Jane-Anne Pearce

Dear Diary,

Today, I am feeling tired. Junior year has been WAY harder than Dad said it would be. Pleasing colleges, teachers, friends, and my parents all at the same time is literally impossible. At this point, I think Evergreen University would laugh at my application. The more I think about it, the more stressed I get. I can't even sleep. I've tried everything: scented candles, white noise, weighted blankets. It's like someone's playing a song in my ear that's forcing me awake.

I don't know why I want to go to Evergreen so badly. I wanted to get accepted there so I could go with my best friends, but I screwed that up last year. And now, no one except for Taylor and Kiara wants to talk to me. When the world rightfully decided to hate me, Taylor and Kiara were there to replace my old friends. I like them, but I can't help but feel, deep down, they don't like me.

But it's a new year, and maybe things can change. Or at least I hope they can.

I closed my diary neatly so that I didn't bend any of the pages. I put my pen back in my pencil case, which was stuffed to the brim with multicolored Sharpies, highlighters, and gel pens. I've always insisted on color coordinating my notes, so I'm the person that everyone goes to when they miss a day of class. I don't mind. It's like an unspoken compliment. Everyone's in agreement that I'm the best notetaker.

A knock on the door startled me, and I almost threw my pens everywhere. Everyone thinks I'm dramatic, but I'm genuinely that jumpy.

"Who is it?" I called, despite the fact that it was probably my dad.

"Do you want to unlock the door?" Dad asked, confirming my suspicions.

"One second!" I chirped back. I glanced down at the diary and decided to tuck it underneath one of the many pillows that adorned my bed. Carefully, I fluffed each of them until I was satisfied with my hiding skills.

"That was definitely longer than a second, Jane-Anne," said Dad impatiently when I opened the door for him.

"You'd think the mayor of Atalka could be a little more diplomatic." I teased back, stepping away from the door so Dad could come in.

"You'd think that his daughter would be more respectful." My dad responded automatically. The rhythm of our teasing was familiar to both of us. Taylor had gasped in horror the first time she witnessed the blunt way I've always spoken to my dad.

Taylor is a big rule follower. That's not a bad thing, but it's made me realize that I can be rude. Dad says he loves my honesty, but Mom and my teachers don't. Now that Dad's the mayor, I've tried to restrain my tongue. Turns out I'm not that great at self-control.

"Where's Mom?" I asked, plopping on my bed so Dad could actually walk into my room.

Dad frowned. "I think you know, Jane-Anne." Mom was supposed to be the community event coordinator in Atalka, but that's more of a label than a job. Mom has her own office where she spends most of her time doing who-knows-what, but Dad doesn't bother her about it. New people make Mom nervous, so she's probably still holed up in that unnecessary workspace of hers.

"I was just asking, Dad," I said, but Dad didn't seem amused by my question. "So," I segued, "when are we going?"

"Now, if you're ready. The Scotts had their checkup a couple of hours ago," said Dad.

Ah, yes. The mysterious checkup that new Atalkans were subjected to. Ever since Makaya took over security, she decided that she needed to carefully interview each new resident when they moved in. It was a way to weed out those that couldn't be trusted. If there's anything I've learned from last year, it's that anyone can be dangerous.

The Scotts were the most recent addition to Atalka, and as the mayor, Dad felt obligated to pay them a visit. We haven't had any new residents in a while, and I had to admit I was excited.

"I'm ready," I told Dad, hopping up from my bed to prove it. "Let's go. I'll drive."

Dad looked at me, silently informing me that I would not be driving his Mercedes anytime soon. I smiled dismissively and followed him downstairs.

The first thing I saw was a comically large gift basket sitting on the front table. "You really outdid yourself," I commented. I didn't mean for that to come off as sarcastic as it did.

"Is it too much?" Dad asked.

"Yeah," I admitted automatically. "But I'm sure they'll love it." It was a weak lie to help soften my brutal honesty. I looked at Dad apologetically and took it upon myself to get the ridiculously extravagant basket into the car. When I lifted the basket, it blocked my line of vision. I nearly stubbed my toe on the doorway.

I sighed as I dropped the basket in the back seat of Dad's Mercedes. "You know you could've just gotten a Hallmark card or baked some cupcakes, right?" I asked. So much for keeping my mouth shut.

"It's been hard finding people willing to move into that house given its history, so make sure that you're on your best behavior when we meet the Scotts," Dad warned me. He meant to tell me to keep my thoughts to myself, but he phrased it in the nicest way possible. Classic politician parent.

"I'll be nice, I promise," I swore.

