Sadie.

"My knight in shining armor turned out to be a loser in tin foil."

1.

I don't have friends.

The closest thing to one I have is my goldfish, Toby, and even he seems a bit exasperated with my existence.

It's not that I'm a pariah or anything. I don't have spontaneous spasms or sexually assault anyone. I'm just...strange. And not the "Oooh, I'm so unique and no one gets me!" strange that the majority of teens claim they are. No, I'm just downright different.

Social customs have never been my forte and I attract awkward situations unfortunately often. Perhaps more accurately; I create awkward situations. I'm the one who cracks a joke when grandmother dies. Not exactly acceptable.

Although being friendless does have it's advantages (not needing to impress anyone, saving money rather than spending it on birthday presents, staying out of prison) There is one major downfall that has been leering at me for the sixteen years of my life; I'm utterly unprotected.

Without even the meekest of social packs, I'm a walking punching bag at the horrendous institute some refer to as 'high school'. I'm a fair picking, whether its from the self-proclaimed royalty, or a gaggle of science nerds looking to let out some internal frustrations.

But I've had enough.

After dragging me across the Atlantic to my old town, my father expects me to go back and face my elementary school tormentors. Well, I’m not taking it this time. I’ve got a plan, and a bloody good one at that.

The paper in my hand crinkles as I stare up at weathered sign that reads: Westpoint High School, home of the Pink Bellied Dolphins!

Honestly.

I push the bill of my hat up a bit and glance down at the paper. PERIOD 1: Mrs. Pennaly. ROOM B4.

 Shifting my eyes back up, I take a tentative step forward. I highly doubt anyone will recognize me and even if they did, they were bound to be more mature by now. This is me being optimistic.

Filling my cheeks with air and letting it dwindle out between my lips like a deflating balloon, I reluctantly push open the doors of my new hell. A cacophony of noise immediately erupts around me as people run around, squealing excitedly and hugging every animate object with in arms reach. I’ve never understood this hyperactive excitement about the first day of school. It seems that if your friends are important enough to get this excited about, you would have seen them over the three short months of freedom. But what do I know, right?

I scan the crowd carefully, searching for the right person. There has to be one somewhere. At last I spot them and, with nervous breath, head towards the figure sitting on a wide window sill near the doors. A loner.

She’s smaller than me, with unruly blonde hair and a book plastered to her face. Dark blue skinnies adorn her lower half while her torso is covered in what appears to be some sort of jumper made out of a quilt.

“Excuse me?” I say softly when I’m a few feet away. Her attention stays on the pages in front of her. I clear my throat and try again. “Excuse m-“

“What in the name of Alexander the Greats codpiece do you want?” She mutters, pushing a pair of thick glasses further up the bridge of her nose. I blink dumbly at her. With a long impatient sigh, she snaps her book shut and looks up at me. “Yes?”

“Uh, hi.” I say and offer a hand. “I’m Sadie Duff.” The girl looks surprised for a moment before hesitantly shaking my hand.

“Penny Jackson.” She introduces with a sharp nod. “What can I do for ‘ya?”

I wrinkle my nose and hoist my bag further up my shoulder awkwardly. “I’m new here,” I begin.

“Freshman?” Penny asks with a raised brow.

“Thankfully, no. Transfer.” My voice is unsteady as I glance at the crowd around us. No one seems to be paying much attention, which isn’t much of a surprise but still a relief.

“From where? You’ve got an accent.” She points out, tilting her head to the side slightly.

I shrug and say, “London. But my father and I moved there when I was young. I was born in America.” Penny nods her head in understanding and shifts her legs out from under her. “I was wondering if you could help me find someone?”

“Sure. Who?” A small smile actually graces her lips and I take an internal sigh of relief. Maybe there are friendly people here after all.

“Well,” I hesitate. I’m sure to sound like a lunatic. “I’m not exactly sure.”

Penny furrows her brow and presses her lips together. “Alright…” She says slowly.

“What I mean is, I’m looking for a certain kind of person.”

“What? Like a cheerleader?” Penny asks, her eyes drifting to the people around us.

“Er…No. Not exactly.” I bite my lip and shut my eyes. This plan is crumbling before it’s even started. I open my eyes and look at Penny who’s waiting patiently. “Who would you consider to be the most…well, the most threatening person at this school?”

“Sam Peters.” Penny says, almost before the question is out of my mouth. She opens her book and begins reading again, her curtain of golden locks spilling down and shielding her from the world.

“Oh.” I take a step back in surprise. “Well, thanks.” I retreat into the crowd, keeping my head down.

Now all I have to do is figure out who the hell Sam Peters is.

 A/N: Please cooment and tell me what you think! No one comments *grumpy face*. Anyway, I hope people like this story because I love the plot I outlined. Kay, well, ya know. Comment and all that. ^o^