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Once, there was a paper rose. It was beautiful, delicate, fragile.
Perhaps too fragile.
A few raindrops did little harm, but in a constant storm, the rose was destroyed.
Hi Danielle. I'm Principal Weiss. It's nice to meet you.
I promised your parents we'd take very good care of you. You're going to love it at this school. This is Emily.
Hi.
Emily is president of the student council, and she's going to take you around the campus the next day or so.
Hi, I'm Emily. I will show you where your classes are. Can you understand me? Should I speak slower?
I speak English.
Oh. Well, I can give you a tour of the campus right now if you want.
That sounds good to me.
Danielle, you're in good hands. If you need anything, I'll be in the office. Thanks Emily.
Where's my homework?
What?
Here you go Emily.
You're late.
That was the warning bell, We'd better go.
Those are the science classrooms, and that's the English quad.
And up ahead is my locker.
Don't you think we should help him?
No. We did that to his locker in the first place.
Yeah.
Why'd you do that to his locker?
'Cause he's a loser. These are the math classrooms.
Sorry, late for class.
Eew, I can't believe she wears clothes like that. It looks like my grandma's closet threw up on her.
These are the history classrooms.
Wait. Did you do my essay?
Oh Emily, I'm so sorry. I'll do it right now.
Hello, I'm walking here.
So, who's the new girl.
Get out of my way, you troll.
I'm not talking to you, Emily. Uh, so what's your name?
I'm Danielle.
Oh, don't get mixed up with this one. Leave her alone, Emily.
Go away, Jake.
Yes your highness.
He's such a bully.
What was he talking about?
Nothing. He just needs attention.
Oh, hey Mr. Roberts.
Oh, hi Emily. How are you? Can you still stop by after school?
Computer problems?
Well, not really problems. More like...technical difficulties.
Need me to enter some test scores?
Yes can you? I have to go to a teacher conference.
Sure.
That would be great. Thanks.
Oh, Mr. Roberts. Is it okay if I bring along my friend, Danielle? She's from India.
New Jersey.
What?
Nothing.
Uh, yeah, that's great, uhm. It's nice of you to help her out on her first day.
It is, isn't it. See you later.
Bye.
So, do you have any questions?
Yeah. Is there something on my face?
What?
I feel like everyone's staring at me.
They're just jealous because you're hanging out with me.
No, seriously.
I was being serious.
You know what? Better if you don't ask me any questions.
Why?
That's a question. So do you think you can get to your classes, okay?
Uh...probably.
Good. See you later.
Wait!
Did you see him? He was so cute.
I know. I know.
He's mine.
No, he's not. I called dibs.
No. I said it first.
Whatever. I'm already going out with someone.
Whatever.
Oh.
Uhm...I have to go return a book... to the library.
You checked out a book from the library?
Oh, I'll come with you.
I need to go floss.
Can I come too? You have such nice teeth.
Okay.
Hi.
Hi. When did you get here?
Oh, I've been here the whole time. Most people don't even see me.
Your friends aren't very nice to you.
They're not really my friends. They're the only people I know. I'm new here.
Yeah, that's what I thought. Where'd you move from?
I'm from New Jersey, but Emily seems to think I'm from India.
She's clueless. Trust me, I know. My name's Penny.
I'm Danielle. Or...Dani.
Which name do you prefer?
Uhm...Dani, I guess. Most people don't ask me that.
Well, I'm not like most people.
Neither am I.
And that's not always a bad thing.
Emily seems to think so.
Royalty doesn't think the same way as the peasants.
I just don't want to pick sides.
Well, you know what they say:
If you walk in the middle of the road, you'll get squashed for sure.
Who said that?
Me.
So what class do you have next?
I have P.E.
Oh, I have art. See you later then.
There's an art class? There are so many interesting things at this school.
Oops.
Here, let me help you.
Oh, thanks.
What are you doing?
Stop fidgeting.
What?
You looked like you needed some help, and one of my awesome hair ribbons.
Don't let those Barbie Dolls push you around.
Thanks.
Hey, over here.
Ooh, nice pass. You wanna play with us?
Sure.
Okay, let's go.
Hey Danielle. Not bad... for a girl.
Good game.
Do you wanna play with us again?
