Identity: Glitch

Chapter 1: First Day Jitters

The alarm goes off, and I am wide awake after just a sec of my brain starting up. I stretch my limbs, feeling the familiar ache of muscles unused, and know that this is a big day for me. For me, and my family: my mother that is. 
Today is the first day of school over at Whiskerwood High. It's a new beginning, a chance to leave our old life behind and start anew. My mother calls this place "Eden," but I know better than to trust paradise. Our past has taught us that no place is truly safe.
You know, I am just a normal 18-year-old, fairly big tail, nice shades of grey and black for my fur, everything average, everything normal. Everything except for one thing: I don’t have a heart. Not in the usual way anyway. Yours might beat to spread oxygen, mine beats to spread my hydrocooler which happens to also transfer oxygen into my limbs. I am an Android.
DEL-E.T. has been after us ever since I booted up on day 1. You might be wondering why, but frankly I couldn’t tell you even if I wanted to. My mother, the amazing woman she is, knows much better than I do. She created me with her own two paws. For all I know, I am special, and one of the first ever working prototypes. My mother always tells me to be cautious about my identity, because once DEL-E.T. finds me, well… Let’s just say that means no good for me.
Listening to some music I hop around my room playful as the wind and take on my clothes as I download the newest update my mother has cooked up for breakfast. Ta, ta, ta da… In the heart of the forest where the wild ferns grow- ooh I found you, you, you! … hm, hm, hm.
"Glitch, are you listening?" My mother's voice snaps me back to reality, and I trip over my paws. A silly mistake. Ouch. She's always been one to worry. "I've reprogrammed your disguise to blend in with the locals. Make sure you don't draw any attention. Only turn this off if absolutely necessary, otherwise you may do things that others won’t be able to."
I glance down at myself and shrug, smiling at the fact that I just trip over my very own paws. The amount my strength is reduced seems a bit much, but it should do the trick, probably. I can only hope my mother has accounted for everything.
"I will," I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel. There's no use worrying her any further. We both know what's at stake.
As we make our way to school, I can't help but feel a sense of dread creeping up on me. The thought of making new friends seems daunting, especially when my existence is a closely guarded secret between my mother and me. But that's neither here nor there - today is about starting fresh and leaving the past behind.
"Glitch," my mother whispers, "remember what you are."

"An android," I nod, and respond without missing a beat. It's who I am, or at least it was until I arrived here. "But now, I'm just like everyone else."
She gives me a small smile before adding, "Just be careful."
With that, I hug her as per usual, and we part ways, her going home, and I head into the school. The atmosphere is electric, my programming tells I have a mixture of nervous energy and excitement. I can't help but feel out of place amidst the sea of living students. But there's no turning back now. I take a deep breath, and my cooling system happily responds: “Optimal temperature reached” as I walk towards the main entrance.
"Good morning," I say to the receptionist, my voice echoing slightly in my own ears. "I'm here for my first day."
She smiles warmly at me, her eyes scanning my face. "Welcome, Glitch," she replies, glancing down at the digital student ID I handed her. "You must be excited!"
Excited? Right. That is what my programming told me to do. I am blending in. But I also feel a sense of fear creeping up from behind, ready to choke me. What if they find out?
"Not really," I admit, hoping I don't sound as awkward as I feel. "But it's a fresh start."
She nods understandingly and hands me my schedule. "Well, have a great day, Glitch! Enjoy your first day of school!"
As I walk down the hallway, I can't help but feel like a fish out of water. But today is the day I become just another student - or so I hope. I am ready for whatever might come next.