Looks Can Be Deceiving

Chapter 1:

Kari opened her window as warm sunlight poured into her room. She sat on top of her bed and opened a drawer in the dresser next to her. Inside were mismatched objects. A few paper clips, old rubber bands, a tube of Chap Stick; and all those things you have but never actually need. The only thing inside her drawer that wasn't junk was a red spiral notebook and a pen. Kari pulled them out and began to write.

Dear journal,

I know I haven't written to you in a long time, but I couldn't sleep. Being in this boarding school for orphans is driving me insane. I am not liked here. Even though a month has past since the accident, I'm still not myself. I'm doing my best to get over it. This place isn't very encouraging. The only friend I have here is Rachel. At least I have a friend. No one wants to be friends with me.

I share a room with two other girls. They are both well liked and "popular" as everyone calls it. First there is Kasha, who loves to talk on her cell phone 24/7. But that isn't the only thing she loves. She has a huge crush on a guy named Peter. I haven't met him because I only got here last night. He sounds like a popular jock though, so I really don't want to meet him. My other room mate is Whitney. She is literally the dumbest person you will ever meet. The only reason I think the guys like her is because she has big boobs. Besides that, she is really ugly. It is very obvious that she dyes her hair blonde. At least an inch of her thick dark brown roots are showing. Most kids in this boarding school are very privileged. When I say privileged, I mean their parents left them with a large sum of money after their death. When I was dropped off here the other day I noticed the cost of expense each month. It is rather a lot, but I only have four more years here. You are legally allowed to leave at the age 18. We don't have to work, just attend classes Monday through Friday.

New York is amazing! It is very different from New Jersey, and defiantly crowded. Anyway, I've got to go! Classes begin in 10 minutes and I don't want to be late.

Yours Truly,

Kari

Kari quickly closed her spiral and put it along with her pen back into her drawer before locking it. She ran to her vanity and slipped on her school uniform: a white and navy plaid skirt and a short- sleeved polo of navy blue. Kari looked in the mirror and sighed at her dreadful appearance. "This is as good as its going to get…" She said quietly to herself. She readjusted her glasses so they fit better on her slightly freckled nose. Her thick and curly hair was tangled around her face. Kari brushed it the best she could.

"Kari, you've only got two minutes!" said Rachel, opening the door to the room. Rachel was a short skinny girl with red hair that was tied up in a messy bun.

"Only two minutes?" exclaimed Kari. "We have to run!" Kari quickly grabbed her old backpack and stuffed her binder along with her books into it.

Kari and Rachel ran down the hall as fast as they could, forgetting to lock the door to her bedroom. Kari followed Rachel as she wasn't quite sure where to go yet. Papers flew everywhere!

"I'm so sorry, really I am. Can I help you pick those up?" Kari asked while going over to the boy she ran into.

"Sure thanks, but you know you don't have too. We only have a minute until class starts."

"Oh well-"Kari said, but Rachel interrupted her.

"Kari! We really need to go!" Rachel dragged Kari away from the boy, as she checked her watch apprehensively. Kari glanced back at the boy as she was pulled down the hall.

"Do you know who that was?" asked Rachel fuming once they turned the corner.

"Who?"

"The most popular guy in the school. The one all the girls swoon over, especially Kasha. He's Peter Barker."

"That's Peter Barker? I thought he'd be a stuck up jock; or something like that?" Kari replied.

"He is a stuck up jock! Don't tell me you like him too?" Rachel questioned concerned.

"No, of course I don't like him," Kari replied a little too quickly trying desperately to keep up with Rachel.

"Well you know he only dates Barbie look-alikes, right?"

"I know, guys that good looking would never date a girl like me," Kari sighed admitting the truth.

Rachel and Kari barley made it to class before the bell rang. Kids began to throw paper airplanes, since the teacher hadn't arrived. Kari waited upfront so the teacher could show her where she was supposed to sit. Peter rushed into the classroom as a paper airplane hit his head. She couldn't help notice how perfect he looked. His Khaki slacks were tucked into to his navy blue uniform shirt neatly. His tie was loosened slightly in the front.

