Catie Summers hated this. It was her first day of school. Again. She couldn't remember how many schools she had transferred, or how many times she had moved.
Her father, James Summers, was a high ranking officer in the military. And sometimes his job required them to move depending on his assignment. They had to move again, as her father had been called to be stationed in Paris to help with their current threat from a supervillain. Something Catie only thought existed in comics and movies. Never could she have imagined she would end up in a city that had actual real life superheroes.

Catie took one last look in her body sized mirror before heading downstairs.
"Well, at least they don't require uniforms at this school." She settled with her black high waist jeans, with an oversized t-shirt and black military boots. Her shoulder length copper hair was freshly cut, and her make-up was modest. It was what she felt comfortable in.
As she got to the kitchen she gave her mother, Katrina Summers, a hug before settling down at the table for breakfast. Her mother had made waffles. Katrina had been obsessed with waffles and baking for a while. She always found it comforting when they moved to dive into the local cuisine and learn as much as possible to fit in. At least, that was what Katrina said. An excuse Catie figured.

"If you are quick enough, I'll drive you to your new school" James said as he raised his coffee cup.

Every color drained from Catie's face. Last time her father drove her in his military vehicle, the other students were terrified of her. No one spoke to her for three months. "Thanks but no thanks. I don't want to scare away the other kids."

"Excuse me? That's not how you say it." James was very strict on how you talk to other people.

Catie rolled her eyes. "No thank you, sir."

James was not pleased. He gave her a stare but Catie didn't care.

"Last time you drove me, no one spoke to me, for like forever. No! No way!"

"If you don't calm down, I will force you inside my vehicle and drive you there."

"Both of you calm down. It's Catherine's first day. She's nervous." Katrina said to her husband. Then she turned to her daughter, "And you. You know he only means well." James and Catie had a staring contest for a minute before both turned away their faces with a 'hmpf'. Katrina facepalmed.

"Anyway, I need to go now. I want to walk and look around. It's better to know your surroundings, isn't it?" Catie grinned at her father who nodded in agreement. With that, Catie was out of the door.

Outside of the Dupont school, Catie stood at the top of the stairs looking at the huge entrance. "What school has an entrance this huge?" Catie mumbled to herself. She was so deep in thought she didn't hear the running footsteps coming closer. Just as she was about to take a step inside, someone crashed into her from behind.

"I'm so sorry!" A girl with midnight blue hair said while they both tried to get up after tumbling down the smaller stairs inside.

"It's okay, really." Catie said, flinching from the pain in her left wrist. "Oh great. Injured on my first day, and it hasn't even started."

"Are you okay? Did I hurt you? Let me help you up." The girl rushed over.

"No, no. I guess my wrist jumped again. It's nothing." Catie took a sturdy grip on her wrist, taking a deep breath before she twisted it into place with a loud 'click'. The girl flinched at the sound and felt the shiver down her spine. Catie then reached for her backpack and started rummaging through whilst she made small movements with her fingers on her injured hand.

"Should I take you to the nurses office?

"No, no. It's nothing really. I'm used to it."

"What do you mean?"

Catie sighed, picked up a wrist guard and put it on her hand before she took out a folder from her backpack. She stood up and gave the folder to the girl. "I have EDS, or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which causes my joints to dislocate easily. In that folder is my medical record of it. And records and documents of everything else. I've changed schools so many times that I always come prepared." Catie half laughed and felt embarrased.

The girl just stood there with the folder in her hands. There already were one in her class that claimed medical conditions and other things but never made an effort to back it up. Here was another one saying things, but actually had proof. And she provided it without questions. "I'm Marinette. What's your name?" The girl smiled.

"Catie Summers. I just transferred here from the kingdom of Achu." Catie could notice the look of confusion and that she did not really believe that statement. "The transfer papers are all in that folder." Catie nodded in the direction of Marinettes hands.

Not interested in digging through it all, and feeling like it would be wrong, Marinette gave back the folder and asked, "What class are you in?".

