August 29th, 1992

Emilia felt quite bizarre walking down the hallways of Westfield High.  The lockers were slightly rusted on the sides of its dents giving Emilia a bitter taste in her mouth that she did not like at all.

The first day of school was always dreadful, and the first day of high school's even worse.  Much to Emilia's dismay the school year came quickly causing summer to come to an end.

But being a freshman and high school wasn't what made Emilia's hand shake as she gripped her leather bonded notebook tighter to her chest. No, it was the fact that she was a freshman in high school that also happened to be the 'new girl'.

The veins in Emilia's skin bulged in different places, an obvious sign she was nervous.  Emilia quickened her pace towards her locker once she noticed the stares.

Westfield was a small school with few students so Emilia wasn't surprised when a new student arrived that most people would want more intel on the situation.

Emilia's hands still trembled as she reached up to unlock her locker.  The lock made an odd creaking noise as she turned it, but Emilia didn't mind.

The world seemed to blur around her as she reached up to put her notebook in the small space. Because all Emilia could think about were the words her mother had said minutes before she left for her big day.

'Emilia be careful, it may just be a bunch of teenagers but everyone has their secrets.'

Emilia shrugged, coming out of her daze only to sense an odd feeling in the back of her mind. The feeling you get when you're being watched.

Emilia gulped knowing that feeling all too well.  That feeling had shown up constantly in the span of the day and Emilia came to know that sensation quite well.

Feeling a pair of eyes burning into the side of her head Emilia slowly turned towards the boy leaning against a locker a couple feet away.

"Why are you staring at me?" Emilia snapped slightly scared, but still trying her best to hide any sort of fear.

A boy with dirty blonde hair and an over sized blue sweater stood leaning against the locker with a smirk plastered on his face. "You're really pretty."

Emilia scoffed before closing her locker and turning towards the boy.  "I'm not sure if you genuinely think that was funny or you're just dumb, but that was about the stupidest pick up line I've ever heard."

"Wow, for a girl that looked so shy and nervous from afar you're really defensive." The boy spoke, still a smirk etched on his lips.

Emilia fought a smile before it slowly cracked on her face.  But before the boy could see it she turned away and then replied. "Why are you wearing a sweater? It's like ninety degrees outside."

"Do you usually ask people you don't even know the names of questions like that?" The blonde boy ignored her question by countering with his own.

"No, only for the one's who stare at me while I put away my stuff." Emilia fired back before continuing. "Now answer my question."

"Maybe I just get cold easily." The boy smiles pretending he was chilling by rubbing his arms frantically.

Emilia rolled her eyes wanting so desperately for the young man to go away and leave her to wallow in her own misery. "Can I at least know your name?" The boy asked a grin slowly forming on his lips.

Emilia sighed before crossing her arms and answering, "Emilia. Emilia Montgomery."

"Tate. Tate Langdon." Tate spoke trying to match the form at which Emilia ordered her words.

"Tate! Come on!" A student yelled from the end of the hallway causing Tate to turn his head.  Tate held up a hand before turning back to Emilia.

"I guess I'll see you around Em." Tate smiled before turing and walking backwards towards who Emilia assumed was his friend.

"My name's not Em." Emilia corrected making Tate laugh.

"Consider it your nickname for me." Tate smirked before winking.

And as Tate turned and ran around the corner, Emilia smiled wondering what secrets Tate Langdon had to hide.