I open my eyes with a start and sit up in my bed, holding my neck, It was just a dream... My eyes wander my new room, taking in every detail to calm myself. Unpacked boxes, an empty closet, a small desk and lamp I had put in here for my homework along for when I read or write, the bed I was laying in, and the expansive window across from me that outlooks a beautiful valley, guarded by a mountain range.

I look at the outlet where my phone is charging and pick up my phone. I turn on my phone and the glaring light hits my eyes. I adjust the brightness and look at the time and date.

"It is officially my first day at SwellFate High. Great..." I mutter to myself as I slowly get up from my bed. My feet hit the cold wood floor and a shiver half-heartedly runs it's way through my body. I glance at the pile of unpacked boxes and stumble over to them, sitting down cross-legged in front of one of the boxes with the word "Clothes: J.A.C" written in big, bold, black lettering. Sighing I look at the top of the box, covered in tape before looking back at my bed and then the desk.

"Where the hell did I put that boxcutter..." I mumble sleepily. I stand up shakily and walk over to my bed, looking under it to see if I dropped it after opening one box that held my desk and lamp in it. As I search for it under my bed I feel eyes looking at me from behind, I slowly get up and look behind me to see my cat sitting there, her tail flicking back and forth.

"Oh Zoe, you scared me girl." I pick up Zoe and hug her close while petting the back of her hair. Feeling her engine like purr rumble through my chest before setting her back down, her meowls of protest loud in the quiet room. I once again search under my bed blindly feeling around, searching until my hand brushes the smooth edge of the boxcutter.

"Gotcha!" I grab the boxcutter, the open blade slicing through the skin of my pointer and middle fingers. I look at my hand and the blood now slowly flowing through the cuts and wipe my hand on my pajama shorts, not bothering with the slight stinging that was now forming from my hand, as I walk back to the box with my clothes in it. Sitting back down in front of the box, I smoothly cut the tape on the top.

As I look into the box of neatly folded clothes, I sigh in disappointment. They're all the same. White blouses, grey skirts that go just above the knees, black and grey knee high stockings, and grey jackets with the school's crest on it.

I pick up my clothes, the uniform I have to wear while at school, and slowly change into them. I look down at the floor as I walk over to the lightswitch, preparing my eyes for the sudden change in how the room lights up as i turn on the lights, checking once to make sure I'm not forgetting anything as I grab my phone and leave my room.

I turn off the lights as I exit my room, looking both ways down the long hallway, attempting to remember where the bathroom is. I turn to my left and try the first door. Closet. I then try the second door, and the third. Both are bedrooms. I continue with this until I finally reach the bathroom, turning on the lights as I walk inside to see the nickel silver and bronze coloured mess of hair on top of my head. Jeez I'm a mess... I lean down to dig through the drawers to hind the new hair brush and comb.

After taking a while to do my hair I let my arms fall to my sides and examine my features, hmm.....not too good...but at least i don't look horrible... As I scan my reflection in the mirror I make minor adjustments to my uniform. Pulling the skirt down to my hips rather than my waist to accomodate my longer legs, and pulling up my stockings a bit. Straightening my blouse and jacket as well.

I walked out of the bathroom and turned off the lights, the darkness in the hallway engulfing me within seconds as I walk towards a golden light coming from a connecting hall. Shielding my eyes as I walk towards the light i enter the new kitchen and spot my brother as he finishes making breakfast for me and himself.

"Hey lil' sis. You ready to go?" He asks me as he serves me my plate and his own.

"Yeah I guess Toni" I mumble tiredly as I look at my food before wolfing it down. I looked to Toni as he grabbed his keys.

"You're driving?" I ask him while refixing my skirt, Damn thing just work!

"Yeah, I may as well since it's your first day." Toni says as he walks through the living room and entryway with me following him close behind.

We both slip on our shoes and head out the door, both grabbing our backpacks as the door closes behind us. I look out onto the road as Toni locks the door, taking in the quiet neighborhood and the slumbering houses around us.

"Ready to go?" Toni asks as he turns to me. I nod my head and walk down the steps after him as he walks to his car. I get in the passenger seat and close the door as he sets off and leaves the driveway. The ride to the school is a tired silent, and I doze off as I look out the window.

We soon reach the school and I shake the sleep off my bones as Toni parks in the student parking lot. We exit the car and walk up to the schools towering frame together, reaching the entrance as the first few busses pull in. I shake my head as the peaceful morning air is brought to a screeching halt as the kids start piling out of the busses, chatting about their summer and which teachers they missed.

Toni and I manage to avoid most of the crowd as the doors were opened for the students to enter. We drift through the commons and find our lockers, opening them and placing our unneeded items inside.

"Do you have everything you need?" Toni asks me. As I check over what I need and finally nod, Toni pulls me into a hug.

"Gee, thanks Toni." I say whilst being suffocated by the hug. He releases me and heads off to his classes with a smile and a wave,And now I'm on my own..... I walk off into the direction i believe my homeroom is in, soon being enveloped into the crowd as we walk to our respective homerooms.

I watch my feet as I walk, the books I need in my hands, as I head towards my homeroom. As I'm walking I feel a hand on my shoulder and I turn towards the owner of the hand, stopping in my tracks.

"Do you need something?" I ask the person, rapidly remembering the key details of his face and posture. His sapphire blue eyes cold, cruel, and unyielding as he studies me. After a few heartbeats, he shoves me away looking annoyed at whatever he deemed he found.

