I got dressed silently in a bathroom stall as Veronica chatted happily outside. "Stay close to me – I'll keep any undesirables away from you."

I threw open the bathroom stall and smiled at her, flattered at her attitude.

"You're the new girl and everybody else are the sharks." She pulled her lips tight into a half smile – half smirk. This was a new look for her, and it looked a little frightening. Before I could say anything in return, her face warped back to the happy look and she flashed me a happy smile.

A little taken aback with whiplash, I let her grab my hand and pull me towards the gym. I wondered why people thought I needed to be led everywhere.

As we brought up the rear of students gaggling about in the gym, the teacher clapped his hands once and said happily: "Dodgeball!" The students cheered unanimously, but I had to admit dodgeball wasn't that great of an option, but better than running a mile.

The teacher didn't split us up into two groups – no – he told us it was free for all. There was another round of cheers from the students, but my stomach dropped. Veronica looked over at me and a fierce look came on her face.

"It's us or them." She informed me gravely.

I was surprised by how fast it took to seemingly make a friend, but overjoyed that I had someone who had my back.

NEW QUEST: DODGEBALL

MAKE IT ONE MINUTE IN – REWARD: ?

MAKE IT THREE MINUTES IN – REWARD: ?

MAKE IT FIVE MINUTES IN – REWARD: ?

BE THE LAST ONE STANDING – REWARD: ?

I nodded at Veronica and the screen firmly, clearly stating my agreement.

The teacher held the bag of balls in his hand. "Ready…" He paused and lifted the bag higher. The students tensed in anticipation. "Set…" The bag was raised even higher. "Go!" He dumped the bag upside down and the balls went everywhere. He began kicking balls to each side of the room and some of the more ambitious and courageous ran for the balls at the middle of the gym room.

Veronica and I began to steadily back up until we were at the wall of the gym. A few balls rolled our way and she grabbed one for both of us. I turned to her. "Strategy? I block and you throw?"

She grinned wickedly at me and nodded excitedly. "Sounds perfect."

A ball flew our way and keeping my fingers to the side of the squishy ball, I threw it up to block it from hitting Veronica. It dropped to the floor and she grabbed the ball in her unoccupied hand. Her grin grew and she chucked the ball with precision and quickness. It hit someone square in the chest.

Another ball flew our way and I jumped in front of Veronica with my ball outstretched. It bounced off harmlessly. This strategy continued for a while and our classmates picked up on it. Incensed, they targeted us relentlessly. It became difficult and Veronica had to block a few herself. I found myself jerking my body erratically to avoid being hit.

"Cheaters!" Yelled someone and I got hit in the shoulder. The force made me take a deep breath, drop my ball and grip my shoulder. Ow. I really don't think this is a dream anymore. I looked up at the kid who had yelled and he was clutching his shoulder as well, a look of pain on his face. I tilted my head curiously. Did someone hit him in the same place as he hit me?

I turned to Veronica, her face furious. She turns to me dead serious and says, "By Grabthor's hammer, you shall be avenged."

The pain and confusion ebbed away as snickers burst from my lips. I found a fellow geek. I continued to snicker as I trudged away from the battleground, still slightly gripping my shoulder.

I dropped down on the bench on the sidelines next to some other students. One was giving me a stink eye and I realized that I probably made quite a few enemies by teaming up with Veronica. Not my fault no one else thought of it. Speaking of that, the screen popped up in front of me.

NEW QUEST: DODGEBALL

MAKE IT ONE MINUTE IN – COMPLETE – REWARD: 5 DEXTERITY

MAKE IT THREE MINUTES IN – COMPLETE – REWARD: 5 VITALITY

MAKE IT FIVE MINUTES IN – COMPLETE! – REWARD: 15 EXPERIENCE

BE THE LAST ONE STANDING – REWARD: ?

Wow. Now I'm kind of glad I have to do gym again; I wonder how high my skills can go? I'll have to look into that later. I have some skill points to put away, too. And experience? I wonder what I would have gotten if I was the last one standing, though? That sucks. I'm extremely curious by nature, and I'd love to have known what I was going to earn for that.

I dismissed the screen and saw Veronica baring her teeth down at what looks to be the last three people standing. They appear to have ganged up on her and she was facing them down by herself. I felt bad for getting hit now, and for suggesting we join up for the exercise. She seems to be very competitive…and scary at times.

