Thirty-six: surrounded by strangers

Temperance

"No offense but what kind of name is Temperance? I mean it's pretty... it's just odd." A body appears next to me, bumping their shoulder into mine.

With furrowed brows, I look up at the culprit who has ruined my focus on keeping myself from wobbling.

A girl stands beside me, she's tall so she looks down at me. She gives me a small smile, not making any effort to get out of my bubble.

It's my first day at this damned school and I already have someone bothering me.

"How do you know my name?" I question, not remembering her face from either of my first classes. "My friend shares the first block with you." She tilts her head, moving a hair out of my face.

I pull my head back, my back hitting the lockers behind me. I wince in pain as her arms extend for me, ready to yank me away from the lockers.

"Are you ok?" She asks me as I swat her hand away from me.

"Why are you talking to me so early? Can't you see I'm upset by your presence?" I can't help my outburst, the irritatio