mily sighed as she slid off her bed and made her way over to the bathroom. Today was the start of what was bound to be the most horrific day of her life. She was starting at the reservation’s high school, and she knew no one around. So it was likely all they were going to do was stare at her, trying to work out her story from a far, but no one brave enough to actually ask. She ran a brush through her long, dark curls and studied her face in the mirror. Really, she couldn’t be bothered to make that much of an effort, after all - it was only school.

After a quick shower, Emily picked a simple pair of jeans out of her closet and matched it with a cream v-neck sweater. She shrugged, it would do for a day at school. No matter what she wore she was going to stand out - the new girl, not something she’d been used to in the past but more something she’d observed happening to others. Whispers and judgement passed around without much fact or truth behind it. Great. Her little brother was bound to have an easier time of it, that was for sure. School wasn’t exactly Emily’s strong point, she just didn’t get it.

Pulling on her sneakers, she grabbed her bag and made her way downstairs. She noticed her mom glance at the clock on the wall, there wasn’t much time to spare. Emily grabbed a slice of toast off the table and waved in acknowledgement, rolling her eyes as she headed out the door. It wasn’t like the school was far away, walking was the easiest option. Besides, she didn’t want to be that girl that got dropped off by her mom or dad every morning. As she walked in the direction of the school, Emily made a mental note to pick up a project using her bribe money. That’s right, her parents had bribed her to move with the promise of a car, but Emily…being Emily…liked a fixer-upper. Besides, it would give her something to focus on other than school.

Rounding the corner, Emily grimaced as she neared the school - its big, obvious sign stood proudly outside the gates. Oh the joys of school. She felt herself cringe, groaning inwardly as she made her way up to the main doors. There weren’t too many kids there yet, but the ones that were loitering had definitely noticed the new arrival. Thinking quickly, she pulled herself to one side and sat on the wall in front of the main building. It wasn’t time to go in yet, or at least…she wasn’t ready to. Letting out a breath she hadn’t realised she’d been holding, Emily pulled her cell out of her pocket and studied it closely…hoping something of interested might pop up.