School was a blur of notes, tests, homework that was mind numbing but she did it regardless. She wanted to get a scholarship to a good college and this was the way to go, she also was taking SATs this year, so she had to pay attention, colleges looked at your GPAs' in highs school, and grades. Exhaustion and pain from her back plagued her all day, as she persevered on, and fought to pay attention in class. 

When lunch time came, she practically ran out of the classroom. She didn't have many friends, and it wasn't because she was anti-social, it was more that everyone was so naive and it annoyed her. They acted like teenagers, which they were, and were so oblivious to the world around them. People said enjoy while your young, she couldn't wait till she turned 18. She tried talking to other kids, but it was awkward and she was a naturally quiet person, and she didn't listen to modern music, or watch TV, or go on the internet, or have any sports or activities she did on her own, so she had nothing to talk about with other kids. She also withdrew within herself because the abuse, which made her want to curl up in herself, but she always had to be strong. Be strong for Danny, for Sariya, for Rico, for Jacob, in front of Daniel, she always had to be strong, to keep it all in to put up with it. She felt like while she was smiling on the outside, inside she was screaming her heart out and no one could hear her. Just keep going, be strong, suck it up, you can do it, they have to be safe, it was a lot, especially with grades and the PSAT, studying for the SAT, do extracurricular, dealing with the abuse, balancing everyone's activities, making sure their laundrys' done, aches made' dinner made, homework done, it was a nightmare, and now Erica was coming to visit, oh joy. 

She walked down the hall, and turned onto the lawn behind the football field that was deserted, and there waited her best friend Adam. Adam was the sweet guy at school every girl  (or guy if they were gay) wanted to date. He was sweet, nice, Mr. Hot-shot Quarterback on the football team, had straight A's, but he empathized. He was a foster child with his older brother and little sister. They had been through 7 foster homes, 4 of them abusive, 2 of them were neglectful of the children, and this was their latest, and the longest lasting at 5 years of living here. He understood, and he could just sit there and make her feel happy. He didn't need to talk or chatter to pass the time, sometimes they just sat not talking and ate lunch as they watched the field and sky.

Adam had Dean Winchester cut black hair, with light green eyes' flecked with yellow, was tall, somewhat tanned skin, prominent features, and was taller than her (though most people were, she was small like her mother). He smiled when he saw her, with those wise green eyes, then his eyebrow creased as he observed her further. She sat and he asked,

"Was it Daniel again or Becca?" Becca wasn't popular but was well-known, and it wasn't so much that she was a bitch, but the fact that she lost her little sister in a car accident, and became bitter. Then her friends all told her rumors that they had spread but blamed it on Selene, since Becca and her had been friends at the time, she took offense, and took every opportunity to rub it in Selene's face. This was when they were 8 though, now 8 years later, she hated Selene, and Selene was almost positive that the real reason behind Becca's vendetta against her was all but forgotten.

"Daniel. We were late home." Adam nodded and gave her a sympathetic smile letting her know he was there for her, and wouldn't press her, and thats what she loved about Adam. After about 10 minutes, she interrupted the comfortable silence and said,

"The social worker's coming today." He turned towards her with interest and concern in his eyes',

"Why?" he asked warily, he knew of Daniel's threats, she had told him. She gave him a half smile that was barely a smile while staring ahead, 

"I don't know, but Daniel didn't seem worried so.." she trailed off.

"You could do it you know?" he suggested with wariness, he knew how Selene felt about this. Her head whipped towards him,

"No, he was serious, I'm not risking Danny." Adam sighed,

"I'm suggesting it, because do you really think he''ll let you go when you turn 18. College will not be the paradise you were imagining, if you make it past the transition that is." She sighed, and looked him in the eye with exhaustion and pain coating her features,

"I know, but there isn't much I can do." He conceded with a slight tilt of his head. He understood. She turned away and stared off, then her head shot up. She turned towards him again and randomly said,

"I want to laugh." The corners of his eyes' crinkled causing his eyes' to sparkle as he pursed his lips,

"Is that so?" She flashed him a smile. "What does the chicken say when it crosses the road." She started smiling, and they were both laughing as she hit him on the arm and accused,

"I meant something funny!" He smirked at her,

"Yet you're laughing." She made a face at him,

"This is a fluke." He smiled down on her goofily,

"Yet then why are my magic Spidy-truth-telling senses tingling?" She held out her hand and replied in a Yoda impersonation,

"Use the Force you must young Skywalker." They both burst out laughing as they used the two plastic sparks Adam had brought for lunch as lightsabers, Adam starring as Obi Wan Kenobi, and Selene starring as Anakin Skywalker.

*************************

After lunch she went through school in a much better mood than that she had arrived with, but was still in constant pain as her teachers talked about Finals. She could barely hear what they were saying over the roar of blood in her ears'. When her last period ended, she stumbled out of class and met Rico at his locker,"Rico!" He turned from his locker which had photographs of beautiful landscapes stuck all over, Rico loved photography.

"Erica's coming at 6, get everyone, I'm taking the half shift till 5, get the house and everyone ready, kay?" He nodded, then rushed over to her as she stumbled and leaned her back against the cool lockers to steady herself.

"Are you sure you're well enough to work?" he asked, his eyes' reading concern, as he let her lean on him slightly, he was strong for a 13 year old. Selene let go of him and nodded,

"I'm fine. Don't forget to get everyone ready for Erica." He nodded and with a few backward glances of concern left.