zMac'nCheese

The Long Lost Lab Notes of Katrina Fitzgerald

                                             

The Long Lost Lab Notes of Katrina Fitzgerald

Monday - I entered the lab in the computer science wing, one of my favorite places to do my daily assignments.  Looking in my book I saw that I had an advanced Biology project:  Write a step by step plan on how to dissect a reptile of my choice.   Then on presentation day, while using a diagram, follow your plan and show how to dissect your subject in front of the class.  "Sounds easy enough" I thought.  And for the most part it was, but the diagram was a problem, because I had no idea what I should I do for that.  "Oh well, I just can't think on Mondays" I said, so I got to work on the step by step plan.  At lunch I had already decided I would dissect a tortoise.  About a third of the way through I packed up and went back to my dorm to study with my roommate Trisha for a Mandarin test the next day.

Tuesday - Back in the lab.  I was almost halfway through my plan when I realized that I still had no idea about what I was going to do for my diagram.  What to do, what to do.  I normally have an idea after a day and a half of thinking.  I was distracted from my thoughts by the sound of someone coming through the door.  "Katrina?" the someone said.  "Back here Molly"  I said.  "Hey, are you O.K.?  You were really quiet at lunch today."  "I'm fine" I told her.  "I just have to get ready for the trigonometry mid-term, plot exactly where the city of Atlantis was based on the clues given and  geographical pinpoints, map out a new constellation that has to look like SOMETHING and give  it a myth to go along with it, and finish with a two thousand word essay about my opinion on Socrates' theory of the world.  "Yikes!, that must suck" Molly said.  "Yeah, you think?" I replied.  After a five minute pause of absolute silence I said "So... you.. want to help me?"  "Nah, I have much better things to do" she answered.   "Molly!"  I yelled.   "Just kidding!" she said. " So about that constellation..." I started, and we got to work.  Only two hours later we were completely finished.  "Thank you so much.  What would I do without you?" I asked.  "Not much" Molly said.  "Hey" I yelled.  "Kidding, kidding" she said.  "I need your help on one last thing..." and then I proceeded to tell her the whole diagram thing and then she replied "I have a great idea and it's so simple!  Get.... a real tortoise!"  "Are you insane? I asked.  "Maybe a little, but I have to go, good luck with that Katrina!" she yelled over her shoulder as she left.  I am going to need it I thought.  But that was when it hit me, if I can't use a real tortoise, why not the next best thing?  I ran back to my dorm to get started.

Dear Diary Journal-ish Thing, Its Wednesday

Dear Diary Journal-ish Thing,

OK, soooooooooo. I have a story. Once upon there was a lovely maiden that lived as a peasant, although she was TOTALLYYYYY princess material. She swept the fire places and cooked and cleaned and had to eat gruel and water every night. One day as she was taking a break in the garden, the snobby, stuck up, rude, annoying and gorgeous but still ugly on the inside and that is all that really matters came up to her and said "Um, why aren't you working on my project?" and then dragged her away and she was never seen again.

Sound familiar? Well, it shouldn't because it happened to ME. Kayla is just unbelievable. Ugh. She makes my want to pull out my hair. Today at lunch i was about to take a bite of my PB and J sandwich when I see her manicured hand wrap around my skinny arm.

"Let's go," she said.

"Where?" I struggled away from her. She's pretty, but she has no upper body strength at all.

"To do my poster. I mean, it HAS to be great, or else, like, um, its all your fault." She twisted a piece of blond hair between her slender fingers.

So she made me go to Ms. H and ask for a pass to stay for the rest of lunch (I had to repeat the question four times. Every time i asked it she was like "DAH." And I said, so can I have the pass? And she said "Vut pass? You say nothing about pass."), but we couldn't so we stayed after school. I stayed and asked Senora Colman about fifty question about our homework assignment after 8th period, took about ten minutes at my locker, and then used the bathroom and wash my hands like a crazy person. So then when i got there she was like "Ugh. Where WERE you?!" and I was like "OH, SORRY! I LOST TRACK OF TIME." Then, she made me do the project and then i said "That's enough!" and used my super ninja skills to karate chop her into 35 pieces. Yeah, I didn't think you believe that. Actually, she made me do it and then she started eating a plain salad (because apparently, dressing is for "fat people") right in front of me.

And I still haven't found a date. Red is getting closer and closer to asking Scott out. It was all she could talk about in Spanish today.

"... SO that's why i can tell we are soul mates," she said finishing her epic on how the are meant to be. "Right?"

"Wah? Yeah, whatever," I had long since been tuning her out.

"I know right!" she didn't notice or didn't care about my reply. "I'm just waiting for the right time, you know and-" Red stopped short. "He. Is. Walking. Over. HERE!! Omigod omigod omigod!!!! This is it! I knew he saw the chemistry too! Do I look OK?"

"Uh huh," I so didn't have time for this. I had to think about my OWN guy troubles. Scott came up to our desks.

"Scarlett? I have a question," Scott said looking at the floor.

"Yes! Absolutely yes!" Red couldn't contain herself.

"Do you have the social studies homework, cause I forgot to copy it down."

Red blinked a few times. "Um, yeah," she cleared her throat. "Sure."

