

Julius gave her a warm, rare smile. "Of course." He kissed her fingers. "I wish you'd stay like this, Alice."

The girl, and Pierce, blushed at this gesture. Pierce twitched and quickly sat between the two protectively, while Alice was glaring at her hand. Julius glared at Pierce threateningly, but he couldn't help but feel impressed that Pierce wouldn't budge for Alice.

"Hey, Al!" Ace called hysterically, waving across the yard.

"Check this out!" Boris yelled and pointed to Nightmare.

Alice's eyes widened in shock, while the friends around her smiled encouragingly as they watched Nightmare slowly stood from his wheelchair.

Using the chair to balance himself, he carefully straightened up his posture, and while shivering, he slowly let go of his chair and was standing on his two feet. The silver-haired boy gasped and then smiled, laughing nervously.

Alice stood and quickly ran to approach them, to watch closer.

Nightmare bit his lower lip and slowly, despite how he felt his feet were squigglish, he took a step. Two step, and he almost tripped, but he managed to balance himself. Another step, fourth, five, and he saw Alice was holding out her hands for him.

"Come here, Nighty!" she cheered him.

Nightmare laughed and panted as he tried to step again, his hands were hold out to reach hers.

He finally got her, and laughed happily.

"I got you!" Nightmare cheered, but then gasped as Alice suddenly wrapped her arms around him.

"You got me, Nighty! Nighty...Oh I'm so proud of you, bro!" she squealed and jumped around his waist.

Nightmare blushed but smiled softly. "I couldn't do it without their help, though." He grinned to Boris, who took out a thumb.

Alice giggled. "You guys are amazing!" she praised. "I'll never regret comin here...I love this school so much!" she cheered honestly and hugged the silver-haired boy again.

The other boys were stunned at her confession, and smiled, despite they were blushing.

They were glad she loved this school. Besides, all of them were part of Dodo Academy. If she loved Dodo Academy, that only meant one thing.

She loved them so much, too.