"Oh my god… he's in my class!" Kari thought excitedly to herself, careful to keep her eyes off peter. Just as Peter took a seat in the back, the teacher walked in.

"Hello, Now I hope everyone has their text books, because if they don't the assignment will count as a 0. Is everyone clear?" The classroom was quiet. Kari stood upfront still. She was starting to feel invisible. "Good now open your text books to page 5 and start on the lesson."

"Please sir, I'm new." Kari sputtered. "Where am I supposed to sit?"

"You can sit next to Alexander Cunnings for now." Mr. Scotch said turning around to face her, pointing to an open desk in the front of the classroom. Kari walked quickly to her seat. She felt the eyes of everyone in the class upon her. There were a few whispers and laughs. Kari knew they were directed towards her. She carefully slid into her seat and took her English book out of her bag opening it to page five. Ignoring the kicks at her chair and foul words directed at her, she completed her lesson trying to hide the way she felt inside.

As soon as the dismissal bell rang, everyone in the class rushed out of the room; handing their assignments to Mr. Scotch as they left.

Rachel led Kari to the dining hall. There were many circular tables with place settings. At each place setting there were name cards.

"We have assigned seats," said Rachel. "You just have to find your name. They switch everyday. I'll see you later."

Kari looked around until she found her name card. She slowly made her way over to the table. Kari sat down and looked at the names of the people she would be sitting next to. Oh her left there would be Kasha Bell, on her right a guy named Connor Roy, and across from her Peter Barker. Lunch was already set out. There were peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, an apple, and a cookie. Pitchers of milk, water, and pop were set in the middle of the table.

"Well, well, well…if it isn't my roommate Kari Miller. Your glasses are simply atrocious and did you remember to brush your hair this morning; it looks like a rats nest." Kasha said smirking.

Kari hung her head close to her chest pretending that she was invisible as Peter and Connor walked over.

"Oh hi Peter, and hi Connor, I guess," Kasha said. "Peter it looks like you will be sitting next to me for breakfast! Oh, I do hope they keep this assigned seating thing up. I sure do like it."

"Well actually, I don't," replied Peter. "I promised a few of my friends that I would sit next to them and now I can't."

Kari looked up shyly. Connor was staring directly at her and snickering. She tried to hold back her tears, but one slide down her cheek. Now Peter was looking at her. Kasha just looked annoyed, as she was not getting the attention.

Peter kicked Connor in the shin under the table silently telling him to knock it off. Kasha seemed to have noticed because she smiled and added, "Yeah Connor, knock it off. Kari isn't that bad, is she?"

"Sure you don't think she's not that bad. That's why you were being so mean to her just now." Peter said.

"Whatever, I'll be back; I have to use the restroom," Kasha left smirking.

Peter turned away expressionless. Tears poured out of Kari's eyes. All she could hear was Connor's laughing.

"Just look at her Peter, she's fucking ugly!" Connor exclaimed laughing more.

During break Kari raced to her room.

Dear Journal,

I had the worst day ever. Besides being called about fifty names, some kid named Conner Roy broke my glasses today in Math. I set them down so I could read my book and he snatched them. Everyone in the class broke into laughter. I looked back at Peter Barker. He wasn't laughing. I don't even think he cared. He just sat there with his perfect blue eyes and sandy blonde hair.

This place is so judgmental. I'm thinking of trying out for the soccer team tomorrow with Rachel. I haven't played in years. Hopefully I'll make the team.

Yours truly,

Kari

Kari quickly closed her spiral as she heard voices coming down the hall. She shoved it back into her drawer as someone knocked on the door.

"Can I come in?" asked a soothing voice.

"Sure…I don't care," Kari replied back recognizing the voice to be Rachel's.

Rachel entered the room. "Gosh Kari, I'm sorry. That scene back there was horrible. Are you alright?"

"No, I mean, yes, I'm fine."

A/N: Please Review. Should I continue with this story?