zMac'nCheese

Leafered Adams Academy for Priveleged Young Boys [and Girls] 8

    I was frozen. Everything was still in slow motion. It took a minute and my friends calling my name to bring me back to reality.
    "Sue?"
    "Sue!"
    "SUE"
    "SUE!"
    "SUE?!!" I snapped out of it. Masks finally made contact with the floor, peoples screamed became un-muffled again, jumping bodies went back to normal speed, and my friends surrounded me in a circle of worried faces. They all held their masks in their hands. (Oh yeah by the way. These are the costumes matched with the girls)

Julie

Trisha

Katrina

Amanda

Molly

Michelle

Sue (Moi!)

Abby

    "Huh?" I said looking around. I looked from Molly to Michelle, Josh to Kurt, Seth to Peter. Then my gaze went from Cole to Matt. Both were equally full of worry and my stomach turned in knots.
    "Sue are you alright?" Michelle asked. I was in a daze still. But my mind was racing and my head hurt. I kept looking from Cole to Matt and then to Michelle and Molly. I looked at the exit door.
    "I have to go." I said and then pushing my way out of the circle and off the dance floor, I ran towards the exit. I threw my mask on the floor as well as my shoes and I sprinted onto the cold wet grass and ran towards the school's green. I ran into the heart of the maze and sat down at the School fountain like I did the night Cole asked me to the dance. I sat down on the edge of the fountain with the water cast light on my shaking body.
    Next thing I knew I felt myself leave my body. I was in the sky looking at my body shaking and trying to push back tears of guilt. I felt sorry for the me that was down there staring into the water and sniffling. A tear hit the water making a small ripple that quickly disappeared. Then, my body fell backwards unconscious and my arm floated in the water that limply hung over the edge. It went dark.

******************************************************************************************************
    It was dark. Where I was I mean. I was lying in darkness. Then a bubble started floating to the sky and I realized I was in black water. So I tried following the direction the bubble was going and I saw a faint shimmering light. I swam towards it but I found that I could just run. I couldn't tell where the floor was. But I kept on going. When I thought I reached the surface I pushed my head up to the air. I breathed heavily, just realizing I was holding it the whole time, and I looked around. I was in the fountain. Like I'd fallen into the water. I climbed out and magically, my costume was on me. And it was dry. My mask was at my feet. I could have sworn I threw it on the ground before, I thought.
    I then heard the clock strike 9:59 and I ran to the Ballroom. I saw my friends chatting happily. But then the clock rang 10 with loud gongs from the bell. All of a sudden everyone faded into the darkness except for someone. I walked over to them to ask them what's going on but I never seemed to get any closer to the person. I started running but I never got any closer. Then, they turned around and I stopped running paralyzed with shock. It was a guy. But half of his face was Matt and the other half was Cole. I screamed but nothing came out. I started running the other direction only to find them again. Everywhere I turned the two faced person was there.
    "Sue." They said in a voice that was a mixture of the two. "Sue. Sue. Sue." all of them started chanting my name and I just collapsed to the floor in the darkness shaking. I started yelling no! But nothing was heard. I kept yelling though, hoping someone would hear me.

******************************************************************************************************
    "Sue!"
    "No. no. . . no . . . NO!" I mumbled unconsciously and then screamed no and shot my eyes open. I bonked heads with someone and groaned. I looked around to see everyone looking at me worried. I was in the common room in the girls' dorm building. Everyone was in pajamas. Strict school policies say that guys can't sleep in the girls' rooms. But they're allowed to sleep in the common room. And that's what the guys were doing. There were sleeping bags and pillows all over the place as well as backpacks, cellphones, cellphone chargers, laptops, i-Pods, etc.
    The girls were all in their pajamas. Plaid pajama pants and tank-tops. Molly's was dark green. Michelle's was light green, Julie's was black and yellow, Katrina's was pink, Trisha's was red, Abby's was light blue, Amanda's was purple. The guys were either in gym shorts, plaid pajama pants, or boxer pants, and tee shirts. I had a suit jacket over my torso and a blanket over that. I was still in my costume.
    I started to sit up but then a headache suddenly rushed to my head and I put my hand to my temple while wincing slightly.
    "Hey take it easy." Molly said and she eased me back onto the couch. I shook my head.
    "I gotta get out of this dress." I said. I got up and headed upstairs, half stumbling from getting up too fast. When I came back downstairs I was in my blue and black plaid pajama pants and a white undershirt.
    "What happened?" I asked sitting down on the couch trying to remember what happened.
    "You fled the ball room and by the time we found you, you were passed out on the edge of the fountain about to fall in. Cole found you." My gaze shifted to Cole. He smiled at me.
    "I didn't make it though. You fell in. But I grabbed you before you drowned." He said.
    "How long was I out?" I asked.
    "Not long. 2o minutes. It's 10:50. The older kids are at an after party. The younger kids are already asleep. Kids our age are in the other common room  watching a movie. It just started so you're just in time." Michaels said. I nodded. "Are you ok?" I didn't reply. I walked over to him.
    "I need a hug." He smiled and gave me a hug. Then the girls all hugged me. Then Cole walked over to me. He smiled at me and I smiled back weakly. He pulled me into a hug and it made me feel safe.
    "Hey can we go now or do you need a moment alone?" Michaels asked. I smiled and we headed to the common room where the movie was playing. Our entire grade the the grade older/younger than us were all in the large room watching the TV that was just started playing the movie, Men in Black I and II. We all joined in sitting down. I sat next to Cole and things started getting back to normal. But occasionally I'd look over at Matt and see him looking at me but then we'd both look back at the screen.
    "You had me worried about you." Cole said in my ear. I turned to face him and I could tell I had really shaken him up.
    "I'm sorry." I said  back. He wrapped his arm around me and crashed his lips down on mine. In front of everyone in the room. Not that anyone noticed. They were all concentrating on the movie. But it was like the perfect moment. I was on the verge of confusion while he was there, prepared to be my support.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    The next morning I woke up to the smell of Reeses Puffs cereal and milk. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Molly starring at me while chewing with a bowl and spoon in her hand.
    "Morning sleeping Beauty." I smiled. I slowly got up and walked into the mini kitchen in the dorm. There was a bunch of kids all sleepily sitting at the tables and munching on cereal and other breakfast foods. I groaned and grabbed an apple.
    "Look who finally woke up." Michelle said. I smiled.
    "Well we have Special Operations classes today. So get dressed." I rolled my eyes. I nodded and went back in to my room and changed into my uniform.
    "Knock knock." I heard through the door.
    "Come in." I said. It was Matt. I fixed my blue head band in the mirror and turned towards him.
    "What's up?" I asked.
    "Nothing. Just checking if you were ready.
    "Yea just about. Lets go!" I smiled. We started heading out the door.
    "Listen. About last night." Matt said. I remained quiet so he continued talking. "I know you didn't expect it was me so I kno you didn't mean to dance that close." I slowly nodded. "We can still be friends right?" I looked up at him and he smiled. I smiled back and nodded.
    "Yeah. That'd be fine. Mayb things were getting better now.

Leafered Adams Academy for Priveleged Young Boys [and Girls] 7

    "Welcome to the Masquerade dance. We all hope you enjoy your time here. Tonight is the night of getting to know one another, dancing, having fun, and for the lucky few, romance. Just make sure you now who you're with. You may turn out to be surprised at the strike of 10." The headmaster said. He was also in a mask but we could tell from his voice and his steady pace, like a wise turtle taking his time.
    Then the lights became brighter and the music came on again. There was applause and people started to get back to dancing. just like my class, the whole school was taught how to waltz, ballroom dance, and tango. I walked over to the guy I suspected as Peter. He had dark hair, a mask, and his shirt was even tucked in.
    "Are you my date?" he had the physical appearance of Peter from what I could tell. But his voice seemed a little lower than I remembered. Maybe he was trying to just throw me off.
    "That depends who you're looking for." I said.
    "Well then. Shall we?" He held out his hand and I took it. I didn't feel right pretending to flirt with a guy I didn't know the face of. Even if it was just fake. He lead me to the dance floor and I had a wave of deja vu as the music started and we started to dance a waltz. The way it felt in his arms, his smell, the height difference, it all felt familiar. But it wasn't Peter. Which means I was technically with the wrong date tonight. But I assumed that everyone was. I carefully and subtly looked around through my mask to try and locate who was who but everyone looked the same in their costumes and masks. All the guys were in suits. Some of the older guys had tux's on.
    So then who was I with? This was all going against my instincts. I never dance with someone if I don't know who the heck they are. I might as well grabbed some guy from the street outside the gates of the school, put him in a costume and a mask, and then started dancing with him. Then I started to have a mini panic attack. I hurried over to the The girl who I assumed was Michelle (Or someone had the same features and same dress tonight. Highly unlikely)
    "I have no idea who I'm dancing with." I said. She turned around and gave me a "HUH?!" look through her mask. "I danced with him and I realized that it wasn't Peter because it felt familiar dancing with that guy. So I haven't got the foggiest of who's my date!!!" I practically screamed.
    "Ok take a chill pill or two before you cause a scene. Now just. . . i don't know . . . pretend it's a field test for Special Operations." I nodded and took a deep breath. That's how pathetic I am. I have to think of things as school work in order for me to not freak out. I walked over to the refreshment area and downed a glass of punch before my heart rate started to go back down. And then it went right back up when I heard a voice behind me.
    "I know it's you Suzie." My heart started beating faster. For a second I worried that my date was Daren because only he called me that ridiculous name. I turned around and luckily saw a different person with a different costume and mask.
    "I'm sorry who are you talking about?" I asked. I could see him rolling his eyes. For some reason, even I didn't even believe myself. Something was throwing me off my game.
    "Oh come on you know you can't try and throw me off right now. I know that body anywhere." I shuddered.
    "Oh because you have seen my body before?" I said giving up my whole cover. This made him smirk.
    "So it is you. I knew it." I glared at him.
    "No telling anyone or anything that it's me." I said getting back my confidence.
    "Or what?" He challenged.
    "I'll tell everyone who you are and what you did when we were 3 during Halloween trick-or-treating." I said smirking. I could see him start to blush.
    "Ok fine. But you tell no one about that." and then he stormed off defeated. I smirked then I downed another cup of punch and returned to the dance floor.
    "There you are." I heard someone say. I refrained from flipping the guy over my shoulder like I usually do when I'm in a field operations. So instead I stiffly turned around and saw the costume and mask of the guy I was dancing with earlier.
    "Hi." I said and forced a smile. I was back in my undercover mode. The mask and dress I was wearing now felt like the protective skin that hid my true identity. I felt a rush of adrenaline. "You wanna dance?"

    From then on I was completely back on my game. I was pretending to have fun so much, that I actually started to. But one part of my mind through all of the partying was keeping watch. It was kind of like the designated driver. This guy disappeared a lot and when ever he came back he looked and acted a little different. I didn't try and mention anything because to be honest, I was having too much fun to even care.

    "Ladies and gentlemen." The dean said into the microphone on the stage.
    "I'll be right back." My date said. I nodded.
    "It is 5 minutes until we unmask ourselves to our friends and dates. Be prepared for the best . . . or the worst." and then the murmurs of chatter started up again and the music continued. I went to go find my friends.
    "Hey you guys." periodically whenever my date disappeared I would go to my friends and talk to them. "Have you guys noticed your dates disappearing a lot?" I asked.
    "And then coming back as if they're a completely different person? Yeah I noticed." Michelle piped in. The other girls nodded.
    "My theory is that they're fibbing us by switching costumes." Trisha said.
    "And also why whenever you come around we're all dateless. So we have more time to talk." Molly said. I started wracking my brain. The first guy I was with my supposed date, he seemed familiar. Then the second time he seemed familiar in a different way. Meaning it was familiar when we were just talking on the sidelines and not when we were dancing. The third time he seemed a lot taller than before. Then the fourth he was a little shorter but still tall, and a lot skinnier. The fifth time he seemed really short. The sixth time he didn't seem to know how to dance very well. The seventh guy was also tall and skinny and he was funny.
    "Hey there." I turned to see my date's costume. I couldn't tell which one this was since he's switched 7 times already meaning all the guys have been my "date" already. Maybe it was Daren. Then I started to get a panicky feeling again. What if it really was him?
    I couldn't loose my cover now if it wasn't him. Not when we only had . . . 3 minutes before unmasking. So I decided as long as he didn't call me Suzie I was safe.
    "Oh hi." I said putting another smile on my face. "I'll catch you girls later after unmasking." I said and then my date lead me to the dance floor for one more dance. It was a slower song. Actually the band was on break so a DJ was playing Hey There Delilah. Couples started getting on the dance floor including me. It was around this time that I was wishing my date was Cole instead of who ever it really is.
    "so the count down begins." he said. Again he seemed somewhat familiar but since I've technically danced with 7 different guys tonight it could just be one of the guys from before. Meaning that it couldn't be Daren. YES!!!
    "And so it does." I replied keeping my fast whit and smirk on high speed. I only had to stand strong for . . . lets see. Where's a clock, where's a clock, aha! On the far end of the hall lay an antique grandfather clock. 2 more minutes left. Then I could take off this stupid mask and go find my real date for the night, Cole.
    As we danced I took notice to how close we were. My arms were slung around his neck and his stronger arms were gently resting on my waist. It seemed so familiar . . . familiar and yet, safe. Without realizing it I lay my head on his shoulder. His grip on my waist tightened slightly but I didn't mind. It felt good being there. We gently swayed like that until the end of the song. I was so comfortable that I had closed my eyes and it took me a good 5 seconds to realize the song was over.
    Embarrassed slightly I pulled away and sheepishly smiled.
    "That's was nice." He said. I nodded slightly and then turned towards the dean who was once again on the stage. The music was cut and he was holding a micro-phone. The murmurs died down till it was silent. His voice, still as strong as a lumberjack (Ha ha. Lumberjacks.) came out through the speakers.
    "We will begin the count down. Face your date and follow along." I turned towards my date and he smiled at me.
    "Ready to be amazed? . . . Wetherstine." He smirked and suddenly I realized who I was slow dancing with. Who's shoulder I had lay my head on. Why this guy was so familiar.

five
Four
Three!
TWO!!
ONE!!!!

