"I'm sorry! I'm so, so sorry, Sang!" Sarah sobs loudly.

I tilt my head like the confused kitten I am. "Why are you sorry?"

Carefully, I put the bandage on my injured back. It's kinda hard for me to reach, but I manage, like always. Next, Sarah and Star help me wrap my ribs. They aren't broken, but I have a feeling that they are not far off.

I love the way bruises look. They are beautiful, almost like watercolor paintings. Multicolored with different designs, what's not to like?

I put away the sparse medical supplies and clean up the bathroom humming a song but quietly so I don't disturb Marie or Master.

Heading down the hall, I slip into my bedroom. It's a little on the small side and under the stairs. I don't have a bed, not that it would fit, but I do have an old brown sleeping bag that I stole from a homeless man. He was a strange man even before I saw how he wasn't careful at all with his supplies. If I lay diagonally across my room, I can almost stretch out all the way so it must not be too small.

Master doesn't like it when Father spends money on me. Last time he bought me something, she gave it to Marie the second he left the room. At least I get to keep my own clothes though. I am really short and thin (Sarah says it is due to malnutrition, a grown-up word for not enough food), meaning Marie doesn't fit into my clothes so she doesn't take them. Plus, she makes it clear that, for some reason, she doesn't like my clothes. Which is completely ridiculous, even if she doesn't like pink, I have more than just pink clothes. I have a few plastic drawers full of clothes plus some hanging on the rod above my stolen sleeping bag.

I dress as quickly as I can with my sores hurting before brushing my teeth. I am obsessive when it comes to brushing my teeth. I brush them a lot and for a long time. It helps me stay happy because it gives me something to focus on and I love the feel of clean teeth and not having stinky breath.

I had delivered Master's food before Sarah and Star helped me fix my sores. Master was laying in bed asleep and her pill bottles were everywhere with the TV blaring. I wanted to watch since I have never really watched TV, but Sarah was worried that she might wake up, so I didn't get the chance to watch anything.

Laying down to go to sleep, I fall asleep as soon as my head hits my arm.

***

I wake up happy and sore!

I don't understand why people do not like pain. It's kinda funny that people don't like pain and I do. It's also super funny when I see people get hurt.

Also, I know that I don't sleep like normal people. After my body got an hour of rest, Star took over and had me train in my sleep. This training is part of the reason why I am so strong and fast. I'm also pretty good at fighting and gymnastics and other useless stuff like that. Boring I know, but we have our reasons.

"Okay, Sang. Time to get dressed. Wear the pink lace sleeveless shirt with the leather skater skirt and the black combat boots. Make sure and wear your silver necklace. The one with the heart locket."

"Ma'am, yes ma'am!" I say, giggling at Sarah and her bossiness.

Getting dressed quickly, I also put on a thin white cardigan because my sores were kind of showing.

I am about to head out when Star stops me.

"Wait!!" She screeches. I start to panic, worried, until I hear her add, "You forgot makeup! If you're going to get dressed up, why not wear makeup as well?"

Moving as carefully as a unicorn surgeon, I apply some mascara. Whew! I didn't poke myself even once! I smear this pale pink lip gloss on my lips and call it good.

Sarah and Star help me with my hair which I just wash and leave down, the ends of my pink hair curling.

I look myself over in the mirror.

There are days when I find myself revolting to look at. And then there are days where I think I might actually look half decent.

This is the second, something that makes me even happier.

I confidently walk out and into the macaroni yellow school bus. Today Marie was early and I was just barely on time. Talk about backward.

When Marie sees me, her eyes open wide. She looks me up and down, taking in my outfit before quickly glaring at me.

"You look like trash you *****. I hope no one sees your *****y *** ," Marie sneers at me.

I roll my eyes at her weirdness and get on the bus. For some reason, everyone is staring at me. The boys all seem stunned like I showed up covered in banana peels and potatoes and the girls all seem mad for some reason. I take my normal seat and am about to daydream when someone rudely interrupts me.

"If you were a book, you'd be fine print," Some strange boy says with a wink.

What?

I reach a hand out and press it against his head.

