—Prologue—
✦ A R I A N A ✦
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The pungent stench of perfume filled my nostrils as I stood in the girls' locker room, pulling my hair up into a ponytail. Everyone was getting ready for gym, freshening themselves up to make sure that when they sweat, their body odor wouldn't become noticeable.

I didn't know why they bothered with the elaborate stretch of scenting themselves. Couldn't a little deodorant do the trick? I sighed and ran a hand down my face, grimacing. I missed my old school, I missed my best friends. But dwelling on your emotions won't fix anything, I reminded myself, shaking my head.

As the coach called everyone together for attendance, I daydreamed, recalling more pleasant times, or creating a fantasy world in my brain. When I heard my name being spoken, I was jerked out of my reverie. Blinking, I adjusted my glasses, clearing my throat. "Here," I coughed out loudly, trying not to blush as someone snickered.

"Pay a bit more attention next time, Allo," Mrs. Janas reminded me before moving on to the next person down the line of role-calls.

Shoving away my embarrassment, I rocked back on my heels, wishing this period was over. I longed to go home and envelop myself in YouTube. It had become my safe haven, my second home if you willed. The YouTubers I watched may not know exactly who I was, or my backstory, but they did care. I knew they did. I could prove they did. And that's what meant the world to me. I found people to confide in without actually speaking to them.

They could make me laugh and smile so effortlessly without even knowing so, even if I was on the verge of breaking down. It was amazing, really. My parents constantly fussed over me, claiming I had to go out more, meet new people, maybe seek help and talk to someone about any troubles I was having.

But I didn't have any troubles. I was perfectly fine. Wasn't I?

"Allo!" Mrs. Janas barked, and I jumped. "Get moving!"

I scrambled into motion, not even knowing what was happening as I trudged after the other girls out onto the field. As I exited into the fresh air, I let out a small breath. I enjoyed the semi-pleasant weather. It was surprising; sixty-five degrees in fall. But I savored it to the very last moment.

When we were all assembled onto the grass, Mrs. Janas came to a halt in front of us and yelled, "Alright, listen up! You'll pick teams, and each one will have five to six members. There should be around four. If anyone is excluded, I'll add them into a group. Understood?"

There was a chorus of mumbled agreement, and I bit back a groan. The option of choosing groups was always horrid for me. My only friend was Rixton Dyllon, and though we had the same gym period, he was in the boys' section, far away from where I was. Most likely playing football. It was that time of year.

I watched as friends quickly met up, giggling and talking in rushed tones, excited at what they were about to play. Some, like me, milled about, but eventually found themselves with a group, and small smiles crept onto their faces, mixtures of relief and delight.

Smiles. When was the last time I had smiled? I quickly checked. Today, with Rixton, on the bus, I reminded myself. I always kept track of when I smiled, just to prove to myself and my mom and dad that I was still happy. So far, it worked. Or so I think it did.

"Ariana!" A voice pulled my attention over towards a cluster of girls to my right. Erin Reeds, a slightly-popular girl, waved at me, gesturing me over. Caught a bit off-guard, I slowly headed towards her. This was the first time in a while Mrs. Janas didn't have to put me in a group herself.

"Hi," I greeted, trying not to let shyness take over. When have you ever been shy? I asked myself. I knew the answer, but I couldn't bring myself to even think about it, so I quickly tried to summon something else into mind.

"Hey," Erin answered, and I noticed then how bright her grin was. Her teeth were almost completely white, and I marveled at how clean she kept them. I brushed every day and they weren't that dazzling.

The conversation trailed off for a bit before Erin brought it back again. "So, how are you?" She inquired, tucking a strand of brown hair behind her ear. I again studied her, watching as the bright autumn sunlight lit her dark hair and gave it an auburn tint.

I quickly forced myself to look away and found a reply bubbling off my lips. "I'm fine. And you?" The words were so familiar to me. I knew them by heart. Yet, didn't everyone?

"Same, same," Erin responded, and she went to speak again before Mrs. Janas blew her whistle, cutting her off. I was, oddly, disappointed. I had been eager to hear what Erin had to say.

"Are you all ready for some workout?" Mrs. Janas bellowed, and I grimaced. "No," I found myself whispering in response. Erin snorted, and I was surprised at the sound, swiftly covering my mouth with a hand to stifle my own laughter. Did she really think that was funny?

When no one answered her specifically, Mrs. Janas repeated herself, this time with more force. "I said, are you all ready for some workout?"

Now she got a round of replies. This seemed to please her, for she smirked. "Good. Today we're going to be playing a game. It isn't very common, but a few of you might've played it before."

I listened intently, curious. I hadn't heard of many sports, so if it was uncommon even in the athletic world, I had better pay attention, just this once.

"You have your group, right? Well, you all tie yourselves together, by the wrists. That way you're bounded. Then, the object of it all is to reach a certain goal without falling down. It's all about teamwork and effort and trust. A good bonding exercise," Mrs. Janas informed us.

I nodded. It seemed simple enough, didn't it?

As she finished speaking, Erin turned to us, beaming. "This is perfect!" She announced happily. "I've been wanting to get closer to you for a while now," she added, glancing at me. My eyes widened and I tried not to let my immediate surprise show too much, but it was there.

"Really?" I asked, tilting my head. Then it occurred to me; hadn't I done the same thing with Rixton? Attempted to get close to him, insisting again and again to be his friend until he caved. . . Only, this was different. I wasn't being practically forced into friendship. My face burned just thinking about my past actions. I was such an idiot. I still was an idiot.

"Of course!" She exclaimed, then smiled. "Come on, let's go get the rope. Everyone else, start preparing yourselves. We are so going to win this!"

I couldn't help but smile slightly as I set into pace behind Erin, following her towards Mrs. Janas, who had settled herself a distance away, passing out the supplies we'd need. I silently counted it. Today you smiled in gym class with Erin. You were, you are, happy.

"So, how do you like it here so far?" Erin inquired, looking at me out of the corner of her eye. I stared at my sneakers, watching them trudge through the grass as we walked. "It's good," I answered. "Definitely different from my last school, though."

"How so?" Erin pressed, and I mentally grimaced. Why had I added the last part when I didn't know the proper answer to her question? "I don't know," I admitted. "It's just. . ." I fumbled for the right words, the lines that would save me from coming across as a total fool.

"Relax, I get it," Erin chuckled, noticing my discomfort. "It's a lot to take in, huh?"

"Yeah," I agreed, letting out a small breath. It seemed like ages before we halted in front of Mrs. Janas, who glanced up at us. "Hello Reeds. Allo," she stated, her tone completely business-like. It troubled me how her moods could switch so easily. From loud and energetic to stern and orderly in seconds.

She fished around in the bag she had brought with her before pulling out rope, extending her hand forward. Instinctively I reached out to take it, but so did Erin. Our hands brushed, and my stomach twisted uneasily. Alarmed, I pulled away quickly.

I was careful not to make physical contact with Erin again that day.