Masks were pulled off and everyone cheered. Many of them threw their rented masks in the air not caring where it landed or who was hit in the head with it. I slowly removed my mask and so did my date. Then everything was on slow-motion. The screams of people in shock, happiness, sorrow, all were drained out of my head. Everything fell in slow motion. People smiled, and talked, and jumped, and hugged, in slow motion. I didn't even see my friends and their dates running over to me to see my reaction.
    All I was able to see. Were two brown eyes, bushy brown hair, and the face . . .

. . . Of Mathew Cloud staring back at me. With the same smirk that first made me fall for him, way back when.

Leafered Adams Academy for Priveleged Young Boys [and Girls] 6

    "Oh My G-d Sue why are you still asleep?! Get up, get up, get up!!!!!" I felt a pillow make contact with my face and I shot open my eyes. I looked at the poor sucker whose gonna get it. It was Julie and Michelle this time.
    "If you wanna live to see the dance, you. Will. Run. now." I said.
    "Oh boy." Michelle and Julie said before I chased both of them into the hallway again. But the guys weren't there this time. So I continued chasing them down the hall until I chased them out the door. Instead of continuing the chase, I locked the front door and went back to my room to change. But when I walked passed the common room, I saw the guys sitting there starring at me. I remembered I passed through here when I was chasing Michelle and Julie. And then I noticed my girl boxers. Oh thank G-d. They're just plaid. But I'm still in girl boxers. In front of a group of guys. Who always somehow find a way to make their way into the girls' dorm building.
    "Um, hi. I'm gonna go change." I said and then rushed into my room.
    When I was decent I came back out in my uniform.
    Oh I never told you! The girls' uniforms while we're at Leafered Adams are regular Blue and White uniforms. But here we've got our blue plaid skirt that's a little above the knee, a blue tank top, under a white button down 3/4 sleeve fitted shirt. It's different than our uniforms back home but they're not completely demeaning. Other than that we just wear sneakers. Students usually change up their uniforms. That's the power of creativity.
    The guys' uniforms are regular white button down shirt, Navy blue blazer, khaki pants during the colder seasons, and cargo shorts in the hotter seasons.
    "Where are Michelle and Julie?" Kurt asked when I came back out. That's when I finally remembered that I locked them out of the dorm.

    "Oh jeez." I said to myself. "Well they'll be here in a matter of seconds." I said putting on a smile. And as if on cue, not only 2 seconds later, Michelle and Julie appeared out of one of the bathrooms.

    "Soo not cool Sue." Michelle said. The guys looked at them weirdly. "You made me mess up my hair just to get back into the building."

    "Where did you guys come from?!" Alec asked kinda scared to know the answer.

    "We didn't go through the gutters to the toilet or anything like that so get your mind out of there as well." Julie said.

    "We've got secret passageways hooked up to basically every room. Essential for lockdowns and such." Michelle said.

    "Oh of course because that's just normal." Matt said sarcastically.

    "Well come on! We've only got 20 minute periods today." Molly said.

    "Wow. The one day Molly's excited for class." Katrina said. We all laughed as we headed out the doors for our short day of classes. The reason this is so is well, it's Friday. And from my memory, I  do believe that it's the day of the school Masquerade. It's gonna be amazing since everyone got costumes, masks, and we're having the dance in this old fashioned ball room that's on one part of the campus. I checked it out on Wednesday. It was gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. High ceiling, stained glass windows, glass dome in the middle of the ceiling, floors made of shiny marble, walls the color of cream with gold trimmings, and roman pillars around the edges of the room.

    "Oh my goodness it's Friday already! And we get the whole day to prepare." Michelle said. I laughed.

    "Chill Michelle." Julie said hitting Michelle on the head.

    "Um, ow!" Michelle said holding her head. I rolled my eyes.

    "Come on you guys. We still have classes." I said.

    "Ok fine. Be that way." Michelle said and we all headed off to classes.

With the guys:

    "Guys, the dance is tonight. You ready to put on your masks?" Kurt asked all his friends.

    "No but do we got a choice?" Cole asked.

    "OK someone other than Mr. Sour Puss over here.

    "I'm ready!" Michaels said pumping his fist in the air.

    "Wow. Dramatic much dude." Josh said giving him a weird look.

    "Well ok then. Tonight's the night that everyone's in disguise and it's not for field work in Special Operations." Peter said typing away at his laptop.

    "True true." Alec said. "And I'm guessing if I know Sue well enough, her and the girls aren't going to give any clue as to who's who tonight. So it's our job to figure it out I guess." He concluded.

    "A game. That'll be fun." Matt said rolling his eyes.

Back to the Girls:

    We're in our second to last period. Dance. The class was split into boys and girls. They guys used the other studio and worked with Giorgio while we stayed in the bigger studio with Ms. Gradey.

    "Girls, listen up. Giorgio shall be working with the men on ballroom dancing. And we will be doing the same. Get into pairs and I'll get the music. Then we'll start learning the routine." Sally Sue raised her hand.

    "I thought we already learned ballroom dancing back at Alberto." She said. Some of the other girls nodded their heads agreeing.

    "That may be true my dear, but we're going to be learning the 18th century version of ballroom dancing.

    "So it's like a recreation of the Phantom of the Opera?" Molly asked. Ms Gradey laughed.

    "Yes in a way I suppose. But without all the violence and drama. Of course you are all teenagers so we never know what will happen." Most of us laughed and snickered at each other. Both Michelle and Molly nudged me and smirked. "Now lets get cracking. Or dancing I suppose."

After classes:

    Everyone was rushing to get back to their dorms to get ready. Everyone was running in and out of rooms with wet hair, blow dryers, straighteners, masks, high heels, bows, necklaces, makeup, nail polish, anything that you could imagine to find in a beauty salon. It was hectic. It was like a horror-Slasher-flick to a tom-boy. . . or a regular guy.

    "Sue, Michelle, Problem!" Melanie, a girl who lived down the hall yelled barging in the door. I jumped hearing my name. I was just in my room finishing the touch-ups on the costumes we bought (Amanda's dress was too long, Molly's dress looked too Renaissance, Trisha's dress was too frilly, Julie's dress needed a yellow stripe across the top, Abby's dress was a little short [the next size up was too big around the waist], and Michelle's dress was also too long. My dress just needed a different ribbon.)

    "Who died?" I asked. I jumped up but then sat back down a bit dizzy. Staring at a needle going in and out of fabric for 2 hours does that to some people. I saw spots for a second and had to blink a few times.

    "No nothing like that. It's worse. Someone killed all the outlets in the building without turning off the lights." I sighed and rubbed my eyes.

    "Pranking you think?" Michelle offered. I nodded.

    "Definitely. I'm guessing it's the other girls' dorms. Stopping the pampering so that they get more time and we get less ready and more-"

    "This is a disaster!" Melanie screamed. Then I heard muffled the screams of the other girls in my entire floor. Michelle and I immediately clamped our hands over our ears.

    "Ok be quiet!" Michelle yelled in the hallways. It went dead silent as every girl in the hall came to our doorway.

    "It's all covered. Trisha installed the emergency 'In Case of Pranking' power house." Molly said walking over to a switch in the corner of my room behind my dresser. Hair dryers started making noises again and some girls screeched from holding hot curling irons (they were 'smart' enough to hold it on the metal part and when the power came back it got hot again).

    "Now that that's done, I think it would be a good thing if I finished these costumes, BEFORE the dance tonight." I said and then closed the door in Melanie and the other girls' faces. Was it rue? Yes. But I had to finish this pronto and then get ready myself.

    "Jeez. Way to be pushy." Michelle said laughing and sitting back down in front of the sewing machine and lamp.

    "Yeah I know. But we have to finish these. Why did we buy these when they needed work on them still?" I asked plopping back down in my swivel desk chair.

    "Because we agreed that it wouldn't be a problem fixing the dresses before the dance." Michelle pointed out.

