“Oh, hello, my dear Ayako Gray. Have you been, by any chance, avoiding me?” She gestured towards herself, her maroon curls bouncing. “Why would you? I’m simply a doll, anybody who’s anybody prays to be in my presence.” She smirked. “I mean, you’re pretty lucky to have a Red like me be your neighbor. Maybe, if we hung out more, you’d ACTUALLY have friends!” Natalie giggled. “Oh, who am I kidding? You are a Gray, and a Gray, no matter who they hang out with, can never be compared to a Red as amazing and glamorous as me.”

“It's too early for this. Just go away...” I muttered.

Natalie’s head whipped towards me. “Hmm? Did you say something, Gray?”

I tried to walk away from her. I really did try.

But sometimes fate has other plans.

“You little-” she squealed. “You listen here, Gray. I am superior. I am more amazing that you could ever be. And I expect a dowdy little nobody to listen to me when I say this; I want you out of this building. I don’t care if you have to live on the streets.”

I scoffed. “Listen, Gnat, I swear to God if you don’t stop bothering me I will retaliate.”

“Whatcha gonna do, Gray? Use your powers?” She cackled, and then, did something I never expected her to do.

She attacked.

A small crimson light came out of her hand, and a searing pain took over the left side of my face.

Perhaps she ruined my face for hours, perhaps minutes.

I really couldn’t tell. But when she was done, she gave one final laugh and said, “Ta-ta, Gray. Hope your little tattoo doesn’t cause everybody to hate you more!” Then, she stepped onto the elevator

Tattoo? What does that mean?

Scared, I pulled out my phone and looked at my face.

What I saw made my stomach drop.

Written on my face was the word “Gray” written in bold letters.

As if I wasn’t already the out one out.

If I had powers, perhaps I would be able to heal myself. But since I don’t, All I could do was quickly rush to my apartment, clean out the wound, and then try to find something to cover my face.

It didn’t seem real, it was as if I was dreaming.

Somehow, I managed, yes, the hydrogen peroxide stung, yes, it looked as if a bloody murder just took place in my house, but somehow, I still was on my feet.

After I cleaned my face, I realized I didn’t have anything to hide my tattoo, as Natalie called it.

Oh well, who cares?

It’s not as if my name is known across the country.

Suddenly, I realized I was late for school. It wasn’t uncommon, sure, tons of kids in my homeroom showed up late.

But when the quiet, supposedly stupid Gray pops into the classroom, you can be sure that the consequences in my case, will be much more harmful to my school life.

I rush to the elevator and hail a taxi, swiping a newspaper from a stand. A young man dressed in green picks me up.

“Location?”

“Red 14 Public High School, please.”

He nodded and began to drive.