"Not a fever. . ." I mumble to myself.

Another boy comes up and asks me for my number.

"Ooh!" I say, excited, my voice cracking because it is still damaged from the special drink. "My lucky number is three!"

Apparently, that is not what he was looking for because he trudges back to his seat with his shoulders slumped.

Then, a third boy comes up and begins to blather.

"What's making everyone act so weird?" I ask Sarah and Star. "I mean, first they are looking at me without glaring, except the girls, then they are saying some strange stuff. Stranger than me."

"Aliens. They're all aliens," Star states firmly.

"It's obvious!" Sarah declares. "The zombies have risen! Eat your young! Trip the elderly and run! They've come for our beautiful brain. They are targeting us because they know about me and Star!"

Panicked, I am about to attack the zombies when the redhead from yesterday pushes the zombie away from me and sits next to me. I instantly notice how obviously gorgeous he is. He has icy blue eyes and auburn hair that looks super soft fox fur.

Just in time, I remember to stop myself from petting his hair and remember to thank him for rescuing me from the zombie.

"Thank you so much for saving from that zombie. Not that I needed help. I probably would have had fun killing the zombie. I wonder if you have to cook them before you eat them. But it was nice of you to push the zombie away, anyway. My name is Sang, Sang Sorenson." My voice is just above a whisper. Master's special drink caused my voice to not work right, unfortunately.

For some reason, he starts laughing. And not just a chuckle. A full belly laugh that leaves tears in his eyes.

I tilt my head like a pink cat and lean back against my seat because I am really confused again. When he can breathe normally, I ask, "Was it something I said?"

This set him off again. Maybe his friend knows what is wrong with him. . . What was the cute nerd's name again? Billy? Collins? Max? Wyatt? Benjamin? None of these sound right!

"Sarah!!! What's the green-eyed smarty called again?!"

"Ow! There is no need to shout! We all live in the same brain!" Star cries out, clamping her hands on her ears.

Ignoring Star, Sarah answers, "I believe his name was Kota."

Kota. Kota is a strange name. Why didn't I realize that earlier? We have matching-ish names!

"Kota!" My shout is more of a croak and my voice gives out on the 'A' and stops.

He whips head around and sees Paprika laughing his head off. He looks a little bewildered and asks something, but I can't hear over the students who are talking loudly.

Star helps me gather up my voice and release it in one command. "Shut up you people!!!! Kota is trying to talk!"

Suddenly, the bus falls dead silent. I nod at a once more stunned Kota to talk. I roll my eyes. My classmates are used to me. They know that there are times when they MUST listen, otherwise who knows what we might do... This is one of those times.

Kota clears his throat and looks at me, a few rows away, "Well, it looks like Nathan is fine now. What did you even say?"

"I wish I knew, Greenbean."

I turn to Paprika. "Are you just going to let him get away with calling you names?"

Now he is the confused one (Ha! It's not me this time!). "What do you mean, Sang? Nathan is my name."

I look at him annoyed and disgusted by his obvious lie.

"I'm not an idiot, Paprika. I know that isn't your real name," I tell him looking him dead in the eye to show how serious I am.

He looks like he is about to say something, but I cut him off, or at least try to. All that comes out is an awful mix between a dying cat screech and a pregnant toad croak. It was not a pretty sound and makes Kota and Paprika wince.

"Do you have a cold? Is your throat okay?" Kota asks worriedly.

Why is he worried? I just met him yesterday! Plus, it's just my voice.

I look at him. Idiot. Which question does he want me to answer?

Paprika understands and decides, "Let's just take her to Sean so he can check her over."

Wait. Hold the golden telephone. Who the zebra print is Sean?

Kota sees all, including my confusion. "Dr. Sean Green is the school nurse."

Dr.Green. Why does that sound familiar?

"He's your Japanese teacher," Sarah informs me.

"Why did we take Japanese anyway? Doesn't Star make it so I know every language I hear? This is strange. . . "

"Easy A. Duh."

See, this just shows how smart Sarah is. I nod my okay to Kota. I am going to meet him anyway. We finally come to a stop.