Jeez. We should give up guys for good. I mean, Red only likes Scott and we can all tell THATS going nowhere, and I sure don't have any luck at this. So ya know what? I'm just going to stop caring about status and popularity and BOYS.

Ugh. This is NOT working. I think I need a better strategy.

The Bunny Story

Once long ago, there lived a family of rabbits. The father was Bob Bunny, the mother was Barbara Bunny, the son was Brendan Bunny, the older daughter was Beatrice Bunny, and the youngest, was Betsy Bunny.  Betsy Bunny had always been one of the most unique little girl bunnies, in Bunnytopia, the land in which all of the rabbits lived.  She never played with dolls, or cooked with her mother, like all of the other little girl bunnies did.   The only thing that she liked to do was paint.  She painted pictures of sunsets over the ocean, of little bunny children playing in the park and and under the famous willow tree that Bunnytopia was settled under, and of the flowers in her mother's garden.  But the thing that Betsy Bunny liked to paint the most was pictures of bunny couples falling in love, or getting married, or just being together.  Love was always on Betsy Bunny's mind.  She dreamed of the day when she could marry the man of her dreams, Brent Bernstein, who Betsy thought was the most adorable bunny in Bunnytopia.  Brent Bernstein was a famous rock star in Bunnytopia whom all the little bunny girls fawned over.  Betsy was obsessed.  She had posters of Brent in her room, she had cut out pictures of him all over her school books, she owned every one of his CD's, and she thought of him and his gorgeous voice constantly.  She had never met Brent Bernstein, but Betsy dreamed of the day that she could.

Betsy Bunny wasn't the prettiest or most popular little girl bunny at her school, Bruce Baker Elementary School.  But she had one best friend, and she believed that that was all she needed.  Betsy's best friend's name was Belinda Bernard.  Belinda and Betsy had been friends since they had been in the second grade.  They were always there for each other, and thought of each other like sisters.

One day, Betsy and Belinda walked from school to Betsy's house, so that they could do their homework and play outside together.  When they to Betsy's house, they sat down at the kitchen table to have an after-school snack.  Mrs. Bunny, Betsy's mother, had turned on the radio and was listening to the number one station in Bunnytopia, called Bernie Bickerson's Top 100 Hits Show.  Betsy and Belinda listened while eating their snack.  Bernie Bickerson, the hostess of the show, was giving away tickets to see the oh-so-famous Brent Bernstein live in performance, with special V.I.P. tickets to meet Brent backstage after the show.  Betsy and Belinda could hardly believe their ears, so they called the number needed to win, and what do you know?  They won the tickets!  When Betsy and Belinda found out that they'd won, they screamed so loud that they lost their voices for the rest of the day!  Their life-long dreams had finally come true!

On the night of the concert, Mr. Bunny drove Betsy and Belinda to the concert hall.  The girls watched the performance in bliss, as they realized that they had never been closer to their big crush.  After the unbelievable show, Mr. Bunny escorted Betsy and Belinda backstage so that they could finally meet Brent Bernstein.

Betsy and Belinda walked into the room where they were to meet Brent, and were very soon to realize that Brent was the most obnoxious, rudest, and most stuck-up rabbit in all of Bunnytopia.  He didn't even acknowledge Betsy and Belinda.  Brent was too concerned with his hair, and making sure that he was being paid for the concert that he had just performed.  Betsy and Belinda were also shocked to find out that Brent lip-synced!  Betsy felt so stupid to have fallen head-over-heels for a guy who was a total fake!  She and Belinda ran out of the concert hall crying, with Mr. Bunny trailing behind them and trying to keep up.

Only a few short years later, Betsy and Belinda sat in Belinda's backyard, drinking lemonade and recalling the night of the concert.  They thought long and hard about their story, and realized that they had loved Brent Bernstein for his music and his looks, but they had never encountered Brent's real personality.  After that fateful concert night, Betsy and Belinda had completely stopped obsessing over Brent.  They had thrown out all of their Brent Bernstein posters and CDs.  They vowed never to like him again, and also vowed never to love someone for their exterior but more for their interior.  But that is how it should always be; people should always love others for what's on the inside such as intellect, personality, and thoughts  and not just for a person's  looks and what they have done in life --and Betsy and Belinda will always remember that. 

What a Week it Was!

            Every year we make these pies called scallion pies.  They are really good, but there is a lot of work to make them.  The whole process takes close to a week!

            Even though the process takes close to a week, there isn't even a lot of stuff in them.  You have the dough, then scallions, olives, anchovies (optional) and then another layer of dough.  You may be wondering how it takes about a week to make these pies when there isn't even a lot of stuff in them.

            Well....

            The first part of the process is the scallions and there are a few steps just to them.:

1. We have to order them which ends up being about 4-5 boxes which is hundreds of scallions.
2. My dad washes them and takes off the ends.
3. We then have to cut them into decent size pieces.
4. Once the cutting is done, my mom and/or my grandma fry them.
5. The scallions are done and ready to be used for the pies.

            Once doing all the scallions are done, it's been about 5 days!

           The next part of the process is the olives which my sisters and I enjoy helping with.  There aren't as many steps for them as there are for the scallions.

