She took a drag on her cigarette, oblivious to everything. She didn't know she was different, she didn't know she was being watched, she didn't even know her own name. But she was Icicle, and she always will be, whether she knows it or not.

"Lana! Hey, Lana! Over here!" a girl with bright red hair called out. She turned, threw down her cigarette, and answered "Uh, oh, hey Claire." "Going to the movie tonight, Lan?" Claire looked hopeful. "Uhm, I really can't Sorry." "Oh, well, why not?" Claire continued, pouting. But Lana had already ran away. "How impolite…" Claire whispered to herself, not bothering to let anyone else hear.

"Thank God I'm out of there. How much of that can one person TAKE?" she said to herself as she entered her small apartment. She hated school. It wasn't because she was stupid or anything, she got straight A's. Well, she would get straight A's if she bothered to do her homework. But learning, however necessary, is VERY boring, and the kids were awful. They picked a few people at random (most likely the best looking people) and practically worshipped them. Unfortunately, her light blue hair and eyes made her a "project" among the popular. They wanted to turn her into something she wasn't, them. It made her sick, they didn't care if a girl with geeky glasses had a great personality, she just wasn't pretty enough for them. And that was all that mattered, of course. Looks.

She picked up the phone. There was no need to get worked up about these kids. After seven hours of her weekdays they were out of her life. What she did need to worry about was calling Vera before it was too late to do anything. After the standard three rings she got an answer. Lana smiled with relief as Vera asked "L?! Is that you?" "Nope, it's Martha Stewart. Of course it's me! I just got home." "Then I'll see you in a few," Vera said abruptly, and they hung up in unison.

Lana gave a slight grin. That was what she liked about her only friend, Vera. They thought alike. Only there was the one thing, which made all the difference in the world. Vera was a dropout. Lana could never quit school. Sure she wanted to, but something always held her back. It was weird. All she understood about it was that she could not quit.

She glanced at her watch, and shoved all the thought out of her head. Vera should be heading up the stairs by now. She popped open the door, waiting. "L!" Vera called. "Hey," Lana answered with a hint of a grin, "So how are we celebrating misery today?" "I was thinking that it was your turn to decide." "Oh." Lana had no intention to determine their plans for the day. "So? What is it? Trick a kid into buying a fake ID from us or something?" "Vera, nothing cruel… you know." "No! Nothing cruel. Just mess with the kid's head and give his money back in the end. Nothing our mommies wouldn't approve of… well, sort of." Lana twisted up her face. "Fine."

She didn't like to give in but what can she do? It wasn't like she had a better idea. So they would hit the parks and look for a kid who wanted an ID. They wouldn't actually get 'em one. Or at least Vera promised they wouldn't, although she did have a feeling Vera would need the money or something, and give him one. But Lana really didn't go for all that. It wasn't even legal. As little as she cared for rules, some rules were not meant to be messed with. For example, federal offences. And THAT is the Golden Rule. Forget all this nice to people junk. All you have to do to follow that rule is to not do anything that can land you a spot in jail. Unfortunately, Vera wasn't a follower of The Improved Golden Rule, she really didn't care about anything.