    "Ugh. Why do I always over-estimate my abilities?!" She just laughed and we got back to work.
~~~

    "You guys do know that you only have 1 1/2 hours to get ready?" Tori said. Tori's the girl that was in my home Ec. class though she's a year younger. Michelle and I had just finished getting the dresses fixed and were relaxing a bit.

    "What?! only an hour and a half?!" Michelle jumped up and ran to the shower. I laughed and slowly got up.

    "Aren't you gonna get moving?" Tori asked.

    "I showered before I worked on the dresses. I only have to get dressed, do my hair, and make-up." I said.

    "You planned what your schedule was gonna be from way before huh."

    "Done by instinct. SO classes since the first grade." I walked over to my closet and pulled my dress and mask out. "Well, better start getting ready."

    "Yeah. You need help with your hair?"

    "Yeah that'd be good, thanks." I smiled.

    "Hey Sue are you . . . Oh my goodness." I was looking at my reflection and I turned to face my friends in the doorway.

    "Holy . . . You look great." Michelle said. I smiled.

    "You guys look even better. Especially with the perfections." I said over satisfied with the work Michelle and I did.

    "Well lets get moving." Abby said.

    We were just in time to go. I grabbed my camera, my mask, and ran to the main common room for one last big talk before the dance.

    "Ok my lovely ladies!" I said managing to stand on a couch in a dress and heels. "Tonight is the School's first dance, and it involves masks!" there was a chorus of cheers and claps from my peers.

    "So have fun. Don't regret anything,"

    "Unless you did something illegal" Michelle added.

    "And the only rule. don't remove your mask until we reveal ourselves at the stroke of 10." Trisha said.

    "It would be more romantic and exciting if it were at Midnight. But we still have something known as a curfew so that's the best we can get." Molly said. Everyone laughed.

    "Ok well lets make our grand entrance." Julie ended. We all cheered as we made our way out of the dorm in all our dresses, heels, and chatter. As we got closer to the ballroom everyone put their masks on over their hair full of hairspray, bobby-pins, banana clips, mouse, etc.

    "You think it was kinda not smart that we have dates but we can't reveal ourselves until half the night's over?" Michelle asked.

    "Got it covered. We switch up who were going with." Trisha said. Everyone seemed to stop when they heard that. All of a sudden girls were going to their friends asking to switch because they trusted them and such and such.

    "Wow. At least this way when everyone's done panicking we'll be fashionably late." Amanda said. I laughed.

    "Ok but who's switching with who?" I asked looking around. We all exchanged glances.

    "We should probably switch with someone who has similar characteristics." Molly said. "Julie, Katrina, you guys are both tall and you have similar hair color so you guys switch dates." Katrina and Julie nodded.

    "Oh and Molly and Michelle can switch since they're similar in height." Julie said.

    "Yeah. aka, taller than me." I said.

    "Not hard to do. No offense!" Molly said slinging an arm around my shoulders. I rolled my eyes and fake-glared at her.

    "Yeah, uh-huh, sure. Anyway, Who do I switch with then?" I asked. "I'm the only gal in this group with black hair." I pointed out gesturing to my hair.

    "Well since I'm the next closest thing to black hair, I should switch with you." Trisha said. "Regardless of height difference."

    "Right. Just say it's the heels." Katrina said.

    "Amanda, Abby, you guys switch. You have the lightest hair." Trisha said.

    "Yeah and use the whole heels deal to conceal the height ordeal. Oh my G-d I made a whole rhyming sentence! Sweet!!" Molly said.

    "The lovely work of Molly Holly." Amanda said. We all laughed.

    "Well now that that's finished, we should get going before the dance is over." Abby said. We agreed to that and headed towards the entrance.

    "Oh"

    "My"

    "G-d" Michelle, then myself, then Julie said. The hall looked even more spactacular now that it was decorated and in use. There was a huge chandelier in the middle of the hall circled by smaller chandeliers. There was a small stage at the far end of the hall where a small orchestra was playing. Some kids were already dancing. Mostly they were the older and younger kids.

    "Wow." We all said still gaping at the beauty of the room.

    "There you girls are." We all turned around to see the guys in their masks. "Well who's who?" one of them asked.

    "That's a good question." I said looking at all of them. Damn they were doing the whole switch it up thing too.

    All of them were wearing black suits and a different mask.

    "This can't end up well. No one knows who is who." Michelle said.

    "Well we can start. Who are you?" one guy who was slightly lanky who I was guessing was Seth, said. Well that knocks one down. 7 to go. Katrina had a date. This kid named Chris who was quiet in all our classes and then managed to muster up the strength to ask her to the dance. And now he was like best friends with the other guys.

    "Nuh uh. Not releasing who's who until the strike of 10. You guys can guess all you want but we're not revealing." Molly said. We were all having the times of our lives being mysterious, and for once it wasn't for Special Operations homework.

    "Well that's when the guys are revealing themselves." Another guy said.

    "Well then it'll be all the more surprising." Julie said.

While we're at it, here's the dresses and masks of the girls. Try to figure out who's who:

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

7)

8)

 

 

Leafered Adams Academy for Priveleged Young Boys [and Girls] 5

    "Sue wake up already!" it's a week before the school dance. We all have the day to go into town to get a costume at this dress boutique/store in the city. All of us piled into the buses and headed out onto the highway.
    "This is the first time to New York City in a while." Julie said. I nodded agreeing.
    "Yeah. Last time I was here was last year." Katrina added.
  "We go there a lot during the school year." Michaels said.  We ended up taking pictures, solitaire on i-Pods, and taking videos to pass the time.
    "Ok can I have your attention please?" the bus monitor said. We all looked over to the front except for the rowdy kids in the back of the bus. After the big tough security guard from school, Joe, went back there, we could finally hear the bus monitor. "We're going to break into two main groups, guys and girls. Then those two groups will break into smaller teams of at most, 8, people." then we all climbed out of the buses. People were in regular clothes rather than uniforms. I was just wearing jeans, sneakers, an American Eagle tank under a baby-doll tank, and a corduroy bag carrying my wallet, camera, sunglasses, my journal, and a sweater.

    In the end we broke up into groups and I was with Michelle, Julie, Molly, and Abby. Amanda, Trisha, Katrina, Trina, and Tori were in another group. We all had 3 hours to get a costume, mask, and anything else for the dance from the stores listed on the paper. We were given money for the costumes. Luckily the stores are all on the same street. We just have to meet back at the buses on 5th Ave by 4 PM.

    "Hey come on Sue!" Michelle said pulling me away. I laughed and let her pull me away leaving the guys to their 'shopping'.

With the Guys:

    "Ok men. Where do we start?" Josh asked. looking up and down the street.

    "No where. I hate shopping for clothes." Cole said. Alec rolled his eyes.

    "Well suck it up dude. We've gotta get a costume or else." Matt said.

    "Or else what?" Cole challenged.

    "We get a letter grade marked down in Home Ec." Alec put in.

    "You're kidding right?!"

    "We kid you not my dear friend." Peter said.

    "Oh shut up and lets go." Josh said as him and Kurt were pushing all of them into a store.

Back to Sue's Point of view:

    "Ok ladies. Where to first?" Julie asked.

    "I think we should do dresses first, then mask, then shoes, then other stuff like jewelry." Michelle said.

    "I second that." Molly said. We all nodded and then headed to the first store on the list. The Dancing Mask it's called.

    When we walked in we saw some of our other classmates and the store split between a girls side and a boys side. We went over to the girl's side and started looking around the racks of poof dresses and such.

    "Hey look!" Molly said pulling out a Queen Victoria looking dress. It came with a sun bonnet. I laughed and took out my camera.

    "Ok you're trying that on." I said. molly laughed and headed to the changing rooms. When she came out she looked hysterical. I took pictures as she modeled the dress. It was like a 27 Dresses moment then. We were all grabbing dresses that looked odd and taking pictures. Then we finally started looking for dresses seriously.

    "Hello ladies. Is there something I can help you with?" a store clerk asked walking up to us in a sort of Dorothy kind of dress from the Wizard of Oz. We took her up on her offer and let her show us the Masquerade section.

    And then Finally after a good hour of searching for something, we all found a dress to our own liking. What do they look like? I'll only tell you later.

    "Ok we have dresses. Now we need masks." Julie said. I nodded. We ended up bumping into Amanda's group on the street and we headed to the mask place together.

    "Oh. My. Goodness." Amanda said from the entrance of the store. There were so many masks on the walls and in cases that it was a little spooky. So many feathers, sparkles, and lace all around it made me feel a bit dizzy. We stumbled into the store and looked around sort of scared to touch them. There were so many varieties and sizes of the masks.

    "Need any help?" We turned to see a man in his 20's or so. We all nodded fast still spooked by all the eye holes in the room. With the help of Craig, (the name of the clerk) we found masks fast and were out of that store fast.

    "Oh thank G-d. That store gave me the creeps." Katrina said. I nodded in agreement.

    "Hey you guys!" Michaels said. I turned to see the guys with bags of their own.

    "Hey. How's shopping for you?" Abby asked.

    "Slow and painful." Cole said. I laughed.

    "He's just saying that. We had to drag him into each store and into the changing rooms." Alec said. We all laughed.

    "Yeah I was almost sure we'd have to dress him too." Peter added.

    "Well are you guys heading over for a mask?" I asked.

    "Yeah why?" Josh asked.

    "It's super scary in there!" Julie said.

    "huh?" they all said.

    "Just take our word for it. Loads of masks staring at you as you walk through the room." Amanda said. Molly widened her eyes and looked from Peter to Michaels, to Cole, to Josh, to Matt, to Alec, to Seth, to Kurt, to add dramatic effect.

    "Um, ok. We'll see you guys back on the bus." Matt said unsure. They started walking away.

    "Oh see now they think we're crazy." I said.

    "Don't think. We already thought you guys were before. This just confirms it now." Seth said.

    "Hey!" We all said. Then I sighed.

    "I'd give them 20 seconds." I said. We all counted down in our head.

    "In 3, 2, 1," Molly said.

    "AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!" the guys ran out of the door and back into the street tripping over each other and making a scene on the sidewalk in time square. The girls and I just all started dying of laughter. We walked away still laughing to ourselves making our way to the Payless Shoe Source store.

    The rest of our time in the city was a breeze. We got shoes, earrings, necklaces, everything else that we could possibly need for the dance.

    "I love the idea of a Masquerade. It's so mysterious and yet romantic in a way." I said. The girls all nodded in agreement.

    "And I bet the guys won't recognize us with masks on. So it'll be even more fun toying with their minds." Michelle said. I laughed and we started heading back to the buses.

    "So what did you girls get?" Kurt asked. We just shook our heads.

    "Not telling. It's a secret. And the night of the dance it's your job to figure out who's who." Amanda said.

    "Yeah and we're not letting a single detail about our costumes out." Katrina said.

    "Oh come on! It's just a dance." Cole said.

    "Shows how much you think of a Masquerade." I said.

    "Yes it does. It's just a dance and it's not too big of a deal." he said. I rolled my eyes. On the way back we did what we were doing before. Taking silly pictures and listening to music.

That night with the guys:

    "Hey you guys ready for the dance this Friday?" Matt asked walking into the room.

    "Yeah I guess. I still don't get the big deal here." Cole said.

    "Well I think I'm planning on Kissing Molly on Friday." Kurt said. He tossed the football he was holding to Josh.

    "Wow. Really?" Peter asked. Kurt nodded and shrugged.

    "Well I'm not 100% sure but I've been thinking bout it for a while." Josh passed the ball to Michaels.

    "Yeah I was thinking of that too." Michaels asked. "Except to Amanda of course." he added tossing the ball to Alec.

    "Well now you know the big deal with the dance this Friday." Matt said to Cole. Cole just rolled his eyes and nodded.

Sue's POV again:

    "Hey you guys." I said walking into the room.

    "HEy Sue. What's up?"

    "Nothing. Just waiting for the week to end so the dance can come already." I said sitting down.

    "Yeah I know. It's a big deal." Molly said.

    "Well I hope things are perfect." Michelle said.

    "Yeah me too." Trisha said.

    "I think every girl hopes for a happy ending on Friday. It's the first dance of the year." Katrina said.

    We only talked about the dance a little until we went to bed for classes. But I couldn't help but think that drama was gonna happen the night of the dance. I mean you can never be too careful. Especially with my friends behind the drama.

Leafered Adams Academy for Priveleged Young Boys [and Girls] 4

    "Oh my goodness."  I said walking into the Home Ec room.  Again, I dropped my bag onto the table and collapsed in a chair.  Michelle and Amanda exchanged glances.
    "Ok if nothing happens between you and Cole soon, I'm about to stick my nose in your business."  Michelle said.
    "Yeah me too!"  I heard from behind me. I turned to see Molly in the doorway with Kurt.  He was holding her hand.  I raised my eyebrow.  "Michelle called us for fittings."  I nodded and got up.  I went over to the cupboard and grabbed the fabrics we were working on.
    "Thanks for your concern but you can't really force a guy into asking someone to a dance."  I pointed out.
    "We can if you're his girlfriend and yet he still hasn't asked u to the school dance."  Molly said.  I gave her a look.
    "And you're in the position to say that to me?"  I looked her and Kurt up.  Kurt was blushing.
    "Actually . . ." Kurt said.  I looked from him to Molly.  She nodded and Michelle screamed.
    "When?!"  Amanda asked.