1. Open up the jars and pour the olives into a strainer to drain the juice into a Tupperware.
2. Take a jar and SMASH  the olives!
3. Cut the olives once they have been smashed.
4. Put the cut olives into the juice.
5. Once all the olives are smashed, cut and in the juice, they are ready for the pies.

            For the anchovies, you don't have to worry about doing anything with them until the day you are making the pies.

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            After all of the preparation, it is finally time to make the pies!  When we make the pies, there are a few steps to making them.:

1. The first step is to make the dough for the bottom.
2. Then you have to roll it out for whatever size cookie sheet it is going on.
3. Once you get it to the right size, you have to get it in the cookie sheet.
4. When the dough is in the cookie sheet, you take the scallions and put them along the bottom.
5. If you are making it with anchovies, you take them and arrange them on the  scallions.
6. After putting the anchovies on, you add the oil from the anchovie can. 
7. If you aren't making it with anchovies, then you just put on the oil from the can.
8. You put the olives all around the pie.
9. Once everything is on the pie that you want to be on, you roll out more dough for the top.
10. When the top is on, you roll off the excess dough.
11. After rolling off the excess dough, you take a fork and push the dough to close the sides.
12. Take the fork again and poke holes in the top.
13. Take a basting brush and lightly put a little bit of oil over the top.
14. Put it in the oven to cook.
15. Take it out when it is done.
16. You have a scallion pie!

            This is how to make a scallion pie.  If you think that there is a lot of work to this pie, you don't want to even know about the pies we make the day after Easter!

Secrets Will Always Find a Way to the Open (A Sequel to Alberto Lennard Academy) Ch 7

    "Oh-k we're here!  What's the emergency?!"  I heard Michaels exclaimed swinging the door open.  I laughed because Cole K, Michaels, Josh and Kurt were ready to attack.
    "Oh nothing much really."  Molly started off.  "Just that Michelle's unconscious in the hospital, David isn't behind bars like he should be, there have been 2 Staff Meetings already in 1 school year, and we almost got expelled for saving our school from total ruin.  Nothing too bad though."  Molly finished.  I stopped myself from laughing.
    "Oh-k so there are a lot of emergencies."  Cole K said.  I nodded.
    "No time for fooling around you two.  We've got a possible threat lurking around the hallways and you're learning your numbers."  Trisha said.  Cole K and Michaels acted offended and I rolled my eyes.
    "Wait.  Michelle's in the hospital?"  Seth asked.  I saw his eyes flash with worry for a split second and I had a confused look on my face.
    "Yeah why?"  Katrina asked.  Everyone seemed to be clueless except for the guys and myself about what was up with Seth.
    "N-No reason."  I watched him shift his weight from one foot to the other while shifting his gaze from us to the door, to the floor, back to the door, back to the floor, and stayed there.  I made a mental note for later.
    "Either way we need a plan of action."  Julie said.
    "We kind of have to tell them first!"  Katrina exclaimed.
    "Oh yeah."  Julie said smiling sheepishly.  So we all explained it all.  The Staff Meeting, David, the classified library, the ninja, kung-fu battle scene, the thing in Dean Withers' office, and then I was forced along with Matt, to tell everyone about the gym incident.
    "Oh-k so now we all know what's going on."  Molly said.  "I think just because everything between Matt and Sue worked out, they should hug."  I lightly hit her on the head and felt arms wrap around me from behind.  I turned to see Matt.  I hugged him back and a chorus of ' awe's ' were heard.  I pulled away and stuck my tongue out at everyone else.
    "So you guys beat the crap out of 30 or so full grown men who must've had proper training, in skirts?"  Josh asked.  The rest of the girls and I nodded.  "Remind me never to get you guys mad."  we all laughed and walked out of Trisha's portal door and out to the front of the dorm building.  I walked over to Seth and walked with him.
    "Hey Seth."  I said.  He nodded.  "I saw what you were doing earlier today.  I'm not a body language specialist but you looked worried.  I thought you guys hated each other.  Not to pry or anything."  I said.  I saw Seth's face turn a little pink as he looked forward.
    "Nope.  She's just known as Cole Michaels' ex-girlfriend."  I rolled my eyes.
    "You cant really think that I'm going to accept that as an answer."  I said.  "I know you guys had talked before.  You were dance partners.  I know you see her as more than your best friend's ex-girlfriend."  Seth turned his head completely away so I only saw the back of his head.  "Fine.  But when you're ready to confess your true feelings, you know where to find me."  I said.  I left him to his thoughts and I walked over to the rest of the group.  Julie and Josh were talking, Trisha and Peter were forming some sort of plan, Molly and Kurt were talking and Amanda, Katrina, and Michaels all started talking.  I walked over to Cole K.  "Hey."

    "Hey yourself."

    "What do you think of Michelle?"  I asked.

    "I don't know.  I don't know her that much so I couldn't say.  Why?"  He responded looking at me as we walked.  I shook my head and moved my gaze to the ground.

    "No reason.  Just never really knew what everyone thought of her.  Just making polite conversation."

    "You worried about her?"  I nodded.

    "A bit.  She hit her head hard and now she's in a coma possibly suffering brain damage.  I'm more scared than worried."  I looked up to see Cole K looking at me with reassuring eyes.  He smiled and said,

    "I'm sure she'll bounce back in no time.  She'll be alright."  I felt my stomach do a single Summer-Salt and I was a bit surprised by it.  But I nodded and just said.

