A quick scan of the map and schedule and Shade already visualizes the paths to each of her classes. All of her classes are the basics for a junior in highschool. She shrugs. Her primary objective is to find and neutralize Autumn Spice. Her secondary objective is to locate Sunset Shimmer and get answers. Her tertiary objective and easiest is to make friends. Much to her surprise, her second objective is walking down the hall towards her.

Shade watches the girl as she approaches unblinking. Sunset casts a curious glance at the white face mask wearing teen. She stops in front of her.

“Isn’t it too early for masks?” Sunset questions the girl.

“Why should there be a limited time to wear what we want?” Shade counters.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you before. What’s your name?”

Shade reaches into one of the pockets of her black cargo pants to pull out a card. She holds it out for the light amber skinned teen.

Sunset takes the card to read outloud. “‘Nightshade ‘Shade’ Toxin. Genius inventor extraordinaire.’ Definitely have never heard of you. You must be a new student then. Let me tell you what I told the other new ‘kid’: I rule this school.”

Shade sets down her backpack to dig for a spiral notebook. She takes one out along with a pen. She then writes in the spiral notebook. Nod. She places the spiral notebook back into the backpack. Sunset eyes the teen with suspicion. Shade nods and gives Sunset a thumbs up.

“Right, well, don’t get in my way,” warns Sunset as she walks away.

Shade steps in front of Sunset before the teen can take two steps.

Sunset scowls at the girl but before she can give her a piece of her mind a phone appears in front of her with a picture of a girl. A somewhat familiar looking teen.

“Have you seen her here or around the school?” Shade questions.

“Hmm,” Sunset thinks for a moment. “Can’t day I have. Who is she?” A white finger swipes across the screen and the photo switches to a wanted poster of the teen. “‘Autumn Spice. Wanted for murder, kidnapping, hacking, and sexual assault of minors. Considered to be armed and extremely dangerous.’” Sunset reads the text of the wanted photo. She looks at the serious yellow eyes of the black and red mohawk teen. “Shit. That’s... shit. Fucking terrifying. You think she’s a student here?”

Shade nods.

“Shit! We have to warn the authorities!“

Shade shakes her head. She puts the phone back in a pocket. She signs, “Autumn always manages to stay ahead of the authorities. She probably has hacked into their systems. Don’t ever be alone.”

The bell rings and the hallway quickly fills up with students. Before Sunset can get more answers from the white mask teen she loses her in the wave of teenage bodies.

Pale yellow eyes switch between the arrows on the wall. The one on the left points to the library and the one on the right points to the cafeteria. Students walk around her giving her a wide berth. The library holds books. Shade likes books. The cafeteria has food. Tech keeps Shade on a strict eating schedule. She does not have to follow him, she does respect him, and therefore follows what he has to say. Would he know? She will know.

She nods her head as she makes her decision. Both. Lunch first then library. She just needs to eat fast. Shade turns to walk to the right and collides with a body. A couple books fly up in the air along with a stack of papers; she catches the books in her left hand and snatches the papers with her right hand. A groan from the floor reminds her that a second party still remains unknown.

A female teenager with green hair and light green skin wearing a brown striped sweater and blue jeans sits on the ground rubbing her face. Her hazelnut brown eyes stare up at Shade.

“Excuse me,” the teenager says with a quiet voice.

Shade switches the four books to one hand as she lends her left hand to the teenager.

The teen’s eyes scan the featureless white face mask of the other teen standing before her. The pale yellow eyes that stare down at her faintly glow. She grasps the hand and immediately feels a chill crawl up her arm and down her spine. The cold hand grips her firmly and with a quick tug she finds herself on her feet.

“Apologies are in order, yes?” The white face mask muffles the soft voice of the teenager wearing a gray polo shirt and black cargo pants.

“Sorry.” The green teen offers lamely.

“Will you accept my apology?” The ivory teen inquires.

“Sure. Can I have my books and fliers back?”

Shade hands over the books and fliers to the green teen. Shade takes a flier from the top of the stack to inspect. The green teen awkwardly stands there.

The flier is for a gardening club, something the school has lacked for several years, if the flier tells the truth. Spots are still available and open to everyone, even staff. Meet ups are after school at the school garden. Members will need to bring their own supplies until further notice.

A curious hum vibrates Shade’s lips. “Are you part of the Gardening Club?”

“Yes. I am the president and founder—Wallflower Blush.” The teen finally introduces herself.

“Call me Shade, yes? Do you require assistance posting the fliers, Madam President?”

“Just ‘Wallflower’ is fine. If you wouldn’t mind?” She gives a sheepish smile.

“Where is the garden at?”

“It’s behind the school parking lot, through the student parking area.”

Shade nods and turns to leave.

“Um,” Wallflower’s voice stops Shade midstep, “thank you. You’re the only one who has ever shown any notice to the club.”

Shade takes a couple steps back to Wallflower. She reaches into a pocket in her cargo pants to retrieve a business card. “If you want to see photos of my garden at home then send me a text, yes?” She says as she places the card on top of the pre-cal book in Wallflower’s arms.

Wallflower beams from ear to ear. “I’ll send you pics of mine, too!”

Shade winks and walks away. “Send them soon, yes?”