Leaving her Sanctuary in London, April Summers joins her Mom and Brother in America to finally lead a normal life. Graham Town seemed a suitable place for new beginnings and April begins her experience in the hells of high school.
Brandon States is well on his way to be High School King; his popular and his handsome. His life seemed perfect until April Summers happened.

I stood just outside the classroom door nervously glancing up and down the school hallway. Graham High was way bigger than my school and apparently fashion trends were different . I glanced down at my pull up socks, pleated blue skirt, pink sweater and white sneakers. Terribly different. My hair was in a tight plait just like I was expected from my old school back in London. These students wore jeans and strapless tops or thin strap tops. Mom would probably die of heart seizure if she saw me in any of that. Not that she was overly conservative. It was just that for me to expose more skin is for pigs to fly. Mom... why did she have to get a new job? I mean she came to Graham to become a lit. teacher. She was a lawyer back in New York while I was attending an all girl's boarding school in England.I mean, I wasn't complaining. We always had to wear decent clothes (the nuns were sooo strict)and uniforms. We hardly went out..only for field trips but that was the way I liked it. That was the way I lived...after Dad passed. Kenny, my younger brother starts pre-school this year but before that he was always dropped off at the day care center. But mom wanted more time with her children, so she brought us all back together and sends me to this..this...(if u can call it a school). You see I'm a conservative person, I believe in god, in true love and that 'wait till you're ready' phrase. Oh and I can't swear. Yep, you heard right, I can't swear. Or maybe I can. I never tried. A few years in a strict prison-like school really nails those sort of things into you. Unfortunately, the outside world was a different story. I was learning that quickly. So anyway, back to the story. I tensed when I heard the teacher from inside the classroom say my name.
"She's from London and it's her first time in a co-ed school. Come on in, April." I stepped into the classroom hesitantly and looked at the curious faces staring back at me. There were stifling laughs and very rude comments but I ignored them.
"Why don't you sit beside Kira over there, hmm," the teacher pointed to an empty seat beside a blonde girl who was blowing bubble gums. I made my way uncomfortably but let out a scream when I tripped over someone's foot.
"Oops, did I do that?" Kira said tauntingly and the class burst out into laughter. This scene was too cliche...except it worked against me.

(Brandon's version)
"Hey Brandon, hold up!" I heard Dave's voice call out. I glanced at my watch. School was over and football practice began at four. I closed my locker and turned to meet him. Dave was my best friend ever since...we met I guess. In daycare center. Yeah, we were childhood friends.
"Man, gave us loads of homework," He complained. is our history teacher. "Doesn't he know we got football? I mean I already know that Christopher Plummer discovered North America and George Bush cut down that berry tree or whatever and owned up about it."
"Dave, you really need to brush up on your history," I told him laughing. "Christopher Plummer was the guy from Sound Of Music and it's George Washington not Bush. Even an American elementary school student would know that."
"Yeah well screw history okay, I want to become a national football player not a historian..." Dave fell silent suddenly when a girl walked by. She had blonde plaited hair and bright blue green eyes. She was wearing long socks, a blue pleated skirt and a pink sweater. "Whoah, what's up with that?" Dave said laughing when she was out of hearing range.
"That's April," Kira came out of nowhere and leaned against my locker. "The new girl in class." She smiled and flipped her blonde hair flirtatiously.
"In your class?" I asked.
"Unfortunately," she answered.
"I didn't see her at lunch," I commented. Kira scoffed.
"She was in the library I guess," she said. "Why do you seem so interested Brandon?"
"Uh nothing," I said. I wasn't interested but I was curious. New students in Graham High were rare...and new students like the new girl..April, were a half in a million. I must have been silent for a while though, because Kira was already walking away. Taking her time, she waited until I met her eye. With a wink, she left.
"Aww man, she's so into you!" Dave said.
"Not my type," I muttered as we headed to the gym.
"They're always not your type," Dave complained. I shook my head at him laughing.
"I mean, yeah she's cute.."
"Cute!" Dave exclaimed. "Hot would be the correct term."
"Yeah but they're all the same Dave," I told him. "They want the most popular guy, that's what they want. That's all I am. I want a woman who wants me as Brand...uh!" I grunted as I bumped into the new girl. She fell back onto the floor with her books scattered everywhere.
"Ohhhh!" she let out a frustrated sigh. Surprised at running into her again, I tried to recover myself.
"I'm sorry," I said crouching down to help her. Dave helped collect her books too. "It's April right?" She nodded looking a bit surprised. "I'm sorry, I should have seen where I was going."
"Oh no don't apologize," she waved her hand as we helped her up. "I was in a hurry, I should have seen where I was going." I handed her her books.
"By the way, where are you hurrying too?" Dave asked.
"Cheer leading tryouts," the girl answered. Dave and I exchanged glances. She was a cheerleader? "I used to be a cheerleader in my old school back in London...not exactly a cheerleader. A gymnast, but it's close enough right?"
"Alright," I said surprised. She didn't look like much of a cheer leader. "The tryouts are being held in the gym, I'm on the football team, we're heading there now to train."
"To train?" she asked. "Why not on the football field."
"It's raining," I explained. "We can't train in the field when it's raining, school safety rules. Weird, I know."
"You can make your way there now, Brandon and I will hang back for a while.." Dave was saying.
"What?"I asked. "We can go with her.."
"No we got somethings to do, April, you go ahead," Dave told her.
"Oh, okay." April smiled. "I'll see you around later," she walked off waving.
"What the hell was that?" I asked.
"Brandon, we can't be seen with her," Dave said. "Cummon, the whole football team are in the gym right now. We can't let them see us with a gicky..."
"That's why you did that?" I asked. "That was rude...and SHALLOW"
"And that's what being popular is all about. You have to avoid her as much as you can. She'll bring nothing but trouble. Yeah, she seemed nice..but dude look at how she dresses." I was stumped at what Dave was saying. My own best friend.
"You know what, whatever let's just go," I told him. What I didn't know was that I was in for a huge surprise later.

(April)

I watched as the different students went up for their audition. They did cheer leading stunts, dance moves and cheers. It was quite different from my school before, they were more advanced here with their cheer leading skills but I was confident I could make the team. So what if I didn't yell and wave pom poms, the skills required didn't look too difficult.
"Next!" I heard one of the judges call out. I stepped out in front of the three judges. Two girls, one guy. I muttered a silent prayer and glanced up to the stadium my eyes meeting deep blue ones. Huh I recognized the guy as the one I had bumped into earlier. What was his name again? Brad? Well, I had forgotten his name but I smiled gratefully at him for coming to watch. He looked at me curiously as if he had never seen me before. Frowning, I tried to dispel the disappointment of him not recognizing me. I had my hair in a pony tail and I was dressed in my gym clothes from my previous school, I admit, I did look slightly different. This was the only time I showed some skin and though I always felt uncomfortable in the skimpy little outfits, I enjoyed feeling of the wind rushing past my body in mid-flight.
"Let's see what you've got," the blond judge said. I nodded and began with a simple toe touch that I saw them do earlier. Then I began my performance.