"I don't remember. I'm so bad with names so I've forgotten what it is. I think it was Bu-something." Catie said as she scratched her cheek, embarrassed that she couldn't remember.

"Oh you mean Ms. Bustier?"

"Yes!"

"That's my class. I can show you the way and…" then it dawned on her. "And we are so late!" Marinette yelled. She grabbed Catie's right hand and dragged her up the stairs to the classroom.

"I'm so sorry I'm late!" Marinette yelled into the classroom who all became silent. They were all looking at her.

"Marinette, I've told you that if you are late you can always just quietly walk in and take a seat."

"I'm so sorry. It was my fault." Catie then stepped in front of Marinette before she did a deep bow to really emphasize how sorry she was, something she learned to do when she lived in Japan.

"Are you Catherine Summers, the new student?"

Marinette looked at Catie with a questionable look.

Catie rose up and lifted her hands as she shook her head. "Please! Catherine is too formal. Call me Catie. And the reason we are late is because I kind of spaced out and then fell down the stairs and dislocated my wrist and Marinette kindly stayed by my side till I felt better and then showed me the way here." Catie left out the part where they crashed into each other. She could tell it was something the midnight haired girl was self-conscious about. The class smiled in affection at the girl who stood there with a blush.

"That's very thoughtful of you Marinette. Do you need to go to the nurses office?" Ms. Bustier asked with worry in her eyes.

"No, no. I'm fine. See?" Catie held up her left hand, displaying the camouflage wrist guard on her hand. "I'm used to this. It's nothing." She said with confidence.

"If you are sure. Okay, Marinette. I will let it slide this time." Ms. Bustier said with a warm smile. "Please take your seat, while Catie can come up to me and introduce herself."

Marinette walked to her seat and sat down, still blushing. "She is so different from that other one" she thought to herself.

Catie went up to the teacher and immediately gave the folder to her. "In this folder you'll find every document and medical records you'll need to accommodate me. Not that I need much. And all the paperwork from my parents are in there as well. You are free to make as many copies as you need. But I do need the originals for when my next transfer occurs." Catie said in a matter of fact way. She had gone through this many times so it was like nothing by now.

"Thank you. How organized and prepared you are. I will make copies and leave the originals with you. Well, do you want to say a few words?" The teacher asked while gesturing out to the class.

Catie took a deep breath and began introducing herself, without giving away too much. She hated that people treated her differently because she was a military kid. She just wanted to be treated normally.

"Hi. My name is Catie Summers. I just transferred here from the Kingdom of Achu where I lived for a year. I don't want to be treated differently from anyone else. I'm a loner who likes to make friends if that makes sence, and to experience as much as I can when I arrive at a new place. So if any of you have any suggestions on what I should see or do while I'm here, please tell me. I don't want to take up much time from the class, so if you have any questions then you can ask me once the class is over." Catie then turned to the teacher. "Is there an assigned seat for me or can I just grab a seat in the back? I prefer to sit in the back actually as I don't like the feeling of people looking at me too much."

Ms. Bustier nodded and agreed. Catie then took her bag and walked up to the back of the class. Once the class had resumed she carefully put down her head on the wooden surface and let out a quiet sigh. "I'm exhausted already."

During lunch, many of the students of Dupont wanted to know more about the new kid. Catie didn't have to worry about sitting alone in the cafeteria with her packed lunch that her mother had prepared the night before.

"How's your hand?" Marinette asked, still shy about the whole 'she fell and I helped her and it was totally not my fault'-thing.

"It still hurts, don't get me wrong. But as I said, I'm used to it. It can happen at any time if I'm not careful. I do have painkillers in my bag if it gets too overbearing."

"Well, it doesn't make me feel better, but if you say so." Marinette looked down sad. Catie noticed this, but said nothing.

"So… Where else have you lived? If you lived in Achu for only a year, then you must have lived somewhere else too right?" A brown haired girl with glasses named Alya asked.

