A new school in a new country, as if school wasn't bad by itself. That was just how it was for Zacharie. Moving to the USA from France, a move his parents decided was smart after him having only a few English lessons. Of course, it wasn't. He eyed all the other kids, watching their mouths move, but not understanding a single word that came from them. He watched their eyes follow him with every step he took, and there was that gut feeling that they were talking about him. Well, it would make sense: the new kid always had to be gossiped about. Zacharie just wished he could understand their mockeries.

It almost saddened him, watching all the other students with their friends. Even in his old school he never really had any friends. He was just that kid that sat on his own in lunch, watching everyone else, trying not to be noticed by a few certain people, always hiding and feeling unsafe. Zacharie really didn't want to think about that though, he still lived in constant fear.

This time, however, he was determined to change that; he didn't want to feel afraid anymore. They couldn't hurt him now. After he was confident with his English, Zach promised himself that he would talk to people. This time he would try to make friends.

The French boy stood still for a moment, tugging on the cat-like mask that covered his face to secure his features were hidden from sight. In fact, he was surprised that he hadn't been asked about it yet, but there was still time for that. That was another thing that worried him. There was a few reasons why he never had friends back at his other school, and his mask was one of them. That, and the factor that caused him to wear it.

He decided, however, that he'd be more open about it this time, and that he wouldn't just shoo people away when they asked about it. That way, he could make friends. Secrets were a main part of friendship after all, weren't they? Zach just hoped he wouldn't tell the wrong people.

There were still ten minutes until lessons started (which were replaced by English lessons for him), so there wouldn't be any harm in exploring the surroundings for a short while. The playground seemed like a reasonable place to start, being that was where he currently stood. It also gave him a chance to look at some of new people, so that he could decide who he wanted as a friend. He tugged the straps on his backpack and cracked a small smile as he scanned his eyes over the place- apart from the language difference, it didn't look too bad after all.