Kaashi woke up early the next morning ready to go to his first day. He was running through the streets to school about an hour before it started. Kaashi reviewed his schedule:

1: History
2: Chemistry
3: Astronomy
4: Driver's Ed
5: Gym
6: Language Arts
7: Algebra
8: Computer Tech

"Computer tech sounds interesting. Oh, I can't wait until chemistry and astronomy! Those will be fun!"

Kaashi entered Coastal High with high ambition. "OK, room C-142, history." Kaashi said to himself as he looked around C-hall. He found C-142 nearly instantly as it was close to the intersection where he walked. He looked in the room to make sure it was right; he saw copies of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution on the wall. "Yep, that's the right room." He entered the room and sat in a desk close to the front. He sat there until the bell rang to warn people that school was starting when he saw someone walk in, it was Mark.

"Hey Kaashi!"

"Mark! You made it!"

"Just to tell you, since you came in pretty much the middle of the year, things will seem very confusing, but you'll get used to it eventually."

The class started, and the history teacher, Mrs. Stevens said "Class, we have a new student here today. This is Kaashi."

Kaashi stood up, looking kind of nervous in front of many people he didn't know.

"Tell us about yourself Kaashi."

"Well, I came from an island far away, almost died in the process, and glad to be here." He sat down.

"Thank you, Kaashi. Now, let's continue or lesson on Lyndon B. Johnson and the Vietnam War."

First period was over in about 45 minutes, Kaashi left to go to his second period, chemistry, one he was anticipating during history. He entered the chemistry classroom happy to see things he actually knew about, the periodic table, basic chemical compounds, he felt kind of at home.

Chemistry started with another introduction to the class, but then Kaashi heard the news of lab work today. He got very excited; he managed to contain himself though. He was jittery on the way to the lab; they went inside the lab, and put on aprons and goggles, which Kaashi had a bit of trouble with the goggles. Their main objective was to use hydrochloric acid and magnesium to produce and burn hydrogen gas. Kaashi already knew how to do that.

"Students, go ahead and see what you know. But be careful, you might burn yourself." the teacher said.

Kaashi near-instantly put the magnesium strips into a test tube of hydrochloric acid and started to bubble. He got another test tube, turned it upside down and angled it over the bubbling compound. The teacher immediately noticed this and told the class what Kaashi was doing. He waited until the bubbling stopped, put the magnesium-acid tube on a rack and got long lighter from the teacher. He carefully turned it on and neared the test tube. Students watched with suspense. Then a large flame erupted from the test tube, but died instantly. Kaashi laughed with success as the students clapped.

Chemistry was done for the day, time for Kaashi's favorite class. He rushed to the astronomy class and took his seat, occupying his time looking at the pictures in the room. Astronomy started, the topic for the day was Saturn. But there was a pop quiz, Kaashi breezed through it within a minute, but the other students took about two times longer. The pop quiz was turned in and the lesson begun. Kaashi was very excited about his first day in astronomy, thinking of all the things he can learn about his favorite thing in the world.

Time passed and periods ended, it was time for lunch. Kaashi walked toward the cafeteria and sat at the table that Mark and his friends sit at, waiting for them. All of them got their lunch and sat down. Kaashi looked at the food.

"What is that?"

"It's a burrito." James replied.

"Doesn't look like something I've ever seen. Look kind of gross actually."

"Well it's school lunch, what do you expect?"

"You should actually try a bit, it tastes good." Chris said.

"I'm not sure."

"OK, I respect your decision."

The end-of-lunch bell rang; everyone was going to their sixth period classes. While Kaashi was leaving the cafeteria, Miguel grabbed him arm and pinned him to a wall.

"Look, I know what you're doing, stop trying!"

"What? I'm not doing anything! I'm going back to my class!"

"Playing stupid are we? Trying to take my limelight? No one does that! No one!"

"OK, clam down! I'm not trying to do anything to hurt anybody!"

"Oh, but you are. You're hurting my status! I'm the talk of the town here! I expect you to stay out of the group's way, got it?!"

"Y-yes, please, just don't hurt me!"

Miguel threw Kaashi to the ground and walked off. Kaashi slowly got up and headed toward his next class, slightly crying. He couldn't get it off his mind for the rest of the day. He couldn't focus. He was now officially scared of Miguel.

The school day ended. Mark saw Kaashi walking rather quickly, as if he's avoiding something. Mark stopped him.

"Kaashi, what's the rush?"

"I'd rather not talk about it."

"Come on, you can trust me."

"Alright. It's Miguel."

"What about him?"

"He pinned me to a wall, saying that I'm just here to take his status."

"Status? Come on, Miguel even said he doesn't care about status."

"Who do you trust here, Mark?" tears started welling up in Kaashi's eyes.

Mark hesitated, he was speechless. He really didn't know what to say.

"I'm going to the cave for the day, see you tomorrow."

Kaashi continued his rush to his makeshift shelter as Mark still stood there dumbfounded by Kaashi's story.

"I really don't know who to believe." Mark said to himself. "Kaashi seems honest, but I've known Miguel since middle school. I feel bad choosing between the two."

Miguel came up to Mark.

"Hey Mark, What's wrong?"

"Kaashi said that you pinned him against a wall, saying that you think he's planning something against you. But I don't know who to believe."

"You can't really be serious. How do you know Kaashi isn't lying to you, just to break us up? We can't let him do that if he is."

"I'm sorry Miguel; I need to sleep on this." Mark said as he started walking home.

"Suit yourself."

Miguel started walking home, devising a plan.

"How to get rid of that stupid yoshi?" he kept saying to himself.