    "Right before we got here."  Molly said.
    "Ok.  Who feels like an idiot?  Yeah that'd be me."  I said raising my hand (if you haven't caught on, Kurt had asked Molly to the dance before the arrived in the doorway.  And thankfully, no ducks were harmed in the process)
    "Hey you want me to talk to Cole for you?"  Kurt volunteered.
    I said no at the same time as the others said yes.  I slapped a hand over my forehead.
    "Um, I'm just gonna take this as a yes." I sighed again and sat down in a huff.
    "You guys are so unbelievably stubborn."  I said.
    "Yes we know."  Michelle said slinging her arms around Amanda and Molly's shoulders.  I laughed and just hugged them.
    We finished our work for the day and got outlines for the costumes for Molly and Kurt and we left for lunch.
    I was avoiding Cole K and I knew it wasn't helping my situation.  But it was awkward whenever we were around each other.  It was like the air all of a sudden turned into the chocolate pudding being served for dessert today.
    We walked into the lunch room and Matt, Cole K, and Michaels were already there eating.  I sighed.  We sat down and started eating.
    "Hey guys.  Wassup?"  Michaels asked.  Amanda sat down next to him and he wrapped his arm around her.  She smiled.  I smiled at both of them and Molly made a heart with her fingers.  I laughed and sat next to Michelle and Amanda.  I saw Daren walk over to us.

    "Oh hey Daren."  I said.  He smiled slightly and then walked passed our table and over to another.  I still felt bad but I shrugged it off and forced myself to act like nothing was wrong.

   The rest of classes seemed to pass like a faze.  I wasn't paying attention to anything and my friends were starting to become really worried about me.  I tried not to worry them.  It was only my problem and I didn't want them to trouble themselves.

At dinner:

    "Hey Sue.  So who's your date?  You told me someone already asked you."  I winced at the memory.  Then I glanced over at Cole K.  He seemed surprised and disappointed.
    "It's nothing Daren.  Just drop it."  I said getting up and walking away.
    "Um Sue.  You haven't eaten ye-"
    "I'm not hungry."  I said interrupting Trisha and then opening the door out of the cafeteria and slamming it shut.

With the table:

    "Um, what'd I say?"  Daren asked.
    "Don't.  Say.  A word."  Michelle snapped.  Daren looked slightly offended but walked off.
    "Um, man, this is ALL on you."  Kurt said.
    "Oh no.  He knows it's all on him."  Matt said.
    "Um ok.  Does someone want to fill me in?"  Michaels asked.
    "NO!"  everyone else exclaimed.  He jumped back in surprise and intimidation.

    "Well you heard Daren.  She's already had someone else ask her."  Cole K said.  Molly slapped her forehead in frustration.

    "My goodness could you be any more dense?!"  Molly said hitting Cole K on the head.

    "Woh.  Lay off.  He's only a boy."  Michelle said.

    "Hey.  What are you getting at?!"  Seth asked pretending to be offended.

    "Boys are dense and you know it."  Michelle said.  Seth shrugged and the rest laughed.

    "Ok but this isn't a laughing matter.  Cole, Sue told Daren that someone already asked her but she's just holding out for you."  Julie said.  This caught him off guard.

    "I still don't get it.  How come I have to ask her?  I'm already her boyfriend so what else does it matter?"  He said defensively.

    "Oh my G-d!  Wake up and smell the friggen Coffee!"  Molly said.

    "It's still your job to make her feel special.  Being a couple doesn't replace the effort to ask her to just a dance."  Amanda added.  Cole K seemed to be deep in thought.

    "Dude, you gotta talk to her."  Alec said.

    "Ok ok.  I'm going.  But where could she be?"  Cole K said getting up.

    "Only one place she'd be."  Molly said.

    "The school fountain."  all the girls and Alec said in unison.  Cole didn't waist another second.  He left.  And he left without finishing his lunch.

    "Now what?  Can we spy?!"  Amanda asked.  The rest laughed.

    "No.  As much as I'd love to spy on them . . . we should give them their moment.  It's all up to him."  Alec said.  The rest exchanged glances and then they all took off after Cole.

Back to Sue:

    I started running after I got out of the building.  I'm not a star track runner like Michelle, but I refused to let myself stop running until I collapsed.  I ignored the pains forming in my stomach.

    And when I finally couldn't run any longer, I found myself in the school gardens.  It was full of flowers and it was used for the science classes but it also had the school's huge stone fountain.  I found it comforting being near fountains.  This school fountain had the school mascot along with a statue of the founder of Leafered Academy.  The bottom of the fountain under the water there were lights and a pebbled bottom so the water looked like it was glowing.  I sat on the edge and just looked at the water and listened to the sounds of the water pouring out of a Gourd that the founder was holding.

    I had such mixed emotions and the school year had just barely begun.  I pulled my legs closer to me and I let the evening breeze send chills down my spine.  I closed my eyes and just tried to sort things out in my mind.  Then I someone spoke.

    "They told me I'd find you here."  I jumped and turned around.  There was Cole K.  Standing there.  The light from the water reflected off of him.  I felt my heart leap.  But I turned my gaze back to the water.  He walked closer and sat down next to me.

    "Why are you here."  I asked.  My voice was shaking.

    "Because I'm here to ask you something that I shoulda asked you a while before."  I looked at him.

    "And why didn't you ask before?"  I asked.

    "Because I was confused.  I'm not that good in the whole dating field.  And I'm still getting used to it."  he said.  I gave him credit for actually coming to find me.  "So I'm here to make things right."  he faced me completely and I did the same.  We were sitting on the edge of the fountain both criss-crossed and facing each other with only the light from the fountain.  It was like a dream.  "Would you go to the dance with me.  And every other dance the school will have this year?"  I laughed.

    "Yes."  then I heard applause.  Oh. My. G-d. They. Did not. hear. everything.  I looked around to see all my friends coming out and applauding.  I felt color rise to my face and I just laughed nervously.

    "Congrats dude.  You did it better than I would've ever done."  Matt said.  I laughed again and all my friends came up to me screaming.

    "Ok it's official.  I'm deaf."  I said covering my ears.

    "Finally!"  Amanda said.  I looked over at Michaels and he nodded and smiled.  He pulled Amanda aside and I already knew what he was talking to her about.  We all headed back towards the dorms after the two of them came back.  I hugged Cole farewell as did the other girls with their 'men' and we walked into the building.

    "That, was, unbelievable."  I said collapsing on the couch.  All the girls did the same.

    "Well Sue finally gets what she was waiting for."  I laughed.

    When I was safely in my bed that night, I couldn't help thinking that this was going to be one hectic year.  But with my friends, then things will be alright.  Cole says he's still not used to relationships and getting used to handling things.  But tonight, he was ok for an 'amateur'.  But can he learn things in time so he doesn't make mistakes again?  I have no idea.  But I'm willing to wait and see.

Leafered Adams Academy for Priveleged Young Boys [and Girls] 3

    "Because. . . Well I was already asked."  I lied.  It wasn't true but I was holding for Cole K to ask me.  Daren's face fell.
    "Oh.  Ok.  Well, I'll see you in class."  I nodded and walked away.  A sinking feeling in my stomach.  When I walked into the home EC studio, i dropped my bag on the table and sat down in a huff.  Amanda and Michelle looked at me questioningly and I could already feel a girl's moment coming on.
    "What happened?"  Amanda asked carefully.
    "Boys."  Michelle and I responded in unison.  I didn't even try to jinx her.
  "This stinks."  I said.  Amanda gave me a look to continue.  "We'll talk about it later this night.  I'm calling a girl's night."  I said. Michelle liked the sound of it.
    So after working on the costumes we dropped by the school store and bought maybe 3 pounds of candy including pixie-stix, Resses, Swedish Fish, Hershey's, and Twizlers. We called everyone and told them that it was a girl's meeting night.

Meanwhile:

    "Dude, when are you just going to ask her to the dance already?"  Matt said to Cole K as they walked out of their classroom. "You are her boyfriend."  Mat was spinning a basketball on his finger.
  "That's the thing though.  Doesn't it mean I don't have to ask her if I'm already going out with her?"  Matt sighed and shook his head.
    "So naive man.  Just because you're going out, doesn't mean she's completely off market."  Cole K was confused now.
    "Huh?  I thought it did."  Matt rolled his eyes.
    "This is seriously your first girlfriend?"
    "Well, technically, no.  First serious girlfriend, yes."  he pointed out.
  "Same story, different version.  You're just dating.  You're not official like going steady or something like that."  Matt said brushing off Cole's excuse.
    "Isn't that term a bit old fashioned?"
    "Dude, our school is old fashioned, our curriculum is old fashioned, what kind of question is that."
    "Point taken.  So wait.  If someone else were to ask her to the dance, she could say yes?"
    "Catching my drift now?"  Cole K just nodded.
    "So how do I make sure she's not available at all to other people?"  Matt slightly laughed at Cole K's choice of words.
    "Make her your steady.  Show her you love her.  And ask her to the dance. Before someone else like Daren does."  Cole K had a sinking feeling in his stomach.  He wasn't really one for saying it out straight.  But for Sue, he knew he had to act.

Back to Sue:

    "So what's the girl dilemma?" Molly asked when everyone was in a circle in our room.  I sighed.
  "The dance."  Michelle said.  As if those words were some sort of power switch, everyone seemed to immediately start thinking of their own stories.  "Anyone wanna share first?"  Michelle offered.
    "Has anyone gotten a date yet?"  Katrina asked.  No one raised their hand.  but then Abby slowly raised her hand.  We all looked at her expectantly.
    "Name please?"  Julie asked.  Abby laughed at our suspenseful faces.
    "His name's Clinton."  I recognized the name but forgot the face.
  "oooooooo.  Abby's got a secret luver!"  Molly exclaimed.  It seemed to break the tension and everyone started telling their own stories. Hearing it seemed to make me feel a little better.  Like I wasn't the only one.
    "Well, Kurt hasn't asked me yet.  But I think he was about to.  But then the random-est thing happened to ruin it.  A duck flew in between us and landed on the ground between us.  We were able to laugh it off but the moment was killed."  Molly said.  We all laughed.  The pounds of candy was slowly eaten down to only 2 pounds.

    "Ok.  well my story has a little less humor.  I was at the gym practicing for Volleyball when I saw Josh and his friends walking by. Josh had said something to his friends and he started walking over towards me.  But I got so nervous and I was only in sweats and I was all icky so I bailed.  And I was almost certain that he was going to be there!"  Julie said.  I pitied her.  She took another Resses and ate it.

    "Ok my turn."  Michelle said.  "Nothing exciting happened, but Seth did say he had something he needed to ask me.  So I've got my fingers crossed."  We smiled at Michelle's happiness.

    "Ok.  Well I don't know if it means this.  But Peter and I agreed to go with each other to the dance in order to take notes on our latest project."  Trisha said.  We all laughed and I said,

    "You got a date.  There's no other option other than you're related and going.  But you're not related.  So you got a date."  Trish just smiled and laughed.

    "Nothing happened with Michaels and myself.  Nothing!  At all."  I nodded.

    "Yeah.  Same here."  I said.  Everyone turned to me and looked at me like I had just grown 3 heads.

    "What do you mean?  Cole hasn't asked you out yet?!"  Molly said not believing it.  I shook my head.

    "Unfortunately.  And I don't even know what's wrong."  I said.  Michelle put a comforting arm around me.

    "Well if he doesn't do anything, we'll take care of him for ya."  I laughed.

    "That's ok Michelle.  If he doesn't take me, I don't know, I might have to say yes to Daren."  This made everyone stop what they were doing.

    "Daren asked you to the dance already?  What did you say?"  Julie asked.

    "I said that I was already asked by someone, but . . ."  I drifted off but Katrina finished for me.

    "You're just waiting for Cole?"  I nodded.  Why are boys so complicating?

The next day - morning:

    "Hey there."  I looked up to see Julie and Abby standing in my doorway.  I slightly smiled at them and grabbed a sweater and stuffed it in my bag.

    "Ready."  I said pretending to act normally.  But last night's conversation didn't help me forget Daren's face when I lied about going with someone already.  When it comes to guilt-trips, I have one of the biggest ones.  I walked out into the hallway and saw the others there.  We started walking towards the Mess Hall for breakfast.

    When we claimed out food, we sat down at the table that we claimed as ours in the first week of school.  The guys came and took their places.  We all said hi and good-morning (with the exception of others that were still mentally asleep *ehem Kurt, Matt, and Molly ehem*)

    "So what's up you guys?"  Michaels said.  We all shrugged.  I picked at my eggs.  I wasn't very hungry.

    "Hey Sue.  What's wrong?"  I looked up to see Cole K's concerned brown eyes.  I looked back down at my eggs.  They looked like two yellow eyes staring at me.  I shook my head.

    "Nothing.  Absolutely nothing.  I'm not very hungry guys."  I said getting up and walking out of the cafeteria.

At the lunch table:

    Matt gave Cole K a warning look.

    "What's up with her?"  Michaels asked.  Him, Peter, Josh, Kurt, and Alec were clueless as to what was going on.  But the rest were exchanging glances.

    "I'll go talk to her."  Alec said getting up.  Michelle started to protest but Molly stopped her.  Alec walked off and left the rest silently @ their table even though the sounds of the Mess Hall around them was loud enough.

Back to Sue:

    I sighed and sat down on a bench.  Thoughts were zooming through my head.  Then I looked up and saw a teacher.  She looked like she was in a daze.  Hard at work writing something down.  I looked closer and saw an exact replica of my journal.  I was focused on memorizing the motions of her hand with her pen.  She seemed to be writing a list.  I started copying the motions and it came out with the words, collect all Bronx Zoo souvenir coins.  It was like a list of things to do when you go on vacation.  But she wasn't a teacher from Alberto.  So she could be a new teacher.  Or a student teacher.  She didn't seem that old.  But we never were good at letting in student teachers since our schools aren't exactly normal.