She blocks one ball, dodges another and hits one of the boys in the stomach. He glares as he walks off towards the benches. She's without a ball now, to protect herself with. The last standing girl throws a ball at Veronica and she catches it with ease. The girl is now out, a fierce look on her face. Veronica is smirking victoriously at the last boy.

They stare each other down and each reach for a ball at the same time, eyes interlocked. I'm mesmerized by the intensity of their gazes and the tension between them. Together, as one, they throw the ball. Veronica dodges by a centimeter and her ball catches the boy in surprise as he tried to twist out of the way.

I stand and cheer her on, knowing that most eyes were glaring at me viciously. I didn't care. This was high school, this was a game and they'd probably forget all about this experience in a few years. I was going to enjoy this feeling of helping Veronica win the game.

She grinned happily at me and sprinted the distance between us. We high-fived loudly. The teacher – coach – cleared his throat. "Good game. Perhaps next time we should make a rule about it being a strict free-for-all?"

"There weren't any rules about joining others or grouping up, sir." Veronica says primly, nose in the air.

I pursed my lips to hide my snicker.

"Well, yes… Still, something to think about next time." He muttered. He looked at the group of students and sighed. "Go shower before the bell rings." He said firmly.

We didn't need to be told twice. Veronica and I rushed back to the locker rooms, giggling at our victory. I hurried to the showers with a towel, then realizing that I didn't have any soap. Veronica shoves something in my face.

"As a thanks for your help. You can borrow my soap for the day." It was in a bottle, so not a bar, and said it was cherry blossoms, so I wasn't going to complain. Not my favorite scent, but I wasn't going to just ignore free soap after gym.

"Thanks. I'll bring my own next time. Great game and thanks for being my partner." I tried to focus on this high, on this happiness because I knew that the second I walked out of this locker room, the weight of my situation would slam down on me. So I held my smile up, no matter how forced, and shoved all bad thoughts in a box and locked it tight.

I made quick work of cleaning up.

"Hey," Veronica shouted over at me from the mirrors. "Can I do your hair? Ever since I saw it, I've been dying to play with it. Just a little, please? I'll be quick."

My lips stretched upwards as I wandered over to her. I couldn't have picked a better person to guide me through this school. "Sure."

She pulled out a brush, comb, bobby pins and some twisty hair ties. I'd never been one to do my hair, or dress up too much. However, as she worked, I realized just how cute it was starting to look. She worked one of the sides of my hair in a bun on top, bobby pinning it into place. She did the same with the second until it looked a mix of messy and cute. Huh. I liked that a lot.

I looked at my reflection, admiring the new look. "Thanks, Veronica!"

"No problem. Your hair is perfect; the texture is just what is needed for this style. I don't have any hair spray on me, so it may not stay, but it definitely looks great on you." I turned away from my reflection, looking at her intently. "What class do you have next – oh! Don't forget your slip, okay?"

I jumped. My slip, of course. "Um…AP History." I said after checking my schedule again.

"We don't have AP history, Amelia,"

I frowned. "Call me Mia, but I don't know why it says that, then."

I showed her my schedule. "Oh!" She exclaims knowingly. "You must have taken an advanced course back at your old school. You must have jumped a grade. They don't normally do that. Did you talk to them about letting you jump a grade in history?"

I shook my head mutely, but did not deny that history was very intriguing and one of my best subjects.

She hummed. "Okay, I know the way. If I sprint, I can make it to my next class, too."

"Oh, you don't have to do that." I fretted quietly.

She laughed. "I was joking. No, my class is next door. We'll be fine. She hooked her arm around mine and dragged me towards the gym. "First, your slip. Next – building C!"

I let her lead me to the gym and we picked up my slip without any problems. She pointed out things here and there as we walked, ducking under the rain. She spoke about the bathrooms, teachers to avoid and the best places to sneak around at.

"I don't skip classes that often, but I can tell you where the teachers don't look." She offered. I shook my head. I didn't think I'd need that information. She continued on, not disturbed by my refusal. "Oh, and you have to sit with me for lunch. You just have to."

"Sure." I answered as we approached what she said was my next class. My smile began to slip, knowing that despite the fact I'll see her in a few more hours, I'd be left to my thoughts now…and that might mean confronting the fact that the puzzle that had been slowly put together in my mind was now complete.

She unlocked her arm from mine and gave me a pat on the shoulder. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do." She said, but knowing what I knew of her so far, that didn't mean much. As she walked backwards, she yelled a little loudly, "And stay away from Jessica, Lauren and Mike, okay?"