    "Thanks."

    Later that day I was finishing Amanda's outfit for her date and suddenly I just fell asleep on the desk next to the sewing machine.  I woke up about 3 hours with a start.  It was kind of creepy.  It a dream that instead of Matt, I liked Cole K and all the incidents from this past school year was with him.  I slowly made my way from Ms Comet's sewing table in her class out the building and towards the Hyacinth dorms while thinking about the dream I just had. 

    "What was that?"  I mumbled as I climbed into my bed and after finally giving the dream a rest (no pun intended) I fell back into a deep sleep.

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    "Thank you girls for coming down."  The voice of Dean Withers said.  We were back in her office.  Her big swivel arm-chair was turned so we only saw the back of it.  The chair turned revealing David in the chair.  He had Dean Withers' voice though.  We all gasped as David smirked.

    "David what are you doing her?"  we all demanded in unison.  I looked at Molly and Trisha and the other girls and I could tell we were all pissed.

    "Where's Dean Withers?!  I want answers so talk!"  I demanded.  David's smirk only grew bigger.

    "So feisty Susan.  Dean Withers isn't here right now.  She's been arrested."  we all gasped again and i dug my fingernails into the leather arm-chair I was currently seated in.  I ran out of the office, out of the building, across campus, into the Special Operations building, and to Mr S's classroom.  I gasped in horror.  I saw David at the board writing the homework like Mr S did everyday.  He turned to me and said,

    "Mr S can't save you now with his precious lessons."  His voice was now that of Mr S's.

    "You know you sounded more like your normal self with the girl's voice earlier."  He glared and growled slightly.  He started moving towards me the same way he did at the water fountain.  I tried fighting back but i went right through him.  He laughed maniacally.

    "You can't hurt me.  But I can hurt you."  He picked me off my feet by my neck and threw me against a wall.  I collided with the wall and some books fell off a cabinet that was against the same wall.  I struggled to get up and David came closer to me.  I stood up and he lifted his hand.  I flinched waiting for a punch or to be grabbed again but I just felt his finger on my forehead.  I opened my eyes just as he put a little pressure on my forehead and i fell back.  But instead of feeling the wall behind me, I fell through it.  I felt myself fall continuously until I found myself in the Athletic Center and i saw the scene where Matt and I had made up.  I watched as Matt talked to my other self.  Then all of a sudden the other me disappeared and I was in her place.  Matt's back was to me and I walked over.

    "Um, Matt?"  I asked.  I pulled his shoulder and he turned around revealing that he was Cole K.  "C-Cole?"  I asked surprised.  He smirked and pulled his face off.  Yes I mean his face was a mask.  Under it it revealed David once more.  I gasped again and took a step back.

    "Miss me?"  I screamed.

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    "Ahhhhhhhh!"  I sprung up in bed.  It was a still partially dark out and I was sweating.  I was sitting in my bed breathing hard.  It was a dream.  A nightmare.  Just then Amanda, Molly, Trisha, Julie, and Katrina barged through the door.  Trisha had her taser and the rest of them were in fighting stances.

    "What happened?!"  Molly exclaimed.  When they realized it was just me, they lowered their guard. Amanda walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.  She gently put her hand on my arm and I flinched.

    "What happened Sue?  You look pretty spooked."  Molly asked.  I looked over at them and all I could say was,

    "Nightmare."  Julie hugged my while Katrina went to get a bowl of water and a small towel.  She wet the towel in the bowl, rang it out, and handed it 2 me.  I whipped my face from the sweat and my breathing began to go back to normal.  I was finally able to talk.  We moved into the common room area and Trisha, Molly, and Amanda grabbed a bunch of pillows and blankets and we sat in the pile of pillow and blankets.

    "Oh this is perfect I can be like a therapist!"  Molly exclaimed.  She jumped on the couch, lowered her glasses, and looked at me while saying, "Hand how does that make you feel?"  in a sophisticated tone.  I only smiled.  So I told them all what happened in my dream.  But I left out the first dream I had.  Not because it was embarrassing, but it's because my friends were analyzing my dream and I didn't want to hear the possibilities as to what that first dream was about.  So I didn't tell them.  I only told them the nightmare.  I was telling it to them like it was a scary campfire story.  When I had finished everyone didn't say much after that.  They were all thinking and thinking hard.  I looked over at the digital clock glowing in the room.  It read 5:30 AM.  Molly groaned.

    "It's so early!"  she complained.  I nodded.

    "Well it seems you're gaining a fear of David."  Trisha said.

    "I am not!" I exclaimed.

    "Just saying.  If that's true, lets keep it that way.  It's exactly what he wants.  You to be afraid of him.  We can't let him gain the upper hand."  Trisha replied.  I sighed.

    "We might as well have a look at the book to pass the time.  No used trying to get to bed again."  Katrina said.  Amanda got up to go get the book.  We had designated her as the hider of the book.  Only she would know where the hiding spot would be.  We waited a few minutes before Molly said,

    "How long does it take to find a freaking book?!"  Just then Amanda ran back into the common area.

