• "So. New kid. Huh", Soto brushed my arm as he squeezed behind a group of teenagers clogging the narrow hallway.
    "Yeah. She's... interesting", I pondered. Her name was Indigo.
    "Weird name. Indigo?"
    "U-huh. She supposedly doesn't have a last name, either", I mentioned. Indigo no-name. She had pretty dark hair - insanely curly but manageable. Her skin was fairly dark, but her eyes were a creepy dark blue. I was pretty sure she wore contacts, seeing as how people with more melanin usually have brown or black eyes.
    "She seems okay. I mean, she looks odd. She seems intelligent, though. You know, intellect".
    "Or rather extra terrestrial. I've never seen anyone quite like her before. Mind you, I'm not that old either. But still. She's... weird?"
    "That doesn't seem like a very nice adjective", Soto reminded me.
    "You used it, too!"
    "I was hoping you weren't going to catch that", he muttered under his breath. I laughed at him and he looked up smiling.
    "Anyway, she seems really friendly. I was actually planning on inviting her to sit with us at lunch, that is, if you don't object".
    "You have my approval".
    "Wonderful. I hope no one beats me to the punch. We need to add on to our buddy clan. Three people doesn't seem like much when you compare it to the cheerleaders", I said, remembering Hudson. I guess I was one to hang with the guys. It would be nice having another girl around.
    "I agree. Those cheerleaders... ugh", he shuddered and I punched his shoulder, laughing. Back in seventh grade Soto had been adopted by the cheerleaders in replacement for their previous mascot who had been in the hospital because he had fallen out of a tree in the park. He had twisted his leg pretty badly. The only good part of it was when Soto came back he looked like a diva. It was torture, in the form of a thirteen year old boy in hot pink boas and giant lavender-colored uggs. The most memorable part was the rainbow colored nails.
    "Please. Bad memories", he pretended to barf. I snickered when a voice came out of the loud speaker.
    "Lezi Walk, please report to the principle's office", the voice said in a dead monotone. Soto glanced at me with a confused look.
    "I'll... see you at lunch", I said, hurrying towards the office, and biting my lip off.

    "Good-afternoon, Lezi. Go on in", Mrs. Twart, the secretary, smiled her old, fickle-lady grin that oozed with honey and bad breath. I oozed myself into the little cubicle - Mrs. Chandler's office. I heard muffled whispers inside and I poked my head in, then panicked.
    Mrs. Chandler offered me a seat next to Indigo. Indigo smiled sweetly, her eyes dancing in the light.
    "I'm sure the two of you have met", she said.
    "Um, yeah", I said and scratched my neck.
    "Well, that's easy", she clapped her wrinkled hands together.
    "Indigo, since you are new, I'm going to have Lezi be your guide to help you get settled". Indigo nodded obediantly.
    "Well, I was expecting more of a hassle. You may be excused", I stood up to go, but Mrs. Chandler grabbed my wrist and ushered me back into my seat as Indigo left.
    "Lezi, I know that you can relate. Indigo doesn't speak English, so you'll have to translate".
    "Uh... excuse me? What language does she speak?"
    "She speaks Egyptian".
    "I apologize but I can't speak Egyp-" Mrs. Chandler glared and I could've sworn her eyes turned red.
    "And seeing as how you are ahead in your studies, we are extending you classes so you can learn Egyptian. I hope that will not be too much of a burden".
    "N-n-no. Of course not. To help the cause", I stuttered.
    "Good. Now you'll find Indigo is a very unique person. Do not underestimate her. Do not agrivate her. Help her and everything will be fine", she whispered as if she was worried someone would hear. My heart pounded blood insanely through my veins and I felt lightheaded. "You may be excused. Heed my warning, Lezi. For the good", she grinned, almost evily.

    "Soto, help me", I whispered in his ear, still terrified. Lunchtime was the only time I could talk to Soto alone.
    "Are you okay, Lezi? You look like you're going to barf", he siad uneasily.
    "I wouldn't deny that. But that isn't the point. The point is-" I suddenly flet reluctant to tell him. It seemed as if what Mrs. Chandler told me was meant to be kept strictly confidential. I assured myself I was going to keep zip before I could figure stuff out. Of course, at the time, I didn't know I would be risking everything.
    "Lezi?"
    "Um. I need to get home".