@sevenelevend

 Alice stared down at the class schedule in her hands and sighed, wondering, not for the first time, how she'd gotten here. She had the terrible feeling she'd gone and opened one of those stupid talking dimensional doors, and now... well, this wasn't Wonderland, that was for damn sure. And she wasn't home, either. But she knew what to do, by now, when faced with a situation like this. First was lodging--she'd agreed to work at a used bookshop in exchange for reduced rent on an apartment over a garage next door to the shop. Then there was the matter of school, and people throwing out phrases like 'orphan' and 'emancipated minor'. She couldn't get away with not attending. 

Well, regardless, she was here now, and as her eyes took in the situation, she knew it was the same. The popular kids, the bullies, the losers, the outcasts, and the faceless multitudes in the background. The teachers won't help, so don't expect it. The other kids might be out for blood, so be prepared to hit back. But mostly? Just keep your head down, Alice, until you get a handle on things here. How much of a good girl to pretend to be? How much of her real self could she let out? Probably none, judging by the atmosphere. Well, that was fine. Not like she could talk about her past anyway, or she’d sound crazy.

Was there anyone else who seemed out of the loop? She scanned her homeroom class from the door--no assigned seating, apparently. Ah! There was an empty seat next to the guy in the trench coat. Perfect. She'd sit there. She slid into the seat, glancing over at him.