After Chem the next day, I walked out into the hall and made my way to my next class. I turned to close my bag...and ran straight into someone.

“Oh, hell!” Looking down, I saw a tall girl clothed in black on the ground, and was filled with guilt. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay? Here, I’ll help you...”

She looked up, and I recognised her as Tori, a shy, anxious girl who sat at the back of the class I'd just come from. She took my outstretched hand with a pale one of her own that was decorated with swirls of roses. Our eyes locked and I felt an odd tug in the pit of my stomach. With all of my strength, I pulled and helped her rise to her feet, where she stood a good six inches taller than me.