    "The book's not here!  It's gone!"  I felt my heart stop.

    "What do you mean it's gone?!  It can't be gone!" Molly exclaimed.

    "I'm telling you it's gone!  I hid it and I searched there, and all around the area for it.  But there was no book.  Nada.  Nothing.  Nope.  Zero.  Sorry.  None."  Amanda said.  All color from my face was drained.  I felt it leave my skin.  Not, good.

    "It's not here.  I swear!"  I sighed and sat on Amanda's bed.  We've been searching Amanda's entire room for the book and found nothing.  I looked at the clock.  7:30.  Everyone will be waking up soon.

    "Come on.  It's gone for now."  I said.  I stood up and headed for the door.  "We've got classes today."  I walked to my room and took out my uniform.  I walked into the bathroom for a shower and when came out ready for class I saw everyone else still in their pajamas.

    "Classes have been canceled.  There's a continuation of the staff meetings."  Trisha said pale skinned.  I sat down next to them on the couches and chairs.

    "Ugh, we need that book."  Molly said storming off to her room.  Amanda got up and went into her room.  Both of them slammed their doors.  I winced at the sound.  I sighed.

    "Looks like we're gonna have to be the peace makers."  Katrina said.  I nodded.
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    "Amanda?  I'm finished with your outfit for Saturday."  I said through the door to Amanda's room.  It was only 11:30 AM.  Classes were canceled except for extra curriculars and clubs.  Amanda had basketball just before and Molly had ballet.  I had dance as well and I got to talk to Matt again.  The door opened revealing Amanda with a towel on her head.  Her hair was wet and she smelled like shampoo.  I walked in and showed her the outfit.

    She tried it on and looked in the mirror.  "It's really pretty.  Thanks."  I smiled. She smiled back.  She changed out of it and we both sat on her bed.  "You know I didn't loose the book."  I shrugged.
    "I'm neutral in this whole situation.  But I'm sure you didn't intend on loosing it."  I said.  Amanda smiled and nodded.  "So are you excited about Saturday?"  I asked.  She nodded and had a huge smile on her face.  I laughed.  "Well it's finally coming.  Less than 24 hours." 
    "Yeah, I know.  What are you guys gonna do while I'm out?"
    "The rest of the guys, and ourselves plan on visiting Michelle in the hospital."
    "I'm so sorry I'm missing it."  I laughed.
    "I'm pretty sure Michelle would excuse you if you wouldn't see her because of a date."  Amanda laughed.  I stood up and walked towards the door.
    "Now, for Molly's room."  I saluted her and left her room.  I went over and knocked on Molly's door.
    "It's open."  I heard through the door.  I opened it and stuck my head in.
    "Boo."  I said.  I walked in and found Molly reading in her bed.  I sat down across from her.
    "Hey."  she said.  She set her book down.
    "Do we have a game plan for what we're gonna do about Michelle?"  I asked.  She shook her head.
    "Who knows if she'll even wake up!"  Molly said.
    "Well lets keep an open mind about that.  If we were to see her while she's conscious, what would we say or ask?"
    "Knock, knock."  We heard from the other side of the door.  We turned to see Julie and Trisha.
    "Julie's getting Amanda out of her room."  Trisha said.  I nodded and Katrina as if on cue appeared while holding Amanda by her skinny arm.
    "O-k we all need to discuss what we're going to tell Michelle if she wakes up on Saturday."  Julie said.
    "Obviously she's not going to remember at least a few things.  So it's our job to tell her and remind her."
    "Then why am I here?"  Amanda asked.
    "Because you're still a part of this."  Trisha said.
    "Well what do you think she'll forget?" Katrina asked.
    "At least the past few weeks.  So Sue, she might find it a surprise that you're here."  I nodded.
    "Oh and she'll probably forget about our whole "Save the school, save the world" mission."  Molly said.
    "Knock-knock!"  I heard.
    "Door's open!"  Molly hollered.  The door knob turned and the door swung open revealing the guys.
    "Hey guys!"  I said.  Matt nodded.
    "We're just here to deliver a package."  Peter said.  All the guys moved out of the way and revealed a slightly dazed Michelle looking around at all the faces.
    "Michelle!"  We all exclaimed running and hugging her while tackling her to the ground.
    "Who's Michelle?"  she asked.  I exchanged worried glances with Trisha and Molly.  "Wait a second, who are you guys?  Where am I?"
    "Oh boy."  Julie said.  "Oh crap."
    "I have got the feeling she's forgotten more than just the past few weeks."  I said.  The others nodded with gaping mouths and wide eyes."

Secrets Will Always Find a Way to the Open (A Sequel to Alberto Lennard Academy) Ch 6

    Next thing I knew, I found myself on the floor.  Everyone was around me with worried eyes.  I sat up and looked around.  I was still in Dean Withers' office.