(Brandon's version)
"What do you mean football practice has been canceled!?" Dave exclaimed when George, the vice captain of the football team told us that the practice was canceled.
"Dude, Coach Tucker quit this morning and principle Gibbs canceled the football practices until we get a new coach," George explained. I groaned angrily. We did not have time to look for a new coach, not with games coming up next term.
"Then what are we supposed to do now?" I asked. There were murmurs and protests from the other footballers.
"There's nothing we can do, Principle Gibbs isn't happy with Coach Tucker," George answered.
"Neither are we," I retorted. "I have an idea, why don't we ask principle Gibbs if we could carry on with training. Tell him, Brandon suggested it."
"I'll try," George said. "But don't get your hopes up, his in a real foul mood." He took off out of the gym an headed to the principle's office.
"Why don't we watch the cheerleaders," Dave suggested.
"Yea why not, since we're aimless," I muttered following him up the stadium.I sat and watched as the different students did their pathetic dances and singing. "They all suck,"I told Dave.
"Looks like the judges agree with us," Dave laughed as the blond judge frowned, shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Whoa, dude check this one out!" Dave nudged me and indicated the new girl who took her place in front of the judges. She had blond hair tied neatly in a pony tail , her eyes shining brightly with nervousness. There seemed to be a lot of new transfers this year. "Who is she talking too?" Dave asked me as the girl began muttering under her breath.
"She's praying,"I told him. I kept staring at her until she raised her bright blue-green eyes to meet with mine. She was looking at me as if she knew me. Then she began performing stunts that were simply outstanding. Even the judges began to applaud. "Dave, have we seen her before?" I asked.
"I don't think so,"Dave answered. "I'd definitely remember a hottie like that."
"Funny, I have a weird feeling that I've already met her somewhere, I just can't remember."

(April's version)
It was Tuesday morning the next day. Mom, unfortunately for me is our new drama teacher as well since the drama teacher had taken the job as football coach. Speaking of football, my mind went back to yesterday afternoon when I had seen Brandon and Dave watching my audition for the cheer leading squad. I was slightly stumped he didn't recognize me and was hoping I could jog his memory. Unfortunately we didn't have a chance to talk since he had to go for his training which I had thought was canceled. I did make the cheer leading squad thankfully and had made a new friend, Amanda, an Asian brunette. She was quiet, sometimes strangely giddy and polite. Mariah who seemed tough, only usually spoke to make a sarcastic remark. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I let out a surprised scream when I tripped over a students foot. I fell face forward and all my books were scattered everywhere. The group of girls around me burst out into a fit of laughter.
"Oops..sorry,"a tall, skinny blond girl with light blue eyes who I guessed to be their ring leader stepped forward. "but I guess I shouldn't be apologizing, it was you who tripped over my foot." I glanced at the girl, she seemed really familiar. My stomach dropped when I made out Kira's face. The girl who tripped me yesterday. I shot her a dirty look before collecting my books. I reached for the last book but she placed her left foot on it firmly."I heard your mummy is our new drama teacher."
"What's it to you?"I asked angrily tugging the book which wouldn't budge beneath her foot. No one said public schools were anything like this. The school hallway was full and those who actually noticed what was happening to me just laughed or went on their merry way as if this incident happens everyday. It probably does, I thought. Only to people like me. "Fake barbie wannabes,"I muttered.
"Let me here you say that again!" Kira said in an outraged tone and I let out a scream when she stamped the high heel of her shoe down on my hand, twisting it and smiled satisfactorily when she heard the slight crackling of my fingers. I bit my lower lip so hard that it began to bleed. The heat of the pain shot right through me like electricity as I struggled not to scream. The bell suddenly rang and Kira took her foot off angrily and made her way to her class with her friends. I didn't dare cry or scream at the pain, I knew my fingers were broken and my hand was red/purple. The tears began to sting my eyes as I sucked in a breath holding my wrists.
"Are you alright?" I jumped at Brandon's voice. Just great, the last person I wanted to see me like this.

(Brandon's version)
I was rushing through the school hall cursing slightly at myself. I had overslept last night and now I was late to school, I really shouldn't have let Dave drag me off to watch that gruesome flick. And who said only girls enjoyed a night out? I stopped half way to my classroom when I caught a glimpse of April, the new girl sitting on the floor. I flinched slightly at her hands which were purple and bruised. Who the hell did that to her? I thought.
"Are you alright?"I asked, I cursed at myself for making her jump slightly. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." I bent down beside her and picked up her books and her bag since I doubted she could pick them up with those hands.
"I'm..I'm..fine,"she stuttered.
"Sure you look fine,"I muttered but almost kicked myself when she glanced at me tearily. She obviously heard me. "You don't look fine, let me take you to the nurse,"I offered.
"N..n..no, you...you're...al..already late,"she stuttered weakly.
"At least now I have a good reason,"I waved off her weak protest. Wearing her backpack on one shoulder, one arm balancing her books I wound my other arm around her waist to help her up. I almost dropped her books when she glanced at me, her blue-green eyes met mine. There was something so familiar about her eyes. I could tell she was going through pain right now. Her once neat hair was a little disarrayed. Her eyes were welling with tears but she bravely held them at bay. The nurse was a very kind looking woman. Blonde hair, hazel eyes and so much make-up that she resembled Dave's sister's Chinese dolls. All she needed to do was paint her face white. I waited outside until April was treated. She emerged looking somewhat exhausted, with a bandage wrapped around her hand. The nurse followed her out informing me that April had 4 broken fingers on her right hand which was caused by books falling on them. I didn't believe that and neither did the nurse who was glaring at me accusingly.
"Is that what she told you?"I asked.
"Yes,"she replied bluntly. "But I don't buy it," she whispered.
"Neither do I," I returned in the same tone. I turned to where April had been, only to find she had already gone. Along with her books and bag which I stupidly left outside the first aid room. "She left a note," the nurse pointed at the folded paper I hadn't noticed before tucked between the spaces in the wooden bench. I unfolded the paper to find the word THANK YOU, neatly written on it. "She's left handed," I thought. "How else would she have written this?" She broke most of her fingers on her right." I shook my head, I had better get back to class before the teacher bites my head I couldn't shake the feeling that I had seen those eyes before... somewhere else. But Where?

