Chapter 28.

"It's a little late in the year to start a new school, isn't it?" My new English teacher asks. Whoever that was who brought me to this school really went out of their way. I have a schedule and stationary and even a reading book in my bag.

I look out for Thalia, Nico, Chantelle, and the twins, but I also try and see if I can find Lexi, Grace and Liam. But I don't notice anything. I don't even know where we're supposed to go from here, I was expecting something, like some god to tell us where to go next. But so far I've just wanted Medusa to come back and turn me into stone . I sit down at the table where I don't know anyone and fiddle with my locket from under my shirt.

"And today, we have a guest. He is here today to talk to you about the difference between love and the relationships shown in Romeo and Juliet, which we will analyse for your Macbeth paper," he then sits down. "Hello, Mr. Kyle West."

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up at the name.

That's the same name Liam had on his fake passport.

I recognise him immediately when he walks into the room. He's wearing a grey suit and I see a gold watch on his wrist. His eyes show a hint of mischief and his hair is perfectly styled so that he looks like a model. His shoulders look broader and he looks almost an inch taller too.

I stare at him to try and get his attention and he grins at me. My heart skips a beat. I've finally found my brother. But by the way that he looked at me, he doesn't recognise me.

I try and think of all the reasons he could be here, in this class. It can't possibly be a coincidence. I don't want to bring too much attention to us so I make a note to catch him after the lesson. I remember we have a fifteen minute break after first lesson and if I'm fast I might be able to catch him.

He leaves after ten minutes.

I can't sit still for the rest of the hour and fidget constantly. It feels like a day has passed when the bell goes and I'm packed in an instant. As soon as we are told we can, I bolt out the door. "Katy, no running." I hear behind me.

As soon as I'm outside, I hear "LIAM!" Yelled. So, naturally, I race towards it. On the way there, I see myself in the reflection. I expect to see my old self, but as well as my new eyes and hair, my freckles have gone. Summer or winter, I always have freckles. I have tried to cover them up with makeup but nothing has ever worked so seeing myself like this is a shock. No wonder Liam didn't know who I was, I barely recognise myself. My resting face used to make me look moody all the time, but now I look scary.

I like it.

I carry on running towards the voice. I end up between the English block and the arts block, where a small and full car park is. I see the side of Thalia's head and Chantelle talking to someone I can't see. Liam and the twins are talking and Grace and Lexi are on the side. Nico is staring over Thalia's shoulder. When Thalia moves out of the way, I see a girl with ashy brown hair in a pony tale, and my school uniform but trousers and trainers instead of a skirt and flats.

That's what I was expecting to see in my reflection.

I don't want to be seen by whoever that girl is, and since I am behind the arts block, I go inside and go up the stair case so that I can watch them from a window. Hopefully because it's darker in here than it is outside, they won't be able to see me.

But I can't hear them, so this plan sucks. I go back outside and immediately hide behind a car. I then dash behind the next one closer to the group. I can hear Thalia's voice but the words blend into each other. So I go to the next car. I can make out what they're saying. Liam is explaining that they ended up in our old house yesterday and found the school uniform hanging up. "So Lexi and Grace put on the uniform and I put on the suit. We had bus passes and everything. When we arrived, we were told what to do by the head teacher and we just followed." They are silent for a few seconds. I fiddle with my tie.

"Don't make a noise." I hear someone say beside me. I turn to see Nico next to me, crouched down like I am. My heart rate quickens and I try to speak but the words don't come. "I don't believe that girl over there for a second." He whispers.

"What?"

"Well, didn't you see the girl over there who looks like you?" I nod and twirl my hair.

"Why don't you believe her?" I ask.

"Well, are you the real Katy?"

"Yes. But I don't look like me and you are kind of assuming I am."

"No one else would have back biter." He nods at my skirt.

"I don't- what, oh my gods." I see my sword attached to my skirt and stifle a giggle. It's like back biter is stalking me.

"And that girl is definetly not you."

"Not saying you're wrong, but how can you tell?"

"A few reasons. You always play with your hands. Especially when telling a story. She's had her hands significantly still since last night."

"Nico, how did you know I was here" I ask. "I thought I had been careful."

"Oh, I saw your reflection in one of the cars when you were moving. It was only a second and I didn't tell anyone I was leaving. I just walked away and no one asked me where I was going."

I shrug. "So who do you think that is?"

"I don't know. But she seems to know quite a lot about you. Thalia got suspicious last night and asked her a bunch of questions which she answered correctly. She even has a locket that makes her to invisible."

"Someone did their homework. She better be able to sing every song in the top 50 or else I'll be insulted."

"I hate that music." Nico grimaces

"So do I, but Grace is obsessed and I have a very ok memory."

"Ok, well you should follow us but do be careful. I don't know what they're planning but I don't know what their plan is."

"Yeah. For all we know they could want me to try and expose her. You be careful too, don't let her know that you're onto her either."

He nods and leaves silently. No one notices when he re-joins the group.