    "Are you okay?"  Molly asked.  I nodded.  I sat back on the couch and regained my composure.  that's when i realized Matt and David were still here.  I stopped myself from fainting again.  "Please take a seat next to Miss Wetherstine and David, please sit on the other side of Mr Cloud."  Dean Withers said.  I glared at her with the evil of all the earth.  She ignored my glare and watched as Matt sat next to me and then David sat next to Matt.  "Now lets get down to business.  Matt, obviously I heard about a conflict between you, Susan, and David.    So I decided to take matters into my own hands.  What happened in your point of view?"  Matt sighed and I could tell he really hated sitting next to me.  My heart was racing at the moment.
    "I walked over and saw them close together and then the rest I presume you know.  I ran off because, well, obviously I didn't like what I saw.  Can I go now?"
    "No.  Now Susan.  What really happened?"  I jumped slightly at the sound of my name.
    "Well um.  What happened what I got a note in Biology saying to meet at the school fountain and 1.  So I went there and found out David had sent the note.  He was starting to scare me and I tried to defend myself so I didn't move when he was right in front of me.  When Matt came, everything just happened so fast.  David's actions, Matt's reactions, I couldn't move.  Michelle had ran after Matt but couldn't find him."  I said.  I found myself choking back tears and it surprised me.  On the heat of describing things, I lost track of how my body was reacting to the flash back. 

    Dean Withers and my friends looked at me with Sympathy.  "Um.  Can I go now?"  I asked With a shaky voice."  Dean Withers nodded.  I got up and left the room.  My friends followed.  Molly grabbed the file and walked out last.  We started walking through the halls.  classes were starting to be canceled a lot for some reason.  We suspected it because of the Staff Meetings.  Molly opened the file and looked through it and came across the summary of Michelle's condition.  She read it aloud.

    "The patient is in a light coma at the moment and tests have discovered that when she wakes up she'll have slight amnesia.  Nothing too serious but she won't remember certain things so best to be sure she gets extra attention in the school studies to see what she remembers and doesn't.  Please warn any teachers, acquaintances and family of her condition."  We were all silent for a while.  We walked in silence slightly paralyzed.  We walked around for about an hour just thinking of Michelle.

    "Hey Molly!"  We all turned towards the voice that broke the thick silence that hung in the air.  We saw Kurt running up to us.  "You told me you'd help me with the salsa steps to Ms Gradey's complicated steps."  Molly gasped remembering.

    "Oh yeah.  I forgot."  She scratched her nose.  Whenever one of us scratches our nose and there's a boy around, it means that we want everyone else to scram.  We made it up when Michelle had gotten her first boyfriend.

    "Um, yeah so, we're going to go get started on Mr S's homework.  We'll let you copy later."  Trisha said.  We all walked off giving Molly one last smiled.

    "So are we really going to do the homework?  We can't just aimlessly wander around."  Amanda asked.  Trisha shook her head.

    "Nope.  We're going to find Matt and David."  She said.  Everyone's gaze shifted to me.

    "Absolutely not.  I refuse!  Why do we have to?"  I complained.

    "That's why."  Trisha said pointing at me.  "You're the one who doesn't want to see him.  The reason?  Because this whole thing between the both of you is not resolved yet.  If you haven't noticed, Dean Withers is the worst problem solver when it comes to relationships.  She's single and doesn't have any children.  We have to resolve this now."  Trisha finished.  I pouted as we kept walking.

    "Hey Trish.  Ready to start that project for Advanced Biology?"  Peter asked walking up to us.  Trisha winced slightly remembering the project.

    "Oh yeah.  Right.  I forgot about that."  she looked at us and we shooed her off.

    "Go ahead.  We'll deal with Sue."  Amanda said.  Trisha walked off with peter and Amanda, Julie, Katrina, and I kept walking around.  That's when Josh and Michaels came up to us.

    "Hey you guys wanna play hoops?  Julie?  Amanda?"  Michaels asked.  I rolled my eyes.

    "Go ahead.  I'll sulk with Katrina."  I said.  They silently said thank you and ran off with them.

    "And then there were two."  Katrina said.  Beatrice came up to us.

    "Not for long."  I said back.

    "Katrina where have you been?  You've got a meeting with Mrs. Wilt."  Katrina sighed.  She doesn't really like Mrs Wilt.

    "Yeah oh-k.  Sorry Sue."  I shook my head.

    "It's oh-k.  Ill just head back to my room and-"

    "You're still looking for him whether you like it or not."  Trisha rang through my ears.  I forgot I had the Com's earrings on still.  I sighed and saluted Katrina.

    "Now is where I leave my dear friend.  If I die, tell the others, I hate them for making me do this."  I said.  Katrina saluted back.

    "I'll be sure to send the message."  and then she walked off with Beatrice.  I sighed reluctantly and walked off to find Matt myself.  Why did the world hate me so?  I walked around searching for Matt.  He wasn't at the Mess Hall, Arts Center, Classifieds Building, or the outdoor courts.  I decided to try the Athletic Center.  I walked into the high ceiling stadium and the echo of my footsteps were the only noise i could here.

    "Matt?"  I said unsure.  my voice echoed into nothing.  I walked onto the brightly lit court and wandered around.

    "What are you doing here?"  I turned hoping to see Matt.  Hope wasn't on my side apparently.  Instead I found Coach Kant.  He's only in his 30's.

    "I-I'm looking for-"

    "I know who you're looking for.  He's not here."  I looked at him weirdly.

    "H-He told you?"  I asked kinda shocked.