    I didn't even notice Alec sit down next to me until he said something.

    "Thinking hard?"  I jumped slightly and came back to reality.  I looked over at him and then looked back over to the lady but found her gone already.  Was it a hallucination?  I don't think so.  "What's wrong?  You're kind of out of it."  I sighed.

    "I've got three words for you.  Date, for, dance."  Alec nodded seeming to understand everything from those words.

    "He hasn't asked you yet?"  I shook my head.

    "No.  And Daren had asked me to the dance and I lied to him that I was going with someone else.  But . . ."

    "But you're really holding out for him to get the guts to ask."  I nodded.  "Wow it's weird.  Somehow I'm still able to finish all your sentences like when we were little."  I nodded and laughed.  "Aha!  I got you to laugh.  One point for Alec!'  I laughed again and we headed to classes since first period was about to start.

    "Ok.  New partners!  Katrina, Billy.  Julie, Seth.  Michelle, Cole Katz.  Sue, Cole Michaels.  Molly, Josh.  Trisha, Kurt.  Abby, Peter.  Amanda, Matt."  I looked at my friends.  Another miss-matched partnering.  But throughout class, my mind was elsewhere.  After class I walked up to Matt.

    "Hey Matt.  Does our class eventually go to the Bronx Zoo?"  I asked.  Matt thought about it and then nodded.

    "Yeah.  We  go in the Spring when it's warm out.  Why?"  I shook my head.

    "No reason.  Thank you."  I was about to walk away when Matt spoke again.

    "Are you ok?"  I turned around and didn't answer.  "You were upset this morning because of Cole, right?"  I again, didn't answer.  With my back still to him, I started walking away.

    "If it's that obvious, why do I need to confirm what's already known?"  and then I walked out the door.

Leafered Adams Academy for the Gifted Young Boys [and Girls] 2

    "Sue, PLEASE tell me that's not Daren Pace."  Molly begged.

    "I would, but then I'd be lying."  I said wincing slightly.  Molly and I live near Daren Pace.  He was obsessed with me when we were little.  He was attractive to me at one point.  But now, I don't see him as anything more than a friend.  A very persistent friend at that.

    "Sue, Molly, Who's Daren?  and why the heck did he call Sue Suzie?!"  Michelle said starting to freak out.  I don't let any of my friends or anyone for the matter, to call me Suzie except for my dad.  It's a father,daughter thing.  And it's special to me.  Yet Daren Pace has been persistent on calling me Suzie because he claims it sounds better as ' Suzie Pace ' as opposed to ' Sue Pace '.  Which brings me to my next point.  Daren Pace is also set out on making me his fiance and wife.  Every year he proposes to me.  I'm too nice to completely turn him down (and the fact that with the press of a button, he could sue my parents for more money than they've ever made in their entire life.  But it sounds better when I say I'm too nice)

    "Daren's this kid who lives near us and he was OD obsessed with Sue when we were little."  Molly explained.  I sighed in frustration.

    "This school year just took another turn down Drama Lane."  I said.  Cole K walked over to me and protectively/comfortingly put his arm around me.  It calmed me a bit but it also made me more nervous for the reuniting of Daren Pace and my face and the greeting of Daren and Cole K.  Why me?!

    "Suzie!! It is you!! How have you been?!  I haven't seen you in so long!  Have you missed me?!"  I heard his voice. It made me cringe slightly.  He walked over to our group of friends and he then noticed Cole K's arm around mine.  I noticed a flash of anger enter his eyes but Cole K kept a straight face.  "Who's this."  he asked still looking at Cole K.  Actually, it was more of a demand more than a question.  I sighed.  Jeez this boy can change his attitude at the drop of a pin.  I sent Molly and the others a look crying for help.  Michelle responded first.

    "I'm Michelle.  I lift weights and I can run.  What about you."  She said standing up tall.  Though Daren was a good inch taller than her she still seemed intimidating.  He looked at her weirdly but then seemed to start to back off a bit.  next, Molly stepped forward.

    "Molly!!  So good to see you!"  Molly didn't say anything.  detted!  Josh and Matt took a step forward.  Since Josh is like SUPER tall, he towered over Daren.  It was kind of funny.

    "I'm Josh.  this is Matt."  He said in his low voice.  "And you are?"  he looked Daren up and down acting unimpressed.

    "Um, Suzie?  You wanna help you boy out?"  I tried so hard not to snort in disbelief.

    "Do I want to?" But then my guilt kicked in and I sighed in defeat.

    "You guys.  Heel."  I said.  They backed off slightly.  Daren stood up taller trying to act like his pride wasn't just kicked out the door.  NOT WORKING TOO WELL.

    "So anyway.  how about you and me meet for a movie later to catch up?"  he said totally ignoring the fact that Cole K was standing right there.

    "Can't"  I said.  I looked over at Molly.

    "She's helping me with Spanish."  Molly lied.  I sighed and played along.

    "Oh.  Well how about this weekend?"

    "studying."  I said.  "we'll play it by ear."  I started to walk off when Daren stopped me.

    "It was really nice seeing you again."  he said this sincerely and I almost felt bad for him.  He walked off and we walked in the opposite direction.

    "That was too hard to do."  I said as we're walking away.

    "What do you mean?"  Michelle asked looking puzzled.  "I thought you guys didn't like him."  I nodded.

    "Yeah, he's annoying.  But I'm not very good at completely blowing someone off."  I said.  Molly rolled her eyes.

    "And there's the fact that he can sue the pants right off of you."  We all laughed.

    "Yeah that too.  But either way, that's not the point.  He's going to keep bothering me for all of eternity while we're here."  I began to dread this school year and It's only our first day.

    First I wake up and flash Betty Boop to all the guys.  Now I've got my ex stalker is now attending the same school as me.

    "Lets get to introductory classes first and then we'll worry about everything later."  Michaels said.  We all agreed and started heading towards the buildings where classes are held.  "Who's got, Science with me?"  Michaels asked.

    "That would be me."  Amanda said.  Michaels smiled.

    "Same here."  I said.

    "Actually, it looks like we all do."  Peter said looking at all of our schedules.

    "So why don't we get a move on before we're all late?"  Abby offered.  I nodded in agreement.

    "That would be the smart thing to do."  Katrina said.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

    "Class, my name's Ms. S.  I will be your science teacher."  The lady said.  I exchanged glances with everyone else and I realized that we all had the same question on our minds.  ' is she related to Mr S? ' "Some of you may know Mr S from Alberto Lennard Academy.  Well he's my twin brother."  We all exchanged weird glances around the room.  Some of the people had no idea what she was talking about but the rest of us were in utter babbling shock.  And as if right on cue, there was a knock on the door and Mr S appeared.

    "I heard my name."  he said.  Ms S smiled and went to hug  her brother.

    "Very funny."  she said sarcastically.

    "I see you have my best students in here."  he looked over at our group.  "grade them extra hard."  he said.

    "Great.  Give us the unfair grading."  Michelle said.  I laughed.

    "I'll take care of that.  You, out.  You're not one of my students so out."  Ms S said.  Mr S held his hands up defensively and walked out.

    Ms S turned out to be as awesome as Mr S.  After her class we got to meet our new dance teacher.

    "Well hello there.  I'm Madame Velma.  I'll be your dance teacher for this year.  First off we'll split up into pairs."  I looked around at the people in the room.  Our whole group was here except for Peter, Trisha, and . . . oh crap.  Cole K's not here and Daren is.  "You'll be assigned a different partner every day until I permanently give you your dance partner."  she started reading off the names.  "Cole Michaels, Abigail Parcot.  Amanda Silberman, Josh Littles.  Matthew Cloud, Susan Wetherstine.  Julie Dorian, Billy Shakeman."  I looked around at my friends and I could tell that this was going to be all twisted compared to last year.  When she finished reading off the names I walked over to Matt.  My heart was beating louder with every step.  What is wrong with me?  Maybe I'm coming down with something.  no way can I be nervous about being partners with Matt.

    "Well long time no dance."  he said in his usual cool self smirking.  I smiled weakly.  After warm ups, Madame Velma started making a routine.

    Regardless of her age of late 30's, Madame Velma could dance!!  She explained that she was captain of her high school and college dance team and she loved every minute of it.  Which is what inspired her to become a dance teacher.

   The rest of classes weren't anything worth repeating except for advanced chemistry that i had with Trisha, Peter, and Cole K. so we placed ourselves in a group together.

    but then during some intense speed reading done by Ms S, someone called from the intercom.  They used old fashioned telephones to communicate and Ms S stopped her super-speed-racer reading to answer it.  She listened for a while and then hung up.

    "Susan, Michelle and Amanda.  Madame Velma would like to see you in the auditorium right now.  Take your bags too.  She said you might be there for a while."  I nodded and we walked out the door.

    "It's only our 3 day of school and we're already being called somewhere.  What do you think we're being called for?"  Amanda asked.  I shrugged.

    "We've done the worse.  Couldn't possibly be any worse than last year."  I pointed out.

    "Unless secretly she's some sort of mad cereal killer who's going to lock us in there and then kill us so quick we can't even scream."  Michelle said.  Amanda and I looked at her like she was crazy.

    "Yeah because we're just ordinary kids who end up just screaming out heads off till they're not connected to our body anymore.  Michelle, even if that were true, which is isn't, no way would we go down without a fight."  I pointed out and then I high fived Amanda.

    "Besides.  She's too nice to even try and harm us."  Amanda pointed out.

    We made our way to the auditorium like summoned and there was Madame Velma.  She was sitting on the raisers and was scribbling something down.  She looked up when she heard our footsteps.

    "Well hello girls.  nice to see you again.  You're probably wondering why I called you here."  She smiled warmly at us.  Amanda and I shot Michelle an 'I we told you so' Michelle just rolled her eyes and continued to listen to Madame Velma.  "I've spoken to your old home EC. teacher, Ms Cosmo.  She said that you guys are amazing when it comes to sewing.  I hear that Susan and Michelle have produced a few outfits themselves."  I smiled proudly and so did Michelle.  "So I've asked you three to take care of the costumes for this years school play."  I exchanged glances with my two friends before me.  It sounded like a huge job.  More of a challenge to just three eighth graders.  "It sounds like a big task, I know.  But you can use any materials you need and you can recruit as many of your friends as you'd like.  You can still be a part of the play as well.  I'm the head of the drama section as well so this is why I'm asking you such a big question."  she looked at us with her bright blue eyes full of happiness and hope.  It made me feel imobile to move let alone decline her offer.  And I didn't even feel like declining anyway.  It was a challenge and us Alberto Lennard Academy girls are hard at declining challenges thrown our way.  The three of us smirked and all said at the same time,

    "We're in."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

    "dude lets get moving!"  Michaels said into his phone.  the Glide is the latest phone and since Michaels' phone mysteriously "fell into the pool" over the summer, he got to get another phone.

    "ok ok.  Keep your shorts on!"  I said back.  I had the en-V and I was across campus.  I hung up and closed my mac-book.  I stood up and looked over at Amanda who was changing back into her regular clothes.  Ms Gradey assigned us along with Michelle the duty of making the costumes for the school play this year.  "OK lets go before your boyfriend has another fit and yells at us again."  I said.  Amanda laughed and nodded.

    "Yeah lets go.  I'm just about back to normal clothes."  Amanda said.  We put away the costumes in the making and headed out the door.

    "hey wait for me you guys!!"  Michelle called after us.  She was stumbling into her flip-flops and ended up falling flat on her face.  Amanda and I started laughing in hysteria.  "Very funny guys.  Now does someone want to help me up?" 

    "I will do the honors."  I heard a voice say.  I turned to see Seth Jacobs standing there with a grin on his face.  Michelle laughed a cheesy smile as Seth helped her up.

    "Can we get a move on here people?  Amanda's boyfriends acting like he's got a Wasp up his pants and he's not settling down any time soon."  I said.  "we can save the flirting for later.  Right now, WE GO!"  And we rushed out of the Home Ec building and towards the Mess Hall.  It was actually a relief knowing that we had Seth here.  He knows the school grounds better than any of us girls still and it would really suck to get lost on our own school grounds just because Michaels is getting on our case and because it's lunch time and everyone's dying of hunger.

    As we walked out into the late summer air, I breathed in the sweet smells of the flowers.

    "I think the end of the summer's my favorite."  I said.  "Next to spring of course."  I said opening my arms wide open and twirling.

    Then I felt an arm around my stomach.  I looked to see Cole K.  I lowered my arms and smiled.

    "Hi!  Where are you coming from?"

    "I was in the library."  I nodded.

    "come on.  I'm starving!"  Michelle said starting to jog in the direction of the Mess Hall.

    "Mind if I sit here?"  Daren said walking up to us.  I exchanged glances with everyone and I sighed.

    "Yeah sure.  Go ahead."  He took the seat and started eating.  No one talked at our table.  Then we all started talking.  Not really paying any mind to him.  That's how it's been since we ran in to him a week ago.  Classes have already reached the end of the first week and everyone's relaxed knowing they can start slacking a little more.

    "So did anyone hear hear about the graduating dances planned?"  Daren asked trying to become a part of a conversation.  This caught people's attention.  Michelle was the first to speak.

    "What do you mean?"  Daren seemed pleased that he was able to catch our entire table's attention.