(Aprils' version)
I managed to avoid Kira and her crew the whole day. I was last into the classroom, watching for any stray foot, and the first to leave. It didn't give her a chance to bully me or taunt me. I also tried my best to avoid Brandon ever since the morning. I didn't want to embarrass him. I guess it wouldn't be good for his reputation to be helping me. I snuck up to the library at lunch. Thank goodness Kira hated reading!Another little cliche. In my last school, the cruelest girl only spread gossip and still scored very high grades. Kira was a perfect Mean Girl. Maybe even better. It was the last period of school, physics. I watched as the clock struck 3:30pm and the bell rang. I shot up automatically while the teacher ? Mrs Heal-mun? Well, something like that was still talking. Grabbing my books, I raced out of my classroom to my locker. Grabbing my bag and books I went to the gym where Amanda was doing some warm ups.
"Hey Amanda!"I shouted. She turned at me curiously.
"How'd you know my name? Who are you?"she asked suspiciously. I was surprised that she didn't recognize me but than again Brandon didn't either.
"It's me April, new cheerleader, I came here for the auditions yesterday..."
"April!" Amanda gasped. "Girl, you need serious closet makeover, I barely recognized you."
"Yea well.."I muttered.
"What happened to your hand!?" she asked glancing at my bandaged hand.
"That's what I'm here about,"I told her. "I'm afraid I've injured myself and I can't cheer." Amanda looked disappointed.
"I'm sorry, but can you cheer after it's healed?" she asked.
"I guess,"I muttered. "I really have to be going now, I'll start training as soon as my hand heals,"I promised. I made my way blindly across the gym and bumped into a blond figure. I gasped in horror when I saw Kira pick herself up. My bag which was knocked off me was open and my books were strewn across the floor. My gaze locked on the pink book. MY DIARY! Kira unfortunately noticed it as well and before I had a chance to dive for it, she had picked it up. How many times did I have to bump into her?
"Well, well, well," she mocked flipping through the pages. I shut my eyes in anguish. This was definitely not good, I had all my secrets in there. I contemplated jumping Blondie but her posse was a little too big for me to handle...and I could only take on one. I watched Kira's eyes light up and knew that high school was to be my hell on earth.

(April's version)
School the next day. I walked down the school hall nervously glancing around for Kira. She had gotten away with my diary yesterday afternoon and probably stayed up the night reading it. What if she showed it to her friends? Or worse, to Brandon? I didn't write much about him but it was more than I had written about any other student. It could be easily misconstrued as a crush. The thought!
I stopped short when Kira and her crew came strutting towards me. There was a triumphant look on Kira's face. not good 
"Okay, listen here Summers!" she addressed me by my surname. "I've got an errand for you."
"An errand,"I repeated scoffing. "And why should I comply?" Kira rolled her eyes.
"Stop being a smart ass and listen unless you want your diary photocopied and distributed to the school," Kira warned. I kept my mouth zipped, no need to spoil the reputation I never had. One of her zombie followers handed her a bag from which she pulled out a dress and a pair of heels. "I want you to wear this. It's quite complicated to wear but once you've got it in on, I need you to flirt with Rustle Creeves."
"Who?"I asked.
"Him,"Kira nodded to a skinny guy that just entered holding an advanced model of the solar system. He had huge rimmed glasses, head gear, braces and freckles not that there was anything wrong with freckles but on him...yech! Kira grabbed me and shoved me into one of those abandoned janitor closets in the school I kept mistaking for the loo. "Get dressed," she ordered before shutting the door. I could tell that this day wasn't going to be a good one. There was nothing interesting in my diary, really, but my life was something I wanted to keep private. I wondered slightly about what Kira could get from making me do this. Amusement? I was below Rustle in the high school chain already. There was nothing they could accomplish from this.
(Brandon's version)
I nodded at the statement Dave had made as we made our way through the school hall. Dave was talking about some chic from only he knows where while I was wondering why the mysterious new cheerleader with those beautiful blue green eyes hadn't arrived for practice yesterday. I was sure she had made the team but I was quite surprised she wasn't there. I hadn't enough balls to ask around about her in case she found out and called the police because a maniacal stalker was after her. Okay... now that was dramatic, yes folks, sometimes I just scare myself. I remembered that Dave was talking to me so I tried to pay attention only to hear him say,
"So what do you think?"
"Go for it,"I told him having no idea what he was talking about.
"You really think so?" Dave asked.
"Yea,"I muttered.
"Brandon!" I flinched when I heard Kira squeal my name.
"Hey!" I said as enthusiastically as I could manage. The girl was pretty, I'd give her that. But she was the most annoying, vicious, manipulative creature that has ever existed in human history. Graham was a town too big for everyone to know everyone but too small for no one to know Kira. The girl and her family were shifty business in the neighborhood and everyone with sense steered clear. Kira as endowed with beauty as she was, had teen aged guys doing the exact opposite. Even the senior boys tolerated her just to be with her for a night. I shuddered. I had had only one experience and I knew I would never want to be used for that. I might have had a strand of girlfriends but they were never plaything for me. Unfortunately, other girls wanted me to be their special first one, Kira being one of them. Kira being the only one who succeeded and the one who helped me open my eyes. I started as the girl started pulling on my hand suddenly.
"Cumm'on! April has a surprise for you," she said pulling me along. I glanced at Dave who mouthed who's April? I was led to a kind of closet or something where Kira let go of me. Dave following behind curiously. There was quite a crowd gathered around this door so obviously this told me that heck yea! You gotta open the door! I sighed wondering what April would leave for me this time. A note? A present? Something to thank him for taking her to the nurses' office. I turned the knob and opened the door wide. Everyone went into a roar of laughter at the sight. April, bent down only in her panties trying to get a dress on. She gasped in shock and stumbled back getting another uproar from the crowd. Her body had turned scarlet red as she tried to process what was going on. I was too numb to speak. With her hair down and her glasses falling at the edge of her nose, I easily recognized her as the new cheerleader. Blue green eyes. April and the cheerleader were one and the same. I turned to leave for my class, feeling a dull ache in me at the sight of her tears. I couldn't help her though. I had been the one who shamed her. I should have knocked or something. Swallowing the guilt, I hurried out before anyone noticed. Gritting my teeth, I tried vainly to dispel the image of the crying girl. I was officially the biggest jerk in Graham.