Dad started the car, and we pulled out of the lengthy driveway to meet the new neighbors. All of the houses in Atalka were grouped together in the west of the city. The sprawling campus of Atalka High transitioned the houses into the downtown area, where most of the businesses were located. The Scott family was settled near the edge of the Atalka, right by the river. It was pretty isolated, but maybe the Scotts liked that. As we pulled into the driveway, I looked at the house and shuddered.

"Are you okay?" Dad asked. "I completely forgot. Do you need to call Dr. Pater?"

"I don't need my therapist right now." I insisted. "It's just a house. I've never even been inside it before."

Only one person died in it. How scary could it be?

"Are you sure?" Dad asked. "Because I can turn around right now and come back later."

"Fuyuko Kazama is in prison. She doesn't live here anymore." I looked at the house, but I couldn't deny the chill that ran down my spine, reminding me of what happened. "I'm fine." I insisted out loud.

To prove just how okay I was, I got out of the car and grabbed the gift basket, leading Dad to the door. Due to the ridiculous size of the basket, Dad had to help me up the first steps. Dad rang the doorbell, and we patiently waited for someone to open it.

I didn't get a good view of the person who opened the door, but I could hear the voice of a woman welcoming us inside.

"Let me take that for you," said someone. The gift basket was removed from my arms, and I could actually see the house.

The woman who had welcomed us inside smiled kindly. She had short strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes. The person who I assumed to be her husband was setting the gift basket on a table. He was tall, muscular for his age, and had brown hair and a beard. His mouth seemed to be set in a perpetual frown.

"Hi. I'm Samuel Pearce," said Dad, shaking hands with the husband.

"Elijah Scott," Elijah replied. "This is my wife, Rebecca."

"Well, we just wanted to stop by and welcome you guys to Atalka," said Dad. "I'm the mayor of this community, so if you guys have any questions, I'd love to help."

I folded my hands in front of me politely, determined to play the role of the perfect mayor's daughter. It was becoming increasingly difficult with each moment I spent inside this house.

"Dad? Who are they?" someone else asked.

Elijah turned to see who had spoken. It was a girl about my age with Rebecca's wide eyes and red hair, along with purple glasses. "This is Mr. Pearce, the mayor," Elijah explained, gesturing to Dad. "Mr. Pearce, this is Ivy." Ivy waved awkwardly.

"Hey, Ivy," I said, waving. "I'm Jane-Anne."

Ivy looked at me, confused. "You have two names?" she asked.

I shrugged. "Yeah, why not?" I've had to defend the fact that I have a hyphenated name my whole life. I used to keep a notebook hidden in my closet with comebacks to all of the typical questions I've received over the years. Now, I've learned to stop caring. "Can I come upstairs?" I asked. I didn't know how much longer I could stand Dad's boring conversation about Atalkan real estate.

"Why not?" Ivy asked, using my words. She gave me a small smile, like we shared an inside joke already. I moved past the adults and joined Ivy upstairs.

"I don't have everything unpacked yet," Ivy warned me. "There were also all of these weird complications."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well, yesterday, the moving truck was stopped at the gate. They weren't allowed into Atalka. We had to get Atalkan drivers to unload everything. It was this whole mess. I mean, does it really have to be that strict?" Ivy asked.

"Makaya takes her job seriously," I said, shrugging. "When Flora was in charge, security was a bit more lax. The people who lived here before you were approved pretty easily, so it's good that Makaya does everything she can to keep up Atalka's standards."

"What do you mean, standards?" Ivy asked, almost offended. "Are there people not good enough for Atalka?"

"I mean, you've seen what Atalka is like beyond the gate," I explained. "If we just let everyone in, then bad things could happen." That didn't seem to make my comment any better. It just made me sound elitist. "All I'm saying is that there's a reason Makaya gives the new residents check-ups and stuff. Weird things have happened here."

As we made our way to Ivy's room, I caught a glimpse of a boy. I only saw him for a split second through the door frame, but I suddenly forgot about everything else. He was almost hotter than Jacob Wilde, my biggest crush since I saw him on that show Spellbound. After he started attending Atalka Academy, he kept to himself, like a mythical and unapproachable creature. I tried to slow my walking to get a better view of the attractive stranger, but Ivy practically pulled me forward.

"This is my room," Ivy announced. She opened the door to reveal a sparsely decorated room with an unmade bed in the center.

"Was that your brother?" I asked, my mind still somewhere else. "He's hot." There goes my honesty again. I should pay Taylor to follow me around all day and shock me every time I say something stupid.

