My stupid alarm went off yet again.

"Must be Monday…"

I started grumbling as I sat up out of bed. I rubbed my eyes and shut my alarm off. I stretched and looked around. It was still pretty dark so I turned on my lamp. I got up and started walking to my closet. I slowly opened it and looked through my lack of clothes. I pulled out a tank top, hoodie, and a black mini skirt with leggings underneath, they only went up to about half my thigh. I then slid on some lacy garters to keep the leggings up. I then walked to my mirror and started applying my makeup.

I then started doing my hair.

And then I started putting in my piercings. First the industrial, then my gauges and then my lip ring.

"There we go."

I grabbed my duffel bag and started walking downstairs. I went into the kitchen and started to make some breakfast. I pulled out my phone and looked at the time.

"4:17 am? I guess I can make a pop tart."

I opened the cabinet and pulled out a pack of cherry pop tarts. I then walked over to the toaster and popped 'em in. I then pulled out my thermos and poured in some hot water to keep it nice and warm. I then cooked up some beef stew and emptied the thermos. I poured in the beef stew, I closed the lid and started making some tea. Then POP! I quickly pulled out my breakfast and started leaving. I quickly put my thermos in my duffel bag and quickly ate my pop tarts. I checked the time again and saw that it was 4:56 am. I then started walking to school, it was a little chilly but I didn't really mind. That's when I heard another pair of footsteps behind me.

"Melody! Wait up!"

I turned around and saw one of my friends.

"Hey Lucas."

I chuckled and started to slow down. Once he caught up he was panting a bit.

"Man, you're fast. Hey, are those new?"

"These?"

I looked down at my heel less hooved shoes.

"They look cute, like demon hooves."

"Thanks. I got a pair of paws, equine hooves and these."

"Same color?"

"Nah, I liked the black deer hooves. My equine hooves are white with fur on the bottom that fade to white, and my paws are brown with adorable pink toe beans."

I saw him smile. I smiled back and we continued on route to school. As we walked, we talked about things happening in school and in the world. Then the topic somehow went to animals and if we could have a pet what it would be. Granted, we were both in our senior year of high school and yet we still talk about childish things like that. We were about half way to school when we suddenly realized that we were going to have a substitute for the whole year for biology.

"What do you think the sub would be like? Long term or just random teachers like last year for geometry?"

"I don't know, I guess we'll have to see. At least until our eighth class."

"True."

"What's your schedule like, Mel?"

"First is English AP, second is art, third is government and economics, fourth is choir, fifth is open, sixth is open, seventh is office aide and then AP biology."

"Oh my Gosh!"

"What?"

"WE HAVE THE SAME SCHEDULE"

"Lucas, the counselors, principle and dean said we would have the same because you're my emotional support human."

"Oh…oh yea!"

Lucas and I have known each other since we were in diapers. He knows everything about me and I know everything about him. Sometimes he knows me better than I do. He makes me laugh and smile and see the world in a different way. He's just a happy and bubbly little ball of sunshine. That's when we saw the school.

"Ready Mel?"

"I'm a bit nervous."

"I'll be right here by your side. I promise."

I gave him a smile. Sometimes when people look at us, they think it's strange to see a goth hanging out with someone so bubbly and energetic. He normally dressed in baggy pants and long sleeve shirts but always had brightly colored jewelry and pastel colored tips in his deep blue hair. This time his tips were pastel pink. It was absolutely adorable. We walked up the stairs and entered the school, seeing the cheerleaders cheering and welcoming us back.

"I know they don't mean it."

I started laughing because Lucas was right. We both knew how cheerleaders were at this school. Absolutely annoying. They even try to stir up trouble for their own amusement. We walked past them and went to the cafeteria. We saw some of the counselors greeting the new freshmen's and waved over to us. We waved back and I went with Lucas to check out some of our new classrooms. First we went to our English class. We poked our heads in and saw our teacher.

"Hello?"

"Oh hello, are you both students of mine?"

"Yes sir."

He was a bit of a short elderly man but he seemed like a sweet man.

"Well, I'm Mr. Smith, I will be your AP English teacher for the year. I can be a very fun teacher but if you goof off, then you will see that I'm not a nice man. If one person goofs off, I won't punish the entire class, just the person who goofed off. I'm not that unfair."

"That sounds amazing."

"Now, if I may ask your names?"

"I'm Lucas, and this is my best friend Melody."

"Well it's great to meet you both. Are there any special requests?"

"Actually yes, Melody suffers from severe anxiety and depression so sometimes she needs a breather. Normally I'm the one who helps her calm down. Which is why our schedule is exactly the same."

"I'll be sure to keep you both next to each other. If you need to step out of class, that's just fine with me."

"Thank you so much."

"No problem ma'am."

*ding* *ding* *ding*

"Well, you can choose anywhere you'd like to sit. Feel free to ask me anything."

We both thanked him and sat in the back. Then all the student's that were taking this class. They took their seats, and were talking to each other.

*ding* *ding* *ding*

"Alright, students, that's the bell, class is now in session."

Some people still whispered to each other but me and Lucas paid attention.

"This week we will all get to know one another. I'm going to call your name on my roster and you will stand up, say how your name is pronounced if I say it wrong, your pronouns and what you like to do. So please forgive me because I'm not very good with names."

I had a panicked look grow on my face as I got paler.

"It's okay Mel, I'll help you."

I started to calm down. He called a few people and they talked a little.

"Lets see, Lucas?"

Lucas stood to his feet.

"Hi, I'm Lucas, I go by he/him/his pronouns and I love to draw."

"Very good! Maybe I'll include a small drawing segment with one of our lessons."

Lucas giggled and sat back down. Mr. Smith then looked back at his roster and then looked up.

"Is there a Melody here?"

I shakily stood up.

"H-hi I'm M-Melody. I g-go by s-sh-she/they p-pr-pronouns and I love wr-writing stories."

I then quickly dropped back down to my seat.

"It's okay, you did great."

"Stories eh? Maybe you and Lucas should join the creative writing club. They're looking for members who are creative like that."

I smiled. But then there were whispers and people looking at me. Then a hand raised.

"Yes?"

"I have a question for Melody."

"Oh, umm, she can answer it if she's comfortable."

Then the rest of our classmates stared at me.

"If you have a question, you can ask me."

The blonde girl rolled her eyes.

"Fine. Why is she dressed like she's going to a funeral? It looks weird."

"Because that's her style, why are you dressed like you're going to a strip club? With how short your tank top is cut and how low the collar is, you're practically wearing a bikini top."

Everyone ooed. The girl got extremely angry. That's when the teacher motioned her to go to his desk. They whispered about something and he handed her a pink slip. That color means that she's going to the dean for a dress code violation. Everyone ooed again. We went on introducing ourselves and when we finished, he told us most of the things we'd be learning.