I awoke to Janet knocking on my door. "Emily, time to get up. You're going to be late for school!" 'Fuck!' I cursed under my breath. I knew if she ever heard me cuss I wouldn't hear the last of it. That was one of her pet peeves, no cussing in the house or around the family.

"I'm up!" I called out. Normally I would have set my alarm on my phone but because my minds been to preoccupied with everything that happened this past weekend I had forgotten to turn on my alarm. I hurriedly threw on clothes that was over my chair that I was sure I wore two days ago. But not caring I threw them on and grabbed my stuff before heading down the stairs.

"Emily! Have a bowl of cereal at least before you go!" Came Janet's voice from the kitchen. I looked at my phone to see I had no time for it. "It's ok, I'll just grab something when I'm at school!" I called out as I headed out the door. Normally I wouldnt care if I was late but today for some reason I just had the energy. Maybe it was because break was around the corner or maybe I just wanted this day to be over with so I could start my lessons with Mit.

Soon the school came into view and it intimidated me slightly. Not because it's school but more so what made up the insides of it. The student population and teachers were basically on par for most part when it came to how I was treated. Though some were worse, for most part I knew they would look at me from the corners of their eyes and whisper things that were more then likely not true. I saw this already as soon as I stepped through the doors into the main hall.

I saw a group of people over to the side of the main area talking but a few of them glanced over at me and their whole demeanor changed. Pulling my hoodie close to me as if it could shield me from their stares and whispers, I headed to my first class and prayed the day would be over fast.

The day did slide by without incident or no more then the regular drama and gossip.The final bell rung and I made my way out of the suffocating building. The fresh air hit me though I would say it was a far cry from fresh being that I was in one of the most polluted states, but it was better then the suffocating air inside the school. As I walked out and heading to the main road that ran in front of our school, I saw Sarah talking to her friends. They were giggling and watching something on her phone. I then saw Jack walk out with his own friends. One was carrying a guitar case with him as they seemed to be in deep conversation about something. I knew Jack was in a band with his friends from the little information his parents told me and the times he would be practicing in his room. He was a drummer and damn was he good. But like his sister, he didn't ever give me a chance to get to know him and the few times we do talk it would be short one word answers followed by him leaving or closing his door in my face. But I grew use to this exiled treatment as sad as it sounded.

I made my way to the house. Even though I lived in more in the central part of Cali, our weather still can get chilly in the fall and winter. I plulled my hoody close to me as I walked down our block. It only took me a few minutes till our house came to view. I walked in and as I closed the door behind me I heard Janet call out. "Is that you Emily?" I walked into the kitchen where I saw her in the middle of making some homemade chocolate chip cookies. "It's still surprising you know who it is when they walk in." I said as I took a seat at the kitchen table.

Janet laughed at this. Her eyes sparkled with a sense of humor and happiness. "Well Emily when you become a mother you will understand when I say it becomes second nature to you." I smiled as she came over to where I sat and gave me a plate of warm cookies and a glass of milk. "Thank you. And honestly that sounds more like a super power to me." I chuckled as I started to nibble on a cookie. Janet chuckled as she made her way back over to the counter to start to clean up. "I guess you can say that hunny." She winked and started to wash a few dishes in the sink.

I finished up my snack and thanked her again before I headed to my room. I put down my bag onto the floor and went over to my computer. Siting on my bed I opened up my laptop and sighed into the webpage. I looked to see if he said anything yet but saw nothing. It was still early and from what I figured from knowing him just over a year now, he seemed to be a night owl and won't be messaging me any earlier then eight at night.

With this knowing in my mind I went to shower and do some homework. It didn't take long before it was dinner time and I made my way down to the kitchen. I saw we were having chicken with some mashed potatoes and a salad of sorts. Sitting in my regular seat I started to dig in as John and Janet talked and asked Sarah and Jack about their day. As usual I felt like the outsider looking in. I know Janet and John didn't do this on purpose but when it came to the other two, it was plain as day how they felt about me. But it seemed to now be more of an unsaid acceptance on John's and Janet's side that they basically didn't like their adoptive daughter.

I have came to accept this and simply ignore them as much as they do to me.

As they chatted I just sat there and ate while listening into the conversations. Apparently Jack is going to do their first show down at some local bar that often held nights where small bands would play to try and get their name out into public. Sarah is planning to stream her newest game that she had early access to. Most likely to promote that game to her fan base. Both of them seemed to be doing well with their lives and getting somewhere.