(April's version)
I shut the door and locked it as fast as I could feeling more than terribly embarrassed. The whole school had seen me topless, in my knickers. I cried silently in the closet trying to keep my sobs back. I gasped as a sharp pain shot across my ribcage, suffocating me. Panic hit me like a sledge hammer. No, not again. My head began to pound with a dull ache and I let out a breath as another slice of pain cut through me. I've been here before, in this situation. When my dad had died in the car crash on Halloween. I began having seizures when I received the news of dad's death. A young little girl who adored and loved her father whom was taken away so horridly. And on Halloween! I sucked in a breath as the pain began to sharpen a little. It was a come-and-go-thing for me. Anything that reminded me of my dad would throw me into a seizure or anything that made me terribly depressed..like now. It has been almost 7 years since I last had this. It had stopped when I was shipped..yes shipped... to boarding school because somehow the nuns, though they were strict, understood me and were really kind. They began explaining about 'everyone will die some day'. I was way too young to understand and at the tender age of 8, I received counseling. I spent summer with mom in America but returned again to stay with the nuns. I don't remember when the seizures stopped. It was probably because I was no longer depressed. Now the seizures were returning again and all I could do was sob at the pain.
(Brandon's version)
I couldn't take it anymore. My conscience was beating down on me hard. For the past few minutes, the teacher's words were drowned out by my stupid flashbacks to that closet scene. I got up abruptly and headed for the door.
" where do you think you're going?" asked Mr...um..I've forgotten his name. I was too worried about April to remember.
"I've got matters to handle, and just to save you time, yes I'll come down for detention tomorrow afternoon,"I let him know as respectably as I could.
"Not tomorrow!" The teacher growled. "This afternoon!"
"No can do, sir,"I said. "Tight schedule, see ya tomorrow." With that I shut the door and hurried to the closet. The worst he could do was call my parents, but I can worry about that later. I saw April closing the closet behind her as she made her way out. She looked weary, her hair untidy, she wasn't wearing glasses and yet she still looked beautiful. Blinking at that sudden thought, I shook my head.
"April!" I called. I noticed how she had suddenly stiffened and her pace quickened. I caught up with her and swung her around gently to face me. Her wide blue green eyes were staring at me in shock at first but was lowered to the floor almost in embarrassment.
"Listen,"I began. I had no idea what to say to her but I thought sorry would be a good start. "I'm..I'm...sorry for what happened earlier. I mean I...I didn't..."
"Brandon!" A familiar voice squeaked behind me. I shut my eyes in frustration. I've had better days!
"Kira, not now,"I ground out scathingly.
"Why not..."she stopped mid sentenced and I opened my eyes to glare at her. She, however, was glaring daggers at April.
"Who are you?"Kira asked looking April over suspiciously. April didn't even look up. If I hadn't been holding her, she probably would have stormed off. April of course looked different with her hair down and without her glasses but for Kira to not recognize her was shallow. "Look who's talking," a voice echoed in my head which I keenly ignored. "Brandon you're not dating her are you?"
"No!" I quickly snapped at Kira.
"Good, coz you're so way outta her league."
"Kira,"I warned. April's head snapped up at those words.
"Of course he's way outta my league!" she snapped back. "when it comes to being a selfish jerk that is! Oh and don't you think you're higher than me, the chances of that happening is when you're able to stay outta a guy's pants for one night being a bimbo whore that you are!"
(April's version)
I narrowed my eyes dangerously at the now tongue tied Kira. There goes eight years of catholic teaching down the drain. Sr. Giana would be appalled to hear me now. But then again desperate times call for desperate measures, and these were one of those times. I was desperate to get even with Kira.
"How dare you speak to me!"Kira finally spoke. Brandon looked a little lost at the moment.
"You're right!"I said. "I wouldn't waste my voice on you!" I suddenly felt the jabbing pain around my ribs. Incoming seizure. I tried not to panic and kept breathing deeply."Let go off me!"
Brandon loosened his grip on me as I glared at him. I swore that for a second there I was convinced he cared for me. Concern written all over he's face. I turned around and stormed off to the nurses office before the seizure grew worse. I only wished that Brandon had sincerely cared for me.

(Brandon's version)
April was able to avoid me for the rest of week. It was a wonder how a new girl could hide so well in an unfamiliar environment...did I just say unfamiliar? I groaned..what was she doing to me? There was no way I was going to let this continue. I had to find her, confront her and kiss her...what the hell? I mean kiss and make up. That's what I meant. We had physics together today, Friday. My last chance to catch her. I was first into the classroom waiting ever so patiently for her. Of course the smart little vixen was the last to enter the classroom so that left me after the lesson to confront her. The period dragged on too slowly for my liking and I had been receiving glares from the teacher for my grumbling, drum rolls on the desk with my pencil and loud yawns. It confused me that the girl was on my mind almost all the time even though we didn't really know each other. It must have been the way her eyes look so troubled and so pained when I meet her. The obligation to keep her from trouble just latched onto me and now, all I wanted to do was protect her. Finally the lord gave me his mercy and ended my misery. The bell went and I shot up from my sit and raced off after April who had already sprinted out of the classroom. Me being more athletic and all, I was able to get hold of her. Our struggling only fueled the curious glances from the students in the hallway. I spotted Kira and a few other cheer leaders who hadn't seen us yet but were heading towards us. Ignoring April's objections, I dragged her into the nearest empty classroom and shut the door behind us.
"Let me out now!" April ordered. "Or I'll turn you in for sexual harassment."
"Just hear me out," I pleaded. "We need to talk."
"We've done enough talking," April retorted. She was such an innocent little thing but the girl sure had spirit. "Wipe that grin off your face, nothings funny."
"Why have you been avoiding me?" I asked.
"Why do you care?"
"Don't answer a question with a question." April sighed but did not answer. "Did I do something wrong?"
"Listen, I've forgiven you for that closet incident okay! Can you live with yourself now?"
"I'm not here for forgiveness,"I told her.
"You're not?" she asked while I asked myself the same question. What happened to the kiss and make up plan? Right now that plan sounded good enough for me. Cornering her against the wall, I placed both my hands beside her making her think twice about escaping. I bent my head slowly while gazing into her eyes..for dramatic effect...and smiled.
"Pucker up princess,"I told her to lift the atmosphere a little. Than I captured her lips with mine. I could taste her shock at first but she returned the kiss. I felt her arms wound around my neck as things went a little bit passionate. Then..she froze. She let out a moan..not passionate moan, painful moan. I withdrew quickly. "April." The pain was clear in her eyes as she gasped clutching her sides. "April, tell me what's wrong!"
"Nothing,"she whimpered. Panic was evident in her eyes. Before I could respond, she was outta there like wind.
"What did I do wrong this time,"I mumbled and punched the wall angrily. Though it didn't leave a dent, it left a bucket load of pain and maybe a bruise to remember it. I had to find April. Something was definitely wrong and I intend to find out what it is.

(April's version)
The car ride home was quiet. Mom kept glancing up at the review mirror to shoot me with a look and Kenny just sat silently in his seat. My mind kept wondering to Brandon. I couldn't forget the anxious look he had in his eyes. He really cared and this time I knew I wasn't dreaming. And that kiss. I sighed in contempt. I liked Brandon, I admit it. Hope niggled inside me that maybe he liked me too.
"You know, that's the first smile I've seen from you ever since we moved here," Mom commented.
"She's crazy," Kenny whispered aloud to Mom obviously wanting me to hear. "She smiles for no reason."
"Shut up," I growled and winced at my side. Mom drew her eyebrows together in an anxious frown.
"Not even a month out of London," she said. "Not even a month and you're breaking down again."
"You don't know how it is in this school, mom," I told her.
"Honey, I know being in a public high school for the first..."
"It's not like that mom!" I interrupted her. "There's this girl, she's so mean and she's made this a very bad experience for me."
"A bully?" Mom assumed again. "Well, that's not very nice. Have you reported this to the principle?"
"She's worse than a bully," I complained. "It's like she's trying to ruin my life."
"Take it easy, I don't want you lapsing into another seizure," Mom warned. She sighed and pulled up on our car park. She turned around and glanced at me thoughtfully. "Was I wrong in bringing you back?"
"No, Mom," I answered without hesitation. "I'm finally out here, living like a normal teenager. It's the way things are supposed to be."
"But you're not adapting," she muttered tiredly. Kenny slid out of his seat and ran to open the house.
"It's not that easy.." I tried to explain. "It's just..."
"It's just high school," Mom finished for me as if that was what I was going to say. I frowned.
"Yea, just high school."

