✰ Asteria's P.O.V. ✰

I drove into the parking lot of the smallest school I had ever seen. I was used to L.A. Huge, glamorous, too many people to keep track of. This was small and simple. Students here and there. I shut off my Subaru and shoved the keys into my pocket. I got out of the car and grabbed my backpack from the back seat, swinging it over my shoulder as I took in the view. I breathed in the clean air and exhaled as I looked again to the doors of Lake Champlain Union High School. I looked to the left to the football field where some guys were doing warm ups. To my right were woods that opened up to the great body of water that made up Lake Champlain. I checked my phone. 8:05.

I pocketed it and walked through the doors of the small school, taking in my surroundings. There were benches by windows that viewed the parking lot and in front of me were offices. The principal, vice principal, etc. To my left and right stretched a hallway with marble floors and white walls. The left went to the lower half of the building into the cafeteria, and the gym, while the right went to all of the classrooms. Students were walking in every direction, trying to figure out where their semester schedules were trying to take them. Some girls lounging in the hallway eyed me as I tried to find the person in charge of scheduling. I never received mine in the mail, so I kind of need it, like, now.

I walked into the collection of offices before me, deciding I would just ask someone random about it. I located a desk that was marked "Guidance Counselor" and decided that would have to do. I did need guidance after all, didn't I? A man with glasses that were too small for his head was talking to someone on the phone and just stared at me as if I was currently the most annoying thing in the world. I could see him wishing I was a fly so he could swat me away. Wasn't he pleasant.

When he finally finished up his conversation with, whom I believe to be a concerned mother (due to bits and pieces I heard of the conversation) he stared down at some papers in front of him and said, "Yes?" I made sure to hurry this up.

"Hi, I, um, was wondering if I could pick up a copy of this semester's schedule?" I tried to sound as sweet and innocent as possible. He just looked up at me lazily through his glasses.

"Name?"

Ugh, always the worst part of introducing myself.

"Asteria Kensington. My family just-."

"Just moved here. So you're the new girl. Don't you have a sister too?" He said, probably more so just to ask rather than out of actual curiosity.

"Uh, yeah. I do. She doesn't have any classes until third period, though." Lucky seniors.

"Mhm," he sighed uninterestedly, never taking his eyes off the papers. Finally, after two minutes that had seemed like two decades, he pulled out a sheet of paper and handed it to me.

"Here, now get going before the bell rings." And that was the last thing he said to me. I hurried out of the office, ready to be out of there. I hoped I wouldn't need anymore "guidance" soon. I looked down at the sheet of paper that I clutched in my hands as if it were the most important thing in the world. It listed my name, grade, locker number and combination, student ID, and class schedule. I searched through the list of classes to figure out what was happening at what time. My old school transferred all of my credits and grades to this one, so I hoped everything was accurate. I don't want to have to repeat anything.

I started walking down the long, busy hallway as the first bell rang and everyone was in a frenzy. I stared at the paper to find that AP Psychology was the first on my list. What a nice class to wake up and come to every morning. I rolled my eyes at myself. I searched for room 215 and quickly discovered that the classes in the 100s are on the first floor and the 200s are on the second. I raced up the stairwell as casually as possible and began to search the room numbers. 209, 211, 212, 215. I calmly breathed out and walked through the doorway into the classroom.

I spotted about eleven people as I walked in and they just stared at me in curiosity. I know that everybody stares at you when you're new somewhere, but this is like a whole new level. Makes me wonder if anyone new ever comes to this school. Maybe it's only a once in a lifetime event for some of these people. I wouldn't doubt it. It's not all that bad out here, but who would really want to live here? It takes thirty minutes just to drive to the grocery store and everything else is even further away.

The teacher took this time to turn around and greet me. "Hello! You must be - ." And she completely says my name wrong. It's not uncommon, but I will spare you the pain of hearing it.

"Um, it's actually pronounced uh-steer-ree-uh. I know, it's weird. Either my parents hate me or they just have a terrible sense of humor." I joked. I joke about my name a lot because otherwise I feel bad every time someone gets it wrong. It really isn't their fault though. They've probably never seen another word that looks even close to that.

