Arthur

The fist struck Iris square on the nose, sending her back to the ground on her rear. Now sitting on the pavement, next to the redhead, Iris cups her throbbing nose.

"Are you ok?" The whiny voice says. Iris thought it odd he was so concerned about someone he had just hit before she realized he was speaking to the other girl.

"I'm ok Arthur." The girl answers. "Just a little shaken up."

At hearing the name, Iris looks up at the boy who had hit her, through the tussled hair covering her face. He was a quirky looking one, the way his face twists with concern, if not oddly charming in his own way. His short red hair a mess on top of his head while untamed green eyes look over the girl who was obviously his sister.

"I'm fine too. No need to worry about me, Arthur." Iris says with only a hint of sarcasm.

"Oh my god." Arthur's voice now in a panic. "I'm so sorry. I took you for an assailant. I didn't realize... Here, let me help you up." He stretches out a hand to help Iris up. "I mistook you for a..."

"You wouldn't be the first." Iris says, taking his hand and climbing to her feet. Brushing the hair from her face, the siblings finally see her clearly for the first time in eight years.

"My dear, your bleeding." Victoria gasps raising a hand to her own mouth.

"My utmost apologies. Here, allow me." Arthur insists while producing a handkerchief from his pocket.

"Thanks but I got it." Iris takes the cloth to blot her bleeding nose.

"Forgive me but do I know you from somewhere?" Arthur inquires.

"Seriously?" Iris answers a bit perturbed. "First, you hit me. Now, you don't even recognize me? It would have been better had I ran into Victor."

"Iris?!" Victoria exclaims.

"No!" Is all Arthur manages from his shock.

"What are you doing here? I never thought we would see you again." Victoria, wearing the all-white school uniform, has already straightened out her hair and clothes to once again look perfect and moves in to hug her old friend.

"Yes, it's me." Iris admits awkwardly, painfully aware of the stark contrast in their appearance as she hugged Victoria. So far, her friends were not helping with the feeling that she simply did not belong here. "I am supposed to be attending the school this year but... I just don't know."

"That would be wonderful." Insists Victoria. "You can help me keep an eye on Arthur." She giggles.

"It would be nice to have you around again. Someone to help keep Victor in check." Arthur says. "Have you registered yet?"

"No." Iris looks down at her feet and disheveled clothes.

"Not to worry. We can stop by my room and take care of that nose... And your hair. You can get changed. Then I'll take you by the office and show you around." Victoria grabs her hand and begins pulling her to the main entrance.

Iris still felt oddly out of place and looked to Arthur for support. He had always been sweet to her in the past and she hoped he understood now more than ever. "I..." She began to say before being cut off by the boy.

"Just remember, none of them are as confident or perfect as they look." Arthur's words gave Iris the conviction she needed to remember her own strength and the crowd felt just a little less threatening. Maybe this arrangement wouldn't be so bad after all. Iris had missed her old friends and it would be nice to catch up with them after these past eight years. The twins seemed like they had done a lot of growing up since last she had seen them.

Victoria pulls Iris along, through the throng of students, into the main building of the school, leaving Arthur behind. They make a quick turn to the left, down the main hall, and towards the girls' dormitory. Iris was barely able to keep ahold of her bag as she was practically dragged by the arm. Victoria looks over her shoulder and smiles without saying a word. She hardly resembles the quiet little girl Iris once knew.