Circe's POV - 08:09

I head downstairs to a class marked 'Carter: Literature and Psychology.' I walk through the open door and approach the teacher, Mr. Carter.  The students are conversing at their desks, waiting for class to begin.  Mr. Carter glances up and notices me as I reach him.  He stands up and walks around the desk.

"Hello, you must be the new student,"  he says kindly, reaching out a hand, "I'm Mr. Carter."

"Hello, Mr. Carter, my name's Circe," I reply, "Where do I sit?"

He points me to an empty seat near the left wall, near his desk.  I don't get why Erin told me 'good luck.'  He seems nice enough.

I take a seat next to someone wearing a collared shirt and a braid.  They're very focused on the book they have in their hands.  I would introduce myself, but I don't want to interrupt them.  They seem... peaceful.  The late bell rings, and a tall student with short hair bounds in before the door closes.

"Hey, teach," they say to an irritated Mr. Carter before sitting down behind the student next to me.

I look at them for a moment.  They have short, dark brown hair with red highlights.  They're wearing a red t-shirt with Disney decals and white jeans.  They set down their backpack, and I turn back around in my seat before they notice me.

Mr. Carter sighs and begins the lesson.  I grab my computer and open to my e-textbook.  At the end of class, Mr. Carter hands out a worksheet.  As, I'm packing up, he walks over to my desk.

"Circe, since you're new, I understand that you may not know exactly what we're learning.  If you need help, you can come to me, or ask one of your peers," he pauses and looks around. "Actually, wait, Cassie!"

One of the students, I'm guessing Cassie, who was heading towards the door, turns around.  The student who was behind them also turns around and mutters a goodbye, before heading out to their next class.  They must be friends.

"Cassie, come here for a minute," Mr. Carter says.  As Cassie approaches, he continues speaking, "This is Cassie.  She's one of my best students.  Cassie, this is our new student, Circe.  Would you mind helping her out since she's behind?"

"Sure, I can help," Cassie says.  They don't seem super ecstatic about it... I hope I'm not bothering them.

"Hello?"

I'm snapped out of my thoughts by a voice.  Cassie is speaking to me.  They're giving me a weird look.  I realize I had zoned out and completely ignored anything they might've said.

"Hi, sorry," I respond quickly. "What were you saying?"

"I was introducing myself. I'm Cassidy, but most people call me Cassie."

"It's nice to meet you.  I'm Circe.  Thanks for agreeing to help me."  I stand up and start packing my things.  I reach out and shake their hand.

"It's no problem, really."

We head out of the classroom and are heading down the hallway as the second bell rings.  We say goodbye, and rush off to our respective classes.

-------Rewind Time - 08:07-------

Cassie's POV - 08:07

I walk into Mr. Carter's room.  I'm early, like always.  

Today I'm feeling just a bit off.  One of my friends wasn't at our normal meeting spot before school.  She's never been late, and I believe she's at school, because she normally notifies us if she's absent.  I say a quick hello to Mr. Carter before sitting down at my desk and pulling out a book to distract my worries. 

 A few students start drifting in when the first bell rings.  The second bell rings and I hear an unfamiliar voice near me.  I glance up quickly and notice a girl talking to Mr. Carter.  I hear him say something about a new student and then direct her to a seat.  She takes a seat next to me.  She doesn't say anything, and neither do I. 

 The final bell rings and Wren, my closest friend, sprints into the room just before Mr. Carter closes the door.  They greet the teacher, who gives them a look.  I nod at Wren in greeting and put my book away.  The girl next to me is looking at Wren, and then quickly turns her attention to her book bag, pulling out a laptop with stickers on the cover.

At the end of class, Mr. Carter hands out a homework sheet.  I'm about to leave with Wren when I hear my name called.  The two of us turn around, and Wren buds me goodbye and heads out.  I walk over to Mr. Carter and the new girl.

"Cassie, this is our new student, Circe. Would you mind helping her out since she's behind?" Mr. Carter asks me.

Honestly, she seems alright, but I'm not a people person.  This girl, Circe, I think her name was, reminds me a little too much of Naomi, a very chaotic acquaintance of mine.  However, I'm not going to judge her too soon.

"Sure, I can help," I respond.  Circe seems to zone out after I say that.  I try to introduce myself but she doesn't respond.

"Hello?"

She snaps back into reality and smiles nervously.

"Hi, sorry... what were you saying?"

"I was introducing myself. I'm Cassidy, but most people call me Cassie."

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Circe. Thanks for agreeing to help me."

"It's no problem, really."

She packs up her things and shakes my hand.  We walk into the hallway and the second bell rings.  My class isn't far, but I'm usually early.  We wave at each other as part ways.

She doesn't seem bad at all.  In fact, she reminds me more of Erin than of Naomi.