    "Well I know all about the dances planned.  There will be themed dances once a month.  this month's dance is supposed to be masquerade.  Kicking it like the Phantom of the Opera."  Daren took a sip of his sprite and continued.  "It's going to be next weekend actually.  The school's doubling it as our "welcome" dance as well."  I looked over at Amanda and Michelle and we smirked.

    "Well that's another to do in our creativity book."  I said.  Michelle nodded.

    "We'll brainstorm tonight."  We exchanged high fives.  That's when I noticed two pairs of eyes on me.  I turned to see Daren and Cole K looking over at me.  I gulped slightly and tried to pay attention to my lunch but it didn't look too appetizing anymore.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

    "Suzie?"  I tried to ignore his voice as I walked out the arts building.  But when he was right in front of me blocking my way, I had to acknowledge him.  I sighed.

    "What is it Daren?"  I asked.  He took a deep breath.

    "Would you go to the dance with me?"  I felt a pang of guilt.  I looked at him standing there nervously and more vulnerable than I've ever seen him before.  I sighed again and looked away.  "Not to rush you or anything.  But I'm gonna be late for my next class."  I looked back at his face and saw the hope in his eyes.

    "Daren I'm sorry. I can't."  He looked at me so vulnerably.

    "What happened?  Why?"  I sighed for the third time.

    "because . . .

Leafered Adams Academy for Priveleged Young Boys [and Girls] Opening chapter!!!

"Dad hurry up!"  I said while looking around my unfamiliar surroundings.  Dad was unloading the car.
    "Sorry Susie but it's not as easy as it seems.  You wanna help your old man?"  I laughed.
    "One, you're not that old.  And two, no not really." I said.  He smiled sarcastically (yes it's possible) and I walked over to help.  When my things were out of the car, there was a pile.
    "Jeez are you sure you need all of this stuff?  You're only here for a year."  I nodded.
    "These are necessities!  TV, Sound system, full bedding with pillows, bathroom supplies, posters, the works!"  I said.  I smiled at my parents.  Mom had just come back from the administration building.  Dad wrapped an arm around her waist.  My parents really weren't that old.  They are only 40 (My eldest supposed sister who died was adopted bye them).  "Well we're all set right?"  I asked.  Mom nodded.
    "Oh I hope you have fun while your here."  I nodded.
    "I'll be fine!"  I smiled at them.  Code 1 of Special Operations Status.  Act as you're not.  I was really nervous as hell but if my parents knew, then they'd freak out and take me back to Greenwich in a split second.  So we started lugging all my things towards the dorm building I'd be staying in.  It was called Iris (Ironically it's another flower named building).  I looked around at the parents, luggage, kids, teachers, cars, and furniture.  Suddenly someone grabbed hold of my shoulder.  Instinctively I grabbed their arm, and flipped them over.  But instead of the person (which was a brunette girl) falling on their but (which hurts very much.  Lots of experience there), they countered it by landing on their hands, turning them self around so now their upside down body had their back to me.  Then finally they lowered their legs and stood up.
    "That's kinda like a ' hi ' but different."  She said straightening her shirt.  I then recognized her and tackled her to the ground.  "Gah! I kinda need my body in one piece for this school year!"  I laughed and pulled away.  There lay Molly Holly on the ground.  I stood up and helped her up.  "Well Hi Susie."  She said.  I laughed.
    "What did I tell you about calling me that?"  She shrugged.
    "Whatever it was I was probably not listening."  Her parents walked over and they started talking with my parents.  Molly's family is aw-some when it comes to names.  Her mom's name is Dolly Holly, her little sister's name's Polly Holly, her older brother's name is Wally Holly, and her dad's name is Joe.  Isn't that just like, AW-SOME?!  Well I think so.  So while the elders (not really) were chatting away, Molly and I were both talking a mile fast.  You see, I hadn't seen anyone this whole summer and all we could manage were like 5-minute phone calls since all of us had something to do.  So it was a relief to see her finally in person.
    "Wait a minute, Molly!  You got a tan!"  She smiled.  She was obviously proud of herself.  Then again, a lot of girls are proud when they get a tan.
    "Come on!  You can marvel about my skin later.  Lets find the others!"  And without warning, she dragged me off deeper on campus, leaving our folks with the baggage.  We started wandering around after we realized we didn't know where we were going.  It would really have helped if I took the map mom had, with me.  But being myself, I don't think ahead all the time.  So finally we gave up and just sat on a bench.  "Well this is different than I had planned.  This campus is like twice the size of our campus and there's a completely different set up of buildings."  Molly said frustrated.
    "You need any help ladies?"  I heard someone from behind us say.
    "Oh that would hel-"  I started to say as I turned to face the person behind us.  Then I looked at the face and squealed.  I jumped over the bench I was just sitting on and hugged/tackled the guy to the ground.  He laughed.  Molly looked at us weirdly.  I laughed and stood up.
    "Um, do you want to tell me why you attacked some random dude?"  Molly asked.
    "Not just any random dude."  I said.
    "Hi, I'm Alec Trenton.  I'm one of Sue's friends."  The guy said standing up.  He held out his hand and Molly took it.  Alec's average height of a 13 year old boy.  About 5'3", brown shaggy hair, tan, athletic.  Usual guys I guess.  He went to my camp and we've been friends since we were like 4.  So we're pretty close.
    "Molly Holly."  Molly introduced.
    "Woe!  Aw-some name dude!"  Alec exclaimed.  I laughed.
    "Yeah I get that a lot."  She said.  So we started wandering around.  Alec would tell us about the buildings, their names, and what goes on in the classrooms.  We were walking in one hallway when we heard a giggle.  We all looked around but everyone around us were walking to get to early introduction classes, or trying to get to dorms.  We kept walking and heard another giggle.  I looked over at Alec and Molly and they looked over at me.
    "Anyone else hear that?"  I asked.  They nodded.
    "Oh-k so either there's someone there or we're all going crazy."  Alec said.  So Molly and I took out our specialized shades.  They have a secret mirror on the outside of the lens so we can see who's behind us.  But I didn't see anything.  So I took off the shades and looked over at Molly.
    "Oh-k there's no one behind or around us."  I said.  I was starting to think I was actually going a little coo-coo.  But then Alec tapped my shoulder and gave me a look.
    "If they're not in front, in back, or to the side of us, and they can't be under us, where else is there to look."  he said.  I realized it and I took out my compact mirror.  Oh so Subtly I moved it so I had the reflection of the high ceiling above us.  sure enough I saw the leg of someone.  I smirked and in a split second two people were on the ground on top of each other groaning.  I laughed at the sight.  There lay Michelle and Amanda rubbing their butts from impact with the ground.

    "Mayday Mayday!!"  Michelle said.

    "Abort abort!"  Amanda said.

    "Tell me who are you working for."  Molly interrogated pulling a metal ruler out of nowhere and holding it up to their throats.

    "You'll never get it out of me!!"  Amanda exclaimed.

    "fine.  Alec, would you mind?"  I said.  Alec nodded.  He grabbed hold of both of them and then Molly and I started attacking them.  We tickled them and I'm guessing we caused a scene.

    "Guys. the jig's up."  I heard a voice behind me say.  Molly and I turned around to come face to face with Trisha.

    "So.  We meet again."  Molly said holding her ruler like a sword in both hands.

    "I couldn't defeat you before.  But I shall not make that mistake again.  Molly."  Trisha responded taking out one of those hugo pens that you can by for like 99 cents at school or corner stores.  The crap ones that end up jamming after you first click it and there's about as much ink as a mini pen.  Yeah those.  Somehow everyone's pulling these big objects out of no where.  Anyway, Michelle and Amanda all of a sudden ran over to Trisha with their own hugo pens backing up Trisha.  Alec and I pulled out our own rulers, again, out of no where and we were standing face to face.

    "It's three on three.  What's our plan of action?"  Alec asked.

    "I'll take on Michelle.  Alec, you got Amanda.  Molly, you got Trisha."  I said.  We were about to attack when a voice intervened.

    "Hey you guys!!"  We all turned to see Julie and Katrina.  Immediately we all dropped our ' weapons ' and rushed over.  We all attacked the two and fell to the ground in a heap and started dying of laughter.  I saw Alec look at us all with a wtf?! look.

    "Alec.  these are my friends.  Julie, Katrina, Amanda, Trisha, and Michelle.  All the gals minus Abby.  Speaking of which, where is she?"  I introduced.

    "Present!"  She said from behind me.  I jumped a mile high (which is easy with special case sensitive sneakers that can give you the feel of walking on the moon - but they're still in the prototype stage and not very stylish)

    "gah! Don't do that to me! I'm not as old as I used to be!" I said while breathing heavily.
    "sorry. It's too funny sometimes." Abby said. I rolled my eyes. I hugged her anyway and we made our way towards the dorms like we originally planned at first.
    "so what are we gonna do? Hey wait where are the guys?" I asked.
    "no clue. Oh no u think that David got to them already?!" Julie joked.
    "David? I'm guessing this is the David you told me about before. The one that's in the special operations Juvenal jail." Alec said. I nodded.
    "that's him alright the bastard. Oops excuse my french."
    "sue, seriously. We've heard worse come from your mouth." molly said.
    "you're one to talk yourself molly." Julie added.
    "who little Ole me?!" molly said pretending to be innocent. We all laughed.
    "first of all, little Ole you is taller than me. Second, chya right you're sooo far from innocent. All of us are." Amanda said.
        "shorty has a point." I said as Amanda stuck her tongue out at me for the short comment.
    "hey. No insulting my girlfriend." a very familiar voice said. We all turned to see the guys and Michaels who had spoken. I laughed and ran over to him and attacked him.
    "hey sue. U mind leaving
my boyfriend in one piece for me?" amanda said. "You have your own man to hug." she added. I laughed and looked for the brown eyes that had me head over heels last year. And there he was. I laughed and went over and embraced him. He wrapped his arms around me and I felt at peace. Now I'm truely back at school.
    "Hey are you guys ever going to break apart?" Michelle asked ruining the moment. I laughed and honked her on the head.
    "hey! Go to your own boyfriend and stop interfering." I said laughing still. She slightly glared at me but I could tell she was happy to oblige. Of course who could blame her? She hasn't seen him at all during the summer. None of us really saw anyone during the summer. I watched Michelle and Seth hug each other and I could tell that Michelle had the same feeling of contentment that I did. I looked over to the others and saw that molly was hugging Kurt and Julie with josh. Wow this was kinda strange. So was Trisha and peter. I never knew that they were official. Then again Kurt's not allowed to date till he's like 16. Which really stinks on molly's part but they're still so cute together. Abby was talking to Matt and Alec and I realized that Abby is the only one not active in a relationship at the moment. Somehow gears started turning in my mind even though I'd end up getting hit in the end for it. It was still fun and I guess familiar for my mind to be dealing with social drama since a lot happened since the boys of leafered Adams academy came to the once before all girls school of alberto lennard academy.
    "wow it's so good to be reunited finally." Julie said looking around at all of us. I nodded in agreement.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    "Wake up Sue!!!  They're here already!  Jeez!!"  I heard someone say and then something collided with my face.  I opened my eyes to see a pillow in my face.  I looked for the culprit and saw Michelle.  I glared bloody murder and she squeaked in fear slightly and dashed out of the room and into the hall.  But I froze when I saw them.  The guys were standing there.  They were in the hall.  They were looking at me a bit embarrassed.  I looked down a realized I was still in pajamas.  A tank-top and girl's boxers with pictures of Betty-Boop all over them.  I felt color rush to my face as I rushed back into my room and closed/locked my door.

    This was my first night sleeping in the Leafered Adams Academy dorms.  It was certainly different from my old dorm from last year.  It wasn't a suite but I still had a pretty sizable room that I shared with Michelle.  We're still near the other gals and it's easy to get used to.  It's the day before classes and we have the whole day to get to know the campus and teachers and we meet with the head dean today.  So I put on something that was still casual but not slob casual.  I put on plaid pink bermuda's, a white cami, and a brown racer-back over it.  I put on my metallic silver flip-flops and a string of pearls on.  I brushed my hair and walked back out trying t gather my dignity again.  I walked out and the guys were still there looking a bit dazed.  I waved my hands in front of their faces but nothing happened.

    "Oh come on.  They were just boxers for Pete's sake!!!  Sorry Peter.  Not you."  I said.  They finally seemed to wander back to earth and the rest of the girls appeared.  I shot a glare at her and she smiled weakly.  "My first day on campus and I've already given the image of me in Betty-Boop boxers to 7 guys.  this is just going to be a lovely year isn't it?"  I said with so much sarcasm.

    "Come on you drama queen."  Molly said.  We walked out of the girl's dorms and towards the main auditorium.  It was HUMONGOUS!!!!  Oh my goodness it was able to seat our whole school and then some!!!

    "Woh."  Me and all the girls said in unison at the size.  We found some seats and started talking to other people and such.  Then the dean himself walked up the raisers and onto the stage.  Everyone quieted down for the aged man to speak.

    "Welcome to the new students.  I hope your stay here will be pleasant.  Welcome back to the returning students here at Leafered Adams Academy.  I am Dean Cloud and I would like to personally welcome you to our school."  We all turned to face Matt except myself.  I already knew that Matt's grandfather was the head dean but I can understand the shock.  Matt never talked about Leafered that much so it naturally came as a shock.  "We here at Leafered take our jobs in education very seriously and some things we do here are a bit old school.  but do not underestimate our abilities.  And enjoy your semesters here."  We all clapped as he walked off.  I could hear someone saying something.