(Brandon's version)
"Brandon!" Michelle, my cousin, screamed. I looked at her lazily and passed the salad. "Finally! I thought I'd have to throw my fork at you, to get your attention."
"What are you thinking about?" Dad grunted. "You've been awfully quiet."
"School work bothering you?" Mom asked but amended herself, "Never mind, you don't care about that."
"Is it a girl?" Michelle asked. "Or are you into boys now?"
"If you don't shut up, I'll make you choke on that salad," I threatened moodily. I wonder how April was doing. The nurse didn't let me see her but by the look on her face, April's condition was serious.
"Brandon!"
"WHAT!?" I muttered angrily.
"You zoned out again," Michelle grinned mischievously. "So it is a girl!"
"I never said anything," I mumbled.
"What's her name?" Mom asked.
"You better not treat her like rubbish," Dad growled.
"The girls he dates are rubbish anyway," Michelle commented carelessly.
"Michelle!" Mom admonished. I felt a nerve tick in my forehead at her comment.
"April is NOT rubbish," I glared at her. "She's beautiful and shy." My mind wandered back to the kiss. "But she had spark alright. She's soo vulnerable too." I chewed absently on a piece of chicken. "I think she's smart too." I reached over for the potato salad but paused at the table's curious silence. My whole family were staring at me and I grimaced at the half chewed cabbage hanging out of Michelle's mouth. "I like her," I told them shrugging before helping myself to the food.

(April's version)
"I don't need any more counseling," I answered again when mom brought up the issue.
"You've been home for two days now," Mom stated worriedly. "Your seizures are not letting up..Don't lie to me young lady!" I closed my mouth quickly being caught at spewing a lie. I mean, almost spewing a lie. "I can hear you up there.." Mom's eyes teared up and I moved to hug her but she waved me off. "I'm alright. I just... The pain you're going through right now...I thought it would all be better."
"Mom, I don't want to go back to London," I pleaded. "Okay, so I'm having a hard time. I got through it the last time, I can do it again..." I paused uncertainly. Mom blinked back more tears. "This time, I want to get through this without having to be shipped off."
"Then take counseling," it was Mom's turn to plead. "I can't take, having to see you suffer so much. Both Kenny and I are worried about you." I stayed silent knowing I couldn't find a way out of this. Mom checked her time, hurriedly swiping her tears away. "Oh..I'm late for.. Can we talk later about this?"
"Yes, mom," I agreed hugging her. Kenny came around the counter into the kitchen and hugged my knees. I stared at him in surprise before returning the hug.
"Get better soon," Kenny ordered. "You twerp," he added to make it clear that we were still at each others throats. I saluted and watched him grin before he ran off to the car.
"Hey mom," I called out. She paused at the door and turned curiously at me. "How's the job at school?" She smiled.
"It's great," she confessed before frowning. "But there's this young man who keeps asking for you."
"Really?" I asked. "Did he have blond hair and blue eyes..and his kinda really tall..." I paused when mom raised her eyebrow at me. I cleared my throat and tried to lean against the counter casually. "What about him?"
"He seems nice," she grinned. "And respectable too. He never asked for an address or your phone number. He just wanted to know if you were alright." I felt the warmth in my cheeks and faked a cough, trying to hide my blush. Mom left after that but her knowing smile was embarrassing.

"Noooo," I moaned and clung to the door as a range of pain surfaced through my ribs. Red hot pain seared across my chest and bright spots were appearing everywhere. I breathed as slowly as I could but another stab had me howling. It felt like something was holding my heart and squeezing the tender organ. Another wave and I grabbed the wood of the door, scraping my nails along the length. I didn't want to feel it anymore. It was too intense. "Please," I sobbed and tensed when the pain throbbed it was over. Exhausted, I cuddled against my bedroom door and cried. I missed my Dad, I missed London and I missed being happy. Then I thought of mom and of Kenny and of Brandon. A tiny smile formed on my lips. I should be grateful for them.
I jumped slightly at the shrill tone of the phone as it rung. Sniffing and rubbing my eyes, I crawled to my bedside and reached for my phone. Clearing my throat for a normal voice, I answered,
"Hello?"
"Hi?" a female voice greeted hesitantly. "Um..April?"
"Yeah?" I replied.
"It's Amanda." I beamed.
"Amanda, hey! How'd you get my number?"
"Mariah gave it to me."
"How did Mariah get my number?"
"Brandon gave it to her..." she gasped. "Oops, I wasn't supposed to tell you that. He wanted to know if you were ok, please dont tell him I told you."
"Why won't he talk to me?" I asked disappointed.
"He feels like he came on too strong the other day," Amanda explained before squealing. "So you two kissed huh? Anyway, Brandon didn't want to make you feel like he was nosing around your business. But I bet his dying inside." Blushing, I asked,
"Who else knows about..about the kiss?"
"No one," Amanda replied hesitantly again. "But...there are rumors. And Kira is not happy." I flinched at the name.
"What's wrong with that girl?" I asked in frustration. "What is her problem? I'm sure I haven't done anything to wrong her."
"Except steal both attention and Brandon from her," Amanda muttered. "It's the way she thinks. But, April. If going out with Brandon means having a tango with Kira, I suggest you turn tail."
"What no!" I objected. "I really like Brandon. Reaally like him."
"April, Brandon's known for his charming ways and his endless girlfriends. Look, it's your first crush, I get it but..."
"No, Am..please," I pleaded feeling my eyes water. "I suffered so much from Kira. I won't lose Brandon to her too." I heard Amanda sigh.
"Kira isn't...someone you really want to mess with," Amanda explained uncomfortably. "She's got her issues, April. Both her and her brother were adopted. She used to be so nice back then before her parents thought to drop the bombshell. She didn't take it well and became slightly psycho."
"And her brother?" I asked. Amanda cleared her throat awkwardly.
"Her brother's sort of..into her," she whispered. "Even before they found out they were adopted." My mouth opened in disgust.
"Incest?"
"Her parents seem to think they're a perfect family. In reality, they're completely warped and the neighborhood's smart enough to stay clear."
"But these are just rumors, right?" I asked. There was silence on the other end. I sighed dejectedly.
"On to more happier topics," I changed the subject and grinned before asking, "How good did Brandon look today in school?"

April's version)
It had been four days since Amanda's first phone call and since then, she called every afternoon to brief me on school. Mariah didn't call as frequently but when she did, school was the last thing on her mind. I still didn't feel like attending school and stayed home dawdling instead. Sooner or later, I had to face school but that could wait until my seizures let up. Nothing changed; the crippling pain, watering eyes, difficult breathing and aftermath throb of pain were still haunting me. It always left me in the same position as I was right now. On the living room sofa, in a tired mass, sprawled uncomfortably on the furniture. Mom was late home today and I knew she was out, shrink hunting. Kenny was with her, thankfully and that just left me to my own entertainment. My limbs were sore, as if I was having a stretch after being folded into a carton for a month. Sighing, I shifted awkwardly on the sofa and waited for either Am or Mariah to call. My mind wandered to Brandon and I smiled at the easy image that popped up. We didn't know each other that well but I felt drawn to him somehow. He was safety. That much I saw in his eyes as a promise, that last time I saw him. Then Kira's abnormal big head suddenly appears as a sort of warning. It was like traveling in a car and the road signs show warning of falling rocks. Mariah had said that Kira was furious at Brandon's lack of attention and apparently I was high on the assassination list. A lot of public arguments in the cafeteria between Kira and Brandon had occurred. Even mom mentioned it during dinner that day. I frowned suddenly, thinking about mom. Yesterday, she had arrived with a curious look on her face. She kept throwing me a knowing smile. As if something was going to happen.. Ding Dong The doorbell interrupted my thoughts and I groaned at having to untangle my limbs to answer the door. I glanced at my watch and noted the usual time Am called. The phone stayed silent however. Dragging my body off the couch, I tried to pull of a normal human walk instead of the primitive ape one I was doing now and ran my hand through my unkempt hair. I knew who it was and I was grateful that Am would sacrifice some of her time to bringing over my homework. I hope she doesn't mind my appearance. Fixing a large smile, I swung the door open and felt my body go numb. Blue orbs for eyes, blond silk as hair, muscular jaw, pearls for teeth and shoulders that promised more broadening in a later stage of adolescence. What was Brandon doing here?

