Olli stayed quiet as he got dressed, desperately trying not to make a sound, afraid he would wake someone up. He felt uneasy, glancing around ever so often, and took note of the locks on the doors and the openable windows. He felt the need to check to see how quickly the windows could slide open, but ignored the pull, instead focusing on packing his school bag.

He knew where he was, but still couldn’t get the feeling that his uncle would come storming into his room any minute now. The uncomfortable feeling was fading though, and Olli waited a few minutes before going downstairs. It didn’t help that thistir would be his first stir in a new school.

He took a deep breath and dragged his feet down the stairs, dropping his bag off by the stairs. He was about to continue into the kitchen when two backpacks caught his eye, leaning against the wall to the right of the door. Olli looked back towards the dining room, lights on and faint chatter coming through the open doorway. He knew it was most likely Vynsan and Arthir, but hoped Sanel and Haron wouldn’t invite random kids over when he had just moved in.

He was proven correct when he peeked through the doorway and was almost instantly greeted by Arthir, who was sitting at the table, swinging his legs back and forth.

“Hey Olifar! Come eat with us!” Olli jumped and started forward, a sheepish smile growing on his face. He walked over and sat down at an empty seat that had a plate in front of it, next to Arthir and across from Vynsan.

“Hi.” Vynsan smiled, greeting him as he sat down.

“H-Hello, how long have you guys been here?” He felt bad for making them wait, although he didn’t know they would be here in the morning.

Arthir smiled and took a bite of his food, talking through the mouthful, “Not that long. Vynsan can drive us to school, and that’s faster than the bus, so we came over to ask if you wanted a ride!”

“Sanel invited us in for breakfast a few minutes ago, so we can just eat and get going whenever you’re ready,” Vynsan added, taking a bite after talking.

Olli looked up as Sanel walked over, scooping some eggs and meat onto his plate and walking back to the kitchen to get their own plate. Haron was nowhere in sight, probably at work or still asleep, and Sanel had only made enough for four. They all sat down and Olli ate quickly, noticing that both Vynsan and Arthir were almost finished.

“All right, we have…” Vynsan glanced down at his watch, “thirty minutes to get there. We should probably leave soon.”

Olli nodded and finished eating, taking his dish to the sink and rinsing it off, then set it to the side.

“I’m ready... if you guys want to leave now.” He walked back towards the table and stopped by the door when he saw them both get up.

“Ok, let’s go then.” Vynsan set his and Arthir’s dishes by the sink as well, following Arthir and Olli into the entrance.

They gathered their things and opened the front door, saying their goodbyes and leaving to get in the boat.

Olli waited for Vynsan and Arthir to get in before stepping over the side and sitting down in the front seat nervously. Arthir had taken the back seats, placing his and Vynsan’s bags in the other space, leaving no room for Olli except in the front.

He sat, awkwardly holding his bag on his lap while Vynsan started the boat and started to back out of the dock. He glanced over at Olli and noticed his discomfort, “Oh, you can pass your bag back to Arthir if you want, he can put it with the others.”

Olli nodded and did just that, sighing as he got more comfortable. The drive was a mere 15 minutes, but the docks were crowded and kids were hanging around outside, waiting for the bell to ring before having to enter the 9-hour long prison that was called school. (A/N- school is a bit longer on Traetys because the days/stirs are longer-- they’re 38 hours long)

It took a couple minutes to find a place to park, and then to push past the crowd into the front office, where Olli would get his schedule and be shown around to all of his classes. His hands shook, walking through so many people, and he looked down, unable to see people who were undoubtedly staring at him, judging him.

How could they not? He was different. Out of place. He didn’t belong. He never would.

Olli silently followed, looking down at the backs of Vynsan and Arthirs’ shoes when he noticed Arthir start to walk in a different direction.

“Bye guys, seeya later!” He looked up to see Arthir wave, then turn around and walk towards a group of younger kids. Of course, he should have known. Arthir was four orbits younger, so he would be in his first orbit of second school right now.

They continued towards the front doors and stepped inside, Vynsan leading Olli towards the front desk and stopping to talk to the lady that worked there.

“Good morning Ms. Cardin.” Vynsan stood in front of the desk where Ms. Cardin sat and smiled at the older lady.

“Hello, Vynsan-” she glanced at Olli, “Who is this? I don’t recognize you, hello.” She stood and stuck her hand out, waiting for Olli to take it.

“H-hello, my n-name is Olifar.” He reached out and carefully shook her hand, fidgeting nervously when she let go.

“Ah, last name Eston?” She glanced down at some papers then looked up expectantly, waiting for his reply.

“Y-yes…”

“Alright, I have your schedule right here, and some other papers you and your guardians might need.” He was handed his schedule, then a folder with some papers inside.

“Thank you very much.” Olli grasped the folder and followed Vynsan as he said bye and walked away. Since they were the same age, Olli had the same classes as Vynsan!

They checked his locker number, which was right next to Vynsan’s. He wasn’t sure if it was coincidental or planned, but Olli had great luck thistir! He could just follow Vynsan to all his classes until he learned where everything was.

They walked to their lockers and Olli figured out his combination as Vynsan put some things away. Olli’s bag was pretty light because he still hadn’t gotten his textbooks, so he just kept all of it with him and got ready to follow Vynsan around all stir.