Catie knew this question would come up. "Well, before Achu we lived in Japan for a while."

"And before that?" Alya pressed further.

Catie sighed. "Is there a point to these questions?"

"I'm just getting to know you, that's all. No need to get offended." Alya crossed her arms with a pout.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude. I'm just exhausted. I guess it is because of all the new things to take in." Catie gave a shy smile, "and courtesy of my condition I guess", she thought to herself.

"No, no. It's okay. I should apologize. I guess the reporter in me was just curious. It's not everyday we get someone who has lived abroad a lot. It's too bad that Lila isn't here. You would have a lot in common, for sure." Alya relaxed a bit.

"Who's Lila?" Catie asked, not without noticing the groan and dislike in Marinette's face. "Something happened between them".

"Oh, Lila is amazing. She has done all these amazing things and traveled the world with her mother, who works at the Italian embassy, and met so many famous people." Alya gushed.

Catie watched carefully the expressions on both the girls. While Alya looked impressed and starstruck, Marinette looked bored and rolled her eyes.

"Maybe you met her in Achu? She traveled there with her mother not too long ago."

Catie thought for a second. Being a military kid had its perks. Meeting some famous people was one of them. They had moved there for her father's work, but there wasn't much to do. They pretty much had everything covered. It was only a precaution. During their stay they had met with the royal family, and she had Prince Ali's number and address for exchanging letters. But that was not something to boast about.

"When was she there? Maybe we crossed paths with each other." Catie asked curiously. Marinette again rolled her eyes and mumbled something that she couldn't hear.

"It was a while ago. During Hero's Day. I think they went there to help with some sort of charity for the environment." Alya said proudly.

Catie blinked once, twice, three times while staring at Alya. "But… Prince Ali only works with children's charity." She said slowly.

"How do you know? Do you know him personally or don't you believe me?" Alya said, locking eyes and looking annoyed.

"I do know him personally, but I can't say that. Then they would never leave me alone. Or make me come in contact with him or something. That's what they always do. I said something similar once, never again." Catie gave out a nervous chuckle. "Of course I don't know him, but isn't that what it says on the royal family website? I read a lot about the royal family of Achu while I lived there."

Marinette looked at her. She did have a point. A lot of the things Lila claimed could be looked up one way or another.

"By the way. Is it true that Paris has superheroes?" Catie attempted to change the topics as the air started to feel suffocating.

Alya lit up and started to explain and showed off the ladyblog. Catie made a note to look it up once she got home.

"Hey guys. What are you talking about?"

"Nino, Adrien. We were explaining to Catie here about our very own Ladybug and Chat Noir. She has never heard about them."
Nino and Adrien both looked shocked at the new girl.

"Oh shoot. Now they'll think I'm stupid." Catie wanted to sink through the floor in embarrassment.

"It's okay, Alya. Not every country has superheroes. And I don't think there are any in Achu, right?" The blonde boy smiled at Catie.

"Are you serious? Shouldn't this be something that the whole world knows about?"

"My dad is not really keen on the whole superhero thing. Besides, he made it very clear that I should focus on the current location we were in. You know, know your surroundings, learn to look for signs if someone is a bad person and so on and so forth." Catie looked horrified. She spoke too much and looked at the teens in front of her looking curious and confused. "Shit!"

"Uhm… Excuse me, I need to go." Catie quickly picked up her things and ran out of the cafeteria. "They'll think I'm weird. They'll think I'm scary. And if that girl Alya is right, I need to get my emotions under control."

Next class after lunch Catie hadn't arrived yet. Ms. Bustier told the class that Catie was tired and needed some rest so she had been sent to the nurses office. Ms. Bustier had read Catie's medical records and figured she needed it. The teacher didn't go into details on why, it was not up to her to say anything. But there were some protests against that.

"Why is she allowed a break just because she is tired?" Chloe barked. "I can't take a break if I'm tired."

"It is up to Catie if she wants to tell you, but there is documentation she provided that states she might need it. That's all I'm going to say. Now, let's continue our lesson."