I can't. I promised Emily I would help her out after school.
Why?
Hey guys, wait up.
Why were you even talking with Jake?
We were just playing basketball. What's wrong with that?
He hates me. Didn't you see that death stare he gave me?
Why does he hate you?
Didn't I tell you not to ask me questions?
But there has to be a reason, right?
He's an idiot. Don't start hanging out with the wrong people if you plan on having a social life.
And don't get smart. Nobody likes a braniac.
So that's why you're popular.
Exactly. I knew you'd understand.
We're here.
Aren't you coming?
We have something to...take care of.
Great.
Hello?
Hello!
What are you doing here?
What are YOU doing here?
I'm entering grades into the computer for Mr. Roberts.
Can you give me an "A"?
Just kidding.
So, how's your first day going?
Uh, good I guess... I like my classes...
But...
Do you... Do you ever feel like you just don't fit in?
What do you think?
Oh. Sorry.
Why do you wanna fit in so much?
Don't you?
I knew a girl a few years ago. People weren't to nice to her, and she couldn't handle it.
What happened to her?
She went away.
Why are you telling me this?
So you don't make the same mistakes as her.
If she had opened her eyes and made some better friends, then they would have helped her when she needed them.
Well, I gotta go to Kung Fu class right now. So, gotta catch you later.
Kung Fu?
Yup. Gotta go kick some butts.
Hey, can I sit with you?
Yeah...Sure!
Hey, do you need help?
No that's okay. I got it.
Okay.
Thanks though.
Wait, wait, wait...uh, actually, I do need help.
Okay, sure.
Okay. Am I doing this right?
You're getting the right answer, but your taking extra steps. All you have to use is the zero-zero method.
Thanks. Not many people at this school would help me like that.
What do you mean?
Uh, most people try to stay out of trouble. Stick with people they know.
Why?
A couple of years ago, there was this girl. She was really nice, but no one helped her.
Helped her...with what?
Stood up for her.
What happened?
She left. But...
Hey, are you still friends with Emily?
Hey Penny.
Hey, did you know that odontophobia is the fear of teeth?
What?
The fear of teeth. I mean... how would anybody be afraid of teeth?
Uh...vampires?
Yeah, but that would be kinemortaphobia, which is the fear of undead...zombies...
and spectrophobia, which is the fear of—
Hey, Penny, do you know Jake?
Jake...big guy, huge teddy bear big?
Yeah, uh, he knew your friend... the one who went away?
Oh, uhm, everyone did. Why?
Are you sure she went away?
Uhm, allegrophobia, the fear of being late. I gotta go. Ba-bye.
Where will you be?
In the art room.
You need some help? I've got a lot of experience. What's your combo?
15, 10, 4.
What are you doing?
Emily.
I gave you a chance, but you're just like them.
I'd rather be just like them, than just like you.
Is that what you think?
Yeah.
Well, let me tell you something. I don't know how things worked in India, but at this school I am in charge.
She's from New Jersey.
Whatever.
I can make your life so miserable, you'd wish you were dead.
Hey, we won't let you do that again.
Again? What do mean by "again?"
You know exactly who he's talking about.
She was weird. Everyone thought so. I just told her the truth, and she couldn't handle it.
So she went away.
No, I found out the truth. That girl...she didn't go away. She killed herself.
Well, it wasn't my fault.
You're right. It wasn't your fault.
It was all of us.
We each had the chance to stand up for her, but we didn't.
We may not have bullied her like you did, but we let it happen. We're just as much to blame.
Thank you.
What?
I've always felt guilty. Like I should have done more...
...to help Penny.
Wait...how do you know Penny?
Most people don't even see me.
Do you ever feel like you just don't fit in?
What do you think?
She was really nice, but no one helped her.
What happened?
She left.
Spectrophobia, which is the fear of...
...ghosts.
Where's the art class?
What?
The art class got cut with the budget two years ago.
Where was it?
Down the hall. Room 706.
Do you ever feel like you just don't fit in?
So she went away.
I'm not like most people.
I've always felt guilty, like I should've done more...to help Penny.
Most people don't even see me.
She killed herself.
Spectrophobia...which is the fear of ghosts.
Penny!
Danielle!
Are you okay?
What is it?
It's okay. I'll live.