    "He didn't have to.  Why don't you pop-a-squat over there."  he motioned towards the bottom row of bleachers.  I walked over and sat down.  He sat down next to me.  "It happens so many times to my players.  Since we got here.  Whenever they have girl troubles, it shows in their playing.  And from what I saw in today's practice from Matt, you must've done something bad.  You seem to mean a lot to him."  I choked back tears that were threatening to spill over.  He reached into his pocket and fiddled with something but I ignored it.  I was too overwhelmed with guilt and other emotions.

    "I-I didn't mean to.  It's not my fault.  He came over at the worst time.  And then in a split second he ruined everything!!  In just 5 seconds he killed it and he had to witness him-"

    "Witnessed another guy kissing you."  I looked over at him.  Tears had managed to escape.  Without even asking he said, "I've got 3 grown daughters and 2 more around your age.  I've had my fare share of Ben & Jerry's while watching crappy soaps in Spanish.  I managed to laugh.  I always saw coach Kant as a gruff person, always shouting.  I never thought he'd be so comforting and helpful about something as ridiculous as boy - troubles.  He stood up.

    "I've got to make a phone call.  I'll be right back."  I nodded.  He walked off and for some reason, the tears wouldn't stop.  Coach Kant had helped me a little but it didn't change the fact that Matt didn't know the truth.  Coach came back and handed me a box of tissues.  I took them but didn't wipe away my tears right away.  He let me cry some more as he stood a few feet away..  It was just the two of us in the entire center.  That's when the door opened and someone jogged over.

    "Coach you called me-" I looked up to see Matt.  He was out of breath and panting slightly.  My heart leaped at the sight of him.  He was wearing black basketball shorts, a green T-shirt, and black Jordan's.

    "Ah yes."  Coach Kant said looking over at me.  I looked down.  Matt looked over at me just realizing I was there.

    "Coach what is she doing here?  Courts are closed except for-"

    "Except for the team.  Don't tell me the rules.  Now go listen to this recording and come right back after you've thought about what the tape has said.  And that's an order."  I went wide eyed as i saw Coach Kant pull out a small hand-held tape recorder.  Please tell me he did not just tape my whole breakdown I pleaded in my head.  Matt looked at the tape and back at Coach Kant.  He had his serious gruff facial expression I usually see and Matt took the tape.

    "Why do you always interfere?"  Matt asked.

    "Because you're my team.  Dean Withers told me everything and I suspected she didn't solve anything.  She sucks with solving relationship problems and knowing you, you'd still be upset without hearing the truth.  Plus you were stinking up the court today and I can't have one of my best players stinking it up."  I didn't know if I felt like kissing Coach Kant or slugger-punching him for taping my embarrassing moment and handing it over to Matt like it was a baseball card.  So I stood up.

    "Um, yeah.  I'm just going to go now-"

    "Susan you're staying with me.  Matt.  Until you come back, she's staying here with me.  I'll keep her all night if you never come."  Matt tensed up a bit but then sighed and walked out the door.  Coach Kant winked at me.

    "You didn't have to do this."  I said sitting back down.

    "Would this have been properly resolved if I hadn't interfered?"  I didn't respond.  He nodded.  "I didn't think so.  I know how Dean Withers handles everything.  She's a single middle-aged woman who never had kids.  She wouldn't know how to deal with teenage drama.  Why she became a dean of a school?  I don't know." 

    "But did you have to record my break-down?"  I asked.

    "Would you've told him what you told me in the exact same words?"  I didn't respond again.  He nodded and smiled thoughtfully.  "I know a lot about being a parent and a being a coach but I'm best with teenage problems.  He's my team and so you're just as important."  The tears came back and I hugged him.  He hugged me back and let me just cry like that for a while.  When I calmed down a bit I pulled away and grabbed another tissue.  I wiped my face and he added, "I should really become a therapist."  I laughed and smiled.

    "Who knew you were such a guru on boy troubles."

    "Well actually I help Ms Comet with the sister-brother-club."

    "Oh my goodness.  you're the one Christine keeps mentioning."  I said.  Christine is another old friend of mine.  I've known her since the 4th grade and she's a little ball of energy.  She's kind of short and she goofs off like a 7 year old most of the time but that's what makes her fun to be around. All of a sudden my Com's earrings went off.

    "Sue?  where are you?"  It was Molly.

    "I'm fine.  Don't worry."  I heard everyone else in the back-round including the guys.  "I found Matt already and he said he'd be right back.  Maybe.  So I have to go."  I finished.

    "We expect a full report!"  Julie added.  I rolled my eyes and agreed and then turned off the Com's.

    "Communication earrings.  Impressive."  I sheepishly smiled.

    "Trisha's design.  they were just asking where I was."  I said.

    "Why didn't you tell them?"  I thought about it.  Why didn't I tell them?  I asked myself.

    "I-I guess I didn't want them to be here in case Matt actually did come back."  I said.

    "Trust me.  He will come back."  Coach Kant said looking out the window.  "Hey I have to return these balls to the equipment room.  Here."  he tossed me a basketball.  "Shoot some hoops.  It helps me get my mind off things."  I caught the ball and he took the rest of the rack of basketballs out the double-doors into the hallway. 