(Brandon's version)
"Hi," I managed and flashed a smile. April didn't look like she was going to return it but I couldn't get rid of it. Seeing her after a long while was going to keep me grinning until history class tomorrow. She had her hair down which fell way past her shoulders, not in a glue-gel way that Kira has hers but in a more natural state with a few strands out of place. Her eyes were wide enough for me to see the blue and green flecks of her aquamarine eyes. Her clothes ruffled in a I-just-woke-up-look and her parted mouth... A memory hit me suddenly and I clutched the books I was holding to jar my brain back to the present. "I brought your homework," I muttered. I started to worry when she didn't respond. "Am I here at a bad time?" A roaring sound of the engine behind me signaled the arrival of Mrs Summers . That seemed to pull April out of her thoughts because she was now blinking up at me apologetically.
"I'm so sorry," she was saying but I waved her off.
"I should have called...maybe I'll just leave your books and.."
"Please stay," her soft plea halted my excuse to run and I nodded to show her I wasn't going to leave. "Come in," she welcomed me in. "Looks like my mom and brother are back."
"Brother?" I asked nervously. Hopefully not the older, crush-on-my-sis-and-die sort of brothers. "Can't wait to meet him."

(April's version)
It was heating up like Sauna in here I thought as Brandon followed me into the living room. It wasn't long before we sat down when Mom and Kenny marched through the doors with a paper bag full of dinner groceries. They froze at the middle of the living room though and stared at Brandon.
"Uh..Hi, Mrs Summers," Brandon greeted them with a grin. Doesn't he stop smiling? I shifted uneasily and smiled at mom,
"Brandon stopped by to drop some books over," I explained. Mom smiled and continued on her way to the kitchen, with Kenny at her heels looking at Brandon curiously.
"It's lovely to have you here, Brandon," mom called over her shoulder. "Why don't you stay for dinner?" and she disappeared into the kitchen leaving me gaping after her.
"I guess I could stay for a while," Brandon was saying, looking at his watch. I looked up at him again and tried not to melt at his sparkling eyes or his devastating smile. "Look, April, I'm here to apologize."
"Apologize?" I repeated dumbly and watched his eyes turn tender. His so beautiful 
"Sorry?" he asked and I blinked. Did I SAY THAT LOUD? 
"Urgh.. I said it's cool," I coughed lamely. "You don't have to apologize for the..."
"Kiss," he finished. I frowned at him.
"You regret it?" I asked timidly. Was I that bad? His eyes widened and he shook his head,
"Noo, hell no," he smiled. "That moment was amazing...I just...I can't help but feel I chose the wrong moment. You were tired, you were sick and angry..."
"And you thought you came on too strong?" I asked and watched him nod apologetically. "It wasn't your fault..and I really liked it too." I flushed at how I had stated that. His grin widened, but his glanced strayed to somewhere over my shoulder.
"Hi," he said cheerfully and I groaned with annoyance as Kenny came bounding over the chair to sit beside me.
"Hey," he responded, his eyes critically examining Brandon. "The name's Kenny." I raised my eyebrow at the boy, desperately giving out mental sibling signals that I did not want him there.
"Brandon," Brandon held out his hand and my five year old brother took it with a serious look on his face.
"A firm handshake...that tells a lot about a man," Kenny leaned back with a satisfied smile. Staring at him, I dreaded what Brandon was thinking. But Brandon was serious as well and nodded to him.
"Your mom invited me for dinner," he stated in a sort of voice that was asking for permission. Kenny looked at me calculatingly before leveling Brandon with a severe look.
"I guess you can stay," he finally announced and looking at me he sighed. "You're hopeless," he whispered so that only I heard before he got to his feet and glanced up at Brandon. They shared a manly look between them before Kenny stalked off to the kitchen. Looking back at me, Brandon smiled.
"I like your brother," his eyes were sincere. Confused, I looked back at the door my brother disappeared through.
"What was that all about?" I looked at him again. He shrugged and leaned in casually.
"Your brother loves you," he muttered. I stayed silent and watched his surveying eyes. "You should let your hair down more often. You've got beautiful hair." Blushing, I shrugged.
"Not really," I protested weakly. "It probably looks like a nest." He raised his eyebrows and gave me a look that portrayed how much he disagreed.
"I can't believe I didn't recognize you," he whispered looking pained. "Your eyes...I knew those eyes but..you're.." he paused hesitantly. "Do you have schizophrenia?"
"What? No," I laughed at how absurd that sounded. "I have only one personality, thank goodness. When did you realize it was me?"
"In the closet, your glasses and your hair were lowered.." Brandon jumped up suddenly. "Oh hell, April, I didn't mean to make you cry." I sniffed and wiped away the tears that were suddenly flowing in torrents. I forgot about that, about Kira's mean little scheme. "April, I'm sorry," he reached out to my face, brushing my hair out of my face. "You don't know how angry I was at myself..."
"It's okay," I muttered, hiccuping.
"It's not okay," Brandon ground out angrily. "What I would give to have saved you from th..." his voice was fading into the distance when I felt the ebbing wave of pain starting to rise. Don't panic I tried to concentrate on Brandon's face, gritting my teeth at the throb that was announcing itself around my lungs. "Hey hey, you okay?" his voice sounded like an echo. "April?" I gulped in as much air as I could and clutched onto Brandon's arms.
"It's okay," I rasped. "It's Kira's fault."
"Forget that, what's wrong? A you in pain?" he sounded panicked. "Mrs. Summers!"
"Brandonnn," I cried and straightened at the onslaught on my back. Think happy thoughts. Happy thoughts. Brandon is here. This is SO EMBARRASSING..No no happy thoughts. Brandon is here, his talking to me! Mom and Kenny are here. They all love me...if only Dad was here. Something cold splashed on my face and as if my trachea was opened after a few years, I inhaled the lovely oxygen in the air.
"Is she okay? Does she need a doctor?"
"It's alright, Brandon. This is..a common occurrence for her," mom was saying, her hand brushing my hair back tenderly. "It only happens when she gets upset."
"You upset her," Kenny's little angered voice piped up.
"Don't start, Kenny," I warned and inhaled more air. I was proud at myself at being able to fight the seizure off. The cold water helped bring my sense back.
"You alright?" Brandon asked in concern. I moaned aloud and opened my eyes.
"This is so embarrassing," I mumbled in shame. Brandon looked anxious but he was shaking his head. My mind had left me obviously, "Now you'll never like me."
"Hopeless," Kenny mumbled which earned him a look from mom and I.
"I already like you," Brandon helped me gently to sit up. Mom backed away smiling with a grumpy Kenny beside her. "That's why I asked your mom if I could see you today."
"What?" I blinked at him. "You wanted to see me?" Did I have to sound so hopeful?
"Yes," Brandon smiled but his eyes were watching in case I dropped dead any second. Knowing that he was wanting to say something privately, I shot mom and Kenny a pleading look.
"Upset her again..." Kenny left the warning unfinished, walking away with what he hoped a threatening stance. Mom followed with a sigh,
"I'll go get the dinner ready. Honey, I hope you're okay now. Tomorrow before school, you're going to meet Professor Deans, your new therapist." My stomach fell at the prospect of having to start school and therapeutic sessions tomorrow. When we were alone, Brandon cleared his throat nervously.
"I've never met someone like you," he mumbled. "They told me you spent your life behind the walls of a monastery in London."
"Yea," I confirmed. He let out a low whistle of disbelief.
"That's why you dress like my grand mom," he muttered and my mouth fell open with indignation.
"I do not," I protested as he laughed aloud.
"Then this is your first experience at a school," he stated. "Tough break."
"It's not that bad," I told him. He raised an eyebrow. "Okay, maybe it is bad."
"Graham high is almost as bad as hell," he muttered.
"No, it's not," I told him confidently. "Maybe Kira is almost as bad as Satan but the high school's okay. I met you, Am and Mariah," I smiled gratefully. "I wouldn't trade that for the world." Brandon grinned delightfully. "But enough about me...what about you? Do you have siblings?" A thoughtful look came across his face before he beamed.
"I was going to ask you if you wanted to go to the movies with me but that's just waay cliche," he grinned. "Maybe you could come this Saturday for dinner with my family?" My mouth felt dry all of a sudden. "They're dying to meet you." I finally found my voice again and curiously I asked,
"They know about me?"
"They seem to be able to read my mind," he laughed.
"And whats on your mind?" I asked.
"Most of the time?...you are."