    "Get ready for the dunce hat you guys."  I rolled my eyes.  Such idiots.

    We all walked outside into the late summer heat.  I sighed and pulled my hair back in a ponytail.

    "Well that's over."  I said.

    "What do we do now?"  Molly asked.

    "I don't know.  We've got a sushi bar if you wanna head over there."  Michaels suggested.  We all agreed and walked towards the part of campus near the school bookstore.  As we walked I caught glimpse of a familiar kid with Blonde hair, freckles, about 5'4".  I suddenly didn't feel like I could digest any raw fish right now.  I was really hoping that I mis-read the looks wrong.

    But I knew I wasn't fooling myself.  He was here.  And I was eventually going to have to face him.  Daren Pace.

    Formerly known as the son of the inventor of Pace Salsa.  He was obsessed with me when we were little.  I tried walking faster to get away from him but I then felt the stare of someone's eyes on my back.

    "Hey Suzie!  Is that you?!"  I cringed.

    "Suzie?!"  the rest of my friends exclaimed shocked.

Secrets Will Always Find a Way to the Open (A Sequel to Alberto Lennard Academy) Ch 12 Finale

It's our last week at school before Summer Break lets out.  It's sunny and warm and finals are finally finished.  We were anxious for our annual end of the year trip.  This year it was overnight at a theme park.  So we're all psyched.  It's near a boardwalk as well so we'll get to go to the beach.
    "Pink bikini or blue?"  Michelle asked.
    "Brown."  Molly said throwing her brown one at Michelle's head.  I laughed.  We were packing all our things but packing a separate suitcase for the trip.  It was 3 days 2 nights.
    "Oh-k now me.  Black, or White?"  I asked.
    "Red."  Michelle said throwing her red one at my head.  We started laughing again.
    "Oh-k.  Blue or Pink."  Molly asked.
    "Green."  Michelle and I both said in unison.  Then Trisha walked in.  She was with Amanda.
    "Oh-k now us."  Amanda said.  I smiled and laughed slightly.
    "Orange for Trisha.  Blue and white for Amanda."  Michelle said almost effortlessly.
    "Julie before you ask, Purple."  I said just as Julie walked in.  She smiled, threw a thumbs up sign, and walked back to her room.  The rest of the time we spent packing something for every case scenario.  Usually there was a dance so we brought something more nice.  We of course had bathing suits, sweatshirts in case it was chilly, sunscreen, sunglasses, sunblock, umbrellas, cameras, etc.
    "Oh-k if we forgot something, it's the sign of the apocalypse."  Molly said laughing.  We did pack a lot for just a three day trip.
~~
    "Oh-k does everyone have everything they need before we take off?!"  MS Nerves asked in the parking lot in front of the fully loaded coach buses.  She was always nervous about something and we will never know why the heck she chose to teach about weaponry in the first place.  When she was reassured 5 times by Mr S and Ms Gradey, we finally piled onto the buses.  It was assigned by our classes.  I was with my entire dance class which was good because all my friends were on the bus.  I brought my laptop and last minutely checked the weather, and wrote last minute things in my on-line diary.
    "Oh come on Sue!  How can you possibly be writing still!"  Molly asked.  I laughed at put my laptop away.
    "Oh-k oh-k it's away.  Happy?!"  I asked.  She smiled.
    "Very.  Now pay more attention to your boyfriend instead of me."  I playfully hit her.
    "Thanks Molly.  You too,"  She smiled.
    "You're very welcome, and I'm the only one who can tease you about boyfriends."  I rolled my eyes.
    "I beg to differ."  I said smirking.  Then I looked over at Michelle and Seth.  And then at Michaels and Amanda.  Then I looked next to me to see Cole K staring at me.  "And what are you looking at?" I asked.
    "You."  I smiled and felt my face flush a little.
    "AW!"  Michelle and Molly exclaimed.  I rolled my eyes and conked  both of them on the head.  "Ow!"  They  said.  Is smirked and nodded.
    "That's what you get."
    "Everyone sit down so we can take attendance and finally get on the road."  Ms Gradey said.  Everyone quieted down and went back to their seats.  "You can move back when I'm finished."  She read off the names and after everyone said ' here ' we were off!  When we pulled out of the parking lot and out of the gates, everyone cheered.  It was our time for freedom!
~~
    "Everyone please stay seated until we sort out our rooms."  Ms Gradey attempted to calm the crowd but everyone was already basically jumping and bouncing off the walls of the bus.  I was taking pictures left and right.  "Listen for your name, roommates, and room number."  she started reading names and numbers off.  "Susan Wetherstine, Amanda Silberman, Molly Holly, and Bethany Hamilton, room 29, second floor."  I high fived Michelle, Amanda, and Molly.  "Trisha Beckles, Abigail Parcot, and Julie Dorian.  Room 30, second floor."  The three cheered and we waited for the other names to be called out.  "Mathew Cloud, Cole Katz, Cole Michaels, and Peter freedberg, Room 29, third floor."  I looked over at Cole K and saw him become slightly uncomfortable.  He would be sharing a room with Matt.  Oh boy.  I looked over at Matt but his back was turned to me.  I sighed, knowing I'd have to confront him.
    We walked to our rooms and marveled at the size of the rooms.
    "Oh-k I'm sleeping here."  Molly said claiming one of the bottom bunks.  There were two bunk beds and a couch and a TV.  I claimed the other bottom bunk.  Michelle took the top bunk over me and Amanda took the one over Molly.  We quickly unpacked, changed into bathing suits under our clothes and went back out into the hallway.  Mr S was handing out passes for the amusement park.  We got ours and dashed off.  Our only rules were to make sure we remembered that we were representing our school. not go beyond the amusement park or the beach without an adult.
    "Oh-k where to go first."  Amanda said looking around.  Then we spotted one of the rides that goes all the way up, then shoots down.  I exchanged glances with my friends and we rushed onto the line.  Luckily it wasn't too long.  We hurried on and screamed our head off.  At the top, Julie and I started hyperventilating.  When we got off we were met by the guys.
    "Oh hey guys."  Michelle said.  They all nodded.
    "What's it with guys and that nodding thing?"  Molly asked.  Her and I started nodding at random people and we received weird looks from people.  We just cracked up and moved to the next ride.  I suddenly found myself walking next to Matt.  I refrained from looking over at him too much but I knew it was now or never.
    "Um Matt?"  He looked at me and then at the ground.
    "Yeah, what."  he said simply.  He was back to his bored tone.  The same tone that had charmed me in the beginning.  Now it seemed as cold as ice.
    "We need to talk.  Well I think we need to talk."  I said.  He stopped walking at faced me.  The others walked on.
    "Oh-k you wanna talk, lets talk."  He said simply.  I sighed.
    "You hate me right now and you have every right.  I'm sorry I kept leading you on like that before.  But,"
    "You moved on, that's that.  Yeah I still like you, but I'll live.  If that's it,"  he started walking away.  I grabbed his arm and pulled him back.
    "No that's not it.  You hate me and you can't even admit it.  Why?!  I'm apologizing for hurting you.  You're brushing it off like it doesn't matter!"  I said.  He was starting to annoy me.
    "No you just can't stand that I'm not mad at you!  You need order in order to feel satisfied.  Well guess what?!  Everything is not always the way you expect it to play out!" and he stormed off.  I just stood there and let him leave.  I guess it was my own fault for that.  Karma sucks.
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    "Ugh there you are."  Peter said when Matt walked up to the group.
    "Wait.  Where's Sue?  She was with you before wasn't she?!"  Michelle said.  Matt shrugged not really caring.
    "Whatever.  I'm sure she's fine."
    "Um, NO!!  Don't you know that she sucks with directions?!  She can decode almost any cryptic message with the pressure of a bomb ticking.  She can do that sort of things.  But try to give her directions and you might as well leave breadcrumbs wherever you go."  Molly exclaimed.
    "Well sorry.  Just call her."  He said.
    "We weren't allowed to take our phones in case they got taken away or stolen."  Julie said.  Katrina started pacing.
    "This isn't good.  Where were you when you last saw her?"  She asked.
    "I don't know.  I wasn't paying attention."
    "Well that's not a good excuse for a special operative in training to say.  That even though he was acting like a brat in front of a very sincere girl, he couldn't remember his damn surroundings!"  Amanda said.  The girls started to get a bit jittery.  Trisha was the first to notice it.  The look on Cole K's face.  He had a look of worry on as well as a look that could  kill that he was flashing at Matt.
    "Cole you can't kill him. Yet."  Trisha said calming but said the last word with venom.
    "Why are you blaming it on me?!  She was the one that pulled me away."  Matt said defensively.
    "And who was the one that left her there?  Huh?!"  Abby said.  Matt sighed.  Cole K suddenly stormed off.
    "Hey dude, where are you going?"  Michaels asked.
    "To go look for her.  Instead of standing around and arguing."  he retorted and stormed off.
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    "This can't be right.  I must've made a wrong turn."  I said looking at a map of the park.  It was confusing.  The names of the rides confused me and regardless of the amusement park not being so big, I WAS LOST AT THE MOMENT.  I wandered around and decided to give up.  I'd eventually find my way back to the hotel.  So I just spent an hour riding the rides by myself.  Until something caught my eye.  I turned to see Cole K right before he punched Matt in the nose.  I gasped and ran out of the line I was currently waiting in.  I ran over to them and tried to stop the brawl that had broken out between the two.  "Matt!  Cole!  STOP!"  I exclaimed.  The two finally took notice to me.  Some people were staring at us.  They stood up and I looked at the two appalled.  Cole K moved in to hug me but I moved away.  Both of them were pretty bruised and Matt had a bloody nose form Cole's fist colliding with his nose cartilage.  "What that hell's wrong with you two?!"  I asked.  Cole K looked down and then to Matt.  To me, and then back at the ground.  Matt was looking completely away.  He wiped his nose and the tension between the three of us was growing.  I think I had unconsciously sent a mental SOS message to Michelle because suddenly everyone else came running.  But Matt, Cole K, and now I, had a glare on our faces.  So when Michelle and Molly attacked me hugging me, I ignored it.  My gaze switched from Cole K, to Matt and back to Cole K.  The guys walked over to them and they tried to calm Matt and Cole K down.  Obviously it wasn't working.  Michaels tried to calm Cole K down.  His arm was around him but he just brushed it ff and continued to scowl at the ground.
    "Fight all you want but we need to get Matt and Cole-" I stormed off.  No way was I sticking around. 
    "I hope you two are happy now.  Beating the stuffing out of each other for stupid reasons!"  I exclaimed turning around to yell at them.  Then I turned my back towards them and strode away from the scene.  Jeez boys are so idiotic sometimes.
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    "-cleaned. . . up" Trisha finished when Sue walked away.  "Is someone going to go after her?  We spent forever trying to find her."  Trisha asked.  No one moved.
    "We'll go."  Amanda said pointing at herself and Michelle.  They ran off to catch up with Sue.
    "Now for you two.  What happened?!"  Trisha said turning to the two scowling boys.
    "Nothing."  Matt said.  He tried to storm off again but Peter and Michaels blocked his path.
    "You're not storming off. Your attitude's been getting worse since Sue dumped you." Michaels said.  Matt shot him a glare.
    "Shut it and move."  He tried to push passed them but Josh and Kurt backed them up and they completely surrounded him.  Meanwhile Cole K was still glaring at the ground.
    "Cole.  Can you please tell us what happened."  Julie asked.  He looked up at them, back to the floor, and continued to glare.
    "Fine.  But you both realize that by hating each other is only hurting Sue more and more.  Right now she's really upset because of the two of you."  Abby said.  Cole K stopped glaring and just stared at an ant passing by.  Matt also stopped fighting back against the circle of guys.  Cole K was the first to give in.
    "He told me what he said to Sue earlier when she first got lost and, well, I lost my temper."  He said.
    "Yeah, you let your temper out on a rampage!  You broke my nose."  Matt shot back.
    "Karma's a B isn't it."  Cole K retorted.
    "You guys!!!  Do you not see that with every insult u throw at each other, you're not solving anything."  Molly cut in.  "Is that what you want?!  To keep making Sue upset?!"  Matt and Cole K seemed to calm down a bit again.
    "I'll call a truce with him only if he agrees."  Cole K said.  Everyone's gaze shifted to Matt.  He looked at the ground.  Matt seemed to be fighting with himself.  Trying to either tell himself to say no.  Or telling himself to say yes.  He finally reached a verdict and he sighed.
    "Oh-k.  If it's for Sue, I'll deal with him."  he said defeated.  All the girls breathed a sigh of relief.  Thank G-d things didn't get much more complicated.  Then they started to look for where Amanda, Michelle, and Sue were.  Again.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Meanwhile Michelle and Amanda just caught up to me.
    "Hey Sue.  Wait up."  Amanda said grabbing my arm.  I turned around showing them my face that had a single tear rolling down my face.  Michelle stopped moving.  She looked at me and then pulled me in a huge hug.  I then let out all my anger and cried in Michelle's shoulder.  Amanda was comforting me as well.  When I calmed down I pulled away and Amanda handed me a tissue.
    "It's just so frustrating.  Why do guys have to take things to the extreme of violence?!"  I asked as we started walking.  Michelle bought me cotton candy but I didn't eat any.  "Do they honestly enjoy scaring me to death?!"  I asked.
    "No.  I'm sure neither of them meant to scare you like that."  Michelle said.
    "Oh well.  I don't know if I have the strength to look at either of them."  I said.
