I guess you could say that my life really wasn't horrible compared to others, but it certainly wasn't one you'd wish to be living. It has actually improved since my childhood, which again, isn't saying much, but I'm not complaining.

Being treated the way I was as a child up until now, it's really no shock to me that the way I feel towards others is so cold and uncalled for. Not that it matters, I'm not considered a person of intrest anyhow.

I am a senior in highschool, and since the year has started, I've noticed a completely random sense of respect that comes my way from the people I call my classmates. And by respect, I mean lack of teasing and bullying that I have managed to put up with for the past 11 years. They act different towards me. As if now, because we are at the top of the "food chain", need to be mature examples towards the lower classmen. I didn't understand the sudden change of heart, but I certainly agreed with it.

I remember that day quite clearly, it was the first time in a good five years that someone had approached me to talk casually, not just for a group project or favor. At first, I ignored them. I had assumed they were talking to someone close by; that's how unsocial I was. I was shaken out of my thoughts when I heard the person call me out by name.

"Em! Is that your name?" he asked, and my head shot up in surprise.

"That's me, yes." I nodded in his direction, not paying much attention to him in general. I didn't recognize him anyway, what did he want?

"Hi, my name's Louis." he smiled, a bit too warm for my liking.

"Hello..." I replied, waiting for him to just say what he had to so I could go back to my quiet bubble of thinking.

"It's my first day here, and when I asked someone to show me around, they told me to come to you. Are you the class president or something?" he started, trying to make conversation.

"Erm... no." I felt my face flush as result of some stupid prank to, I don't know, maybe get me to open up?

"Oh. Well it's nice to meet you. Do you mind showing me around the school when we have some free time?"

Don't associate yourself with this kid. He's new, and will most likely be laughing at you by the end of the year. You don't want to get close to anybody, now do you? Just say you're busy and he'll understand. Let him down gently, after all, he's not a jerk yet. My mind demanded.

"Sure."

"Fantastic! I have locker 413, so you can just stop by when you're ready." he smiled, turning around in his seat before the bell rang.

Where did that come from? Em, you're an imbicile. This is why you keep your mouth shut.

I shook my head in my hands and braced myself for the rest of the day as the teacher started her lesson.
~~

It's funny how things take forever when you're looking forward to them, but when it's something you're dreading, it can't come fast enough.

I sighed nervously as I leaned my head against my shut locker, feeling a pit of anxiety buried deep in my stomach. Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I stood up straight and took a deep breath. Don't be nervous, he's a nice kid. Enjoy the company while it lasts.

I found myself just feet away from the boy's locker, regretting the decision to help him around. It's not that I had a problem with the idea of getting to know people, per se, it was more of feeling the need to isolate myself from others' company to try and rebuild the sanity that still remained from my childhood. It was my clumsy "rebuilding" that had me running into people at this time.

"Sorry." I mumbled, looking up to see the boy I was here for.

"Ready already?" he chuckled at his rhyme he made. I just nodded and took the schedule he handed me.

"Right. Well these are my classes for today, but on Tuesday and Thursday I switch out my 4th and 5th hours for some honor's classes. I have absolutely no clue where those are."

"Second floor."

"There's a second floor?"

"Well you didn't the ceiling was that tall for kicks, did you?" I replied. I meant for it to come out as intimidating, maybe even a snap to it. But to my surprise, and probably Louis' too, it sounded like the first move in what my sister would call a "conflirtsation".

"Guess I just didn't have my thinking cap on." he shrugged, pulling a silly face as he knocked on his skull. I mentally scolded myself as I heard a giggle escape my lips.

"Well, uh, let's get going then." I cleared my throat, walking the path to the stairs slightly in front of him. I didn't want him to get the wrong idea.

"So what classes do you take? I know we have first, second, and sixth period together. Do you take any honor's classes on Tuesday or Thursday?" he caught up to me.

"I have honor's algebra on Tuesday and honor's French on Thursday."

"No way?! Those are my honor's classes too! So we'll be seeing a lot of each other, yeah?" he grinned.

"That's implied, yes." I rolled my eyes at his unnecessary confirmations as I took step by step up the two small flights.

"You don't talk much, do you?"

"That's the goal."

"Why? Are you a shy person? You don't seem shy, you're just quiet." he rambled.

"It's personal."

"Oh, sorry. You see, I never know when to shut my mouth. Peter Griffin said it best, 'I am by nature a loud, friendly person' and he couldn't be more accurate describing me."

"Mmm." I hummed in agreement, just to shut him up. He was talking my head off and I was about to chop his off.

"Am I bothering you?"

"Bothering me? No, not at all." I emphasized the sarcasm in my voice.

"Having a bad day?"

"They all are."

"Someone needs some cheering up. You wanna go out for some coffee or something when we get out of here? Get to know you outside of school?" he suggested.

I turned around, as he had my full attention and I needed his.

"I am a very busy person, you're lucky I'm even taking time out of my tight schedule to show you around this dump. I need to be out of here in the next ten minutes, and I don't have time for some coffee date with another guy at school. My... boyfriend wouldn't be too happy about that." I lied with every intention of offending him. It didn't work.

"Oh, I understand. Sorry to take up your time, you could've just told me you were busy. And I didn't mean a date, I just thought it would be fun to make a new friend on my first day. Nobody else has really warmed up to me." he admitted, and I suddenly felt sad for him.

"Oh... well... I'm sorry about that." I muttered awkwardly, not knowing how to comfort him.

"Nah, it's not your fault. Nobody likes the weird kid, right?" he chuckled at himself. I froze for a second, surprised at how much that I could relate, but kept going.

About 10 minutes of showing around the new kid passed, and I jerked a little when I felt a hand pull me back by my shoulder.

"Hey, you better get going, don't want to be late for those things you have to do." he reminded me, and I felt guilty inside.

"Right... thanks." I said, walking in the opposite direction towards the door. I tried to think of any way I could make it up to him. I turned around to catch him before he left too.

"Wait! You'll probably need my phone number, if you have any more questions?" I suggested, regretting it the second I said it.

"Yeah sure, if you're not too busy. I'll try to limit the questions, ok?"

"Don't worry about it. It's the least I can do." I felt myself give him a friendly smile before turning to leave again. I hurried to my car and drove back to my apartment, absoutely confused.

What was wrong with me today?