(April's version)
"Mom? Is something on your mind?" I asked as mom silently drove us to school. We had just dropped Kenny off at his preschool a few minutes ago and since then, mom was looking pretty thoughtful.
"The reason I was late yesterday home," Mom began and I groaned.
"Right, I know..the therapist," I muttered. Looking puzzled, mom shook her head.
"No," she shrugged. "He was pretty easy to find. Those yellow pages ads are really useful."
"Right," I gave her a look that clearly said 'Get on with it! ' 
"It's Kenny," she began uncertainly.
"Is he okay?" I asked.
"His fine," she quickly reassured. "In fact, so fine that...the teacher wanted him to start elementary this year."
"What?" I asked checking my hearing.
"I mean if you think about it..it's just early September, he can easily catch up..."
"Mom!" I objected quickly. The woman wasn't thinking right. "His only five!"
"But his IQ is higher then any normal five year old," Mom explained patiently. I raised my eyebrow at her...or tried to anyway.
"So he quotes movie lines and reads all by himself..that doesn't mean he can go to elementary," I rambled. Mom pulled into the school driveway with a sigh.
"He knows his alphabets, his numbers, how to read, how to write.."
"You call that writing?" I asked remembering Kenny's scribbly writings. Mom frowned at me and got out of the car. I got out as well and sighed.
"Sorry mom, I'm not really helping, am I?" I asked. She smiled and nodded to the high school.
"You're just nervous about starting school again," she looked around the car park curiously. "Need me to accompany you?"
"As nervous as I am, I don't think it's wise to hide behind my mom," I told her with a smile. "I wish I didn't have to go alone though."
"Who said anything about going alone?" the young male voice was accompanied by himself. He was followed by Am and Mariah.
"We'll go together," Am took my hand in hers and Mariah nudged Brandon forward. Taking the hint, Brandon took my other hand and pulled Mariah towards him. Mom brushed something from her eyes quickly before announcing that she had to go.
"I'm late as it is," she was saying. "Have a good day, honey." Then she was off.
"Ready?" Brandon asked, his thumb lightly brushing across my knuckles. I shivered slightly but nodded in what I hoped was confidence.
"Don't worry, if Kira even shows her petty face..." Mariah paused and in menace continued, "it won't be pretty anymore." Brandon chuckled and tightened his hands around mine.
"You'll be fine," he assured me. A warmth spread over me as I surveyed my friends. Maybe high school wasn't going as planned, but having family and friends was enough to make me happy regardless.
"Let's go," I told them.
Nothing to worry about. 
We entered the halls together, laughing at Am's elephant joke. Mariah wasn't laughing though but a hint of a smile played on her lips. It was like time stopped when every student froze in their spot at our entrance. I fidgeted slightly and hoped that my sweater and knee length skirt wasn't as grandma-ish as my other outfits.
"You look beautiful," Brandon whispered. Blushing at being caught checking my appearance, I smiled gratefully at him.
"Brandon!" a male voice called from at the end of the hall and Brandon's friend, Dave came bounding up cheerfully. He stopped when he saw us and then glanced around at the staring students. "Watcha staring at? Santa Claus?" That brought time to start again and the students went on with their work. Dave looked at me and smiled apologetically. "Uh..hi." Brandon cleared his throat and motioned towards Am and Mariah.
"Dave, meet Amanda and Mariah," Brandon introduced. "You remember April." Dave looked sheepish now.
"I owe you an apology," he muttered.
"Apology accepted," I told him. "In advance." I turned to ask Am which class she had first to be met by a red faced quivering mass of nerves. Confused, I turned to see what she was staring at but only came up with Dave. Then it hit me!
"Really, I treated you so badly," Dave was saying but I interrupted him,
"Don't worry about it. If you want to make it up to me...could you join us?" I asked. Puzzled, he glanced at Brandon questioningly. Then he noticed that we were all holding hands. Grinning, he nodded and took hold of Am's hand. If possible, the girl's tomato shade darkened.
"Amanda, was it?" he asked cheerily and I smiled to myself.
"What are you up to this time?" Brandon whispered in my ear as we headed to the classroom. I turned to a grinning Mariah and then back to Brandon.
"There's a lot of romance in the air, don't you think?" I asked and he turned to watch Am and Dave.
"I didn't know Cupid was a girl," he laughed and I smiled shyly at that. Face forward, I caught a flick of blond hair disappear around the corner. There were many blond heads in Graham High but the chill in the air belonged to only one person. Kira.

