"Being known by everyone is not the same as being loved. -Dean Koontz"

You can feel their presence even before you see them. You can tell by the hallways going silent, heads turning, people parting like the Red Sea to make way for them. You know who I'm talking about. Those popular girls that every school has. Without them, is it really high school? As you watch them, do you ever wonder what it would be like to be as popular as them? What it would be like to be able to control people so easily? I know what its like, and trust me, you'd be surprised.

 Let's start from the very beginning. My name is Leah Hanson and I'm 13 years old. Need some help picturing me? I have long black hair that ends about a foot above my waist, big, brown, chocolate coloured eyes, and pale skin with some freckles. I always dress well, after all, I have a reputation to uphold. I learned very early on in life that girls like me don't do well in the cruel place that is society. I remember my first day of kindergarten vividly. It was 2 months before my parents divorce, and they had been fighting on the daily. I had gotten sick, so I started school a few weeks after the rest of the kids. There was this one girl, Amara. I still remember her exactly. I don't think I'll ever be able to forget her. She has long, blonde hair she wore with a pink headband, a pink sundress, and pink flats to match. She looked like a doll, straight from the box. Pretty, plastic, and perfect. School had only started a few weeks ago, but it was already clear who was in charge. Who always got to go first on the swing? Amara. Who was the star student every week? Amara. Who got the most cards on Valentines Day? Amara. Who always went last, was never the star student, and got no cards? Me. And when Amara needed someone to pick on, who was her favourite target? Me. Then, when my parents divorced, I moved to NYC with my mom. It was a fresh start. I realized that if I wanted to fit in, I would have to make some serious changes. I grew out my hair and got a completely new wardrobe. I buried myself so far, the me that existed before was long gone, hidden in the most guarded chambers of my heart. Honestly, I don't think anyone remembers that I was different. Everyone seems to think that I've been this way all my life. But I don't mind. Because that's the thing. Fear is power, and power is safety.