The woman gave an embarrassed laugh as she said, "Well, my name is Mrs. Carmichael. It's nice to meet you, Asteria." She turned to the rest of the students. "Alright, we'll go in a circle and each of you introduce yourselves."

To be honest, I've never been that great with names so when they were listed, I didn't exactly absorb any of them. My nerves were too high strung. The ones I did remember though, were Hayleigh, Xander, Tyrone, and Macey. They looked like the definition of the four musketeers to me. When the awkward introductions ended, I gave a shy wave and walked to an empty seat in the back.

The class began like any other and I soon found myself bored, just like any other normal high schooler. As Mrs. Carmichael went over what we would be studying this semester, I began to study the students so I could remember what faces to put with what names. Hayleigh had beautiful blond hair and piercing green eyes that were almost shocking. She had a body that a model would beg for and her teeth were like pearls. Macey was just about the opposite. She had olive skin and dark hair and eyes. She looked athletic and she had long legs, although I hadn't seen her stand yet, I knew she'd tower over me. My eyes drifted to Tyrone whose African-American skin contrasted with his bright orange t-shirt, seemingly making it glow. His eyes are alert and his smile is contagious. Xander has dirty blond hair and blue eyes brighter than my own. He seems like a pretty laid back guy, lanky and tall.

As I continued my people-watching-practice, the bell rang, just about causing my soul to jump out of my body. I looked to the clock above the door that declared it was 9:05. I grabbed my backpack and Mrs. Carmichael handed me a ginormous text book on my way out. I accepted it with a smile as she said, "It's awesome to have a new student, Asteria! Have a good day, let me know if you need help with anything." I like this lady. Nicer than Californian teachers.

I walked through the halls and I could hardly contain a laugh as I saw her. Allegra strutting down the halls in heels and dress shorts, makeup all done up and hair curled. Her all-time famous Gucci backpack was the final blow that made her stand out in the crowd of casually dressed students wearing jeans, basketball shorts, and often hoodies. I looked down at my own perfectly white sneakers, jeans, and crop top and was suddenly thankful I decided not to go overboard on my first day. This was probably the first and only time I ever thought, thank god I don't look like Allegra.

I walked past her and gave her a wink, but she just looked frustrated and threw me a scowl. There really is nothing like sisterly love, is there? I continued to walk down the hall to room 220 where my schedule informed me that the worst class of the year would be. Pre-calc. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm really good at it, I just hate it, you know? It's boring, it takes too much time to solve equations and what is it with all the positive and negative numbers? Gets me everytime.

I walked into a huge classroom with a bunch of problems that had already taken up residence on the worn chalkboard. A man who looked like he could retire any day now, stood before the class as I walked in. The introductions began all over again as class started up. After another awkward mispronunciation of my name I took a seat and settled in for a long day.

✰✰✰

I was walking back to my car through a flood of people when Allegra came up to me. "This school is a piece of sh-"

"I honestly didn't expect much from it," I interrupted her. "What surprises me is that you're standing next to me in public, showing the world that we are related." This just caused her to huff as she ran off to her own car across the parking lot. I smiled as I watched her go. Works every time. I really don't need to hear her drama right now. A drama free life sounds amazing, but unfortunately for me it's never the case.

I unlocked my cherry red car and slid behind the wheel as I dumped my backpack onto my passenger seat. I checked my rearview and began to back up. A pale fist rapped on the window next to me, scaring me out of my senses for the second time today. My foot stomped on the brake abruptly. Once the air had returned to my lungs I stared into sharp green eyes and rolled down my window.

"Yeah?" I squeaked. Hayleigh gave me a look that said she was a little weirded out by reaction, but she didn't dwell on it.

"I just wanted to say hi and I wanted to get your number while I had the chance. You seem pretty chill and all. It's not everyday our school sees a new face.'' She gave me something between a smile and a smirk. She had that kind of personality where she was sweet, but seemed like she could be a jerk at times. Who knows, it's too early to judge.

After I rang off my digits to her she said, "Cool. There's a party tomorrow night at Tyrone's. You should come." Me? Invited to a party? Yup. Its finally happened. I have got to be hallucinating.

"Uh, are you sure you're not confused, or anything? You see my sister is the cool one, shes-"

"I just invited you, didn't I?" I nodded at her.

"Exactly. Forget about your sister. I don't even know who she is."