(Brandon's version)
"I was a real jerk," Dave was saying, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. Looking at the apology in his eyes, I gave an exasperated sigh. I understood his guilt at the way he had treated April in the beginning and was glad April had forgiven him but I didn't know if I should be getting an apology from him. If I remembered correctly, I was as bad as he was. Looking around the cafeteria, I spotted April and Amanda sitting at one of the tables. Our eyes met and held, the cafeteria easily fading away just as if there were only the two of us. She had her hair down for once, cascading over her shoulders like a thick blanket. I tilted my head to the side to catch the green flecks in her eyes. She really was beautiful, and she didn't even realize it. Or maybe she did, which was why she tried so hard to hide it under a disguise. Her spectacles were dangling from the front of her sweater. She still refused to bear any of her "limbs" and I glanced laughingly at her long pencil skirt that I could picture my dad's secretary wearing. Meeting her face again, my grin widened at the delicate blush on her cheeks. A clap on my shoulder brought me to the present and I turned to catch Dave's expectant expression, his hand still on my shoulder.
"What?" I asked baffled as the noise and movement of the cafeteria caught up with me again. He sighed,
"Dude, could you just save the blushing and lovey dovey eyes for a few seconds to say, "you're forgiven, Dave, my bested best buddy in the world whose like a bro to me", " clutching his chest, he feigned a hurt look. "The guilt is tormenting me inside." I shrugged his other hand of my shoulder and tried to whack his head, but he had ducked too early. His laughter subsiding, he got up and looked at the girls. Mariah joined them with her tray of lunch, looking at us quizzically.
"Hey, do you know Amanda's number?" he asked suddenly. I snorted.
"Look whose blushing now," ignoring his indignant protests, I went over to the girls and sat down opposite April. "Hi," I grinned at her.
"Hi," she muttered shyly, smiling.
"Yea, let's forget dear old boring Mariah and Am," Mariah grumbled sarcastically. I was about to greet them as well but Dave smartly intervened.
"You're not old," he observed.
"And not boring," I shoved Dave and grinned at both Am and Mariah. Am had her head down, eating her food silently, with her hair curtaining over her face.
"What took you guys so long?" April asked.
"You both just stood at the entrance, making jokes..or something," Mariah agreed.
"Or something," I replied as Dave guffawed beside me. Recovering, Dave looked around the cafeteria noticing a girl at another table openly staring at him. Reveling in the attention, he leaned back in his chair to grin back at her. Ignoring him, I turned to April.
"How are you going home after school?" Caught of guard, April shifted uncomfortably.
"I'm not going home after school," she answered, using her fork to push her food around the plate. I was curious but was unsure if I should broach the subject any further. She saved me the trouble anyway, "Mom's taking me for a session with a therapist."
"Is he nice?" Amanda asked quietly, referring to the therapist. Dave's head swiveled back to our table to stare at Amanda.
"Pfft, they're not nice," Mariah interrupted. "They're sort of neutral. They don't show any humanity." She looked at April's fearful face and added, "But they're not so bad."
"No they're not," Dave assured April gently. I smiled gratefully at Dave for his encouragement. Dave had been through child abuse in his early years. I witnessed a few scenes myself in elementary school when his dad picked him up. My Dad was in London then and Grandpa was responsible for retrieving me from school. There were times when the office had him arriving really late and I was there when Dave's dad arrived, drunk and violent. I received a few bruises myself, trying to protect Dave. Grandpa took the final call in getting the man arrested. Dave's mom didn't have to struggle any without her husband there to drink the money away. She had a good job and provided well for Dave and his sister. They underwent therapy individually and as a family, and got through all right.
"You've been to one of these sessions?" Amanda asked as usual in a quiet voice.
"Yes," Dave answered. His eyes betrayed how much he dreaded any judgment. He didn't have to worry because Amanda just smiled at him,
"It must have been an experience." Letting the two carry on staring at each other, I shifted my attention to April, noticing her hand was no longer bandaged.
"Your hands better," I commented and watched as April wriggled her fingers.
"Much," she nodded and glancing at Mariah asked, "Do you think I can get into cheer leading again?"
"Why shouldn't you?" Mariah asked. April shrugged but her face was wary.
"Kira," she muttered. Realizing what her anxiety was about I piped in,
"She's not in the team," and at her surprised expression, I continued, "She can't even do a tumbler even if her life depended on it."
"Then why was she in the gym?" April asked. I blanched and Mariah grinned, nodding her head towards me.
"That's where the prize is at." I glared at her and ducked my face from them, eating my sandwich with gusto.

(April's version)
When the bell rang, Mariah and I rushed off to our class. Am was having the same class as both Dave and Brandon. I gently admonished Mariah for her teasing Brandon.
"I was just reminding you, the guy's a player," Mariah had said but she grinned. "On the other hand, I'd have to be blind not see his obvious affection for you." I had blushed then as I was now, running to meet mom at the car.
"You ready?" she asked. I nodded confidently. Time to get this over with We picked Kenny up from his school and Mom dropped me off at my destination. No one said much and as they drove away, I walked slowly towards the glass door with a sign "PUSH" plastered untidily on it. Pushing it open, I was greeted with a woosh of the air conditioning atmosphere. The lady behind the desk gave me a once over before she nodded over to a brown door to her left.
"You're late," she said, brushing a red curl out of her eyes.
"Sorry," I didn't know what else to say and went into the room that the brown door led to. There in a huge black leather arm chair was a man, dressed in a island shirt and white shorts. He looked up at my entrance, brown eyes and black hair, receding at his temples.
"Ah...Ms Summers. Come in, take a seat." you mean, the seat I thought as I sat in the only other chair in the room opposite the Dr...
"I'm Professor Michael," he introduced.
"Professor," I muttered still eying his island shirt with the coconut palm trees pictured on it. He looked down and grinned knowingly at what I was wondering about.
"Forgive my less than professional attire," he said, his tone friendly and open. "I just got back from Honolulu and most of luggage is probably still circling the airport," he shrugged. "I only managed to get away with these." I stayed silent, though inwardly I was smiling at how strangely nice he was. He sounds like Dumbledore , I thought and realized why I was comfortable with him. He carried the English accent, so beautiful, so fluent and so lost to my tongue ever since I arrived in America. How quick I lost my accent to return to my mother tongue. He stayed silent and watched me quietly with a polite smile.
"Am I suppose to say something?" I asked. The professor tilted his head.
",I'd like to ask you...about your seizures." I didn't know Therapists were so straight forward. According to Mariah, they were evasive and wanted us to spill without them having to make us. However, Professor was nice enough.
"I have them a lot," I told him. "Usually when I'm upset." I explained about how it started and everything from then on.
"Have you experienced any today?" he asked. I stared at him wide-eyed, realizing that I did not have any episodes today. "I'll take that as a no. But at home, you've been having these seizures."
"Yes," I answered. The professor looked curious.
"Tell me about your school and your friends." I beamed at the thought of them and proceeded to tell him about everyone I knew at school. It was good to talk to someone about everything. It made up for losing my diary to Kira. I spoke about Kira as well and let it known how much I despised the girl. In the middle of my rant, I felt a familiar heat in my back.
"Stop stop," Professor calmed me and gave me a glass of water. "Let's talk about your mom and your brother." I began talking and easily relaxed in the presence of Professor therapist. I forgot his name. After I finished, he leaned back and regarded me with another of his polite smiles.
"You've had an interesting life so far," he commented. "But it's going to get a lot more interesting."
"How do you mean?" I asked. Professor Therapist smiled sadly.
"Our time is up, young Miss," he looked at his watch. "I enjoyed this session."
"I did too," I agreed happily standing up. "I'll see you next week. I have dinner this Saturday with Brandon and his family," I happily announced. He smiled.
"All the luck."