dinohigh, no humans allowed!

The early morning light filtered through the kitchen window, casting a gentle glow over the room. I sat at the breakfast table, feeling the weight of my mother's intense gaze. She was bustling around the kitchen, her movements tense and hurried as she prepared breakfast. The smell of bacon and pancakes was almost comforting, but it was overshadowed by the anxiety radiating from her.

"Can you believe this?" Mom said abruptly, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger. She was flipping pancakes with a flick of her wrist, but her eyes were fixed on me. "Have you seen the news? Those creatures are causing chaos everywhere."

"I know, Mom," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "But I have to go. It's the first day, and I don't want to fall behind. Besides, it's supposed to be a fresh start."

Mom's face twisted with worry as she set a plate of pancakes in front of me. "A fresh start? At a school where they're letting in every kind of dangerous creature, including—God forbid—humans? I don't want you out there with those… those threats!"

Dad wandered into the kitchen, his hair tousled and a sleepy look in his eyes. He wore a faded tie-dye shirt and cargo shorts, a stark contrast to Mom's tightly pulled-back hair and impeccably ironed blouse. "Morning, everyone," he said, his voice relaxed and carefree. He grabbed a cup of coffee and took a long sip.

"Morning, Dad," I replied, trying to ignore the tension between him and Mom. "Did you remember the polearm?"

Dad's eyes lit up, and he gave me a grin. "Yep, it's in the car. Packed it up nice and tight. Didn't want it getting scratched or anything."

Mom's expression darkened as she turned to face him. "You're giving her that? A polearm? What on earth were you thinking, Bob? She's going to be walking through a gauntlet of those… those foreign creatures! This is just going to make her a target!"

Dad shrugged, his laid-back demeanor unwavering. "Look, Linda, it's just a precaution. If things get rough, she's got a way to defend herself. It's not like she'll be using it on every little thing. It's just there to give her some confidence."

Mom's hands clenched into fists as she turned back to me. "Confidence? You think confidence will keep her safe from those rapists and murderers? Do you have any idea what they've done already? There were reports of students being attacked on the first day! You could be next! You need to be careful out there. And that armor you're wearing—it's too revealing! You're practically asking for trouble!"

"I'm wearing it because it's protective," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "And Dad thought it would be good for me to learn how to use the polearm. It's supposed to help me defend myself."

Mom's face flushed with anger and fear. "He thought it would be good? Good for what? To make you a bigger target? To show off that you're 'prepared'? It's not just about looking prepared; it's about staying alive! Those things out there, they're not just wild animals—they're dangerous, predatory! You're putting yourself at risk just by walking out the door like that!"

Dad, who had been quietly sipping his coffee, finally spoke up, his voice serious but calm. "Linda, I know you're scared, and I get that. But if she's going to be out there, we've got to give her some tools to handle herself. I've taught her how to use the polearm properly, and if she needs to defend herself, she'll know how. And you know what? If things get really bad… if anyone dares to touch my daughter, I swear I'll make sure they regret it. I won't stand for anyone harming her, not now, not ever."

Mom's eyes widened at Dad's sudden display of intensity. For a moment, her fear seemed to recede, replaced by a mix of surprise and unease. "Bob, you can't be serious. This is not about us being able to protect her. This is about a system failing and letting dangerous beings into a place where our children are supposed to be safe."

Dad gave me a reassuring smile, though there was a hard edge to his expression. "Look, hun, if you find yourself in a tight spot, aim for their legs first. Knock them off balance, then go for the head. It's a solid tactic. You've got this."

Mom looked between Dad and me, her face contorted with anxiety. "Just be careful, okay? And don't let them see you as an easy target. I don't want you out there, but if you have to be, then… just make sure you're not putting yourself in more danger."

Dad grabbed his keys from the counter and gestured for me to follow him. "Alright, let's get you to school. We'll figure this out."

Mom's eyes followed us as we headed for the door. "Please, be safe. And remember, keep your wits about you. Don't let those... foreigners think they can take advantage of you."

As we walked to the car, I felt a mix of apprehension, but I also didn't want this to control me. Dad's casual demeanor and Mom's genuine worry and concerns, I tried to focus on the positive aspects of starting fresh at the new school, but the reality of the situation was that I really was walking into the maws of Dino High. The only question was, would I let myself be devoured by it, or did I even have the ability to prevent that outcome? Maybe Mom was right; I was over my head, but I need to go to school early and make some friends and allies; otherwise, all the cliques will form around me, and I'll be alone for the non Dinos to pick on, or worse...

The drive to school was quiet, the hum of the engine a constant backdrop to my swirling thoughts. Dad's occasional glances at me in the rearview mirror were filled with a mixture of encouragement and concern. I could sense his desire to support me while grappling with the same fears that Mom had.

When we arrived at school, the rain had lessened to a drizzle, but the sky remained overcast. The large stone building loomed in front of us, its once pristine exterior now marred by years of wear and tear. The front lawn was muddy from the rain, and a few early students milled about, their conversations muffled by the steady drip of water from the eaves.

"Here we are," Dad said as he parked the car. He turned to me, his expression a blend of pride and worry. "You're going to do great. Just remember everything we talked about. Stay alert, stay focused."

"Thanks, Dad," I said, my voice barely audible. I opened the car door and stepped out, the cold air hitting me like a shock. The polearm strapped to my back felt heavy, but also strangely reassuring.

As I walked up the steps, I could feel the eyes of my peers on me, them loitering surrounding the front gate, the inviting, sinister maw of Dino High's open gates. Some stared with curiosity; they had never seen a Stegosaur before. Others looked with barely concealed disdain, probably people who had seen a Stegosaur before or, worse, interacted with one and remembered just how much they hated it.

The weight of their eyes on me was almost tangible. It felt like a murderous look—or worse, like they were groping and feeling me up with their eyes. I saw some of them lick their lips or stare at me, but not at eye level. Instead, their gazes were more focused on my chest or backside. Some of the more well-dressed ones were staring at my hair or my legs. I kind of felt relieved that if they were objectifying me, at least some of them had the decency to appreciate the whole package and not just the shallow things. It was as if my brain was trying to comfort itself in a weird, delusional sort of "I'm safe, trust me" kind of way.

But I kept my head low and stepped forward faster, trying to avoid bumping into anyone. It was hard with these large back and tail plate scales and my massive spiked tail.

The hallway was bustling with students; it was deafening. I felt queasy and couldn't hear myself think. It sounded like a roar of dinosaurs and archosaurs of every type, in high and low pitches, in grunts and calls. It was so overwhelming that I felt like I was going to vomit.

Autism, please don't act up right now; this is my first day!