I couldn't help but to have a pang of jealousy and bitterness. I know they have worked hard to get to this point even Sarah who was a natural beauty and took a lot from her mother with her blond hair and blue eyes had her thing going as well as her brother. But as for me, the best thing I got going now was some minor elementary hacking and looking around in some deep web websites watching videos on Big Foot and Rat people. But I could see why they wanted to keep me at an arms distance. Compared to them, I was trouble and if it wasn't just the fact I hang out in graveyards and the whole past thing, it would also be because I am in a sense a baby criminal. They didn't know about my computer skills though, just know I spent a lot of my time in my room in front of my computer.

After I finished my dinner I took my plate to the sink to wash it and went back to my room. After getting back into my room I saw it was eight o'clock and decided to see if he messaged me. Looking at my messages I didn't see anything yet. Feeling slightly disappointed I decided to kill time with playing a game. I decided the best choice was Left 4 Dead 2. Nothing like taking your frustrations out on Zombies and other none living monsters.

As I started to play I couldn't help but to wonder what I should do for a living. I was eighteen anyways and well it was obvious I wasn't going to stick around here much longer. I honestly wanted to move to a different state, away from Cali and really start a new life. A place that no one knows me and I can just be me. I shoot my first Zombie down as I thought more on this. 'Perhaps I can get a grant for a collage in a different state. That be the easiest way to start off somewhere els...'

I became engrossed in my game I didn't pay much attention to the time until I looked at my phone. It was almost eleven. 'Fuck.' I groaned as time seemed to now decided to speed up as I was finally having fun. Turning off my game I decided to wait till tomorrow to check to see if he messaged me or not.

I quickly changed into my PJs and brushed my teeth. I came back into my room and laid down on my bed ready for a good nights sleep. As I laid beneath the chilled sheets I couldn't help but to think back on my future. I know now I should start to look into colleges out of state and apply for grants and such.

Turning over I closed my eyes and tried to sleep. But a few moments later I felt that feeling again of being watched. I turned over to look out into my room but didn't see anything. Annoyed at having this creepy feeling I reached over to my nightstand where a lamp was and quickly turned it on. As soon as the light filled the room I saw a quick movement of something small that darted into my closet. I stood up and walked over to open the door. As I did this light from my lamp came into the closet and that's when I saw the source of the creepy feelings. It was a damn rat.

I looked at it confused on how it even got to my room or why it was in my room in the first place when I had to remind my self rats were one of the hardiest animals there was let alone living in a city like Hollywood there was definitely no shortage on these furry survivalists. It took no genius to know how they got into the house let alone why. Rolling my eyes I went to grab a towel and decided to try and catch it so at least I could release it back outside where it was way safer then inside of this house where any of the other occupants may have different plans for the little guy.

I grabbed a towel and slowly made my way to the rat. I needed to be quick and well pray I wouldnt get bit. But an odd thing happened, as I approached the rat he just sat there and looked at me. He showed no fear in his little black eyes as I came over. To be honest if I didn't know any better it was more curious then anything els.

I knelt down and put the towel in a way he could just climb in and I was definitely shocked when he just walked right into the towel almost like he was trained. I picked him up gently and looked down at him. I couldn't help but to feel a bit of a soft spot for him. I was always an animal lover but felt I wouldnt do a good job taking care of another living thing. Plus how my home life was like then I found it good I dint have a pet. Who knew what that sick fuck would have done.

'Sorry little man, but you're not safe in here. It's better you look for food somewhere els.' I said as

I sneaked down the stairs and made my way out the back door. We had a small but nice yard and often I saw Janet planting flowers and different vegetables every so often. I wondered over to where I knew the vegetables were and placed him down.

"There you go. Not only your safe but have plenty of food. Just be carful of the next store neighbors cat Rusty. He can be an asshole and that's coming from a Human." I smirked as I watched him just looked at me as if he was actually understanding what I was saying. "Well good night Mr.Rat."

I went back inside and made my way to my room. I couldn't help but to roll my eyes. 'I can't believe I had a conversation with a freakin rat. I must really be loosing it.'

I crawled back into my bed and pulled the covers over me. I couldn't help but to sigh as I let my body and mind relax. Tomorrow is yet another day of Hell and hopefully I will hear back from Mit on my first lesson. The last thought put a smile on my face for some reason. Perhaps it's because despite him being online and clearly a stranger and someone that a normal person wouldn't trust, the fact I can just be myself and know he is there for me, makes me feel like a normal person. Is this what it feels like when you have an actual friend? That night I fell asleep with a smile on my face.