Polly sat in class, back rigid and face flaming. Everyone was staring at her, and she didn't like it. She didn't like the thought that someone knew she was gay. She didn't like the thought that they could read it on her face and see it on her clothes and just know.

And, of course they couldn't, but Polly felt like they could. Polly felt like they knew right away that she liked girls in the wrong way. She wanted people to stop looking at her. She wanted people to stop judging her.

Of course, there was no sign of the girl named Kenzie, and of course, there were already rumors going around, thanks to Jenny. Polly felt like a freak, and it was only her first day.

She tried to focus on the teacher, but that was proving difficult. She was in history class, and she couldn't care less about what was being said. She would much rather sleep for eternity than sit in this class.

Someone tapped her on her shoulder, and she turned her head. She took in the sight of the boy behind her, his black hair pulled back into a man bun and his eyes hidden behind black frames, and didn't know what to say or why he would tap her shoulder in the middle of class.

"Will you hand this to the kid in front of you?" Polly felt a note being stuffed into her hand, and she blinked for a moment, not saying anything. Then, she creased her brow. "Why should I?"

The boy just looked at her. "It's important."

She didn't want to deal with this, so she rolled her eyes and tapped the boy in front of her. When he turned back, she handed him the crumpled up note.

She was annoyed. Not that she liked this class, but she was never one for passing notes in class. Plus, she found it so unbelievably trivial. Why would anyone pass notes these days when they had a cell phone?

She blew out a sigh and closed her eyes. Only, she couldn't for very long without seeing past memories she didn't want to relive. The past haunted her like the plague, and she would do anything to rid herself of those memories. Anything. She honestly played with the idea of going to a doctor to find a way to get rid of the memories. And if that meant severing something in her brain to make her forget, she gladly would.

She hated her life. She hated everything about it.

At the end of her first day, Polly felt tired and worn out. She felt incredibly annoyed at everyone and everything. She wanted so badly to go home and dive under her blankets where she could sob into her pillows and dream of ways to forget everything.

She pulled her backpack tighter to her body, beginning her walk home. Her body felt tense, and she longed to release all the pent up anger and frustration. She longed to find her parents so she could yell at them. She longed to find Doctor Higgins so she could punch him, straight in the face.

She felt something bump into her from her right, and she tettered over, crashing to the concrete of the sidewalk ungracefully. She brushed her bangs out of her face, ready to tell off whoever had shoved her, when she caught sight of the boy from her history class. Even more upset now that she saw him, she opened her mouth to yell.

The boy offered his hand with a sheepish smile. "Didn't see you there, sorry."

She was silenced by his apology, and she just stared at his hand like it was repulsing to even think of touching his hand. He awkwardly retracted it, but still smiled.

"You're in my history class, right?" He offered as Polly stood up on her own. She looked at her reflection in his sunglasses, irritated that she couldn't see his eyes, like she couldn't when they were in class.

"Yeah, I am." She added, almost hostile. She brushed the dirt from her jeans, and then picked up her backpack. "Also, I don't want to pass anymore notes. Find a different way to communicate with your friend."

The boy picked up his skateboard, giving her another smile. "Yeah, sure thing. No more notes."

She squinted at him, taking in his shirt, which had the name of her hometown on it. Fear gripped her like a vice as she stared at the words. The letters. The memories of her house, her parents, her life.

"Have you been there?" She jabbed a finger to the name on his shirt.

"Yeah. I have family that lives there." He shot her a funny look. "Why do you ask?"

She mulled over her answer for a moment. "No reason, just curious."

The boy tipped his head back to laugh, running his hand over his hair, which was still tied back in a bun. The sides of his head were shaved, but it was the top part that was covered in hair. It was a strange hair style, Polly couldn't help but think. Something about him was strange, if she was being honest. The way he wore pants that were far too short for his tall frame, and the way his socks didn't match. The way he smiled at her like he found her funny.

"I'm Minny," He offered, sticking out his hand to shake.

"Minny? As in, Mickey and Minnie mouse?" Polly couldn't help ask as she slipped her hand in his to shake.

"Not really. Minny, as in my name in Benjamin, but I go by the ending of my name."

Polly tilted her head. "Why on Earth wouldn't you go by Ben?" the words slipped past her mouth before she could stop herself, and think about how rude that would sound.

Minny just laughed. "Because, what fun is it having the same name as everyone else?" And then he leaned in. "But, tell you what. If you want to call me Ben, you can." And then he winked.

Polly took a step back. "Yeah, no thanks. I'll call you Minny." She laughed uneasily as she tightened her hold on her backpack. For a moment there, he reminded her of Doctor Higgins. She shook her head, knowing that she only felt that way because Doctor Higgins had winked at her a handful of times.

Just to be safe though, she asked, "What's your last name?"

"Nichols, why?" He tilted his head, shooting her a strange look. "What is your name?"

Polly sucked in a breath, finding no reason to lie. "Polly. Short for Pauline."

Minny rocked back on his heels, a grin finding its way to his face. "Polly. I like it - it fits you. Okay, Polly. Do you want a ride back to wherever you're going?"

She looked dubiously at the skateboard. "On that? I'd rather take my chances walking, but thanks."

She began to walk back home, but Minny kept her pace. "I live this way too," he offered.

Polly felt suddenly like things were moving too fast. It was her first day at school, and already she was making a friend. Sort of. And she didn't know how to feel. Didn't know how to react to the goofball beside her who looked almost menacing. He had an air about him that screamed too cool for you, yet he'd openly talked to her. It shocked her to the core.

He walked her all the way to her aunt's and uncle's house. And when she was walking up the steps to the house, waving politely back at him, Jenny ran from the house and watched the encounter.

"Who is that?" She asked as soon as Polly was in the house.

"Just this kid from school." Was all Polly offered as she set down her backpack in her room.

"He looked kinda scary." Polly rolled her eyes.

"He's harmless," Polly blew out a sigh, watching as her cousin gave her a doubtful look. And already, Polly realized she was talking about Minny as if they were friends. And while Minny was an alright guy, Polly wasn't sure she wanted friends.

She needed to fly under the radar. She needed to stay hidden.

Her past couldn't catch up with her. Because if it did, Polly would certainly be dead.

* * *

I want to clear up some things.

YES DOCTOR HIGGINS IS YOUNG. He is approximately nine years older than Polly.

YES ELLIOTT WILL BE IN THIS STORY. Just like the prequel was about Mary, this book is about a different character. I different point of view, but there will be more insight to Elliott's story and her life style.

It's Polly's turn to discuss her story.

Also, what do you think Minny is all about? Is he bad? is he harmless? WHY IS HE HERE?

Love you all my skeleton children

XOXO

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