"Lizzie! Wake up!" I heard my mom yell.

"Coming Mom!" I shouted, dragging myself out of bed. I quickly took a shower and got changed into a Skulduggery Pleasant T-shirt with 'Doors are for people with no imagination' written on it, black jeans, trainers, a Percy Jackson hoodie and a Harry Potter book bag.

What? I'm a book nerd.

Sighing, I looked into the mirror to see my freaky eyes looking back at me. I have Heterochromia iridium- meaning my eyes are different colours (one green and one blue)- and I have Vitiligo- where I have patches of light skin, which is quite noticeable, on my tanned body. My parents don't have either and I envy them for having the chance to walk about without children yelling 'FREAK!' Behind you or having people looking weirdly at you.

In fact, the bullying got so bad that I had to change schools. My new school was called 'Oak Hills' and I couldn't wait to start.

Please note the sarcasm.

Anyway, my mom dropped me off and I took a deep breath, staring at the building. Strengthening my resolve, I entered, pulling my hood up and casting my eyes to the floor.

I crashed into someone, sending us both running to the ground and resulting in my hood falling down.

"Sorry," the guy said. He caught my eye and his eyes widened for a second, before he quickly covered it up, "are you new?"

I nodded meekly, "I'm Elizabeth," I mumbled.

The boy smiled, "I'm Milo. Wait... are you a PJO fan?"

"What gave it away?" I joked and he laughed, "Um, could you please tell me the way to the Main Office?"

Milo grinned, "follow me!"

While we walked and talked, I found out the two of us had a lot in common. He didn't make me feel weird about my condition- which was a nice change.

"Hi, I'm Elizabeth Davis," I smiled at the receptionist.

She looked up and her eyes widened comically. Then, she looked at me pityingly while getting my schedule. I hate pity. I gritted my teeth and said thank you, while the lady kept staring at me like I was an animal in the zoo.

Finally, I couldn't stand it, "take a picture, it'll last longer," I snapped. She turned red and I walked away.

"Do you want to sit with me and my friends?" Milo asked.

I hesitated- what if Milo's friends weren't as nice? What if it ended the same way as last time? However, I said yes.

X

At Lunch, I made my way to the cafeteria. I was clutching my book bag tightly. My hood was up and I navigated my way to Milo's table.

"Hey Elizabeth!" He greeted cheerfully, "guys, this is the girl I was telling you about. Elizabeth, meet Grace, Iris, Mia, Aiden and Jay."

I waved shyly and desperately tried to recall how to interact with people.

"So you're a Harry Potter fan?" Iris asked, scrutinising me.

"Yep. I'm a proud Potterhead," I grinned.

Iris' face split into a smile and she reached over to high-five me, "we are going to be great friends!"

For the rest of Lunch, we chatted animatedly. I felt completely at ease with my new friends.

"Beth," Mia said cautiously, "please don't be offended, but-"

"You wanna know why I look like this?" I finished with a smile and she nodded, "don't worry, I'm not offended. At least your being polite about it. I have a skin condition called Vitiligo and Heterochromia iridium," I briefly explained the science behind it and my friends all nodded back at me.

"Elizabeth?! Is that you?!" A voice screeched behind me and my eyes widened.

"Ruby... hi," I muttered weakly.

Ruby and I used to go to the same school. She bullied me- a lot. She had caramel brown hair that fell in curls to half way down her back and green eyes. She was pretty, but her personality kinda ruined that.

"Hello Freak," Ruby smirked, "why don't you go and die in a hole? Do the world a favour?"

My friends expressions contorted into one of pure rage. Iris was angry, but quickly masked it up. She stood and whispered something in Ruby's ears. Ruby paled and staggered away, "No! You wouldn't! Please don't!" she turned and ran away.

"What was that about?" Aiden voiced a question we were all thinking.

Iris smiled coldly, "Oh just a private matter between me and the Queen Bee... she won't be bothering anyone anytime soon."

Remind me never to get on her bad side.

"Guys shall we all go out today?" Aiden proposed.

Me, Milo and Mia all said yes.

"Let me go and ask my brothers," Iris sighed and the others wished her good luck.

"Her brothers are the West-Browns," Jay explained and I raised my eyebrows- they're quite famous, "and they're really scary... you don't want to get on their bad side."

Iris came back with a triumphant smile on her face, "they said yes, but I have to be home by six."

"I have to pick up my little sister after school and drop her off at our Aunts," Grace said.

"That's okay," Aiden replied, "we can pick up Daisy, drop her off and then head to town."

And so the plan was made.

X

After school, I met up with my friends. We drove to Daisy's school; the others asked me questions. I told them I was an only child who lived with my parents.

"We're here," Aiden announced, pulling into the parking space.

We all clambered out of the car. Subconsciously, I pulled up my hood and played with my sleeves.

The others walked ahead of me and, to my surprise, Iris dropped back. She pulled my hood down and smiled at me, "don't hide who you are," she said softly, "our differences are what make us unique."

I had a feeling that Iris knew about hiding your scars. Hiding the real you because of fear of what others will think.

Grace went inside to get her sister, and the rest of us waited outside.

Soon, Grace came out with a little girl holding her hand. Daisy was a miniature version of Grace, except she had blue eyes instead of green.

"Hi!" She said with the cheeriness of a six-year-old. We all greeted her and she locked eyes with me and gasped, "why is your skin different colours? And your eyes?"

"Daisy," Grace said warningly.

I smiled slightly, "it's okay," I bent down to Daisy's height, "it's because my skin and eyes lack a certain chemical, which means they are different," I was simplifying it quite a bit.

Daisy cocked her head, "I think God couldn't decide what colour to make you. So he made you a mixture; you're beautiful- like a rainbow!" She looked at me eagerly.

There was a small pause. I swallowed slightly and whispered a thank you.

"Damn, who's cutting up onions here?" Jay joked, getting rid of the thick silence.

But that little girl's words had an effect on me. I'm beautiful and strong and I don't care what the bullies say or think. That's their problem, not mine. From now on, I won't hide who I am.

"Did you have a good day?" Grace asked.

Daisy nodded vigorously, "I played with Zoe!" She grinned, "she's incredibly wise, but fun to hang out with," and she gave details about her day.

The eight of us walked back to the car. I could tell that Daisy's words had a profound effect on Elizabeth.

As I was walking, I got a text from Harry. He said that they'd got a tip of a huge shipment happening with our biggest rivals, and we had to sabotage it.

"Damn it," I hissed and turned to Aiden, "I have to go... got a call from my Boss."

Aiden nodded grimly. I'd told him about my... side job- since his parents were also a part of it- and he seemed fine with it. In fact, he helped cover up my sudden disappearances effectively.

"Go," he said, "I'll tell the others it was a family emergency. Stay safe, Iris. Don't get killed."

"Aw does somebody care?" I cooed, ruffling his hair and laughing at his red cheeks as he shoved me away.

"No," he said, "it's only because your brothers will murder me if anything happens to you!"

"Thanks, and I'll see you tomorrow," I made my exit.

Let's hope this goes well.