I sprint off the bus like a lizard/person mutt is chasing me. I am so happy to be off the bus! I am about to head to my class when I remember the slowpokes.

I wait for them in front of the old and run down brick building. I watch as the many students mill around, talking with friends and doing normal kid stuff. You know, the friends that I will have and the stuff I will never get to do.

Paprika and Kota catch up to me and I follow them to the nurse's office. I fling the door open and it slams on the other side.

A startled man looks up. He is gorgeous! He has a mop of blonde curly hair and bright green eyes. They don't glow like mine, but they do shine with happiness. A purple shirt is showing under his white doctor's coat.

"Hello!" He says excitedly. "My name is Dr.Green, but you can call me Sean."

Nope. His name is Pug. It's obvious why.

Well, are you going to do something, Dr.Green? I wait impatiently as Kota explains the situation to him.

"Remember, Sang, no telling people about Master. Don't even call her that."

"Okie dokie artichokie! No talking about Master—got it!"

"So, Sang, I'm going to look at your throat now," He says kindly with worry in his pretty green eyes.

I open my mouth as he says and he shines a light down my neck. I want to ask if he can see my stomach but my stupid voice isn't working still!

Dr.Green looks at me shakily before announcing, "Sang, I am going to get some paper and a pen. I need you to tell me what happened to your throat."

He walks quickly over to the cluttered desk and pulls out a purple pen and a slightly wrinkled piece of paper. I pluck them from his hands and start writing.

I follow Sarah's instructions and write:

I just have a bad cold. Sorry to waste your time!

I double check to make sure I spelled everything perfectly and make sure the clouds that dot the 'i' and 'j' look okay.

I sign my name with the swirliest and prettiest cursive I can manage.

"Why did you sign your name?" Sarah asks confused.

I shush her, but it comes out loud by accident. The three boys exchange looks with their eyes. I would try to understand, but I am too busy adding swirls to my name. Next, I draw a quick unicorn. I hurry, though, because I think they are getting impatient.

Folding the note carefully, I hand it to the doctor with a smile on my face. I hope he likes my unicorn. I watch as he reads the more quickly and shoves it in Paprika's hands. My stomach sinks. I knew I should have spent more time on the drawing. He probably hates it.

"You don't have a cold, your throat is burned! Try again. And this time don't spend so much time on making it look good!" He says clearly upset for some reason.

Paprika looks at me, "I love your artwork, but we don't have the time to make another like this before class."

Kota gives me a pointed look.

I pout and take the paper back.

"Star! What should I do?! I used up the only excuse you have me!" I ask frantically in my head.

Star calmly takes over. My hand moves like a blur. I just barely remember to read it before I pass it over. It now says:

Sorry! I ate five of the warhead extreme thingys. They are super sour candies if you didn't know. Please don't tell anyone! I am super embarrassed I was only able to eat five at once before hurting my throat.

I swing my legs off the side of the bed wait for them. They take turns reading it before exchanging looks again. Kota's says, "She's lying." Paprika's look says, "Didn't we?" Pug's look says, "We know the truth. I wish we could help her, but I don't think she would let us."

I wish they would just use their words. It's kinda obvious what they are thinking...

"I think it's supposed to be a secret," Sarah informs me.

An obvious secret? Isn't that an obvimoron or whatever that word is?

The bell rings startling them out of their obvious secret and they look at me.

Pug clears his throat. "When you are ready to tell the truth, let me know. I have some medicine that you can drink that will help with the healing process."

I take the tiny paper cup he is holding out and drink before gagging. Never. Ever. Again. It was thick and the cherry flavored. Cherry flavored! Nobody likes cherry flavored medicine!!

A sore throat would be better! Although, I do like talking...

I throw it in the trash can across the room which seemed to impress the boys, strangely enough.

I gather up my backpack.

"Can I walk you to our class?" Kota asks nervously with blush tinting his ears.

I nod happily. I know he isn't a friend—I've never had a friend and I'm not allowed to—but it is nice to pretend that he is a friend. I know he will soon ignore me like everyone else as soon as he gets annoyed with me.

Oh well, I will always have Star and Sarah.