Ivy seemed unsure of what to say. "I mean, at my old school-"

"I'm sorry that I just called your brother hot," I said quickly. "I mean, nothing against you or anything. You're hot too. Not that I'm gay or anything. Not that it's a bad thing to be gay, I mean, I have no problem with that." I closed my eyes and hoped that Ivy could forget what I had just said. Carter Reynolds hated me for a reason.

"Thanks," said Ivy. "I guess." She seemed just as willing to move on as I was.

"So," I said, desperate to turn the subject around, "are you excited about being in Atalka?"

"It's certainly interesting," said Ivy. "I've never been somewhere like this in my entire life."

"I've never been anywhere else," I admitted.

"Never?" Ivy asked incredulously.

"Never," I repeated. I didn't expect Ivy to be so surprised about that. People in Atalka barely talked about the world outside the gate. "So, where are you from?" I asked.

"California," Ivy answered robotically.

"What's it like?" I asked.

"A lot sunnier than this," said Ivy, not elaborating too much.

"In Oregon, you're lucky if it doesn't rain two days in a row," I informed Ivy. "But still, everything is pretty great here. I can't wait for you to see Atalka Academy. It's so pretty. And, if you ever need a tour, I'd be happy to help out with that."

"A tour sounds great," said Ivy, although part of me thought that she said that to get me to shut up.

"So, how was your checkup?" I asked, flitting to the next topic.

"Really weird," said Ivy. "I barely remember what happened. I don't know why, but all I can remember is my dad and fire. Is that weird?"

"No," I admitted. "People have remembered weirder things from their checkups."

"What about Atalka in general?" Ivy asked.

"What about it?" I asked.

"Would you say that Atalka's weird?" Ivy clarified.

"No." I managed to actually lie. Ivy narrowed her eyes for a split second, like she was closing in on me. I felt cornered. Then, less than a second later, she reverted to the kind person from before.

"Jane-Anne!" Dad called upstairs, rescuing me. "It's time to go."

"Coming!" I responded. I nearly leaped downstairs. I couldn't escape Ivy fast enough. Something about her scared me.

"It was really nice talking to you," said Mrs. Scott amiably as I scrambled to the door clumsily.

"You too," said Dad. "And remember, if you need anything, I'm always here to help." He smiled when he saw me. "Jane-Anne, are you ready to say goodbye?"

"Bye, everyone," I said, smiling to hide my nerves. "It was so nice to meet you guys." When I finally settled in the passenger's seat of the Mercedes, I felt like I could breathe again. I had no idea why I was so unsettled.

"I forgot my phone." Dad realized. "I think I set it on the table by the basket. Could you get it for me?"

"Sure," I answered, stepping out of the car before I could think twice. I took a deep breath and tried to collect myself. Maybe it was Ivy, or that house, but a strange feeling came over me, like I was being watched. I've told my mom about the feeling more times than I could count, but she dismissed it every time. I just needed to make it stop.

I was about to knock on the door, but I must have neglected to shut it all the way earlier. I stared at the open doorway, inviting me into the foyer. Quietly, I stepped inside and grabbed Dad's phone by the gift basket.

"What did you think about them, Dad?" I could hear Ivy's voice ask in the other room.

"They seemed nice," said Mrs. Scott.

"What about Makaya?" Ivy asked. "Or Jessica?"

"Lena, slow down," said Mr. Scott. "If you get distracted by every person you meet here, it'll become counterintuitive. We don't have any evidence yet."

"I'm just trying to help." Ivy, or Lena sighed. I could hear her footsteps, getting louder as she got closer. I tried to force my feet to move, but I was frozen in fear. "What are you doing here?" Lena asked me tightly, her hands curled in fists.

"I was just getting my Dad's phone," I explained, holding it up for Lena to see.

"And you didn't bother to announce yourself?" Lena asked, crossing her arms. Behind her glasses, I could feel her deadly glare. I felt like I was being accused of something.

"I'm sorry," I said, ready to bolt.

"I'm on to you, Jane-Anne. You have no idea what you're dealing with." Lena smiled pleasantly, but the tension between us was palpable. "Anyway," said Lena, startling me with her sudden nonchalance, "I would totally love to get a tour from you on Monday."

"Sure," I said, attempting a smile. "Meet me in the auditorium before school."

Dear Diary,

Today, I am feeling confused. I have no idea if I just made a friend or an arch-nemesis.

A/N: So that was our first introduction to Jane-Anne Pearce! I hope you enjoyed getting the POV of an actual Atalka resident. Drop a vote if you enjoyed the chapter!

QOTD: Thoughts on our new character?