'Urgh.. math class is such a drag,' I thought to myself while I was staring blankly at the paper in front of me. Usually most of the people would have already found out all of the formulas by now. I, on the other hand, still didn't understand a single thing on the sheet that was set out on my desk.

As I was about to give up, a faint whisper could be heard from behind me.

"Damn, as if that dude wasn't pale enough, the quiz is really draining the last colours of his face."

I knew that they were talking about me. Any kind of class was especially frustrating when you have idiots in your back talking about you.

It's always the same things. My looks and my expressionless face were bound to always intrigue a lot of people around me.

"Man, snowflake here is still wearing those pants ? It's so hot out there though, I feel bad for him," Fred expressed to his nearby friends, while some familiar laughs can be heard from them.

"He can't help it," said Maximus. "I bet his entire family are freaks anyway. But with that dull expression of his, he is definitely the worst of them-"

The teacher suddenly came up to the desk behind me.

"You have a question on one of the exercises, mister Aston ?" The teacher exclaimed with the sternest face ever.

"No, miss," Maximus pouted.

As the teacher was walking away and glancing at her watch, I could hear very light but distinguishable chuckles coming from his friends.

I stayed completely unfazed by their comments. I just thought to myself that hey, it could be worse. It never got past the state of eyeing me in the hallways, telling unnecessary remarks or calling me names. This kind of pestering would never escalate into physical bullying, and I was damn thankful of that.

I really have enough to deal with in my life right now.

The school bell suddenly broke the silence of the classroom. Thank God, I'm free.

Everyone quickly rushed out in the corridors while I calmly put my stuff back in my bag. I knew beforehand that I couldn't count on anyone waiting for me, being the loner that I am. But that's okay though, it's a choice that I am willing to accept. If I have to run solo for the rest of my life, then so be it. It would stop me from having future problems anyway.

Just when I was packing the last book, a large figure came up in front of me.

"Akari," he stated.

Of course I knew to who that figure belonged to. No one else in this school had that subtle foreign accent like the super rich and popular french boy Owen. I looked up to face him. Then soon after, he sighed.

"I'm sorry about my friend calling you a freak, it was so ... uncalled for. I'll talk to him later on, okay ?" he said in his slight deep voice.

I was staring into his eyes with my usual bland expression. I nodded at him and swiftly came to my feet as I was headed to the class door.

I knew that rich suck-up boy will come at me. In and about all his friends, it wasn't hard to tell that he was clearly the group leader. Even if his words were gentle, and that I have never really heard anything mean coming out from his stupid silver-spooned mouth, I still didn't want to believe any kind words he has to say, by fear he'd strike back in a mean girl type of scenario that I didn't want to be a part of. He was the kind of guy who would always be cool and nice to everyone. But really, he could clearly drop the act anytime concerning my matters, as I am completely unwilling to trust anyone that was outside of my comfort zone. I know beforehand that they would all just be fake. By the time they would know who I really am, they will not hesitate to turn on me and stab me in the back. That I knew was simply a fact.

Right now I was on afternoon break and I was clearly tired. I rummaged through my locker to try and find something to eat, and as I was fetching a snack from the back of my locker, something came up from behind me.

Or more like, someone.

They started pinching my ribs to show their presence.

"Mira !" I exclaimed, as she appeared with that sweet and innocent smile of hers.

"So how was math shortie ?" My bestie peeked.

"Awful.. I still can't figure out anything on what that stupid subject is all about. But most importantly, Owen and the boys were just making fun of me... again ! don't they realize I can't change who I am ?!" I exclaimed as I was pointing to my Levi jeans. Mira understood me well and stated.

"Come on, you do mention Owen but I clearly know that he defends everyone that he meets. Really, he's not as bad as you think. And you know damn well about our condition Akari, even on land we still have visible scales along our legs, we don't want to raise suspicions. So, to not stand out and have any problems, we just have to stick with long pants, or nice thick tights like me !"

I glanced over to my overly colorful-styled childhood friend and sighed. I knew she was right. The truth of me, or any one of our kind, being a mermaid should never be exposed to anyone, my mother would tell me that all the time. My deep white hair fell onto my nose and I quickly frowned. Unnerved, I uttered down my voice.

"I know, but why do I have to be an albino to top it all off ! I find it plainly just being a curse !"

Glancing at my disgusted expression, Mira smiled as she swept my unkept mane off my eyes.

"Akari, don't listen to people that are not worth your time. Everyone finds the pure whiteness of your figures incredibly stunning. Hell, so many model agencies would be at your feet if you just were a little less shy and if you took care of.. this." She pulled slightly at my messy hair.

I tugged her hand away from it and laughed, she sure knew the words to make me smile. "Thanks Mira. You're the best."

She smiled sweetly at me. "Anytime shortie."

As we started walking down the corridor I poked her cheek.

"You know, you should stop calling me shortie all the time. I'm not that short in the first place, you're just tall". I declared, trying to pull a fake frown on my face as my friend laughed.

"Barely". She beamed. "You can't say 5'5 is tall for a guy, shoooortie"

I stared at her with my blank face, on which I knew that Mira would clearly read my unimpressed expression. She punched me lightly on my shoulder with her usual grin.

"Don't worry though, I know that loads of damsels love their guys to be short and cute, don't think you'll be a missed opportunity !" She snickered at me.

As she said those words, I was getting slightly annoyed and sad. I did my best to pull out my usual straight face to not raise out any suspicions.

It worked because she was leaning towards me in a carefree manner, playing around and smiling. I pushed her slightly with my elbow.

"Ok knock it off, rainbow-girl."

I smiled at her, and she reflected it back.

Soon enough the bell rang across the corridors, signaling the end of our afternoon break. As we heard the screeching noise we quickly ended our playful tags.

Walking away, my friend went off her own way and smiled exaggeratedly.

"See ya, shortie !"

In reply, I waved at her with a gentle smile."'till tomorrow Mira."

And along she went to her class while I stood there, watching that overly colorful girl disappear in the turn of the corridor. I glanced at the floor with my expressionless face, thinking back on the end of our conversation. I told myself then that some things in this world are better left silent.

Leaving my depressing thoughts in the back of my head, I stretched out, trying to remain positive. Only two more hours to go and I'll be back in my sweet bedsheets. Entering the classroom and sitting down to my usual spot, I just hoped that nothing extreme will happen until I reached the calm of my home. Then again, nothing bad ever happens to me with our next teacher being so strict. It was good for me though, I preferred those quiet times.