Today was the first day of Grade 12.

I was standing in front of Hamilton Hill high School. All over the place, there were teachers and students, some I recognized, but didn't know their name.

I took a deep breath in and began walking toward the stairs. Max was sitting on the stairs. Her hair wasn't pink anymore, and it had grown a bit longer. It looked a little like her mom's.

"McGinnis? Where have you been the last few weeks?" she asked, standing up and grabbing her bags.

"I haven't left the house since Ian Peek revealed me to be...you know."

Max didn't say anything.

"But I did leave once. It was at midnight."

Max nodded. "Dana wants to talk to you."

"Somehow," I said. "I'm not surprised."

Principal Nakamura called me down to his office once everyone was in homeroom. When he called me using the speakers, I could feel everyone's eyes on me. There were even some whispers.

When I got down to his office, he beckoned me to sit down. I sat.

"Welcome back to Hamilton Hill, Terry," he said, leaning forward to look at me. "I believe summer's been very difficult."

"Difficult is an understatement," I said.

He nodded. "If you need anything, you can talk to me."

"Yeah." I looked at the floor.

"We just want to help you adjust, that's all."

I looked back at him. "I know."

"You've done quite a lot for the students here, and for the city. You've saved a few of their lives, even."

I looked at my lap.

"I'm very grateful for what you've done."

"Thank you," was all I could say. No one had told me that after Ian Peek except Matt and Mom, only without words.

Principal Nakamura sent me back to homeroom. As I was walking down the hallway, I could see a few students near the bathrooms and fountains, including Dana.

Max said she wanted to talk to me. Was now a good time?

"Dana?" I asked.

She was leaning against the wall near the girls' bathroom. "Terr?"

"Max said you wanted to talk to me. Do you want to do it now or..."

"I was hoping to talk in private."

"Oh." I was a little relieved.

"You can come over after school."

"Sure. I'll have to call Mom and tell her I'll be over at your house. If I'm lucky, she'll let me go."

"Good. I'll see you."

"I'll see you too."