Ghost Bird The Academy: Jameson Addition.

Greg Strikes again.

Pretending was easy for James.

She pretended she had the white picket fence family. A caring mother, a loving father. In reality, her family was anything but.

She pretended she could come and go as she pleased because she had a trusting family. Not because it was better to get out of the house then be there.

She pretended to be dumb because it was easier to do that then live up to the expectations of others.

She pretended she was confident. People who held themselves with confidence weren't questioned, and she didn't need to be analyzed anytime soon.

She pretended she was happy and that she had everything in her grasp. When half the time she was barely breathing, reaching for whatever oxygen she could pull.

She pretended; she acted, she put on a mask. Each day putting on a new identity so she didn't have to face the reality that is her life.

As the group finally made it to the food court, James kept her head high. Her fingers tapped an unknown rhythm on her leg. Her other hand was still in Sang's grasp and she was grateful for the beginning of this new friendship. James was scared to but she would never admit that instead, she would pretend like she knew what she was doing. Pretend that she has had friends before and that she wasn't learning everything along the way.

James turned her head towards her new friend frowning when she saw Sang looking uncomfortable.

"You okay?" Kota inquires reaching to pull Sang's hand away from her face. Victor and Silas both turning towards Sang as well as they awaited her response.

"It's, I um didn't bring any money," a blush rose on Sang's cheeks as she avoided making eye contact.

Victor gently turned Sang's head towards him "It's okay, it's my turn to pay," he gave a reassuring smile to her.

James made eye contact with Sang both sharing a look.

What will we do when it's our turn to pay.

Silas pointed to a table not too far from them "Come, let's go sit instead of standing in the middle of the walkway." Grabbing both girls hands as he leads them to the table, James could vaguely hear Victor and Kota following along as they discuss where they should eat.

James felt herself space out as the group started talking about food options, she noticed a familiar face in the crowd. Goosebumps covered her body as she made eye contact with Greg. One of the many reasons she couldn't wait to leave Ashley Waters.

When James first started at the school she truly did try to stay invisible but her orange-red hair made her stick out like a sore thumb. She considered dying it many times but never followed through.

"James," Victor murmured lips tilting down as he made eye contact with her.

A smile quickly overtook James's Lips as she tilted her head "Sorry," she said softly "lost in a daydream I guess" letting out a chuckle as her hand moved across the front of her body reaching to grab the back of her shoulder. She squeezed it softly, nails digging into her skin.

"The other's already placed their order" he nodded to the register in front of them and she blinked not remembering the group even moving "they took their drinks to the table do you know what you want?" he questioned.

"Oh," James said as she quickly scanned the menu "Could I just get a medium order of fries?" James spoke directly to the young man at the register vaguely taking in that his name tag said Wil and gave him a kind smile silently thanking him for not being too angry at having to wait.