    I was left along again in the huge court.  I bounced the ball and it echoed in the big space.  I shot the ball at the hoop.  It bounced off the back board and I jogged to catch it.  I continued shooting.  I was never really a basketball person so I wasn't very good.  But Coach Kant was right.  It helped me get my mind off of Matt and all the other stress that was building up about school and the Staff Meetings and David.  I was so caught up in the shooting that I didn't realize someone had come through the doors until the ball bounced over to them and it stopped at their feet.  I looked over and saw black Jordan's next to the ball.  I followed the shoes up to their knees and I eventually saw Matt's face looking back at me.  He picked up the ball and walked past me.  He shot the ball with little effort and it made it in.

    "S-Sorry.  I didn't know you were there."  I managed to say.  He ignored what I said.

    "Where's Coach?"  he was avoiding my gaze.  I could tell.

    "He went to return the basketballs to the equipment room."  I said.  Matt stopped moving and turned away.  He sighed.

    "We keep the basketballs in the corner.  We don't lock them up so we have easy access to them."  I went wide eyed.

    "Y-You mean-"

    "It was a flub."  I took a step towards the door.

    "I better leave.  I'm sorry he did all of this.  I didn't really mean for all of this to happen.  I mean well, now that you're here, I can leave, and I'm sure you wouldn't care but-"

    "Would you shut-up so I can speak already?" he snapped.  I closed my mouth immediately.  He sighed.  "I heard the tape."  I looked down.  I had never seen him so uncomfortable.  He sighed.  "I already knew that it was David's fault about it all.  But then after that I was just mad at myself for assuming something so stupid.  So I hid in shame.  I'm not mad at you.  I never was.  I'm mad at myself and David."  I couldn't believe my ears.  Matt hasn't been mad at me the whole time.  I was so worried that he hated me and I had nothing to worry about the whole time.  I felt a huge weight lift from my shoulders.  "And I saw how sad you were. . . But. . . I didn't have the strength to tell you not to worry.  That it wasn't your fault.  I couldn't tell you to stop beating yourself up and that you didn't have to blame yourself anymore."  I heard his voice crack and I looked up from the ground.  Tears were running down his face.

    "You mean I could've been happily somewhere else probably beating the stuffing out of David if you had told me?" I asked unsure.

    He sighed.  "Sorry."  his head was down and he had turned his back to me.  I walked over to him until I was right in front of him.  I could've hit him.  I could've beat the stuffing out of him for not telling me.  I could've hated him.  But I couldn't.  So instead I hugged him from behind.  I held tightly so he knew I wasn't letting go anytime soon.  He turned around and I felt his arms wrap around my waist hugging me back.  "So you're not mad?"  he asked.  I let go and laughed.

    "I should be shouldn't I."

    "No that's oh-k.  I like this."  he pulled me back into a hug.  I saw out of the corner of my eye, Coach Kant taking a picture, smiling, and walking back out the double doors.  We pulled apart and started heading for the front door leading outside.  At least I think it was supposed to.

    "There you are!!"  I was tackled to the ground by Molly and Amanda.

    "New invention?"  I asked.  I looked around seeing that we were in Trisha's bedroom.

    "Next best thing to magic.  Technology."  Trisha said.  I sighed and laughed.

    "I see you both are feeling better."  Molly said smirking.

    "A lot better."  I said.

    "Well Matt.  We all love you. . . Especially Sue.  But we have some business we need to attend to so I'm sorry but we'll have to steal Sue back for now."  Amanda said.  I glared at her and hit her on the head.  "Ow!"

    "Serves you right."  I stuck my tongue out at her.

    "Oh yeah.  It's that thing with the classifieds right?"  We exchanged glances.  Katrina immediately grabbed him and threw him on the ground on his stomach and twisted his arm behind his back.

    "Who told you that.  Speak."  Trisha demanded.

    "I heard you guys through the door."  I rolled my eyes.

    "We really need thicker walls in this school." Amanda said.

    "Oh would you let him go Katrina for Pete's sake!"  I said.  Katrina got off of him.

    "Hey did someone call me?"  i heard Peter say as he came into the room.  Katrina let go on Matt and he stood up and stretched.

    "And this all started with the first Staff Meeting right?"  We all looked at him weirdly.  "Hey.  I may be a teenager but I come from a whole family of elite ninjas and i attend the third most elite school in the country and 8th in the world.  I think I'll be at least a little more intellectual than a normal teenager."

    "We don't know what normal is though."  I said.

    "Sue's right.  Normal for us is flipping people over our shoulders regardless of size and hit their pressure point when they touch you.  Normal is already knowing middle school knowledge in the second grade.  Normal for us is remembering every face we see in 8 blocks."  Trisha said.

    "Normal is also where we know the exact dimensions of any building and know a close approximate as to how many people are in the building without any help."  Molly added.

    "Normal is considered extreme and other worldly to the actual normal people who don't know the truth behind National Treasure the movie.  They weren't totally off."  Amanda said.

    "This is becoming depressing now." Molly said.  We all laughed.

    "So.  You guys need help bringing down whatever the enemy is?"  Matt asked  He and Peter stood next to each other with smiles.  I looked at Trisha and I knew that in order to take down this possible threat to the school, we had to trust some outsiders with help.

    "Get the guys over here."  Trisha said.