I walked down the halls of Mission Creek High, my new school. I was so nervous that every vein in my body pulsed with anxiety. 

     I noticed after my first three classes, everyone there had stared at me at least once. I was different. What can I say? But why is it that just because I'm different means that no one else will talk to me? It didn't seem fair, but then again, I was new to this way of life.

  At lunch, I went through every person's nightmare. I couldn't find my lunch money! How embarrassing... and on the first day? Not a good way to start building up a reputation... I sat by myself at a table in the corner hoping that I wouldn't be noticed. But then, four kids came walking towards my table with smiles on their faces. I decided to smile back; maybe I'll be able to make SOME friends.

"Hey," the only girl said. "I'm Bree! This is my brother Adam," the tallest one waved. "Chase," the shorter one waved. "And my step brother, Leo. We're the Davenports! I think we're taking care of you, right?"

I nodded slightly, then reached out my right hand for Bree to shake. "Hi. My name's Katie Gherkin." I smiled brightly and shook all of their hands.

"How do you like Mission Creek? Mr. Davenport said you're new to the area."

I stared at her for a moment, confused.

"Actually, I've lived here my whole life. I just- didn't go to school here."

Okay. I didn't totally lie- right? I mean, I don't want them knowing about my dad right off the bat. The four kids sat with me and ate lunch with me.

"Aren't you gonna eat something?" Chase asked.

"I don't have any money. When my dad left me, he took everything. Including all our money."

They all just stared at me for a while.. seriously? Not the way I wanted to start out. I guess they weren't told anything about me. Would I have to be the one to tell them?

"Its okay," Bree smiled. "I'll share my lunch with you, and Leo can share his dessert with you."

"But-" Leo started to protest.

"Don't worry." I assured him. "Keep your dessert. I don't need any."

I noticed Bree and Chase gave Leo unapproving looks, and Leo shifted nervously in his seat. I laughed on the inside. The majority of his plate consisted of chocolate lava cake with espresso chip ice cream. Yuck! I hate coffee.

"So," I said nervously, trying to think of anything to say, "how long have you guys been coming here?"

"Well," Leo replied, "I've been coming to this High school for three years. The rest of them have only been here for two."

"Why is that? Are you older than all of them?" Curious to hear the reply.

"Well, no, they didn't really go to school anywhere because-" he stopped, realizing where he'd be trailing off to... Bree and Chase glared at Leo.. Why were they acting so strange??

".....because we - were... uh... homeschooled! We were homeschooled!" Chase said. Using my bionics, I could tell he was lying. "Yep, but then Leo here convinced us to try Mission Creek, and we've loved it ever since."

Bree and Adam nodded with smiles on their faces, trying to convince me that his story was true.

"Hey, good one Chase! That was pretty clever. Like a cover story, right?"

"Adam!" Chase whisper yells. I can't help but giggle a little.

"He's not that bright, is he?" I ask Bree, pointing at Adam. She shook her head. I smiled. These people seemed pretty nice. A lot nicer than my dad, for sure.

   After school was over with, I stopped at my locker to clean it up a little and organize it. When I finally alphabetized my textbooks, my locker door slammed closed. I whipped my head around and saw Trent. Bree told me that he was the meanest jerk she's ever met. I guess she hasn't met my dad yet, though. I tried to ignore him, but he stepped in my way.

"What do you want, Trent?" I asked, not making eye contact with him.

"Oh, just thinking, what a cool name! Katie Jerk-in" he laughed.

"Leave me alone, Trent. I really don't want to talk to you." He still didn't back off! I was noticing a lot of people were staring at me now. Thank goodness that before too long Adam and Chase came to get me. they were coming down the stairs and froze when they saw Trent picking on me.

"Aww is that why you don't have any parents? Because you didn't want to have to live with that name? Orphan" His other football buddies came in and started laughing.

"Come on, Jerkin! Why don't you have parents? Or are you too sad to tell us? Will it make you cry?"

"First of all, it's pronounced Gherkin! Second, if you have to know, my father locked me in his basement and beat me up every day for three years! When the police finally found me, I found out my mother died! It's not my fault that I'm like this! I'm not an orphan. I'm just not allowed to see my father." I yelled. Taken aback, Trent didn't say anything. I took the opportunity and ran away from him. Tears were rolling down my face and I bumped into someone. I looked up, and it was Chase.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

I sucked in a breath, and bit my lip. "I don't know. I just want to get out of here and go home." Chase nodded, and he turned to Adam.

"Adam, go find Bree and take her home with you. I'm gonna get Katie out of here."

Adam left, and ran up the stairs. Chase grabbed his backpack, and we ran out of the high school. I didn't say much, neither did he. When we walked up the driveway, I couldn't help but stare in awe at the mansion in front of me! It was massive!! My jaw dropped, and Chase smiled at me.

"Welcome home, Katie. Do you like it?"

"Like it? I never seen anything like it before. It's incredible!!"

"Yeah, that's what happens when your dad is a multi billionaire." I couldn't believe it!! This was where I was going to live??

       We got up to the porch, and Chase opened the door.

"Come on in!" I slowly walked inside, and I couldn't believe what I saw! Modern everything everywhere!! I even saw a tablet built into the wall!

"Mr. Davenport!" Chase called out. "Mr. Davenport! Katie's here!"

A moment later, an average sized man with black hair came out and shook my hand.

"Hello, Katie!" He smiled. "Welcome to Davenportia!"

I plastered a confused expression on my face. Chase chuckled and whispered into my ear, "that's his way of saying 'welcome to my gigantic home'".
"Oh."

All of a sudden, a red light started flashing from the tablet on the wall and on Mr. Davenport's phone. Strange... it was flashing MISSION ALERT!

"What's going on?" I asked, a little scared.

"Well," Mr. Davenport began, "since you are a part of this family now, there's something we need to tell you. Adam, Bree and Chase are... Bionic Superhumans."

WHAT?????