17 - Eva.

“Hey, I’m Natalya,” a girl says, sitting next to me in the cafeteria. “Thought you could use some company.”

I smile at her but can’t help the paranoia that sweeps over me. The last time someone introduced themself to me, I ended up stabbed and in a hospital bed for a week.

“Don’t worry. I’m not a psycho like Jeanie, Kerry, or Anita.” She grabs her fork and digs into her vegetable lasagna, clearly sensing my unease.

Natalya was in my class with Principal Byrne before lunch. I noticed she was one of the few people to answer his questions, and she was the first to leave after finishing her essay. She’s a motivated student who wants to do well, like me. The only difference is she wants a life of crime.

“I saw you in my leadership class,” I say.

She nods. “Yeah, ignore assholes like Dimitry. He’ll regret it after being sent to Luigi.”

“Who is professor Luigi?” I ask.

It’s not the first time I’ve heard his name since Principal Byrne sent my attackers to him.

“He’s a fucking sadistic hardass