"Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." 

- L. Frank Baum

"Everyone," Alex began, "this is Abigail. She's from Louxe and is going to be living here from now on."

Abigail shyly looked around the group before her; five new faces to learn, including Jacob and Shiloh.
"Welcome to Elysium," a feminine voice to her right chimed in, "I'm Bethany." The girl had brown hair much like Abigail's, but with hazel eyes that seemed to shine in the fluorescent lights of the cafeteria: they almost appeared gold at times.

"It's nice to meet you," Abigail politely replied.

"And that over there," Bethany went on to explain, "is Joseph. He's the boyfriend."

Abigail looked to her left where Bethany had indicated and was greeted by a tall and lanky looking guy with jet-black hair. His nose protruded out farther than Abigail would have deemed attractive, and with his pale skin and deep-set eyes, he almost resembled a crow. But Abigail had never been taught to be judgmental, so she smiled her hello at the boy and reached down to pick up her fork.

"Oh, don't forget about little old me," a rather discourteous voice interrupted, "you wouldn't forget your favorite girl, would you Alex?" Without even looking up Abigail knew she wouldn't like this girl. She expected the same from Alex, but from the corner of her vision she could see a smile on his face instead of the snarl she had expected.

"Abigail," Alex began his last introduction, "this is Elizabeth." He didn't elaborate past her name, and the girl seemed rather upset at his lack of interest. As Abigail peered to look at her, she found her suspicions were right: she wouldn't like this girl. She had hair so blonde it almost looked fake, and it was styled in such an abstract manner that Abigail was almost taken aback. Her makeup was heavy on eye-liner, which seemed to make her green eyes pop even more, and her right arm was completely covered in tattoos.

As the girl laughed at Abigail's reaction to her appearance, she also noticed piercings all the way up one of her ears as well as a small stud in her nose.
"Do they not have people like me back in Louxe, dear?" Elizabeth questioned. Her accent was different than anything Abigail had ever heard, and she spoke in a way that made Abigail feel small. But, rather than begin her life here as a joke, she felt a smirk come on her face as she replied, "No, I'm afraid such civilized society wouldn't allow that."

Elizabeth didn't even seemed fazed at her reply, and instead laughed at the accusation. "Honey," she spoke down to her again, "just call me Lizzie, okay? And I won't even comment on what we would call the likes of you around here."

Abigail felt her face heat as the conversation with the girl continued. She prayed for someone to interject: anything to take the focus off of the two of them.
"So," Alex finally interjected – after allowing a long awkward pause – "what have I missed since I was gone?"

"Oh you know," Jacob replied, "same old, same old. They are shifting job assignments again."

"Oh great," Alex responded with an obvious eye roll, "With my luck I'm gonna get put back on laundry duty."

"Job assignment?" Abigail questioned. "When will I be getting mine?"

"Oh don't worry," Lizzie snarled, "I'm sure they will find something just perfect for your princess hands to do."

"Whoa, Lizzie," Shiloh cut her off, "that's enough. The girl gets it – leave her alone."

This was going to be a long first day.