I heard a mild squeak and turned around, seeing what must have been either Jessica or Lauren walking down the hall, face red.

I hurried into my classroom, pulling out my slip for the teacher to take. I glanced up, focused on getting to the teacher desperately hoping that I won't have to…announce…myself. I was an introvert through and through and I did not want to introduce myself to people, especially a bunch of kids.

The teacher looked up. "Miss Swan?" He asked.

"Yes, sir." I handed him the slip. I wondered why the gym teacher wouldn't sign my slip immediately, but then realized he probably expected me to take off. I knew that most people didn't enjoy gym. The thought almost made me laugh.

He signed the slip and I glanced down at the name: "Mark Peterson." It said.

"We have one free spot, over by Jasper. Jasper, please raise your hand."

As I turned and faced the class, pleased I didn't have to introduce myself, I caught eyes with who was unmistakably was Jasper Cullen. Our eyes met and I felt an electric jolt in my body. He raised his hand, but his eyes did not leave mine. There was a bit of shock and wonder in them, as well as happiness.

I blinked and looked down at myself self-consciously. I headed over towards his – our – table. I glanced up at him as I sat down. "Hello," I said shyly. I knew I could be very shy in most situations, but my voice was almost a murmur. Something about him put me on edge, set my soul on fire and clouded my mind.

"Hello," He replied in a soothing tone. "I'm Jasper Hale. Pleased to meet you ma'am."

I looked up again at him and smiled slightly. "I'm Mia Swan, it's a pleasure to meet you as well, sir."

He grinned at my quip and turned toward the front.

QUEST: FOCUS ON HISTORY CLASS

REWARD: ?

REWARD: ?

REWARD: ?

Just as I sat a bit straighter at the popup, another appeared under it.

QUEST: WHY DO YOU FEEL DIFFERENTLY AROUND JASPER CULLEN?

REWARD: ?

REWARD: ?

So it wasn't just me. Apparently there is a reason for this way I feel.

My mind started to wander during class, and noticed his eyes moving to find mine multiple times. Then the quest name hit me. Oh! I'm supposed to focus. Oops. About a fourth of the way into the class, I started to seriously focus on the class, listening intently. I tried to make up for the lost time.

I still met his eyes every once and a while, almost vibrating in my seat, but managed to focus on the class as well. I glanced at the clock noticing it was coming to an end of the class and dismissal would be soon. Kids started packing up their things as most kids do when they want to leave class impatiently. I didn't, however, and made sure I was focusing as much as possible on the class.

He warned the students to stop, but that only made them try to be sneakier and slower about it. Finally, the bell rang. The popup came up again.

QUEST: FOCUS ON HISTORY CLASS

REWARD: 5 INTELLIGENCE

REWARD: 5 WISDOM

REWARD: 15 EXPERIENCE

There was that experience again. That was curious. Before I could focus more on this game thing that was going on, Jasper cleared his throat next to me. I jerked in surprise. "Oh," I began packing up. "Thank you."

"No problem, ma'am."

One side of my lips slid up at that and as I went to grab my bag, he lifted it carefully with one hand. My hand had reached for it at the same time and I was surprised to find open air where my bag had been. I looked up at him.

"Where to?" He asked.

I gulped, hopefully not too noticeably, and grabbed my schedule. "Biology?" I said, coming out more like a question. "I can take that," I said, reaching for my bag.

"It's no problem." I assured me as he avoided me easily.

As he led me out of the room, Veronica came sprinting out of her classroom swiveled in place a few times and finally caught my gaze. She hurried over. "Oh thank God," she said, holding her heart. "You didn't find a waste of space to walk you to your next class. Okay, pretty boy, she's mine. You can go on your way now." She said firmly.

Jasper smiled a little more. "It's all right, I can walk her. You head to your next class, too."

Veronica opened her mouth angrily to what may have been a coming lecture when the warning bell rang. She flinched.

"You've got a long way to go, Veronica," He said easily, almost teasingly.

She glared at him before abandoning me with a grimace. "Sorry! I can't be late to this class again!"

I felt hurt at her abandonment, but I understood it.

"Shall we go, my lady?" He asked in that teasing voice, although a bit softer and tender.

I swallowed at the emotion that brought to the surface. I need to find out about that quest and what's going on here!

He extended his elbow to me and I gripped it lightly, carefully. "Of course."