"You're not much, and a twig like you shouldn't be much of a threat to anyone," The guy's words were starting to get on my nerves as he talks, "But whatever. My name is Alixus, Alixus Silver, and I'm your partner for the semester." I stare at him, slightly annoyed at his way of introduction, before shrugging his hand off my shoulder.

"Jayne. Jayne Chris." I say to him, and turn back around to continue walking, now with Alixus at my side, "But what do you mean by partner for the semester?"

I watch Alixus out of the corner of my eye, waiting for his response.

"It's pretty much the school's way of keeping track of everyone here. We all have partners, but only one of them is told the physical features and gender of their partner." Alixus responds. So he already knew what I looked like...this school's already messed up... I walk with Alixus to our Homeroom. As the students file in to the classroom, I remind myself to keep an eye on Alixus, following him near the back and letting out a tired yawn as an ear shattering bell rang through the noise.

It was at this time our teacher walked into the class, and placed his worksheets at his desk. My eyes follow his movements as he walks to the front of the class.

"Hello first year class, my name is Nathan Macarthur. You may call me whatever you would like" He says, his red amber eyes off-putting as they scan the class, resting first on Alixus and then me, before he turns away and walks back to his desk.

The class started whispering then, about the strange behaviour of the teacher, before going back to their loud and obnoxious chattering. I look down at my books, tapping my nails on my desk before I hear Alixus clear his throat.

"Is there something you need?" I ask him without looking up.

"Yeah so look at me," I turn to see he's slouched in his desk, facing me, "You're not going back to your place tonight." Alixus says. I narrow my eyes at his outlandish statement.

"And why is that?" I ask him. His face contorts into a smirk as he tilts his head, his onyx hair falling into his eyes.

"Because you'll be joining my...friends and I into the mountains, we're looking for something and I want to bring you with us, what do you say?" Alixus asks. His taunting smirk widening into a wicked smile.

"Fine. But only if you can guarantee my safety." I say, turning away from him, I bet it's a trick... I scoff lightly before hearing Alixus' irksome voice,

"Of course, wouldn't want anything happening to my partner in crime now, would I?" I roll my eyes at his comment about the school system. I still don't understand it. Why pair people up? And why is it such a problem for there to be so many students? The school is hiding something. I shake my head at the silly thought as the bell rings to signal the end of class. Packing up my books I stand up to head to my next class, walking towards the door where Alixus was already waiting. I walk past him and out the door, but not before I feel Alixus grab onto my jacket sleeve. This fool...! I continue walking towards my first period class, consciously ignoring Alixus the entire way there. If I have to deal with him the entire time, this year will be ...difficult, to say the least... But I guess I'm stuck...For now...

                                                                                           *

I walk out of my final classroom, Alixus still following me like a pest. All throughout the day I've tried to get alone, to get away from Alixus, but he followed me everywhere. I let my head droop and sigh as I walk to my locker, Alixus behind me, before spotting the shoes of my brother, Toni. I raise my head and smile at him, as he walks over to me.

"So, how'd it go?" He asks, I shrug in response and point with my thumb to Alixus.

"So apparently this dude, Alixus, invited me to hang. Is it alright if I go along tonight? I won't be too much of a nuisance and if you're worried, he's already promised my safety." I silently plea in my head that Toni will say I can't go, just to get Alixus off my back, but much to my dissatisfaction, Toni agrees to let me go.

" I don't see a problem with it. And I'll tell mom and dad when I go visit them." He says, cheerily. My stomach drops to my toes at his response, though still keeping a smile on my face.

"Cool. I'll be riding with him and a group of friends so don't wait for me in the car." I say, Toni nods and walks away, waving. I wave back to him as I walk over to my locker, opening it and grabbing my books from inside. I just CAN'T believe I'm now obligated to hang out with this lost dog and his "friends" for the night. What could be so important in the mountains anyway?!?....I shake my head and sigh before closing my locker and turning to Alixus, who was looking at something on his phone.

" Are we going now?" I ask him, covering his phone with my hand to force him to look at me. He looks up at me through his lashes and his annoying smirk comes back to his face.

"Are we finally interested in this little 'Hangout'?" He asks, a foolish half grin on his face. I turn away from him, scowling,

"No. Just trying to get home as soon as possible." I retort. There's no way I could tell him in curious about this!!! It's already very suspicious in itself, not taking into the fact that this school is very odd too......Alixus just shrugs as he starts walking towards the doors, forcing me to follow his retreating footsteps. I cross my arms and catch up with him, keeping us in silence as he leads me to a group of kids leaning against two cars, each student having their own odd look and feel about them.

The kids look up and at Alixus and I as we walk towards them. Some of them upperclassmen. I scan the faces of the group, noting key details, especially the number of us. Ten. Enough to fill up both cars. The scowl I've been nursing since homeroom deepens, earning a few amused looks from the group.

"Everyone," Alixus starts, with the exaggerated attitude of a talk show host, "This Is Jayne, my new 'Best bud'." I look at him with a startled glare, having to expected that last part, and whack him on the back of the head.

" Don't go saying things you can't give proof to." I say, keeping my voice as cold as possible, as I refold my arms and glare at him, more intensely than before.

"He's wrong about the second part," I say to Alixus' 'Friends', " But my name is Jayne."