Catie was laying down on one of the beds. She did what she always did to calm down, lay flat on the ground and look up. Mostly she would lay outside and look at the clouds or stars depending on the time of day. But if she had to lay down inside she would stare at the ceiling, looking for images, faces or anything to distract herself. It always worked. Sometimes she could burst out laughing at the ridiculous images she would find.
She was feeling better, but knew there would be more questions later. "Can this day just end?"
Catie took out her phone and started looking through her pictures of old friends. Places they had visited and all their outings. Her favorite picture was of her and her Japanese friends having a picnic during the Sakura festival. They were all wearing kimonos and styled hair.
"I miss those times." Catie stroked her thumb over the screen.

"Am I interrupting something?" A familiar voice said. Marinette peaked out from behind the curtains. Catie tried to hide the phone but accidentally tossed it in the direction of her visitor. Marinette easily caught the phone and managed to take a look at the photo.

"Is this in Japan?" She asked as she approached the bed. "Can I?"

Catie sat up with her knees to her chest before giving a nod.

"When was this taken?" Marinette turned her attention to the phone again.

"Two years ago. It was my last time celebrating the Sakura festival in Japan before we moved again."

"You certainly move a lot. What is it that your parents do?"

Catie hesitated.

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to." Marinette saw the hesitation in the girl's eyes.

"My father… He's a general in the military. A high ranking officer. And with that, sometimes it requires him and his family to 'relocate'."

"Wow! That's awesome. Why didn't you want to say anything?"

"Because it's not awesome. Sure, you get to travel a lot. And learn many languages. And meet new people. And see a lot of things… But sometimes… Sometimes I just want to be a normal kid. Someone who doesn't have to act a certain way or my father could get in trouble. Or whatever… It's hard having to say goodbye to your friends over and over again. And it's difficult to adjust sometimes."

"But you also get to make new friends, see the world and learn new languages. By the way, how many do you speak?"

"English, Brazilian Portuguese, Vietnamese, German, Japanese, Arabic…" Catie put up a finger for every language she said. "Well, not fluently but enough to get me by."

"Seriously? That's a lot. Have you lived in all of those countries?" Marinette was impressed. Since she had been given a folder which was then given to the teachers, and the fact that there were photos on Catie's phone… Marinette had no reason to not believe her.

Catie nodded again. "Well yeah. But it's not as amazing as one would think." She said as she sat at the edge of the bed. "I have to learn French now. Also, I don't want to sound like a stuck up bragging about my 'lifestyle'. It's kind of annoying. And sometimes people don't believe me, so that's why I keep a folder with me at all times to prove. Not because I want to be believed, but because I hate being called a liar when I'm really not."

Marinette looked down on the floor with sadness in her eyes. "Is that why Lila gets angry when I call her out?"

"What's wrong?" Catie noticed the look in her eyes.

"Nothing really. Just… something you said that hit me."

Oh? Is it about that girl that… Alya was it?... was talking about?"

Marinette snapped up and looked at Catie. It was like she had read her mind. Catie giggled.

"Like I said in the cafeteria. My dad was keen on me learning how to look for signs if someone is a bad person. That is also why I left out the part about you crashing into me this morning. All the signs are there. You are a good person."

Marinette couldn't help but giggle as well. "Yeah, it's about Lila. I mean, she comes up with these ridiculous stories that couldn't possibly be true. But if I say something she either becomes sour or starts crying."

Just as Marinette was about to tell some of the stories that Lila had said, Catie stopped her. "Don't say anything. I want to observe her with unbiased eyes. That way no one can say you influenced me, and I can be a judge for myself if it is believable or not. Since I have some unbelievable stories myself, I can understand how it feels when people don't take me seriously."

Marinette nodded. "Sounds good. She should be back this week from her 'trip'. So you will see for yourself."
They nodded in agreement. They both stood up, locked arms with each other and began walking back to class.

"By the way, how's your hand?"

Catie bursted out laughing.