    "Well you might wanna eat some protein or something fast.  Because everyone else is heading our way.  2 o clock."  Amanda said.  I looked in the direction to see none other than the rest of our gang.  including Matt and Cole K.  Matt had ice on his head and so did Cole K.  Matt's bloody nose was taken care of and all that was still visible of a fight was a bruise on both their arms and the slight limp in Cole's step.  They walked up to me and I looked at the ground.  Molly hugged me and so did the other girls.  We started making our way back towards the hotel.  Our first day at the amusement park and so much drama occurred.
    "Oh-k my darlings."  Ms Gradey said back in the hotel.  She was giving my class an announcement.  "On Sunday night (it's Friday right now) we will have our closing activity.  We'll be having a bonfire on the beach and a fireworks display to end the night.  There will be a barbecue for dinner out on the beach.  How does that sound to you all?"  she said smiling.  We all cheered.  "That's what I thought.  Oh-k don't go down to the dining area until you get this pass."  She held up the passes and we all got up to go get one.  We all headed down to the dining area and I could tell that Cole K was trying to get over to me.  I was kinda avoiding him and Matt.
    "Hey lets sit over here."  Michelle said pointing to a large round table.  We all claimed our chairs and I noticed that Cole K claimed the chair to my left.  I looked over at Michelle for help but she just shook her head and gave me an encouraging smile.  I sighed and remained where I was.  It seemed to be an encouragement enough for him to start talking to me.
    "Listen, I want to really apologize to you.  For before.  For. . . punching Matt in the nose."  I stared at my plate and then turned to face him.  His eyes were so soft and vulnerable.  I could tell he was really sorry.  But I kept telling myself to be strong.  So I forced myself to look away from his soft brown eyes and ordered myself to eat.  Even though I wasn't hungry.  I tried to push him out of my head but I knew that it was hopeless.  He eventually sighed and gave up.  He returned to his food.  I looked up to see Michelle, molly, Julie, and Amanda staring at me.  They gave me ' wtf ' looks but I just looked back down at my food. 
    I excused myself from the table and walked out of the hotel.  I didn't feel like going straight back to the bunks yet.  So I instead snuck down to the beach.  I pulled out my journal.  I started writing.  I sat on the sand with my toes touching the water.  It was cold and I watched the setting sun.  Suddenly I heard feet moving across the sand.  I ignored it in case it was a couple just strolling in the sand enjoying the sunset.  But when the feet stopped right behind me, I knew it was someone for me.  They sat down next to me and I could tell they were reading over my shoulder.  I snapped the book shut and turned to yell at the nosy person disturbing my peace.  But just as I opened my mouth to say something, I met Cole K's soft brown eyes staring into my brown eyes.  I looked away.  I tried to get back to my writing but I knew it was no use anymore.  I'd have to face it eventually.  And no time like the present.
    "What is it Cole?"  I asked.  He looked at me with his sincere eyes.  I knew I wouldn't be able to last much longer.
    "I'm sorry.  Really I am.  I didn't take your feelings into consideration and I didn't realize how upset I made you by, you know, punching Matt."  I nodded.
    "Yeah, I know.  Doesn't make it any better though."  I replied shortly.
    "I wish it would.  But I know it's not enough.  Look I'm really sorry.  I am.  Are you going to make me beg?"  he asked.  I thought he was joking.
    "Like you would actually do that."  I said rolling my eyes.  He got on his knees facing me and actually started begging!
    "Please, I'm sorry.  I'm sorry.  I'm sorry.  I'm so sorry."  I laughed.  I couldn't help it.  "I swear I was completely clueless to how much it bothered you."
    "That's the thing with guys though.  They don't realize it when his stupid actions hurt others."  I said.
    "I would protest against that, but I've known several cases where that's true.  So never mind."  I laughed.  "So are you still mad at me?"  he asked.  I thought about it.
    "Well I can't hate you for long.  But I'm still not very happy about your choice of actions.  Why did you do it?"  I asked.  Cole K sighed.
    "Because he said something that ticked me off and I let my temper get the better of me.  If it helps, we made a truce for you."  I was shocked at the last comment.
    "For me?"  I asked.  He nodded.
    "Yeah.  Trisha, Molly, and Abby and the others helped us realize how much we upset you.  So we agreed to a truce for your sake."  I smiled at him.
    "Thank you."  He smiled back.  Then he pulled me into a hug.  I hugged him back.  He was warm and it felt good since there was a steady breeze from the ocean at all times and since the sun was already mostly gone, it was a little chilly.  I reluctantly pulled away
and the sudden air hitting my skin made me shiver.  So Cole pulled me back into a hug and I didn't mind.  I could hear the stifle of a giggle so I turned around to see everyone staring at us.  Michelle and Molly were making heart signs with their fingers and saying aw.  I mock glared at them and stood up.  Cole K did as well and we both made our way over to the group.
    "AWW!!!"  Michelle, Molly, Julie, and Amanda exclaimed attacking me with hugs.
    "Oh yeah.  another matter Cole K.  Since you're going out with Sue now, we gotta lay down some rules. " Julie said.  I rolled my eyes.
    "Oh boy.  You just have to give him the talk.  Why?!"  I said.
    "It's tradition."  Abby said.  Molly started singing the song Tradition from the Fiddler on the Roof.  I stopped her and rolled my eyes.
    "Just get it over with fast.  And no major threats."  I warned.  Julie stamped her foot.
    "That's no fair!!"  She complained.
    "Well, tough."  I said.  Then I pat her on the back and let them go to torture Cole K with their talk.  When they were done we went back inside and hurried to our rooms before we got in trouble.
    I was in bed still thinking about what happened today.  What would the next days bring me?
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    The next day everything was normal and fun.  No one got punched, lost in the crowd, upset, or angry.  Well unless you count Michelle when we tried to take her on a completely upside down ride.  Saturday zoomed by faster than we thought and before we knew it, it was our last day here.  It's already around noon.  I was waiting in line for a ride and I was already not feeling so hot.  My head hurt from the last ride I went on but I pushed myself to go on this one.  It looked fun and I didn't want to regret it later.  So I went on it.  And once I got off, I fainted.  Yeah, very smart Sue.
    I didn't know how long I was out.  But I was in darkness and then heard a far off voice calling my name.  It sounded like Molly.  I followed the voice and found myself lying on the ground.  I slowly opened my eyes and saw everyone staring at me.  I started to sit up but then a headache rushed to my head.  I groaned in pain.  Cole put a supportive arm around me and helped me sit up.
    "Here."  Trisha handed me an Advil and Michelle handed me a bottle of water.  I swallowed the pill and washed it down with the water.  Then I stood up and looked around.  I saw that we were at the beach already.  The teachers were already setting up for the barbecue and bonfire.
    "What time is it?"  I asked.
    "Eh, bout 4:00 or so."  I looked at her shocked.
    "I was out for 3 hours?!"  I asked.
    "Kinda.  We had taken you back to our room.  With the help of Cole carrying you."  Trisha said pointing at Cole K.  I looked at him and blushed slightly.
    "Thanks."  I said.  He nodded.
    "Well dinner's in two hours."  Peter said looking at his ' normal ' Timex watch.  I sighed.
    "It's our last day and I'm unconscious for 3 hours of it."  I said.  I stood up slowly and started wandering around.  Amanda, Julie, Josh, Michaels, Molly, Matt, and Kurt went to play basketball.  Michelle and Seth were talking about track with some of their other teammates, and Abby, Trisha, and Peter started talking about what Abby saw during her research trip.  I was walking against the water and Cole K walked next to me.
    "Hey you feeling oh-k?"  he asked.  I nodded.
    "Yeah, I recover quickly I guess."  I said.  I only talked to him for a little while until he went off to join the others in the basketball game though.  So I walked along the beach alone.  Just thinking.  I went over the past school year in my head.  When the guys first came, when we were all super shocked, when I fell in love for the first time.  Kayla's idea for the social, my supposed sister's death, drama at home, coming back, all of it.  Eventually I got bored so I joined the basketball game.  The teams were Molly, Amanda, Julie, Katrina, Abby, and I, against Kurt, Michaels, Josh, Billy, Matt, and Cole K.  Boys against girls basically.  Michelle and Seth didn't play.  Currently the girls were loosing 3-1.  We had only another half hour until dinner.  The wager was that the losers, have to jump through the bonfire.
~~
    "YES!  And that's game.  What now!!"  Molly said getting in the guys faces.  We beat them in the end.  5-3 girls.  The boys had to run through the fire now.  We went to go get something to eat and pick a place on a really big blanket.  I had a hot-dog and water.  When we were finished eating Mr S started the Bonfire.
    "Oh-k one rule.  No one is to go through this bonfire, or trip or push anyone in.  This is a very sizable fire and we don't want anyone to fall i-" suddenly he slipped on a plate and took 2 steps in the blazing fire.  Everyone gasped and looked alarmed and worried.  But Mr S just stood up, and walked out of the fire.  "The wonders of fire proof pants.  They're a new invention the Fire Department are thinking of using in special facilities."  Mr S said.  I breathed a sigh of relief.  I sat back down and we all enjoyed the fir.  Everyone started talking again and then our canter, Canter Liz walked up wither her guitar.  We all started singing the school song, songs on the radio, and any songs we could think of.  Eventually it got dark and the fire started to decrease in its flames and size.  Everyone lay down on towels and blankets and stared at the sky waiting for the fire works.  They started and everyone stared in awe.  I sat up and looked up above the ocean.  My friends were also sitting up looking at the explosions.
    "This is the end isn't it."  I said glancing at my friends and then directing my attention back at the sky.
    "Yeah.  And all the action and drama's over now.  What and I gonna do over the summer?!"  Molly complained.
    "Oh-k attention for a second."  Dean Withers said clapping her hands to get our attention.  "Next year we will not be spending your school year at the school campus.  We will be having a switch.  The girls that have been sent over to the Leafered Adams Academy for the Young and Privileged Boys and Girls, will be transferring back to Alberto Lennard Academy and you will be going to Leafered to experience they're curricular and town enjoyments.  Same with the guys.  You will be switching with some of your other fellow male classmates and going back for the year."  She said.  When she was done everyone started talking about it.  What was going to happen?  What was Leafered Adams Academy like?
    "Oh my G-d I have to show you guys SO much when we get there!"  Michaels exclaimed.  Trisha had her mouth open in shock.
    "Trisha close your mouth, we are not a cod-fish."  Molly said reciting the line from Mary Poppins.  We all laughed.
    "So it's our last night with our friends and attending ALA for a whole year."  I said.  Everyone nodded.  I turned my attention back to the fireworks and felt a hand grab mine.  I looked over to see Cole K's brown eyes.  I smiled.
    "I'm not going to see you for a whole 3 months."  I said.  He nodded.
    "Well there's AIM and phones."  I laughed and nodded.
    "Yeah I guess."  Michaels was still listing things he had to show us when we got to their school.  I cut in by saying,
    "So much has happened this school year."  Everyone stopped to think about this past school year.
    "That's true.  And no one knows what's going to happen next year at Leafered."  Michelle added.  Our action story at school was going to be put on hold for the summer.  Molly had a sleep-away dance camp for a majority of the summer and I have sleep away as well.  Michaels and Cole K would be going to baseball sleep away and Matt was going to his relatives house.  Seth was going on a family vacation and so was Michelle and Abby.  Katrina would be staying home babysitting her older brothers and hanging out with the classmates that lived nearby to her.  I wouldn't be seeing my friends for basically the whole summer.  The school year was really ending.
    And I don't believe in happily ever afters but with what I've been taught, I'm told not to believe much other than the facts.  But even if I did believe, It would be too early in the plot of my life to say it anyway.  We're only 13 and who knows what other danger could be lying ahead in the future?  I have my whole life to live (unless I die on a mission or a bomb hits Connecticut) and I planned on still being as nosy next year.
    Alberto Lennard Academy is a regular private school on the outside.  On the inside is our secret to keep.  Not mean to find a way to the open.  Because we're the ambassadors of tomorrow.  And we're one hell of a group of detectives when we want to be.
    Alberto Lennard Academy and Leafered Adams Academy are two schools for the Privileged young and talented Ladies, and gentlemen.

Serets Will Always Find A Way to The Open (A sequel to Alberto Lennard Aademy) Ch 11

    We started down the stairs when we heard a muffled bang on a door of some sort.
  "Did anyone else hear that?"  I asked.  Everyone nodded.  "Oh-k so I'm not going crazy."  We started searching for it.  I wandered around.  Cole K stayed by me.  I came to a closet and I opened it. Inside there was a crate and it was moving.  I backed away slightly in fear that it might be something scary (Yeah I watched one too many scar movies.  So sue me!  Tee hee sue) Cole K moved closer to the crate.  He cautiously removed the lock and the top swung open.  I jumped back waiting for some rabid animal to come out and eat our faces.  But instead there was a person inside.  It moved!  I moved back in case it was a zombie or something (Yeah WAY too many scary movies.) It stood up and it was. . .
    "Dean Withers?"  Cole K asked confused.
    "Dean Withers is there?"  Mr S rang in.
    "Apparently."  I said.  Dean Withers stepped out of the crate and straightened her shirt.
    "Thank you Cole."  She said.  Cole K nodded.
    "Dean, what happened to you?"  I asked.
  "David and some group of men in black kidnapped me.  They took me here and stuffed me in this crate because I kept escaping the steel cage."  Dean Withers said holding up the same air sanitizer that I used.  I held up my can and she smiled.
    "Lets get out of here." Cole K said interrupting.   We agreed on that and called everyone back.  When Molly saw Dean Withers she walked up and said,
    "Dean Withers!  What's up?!"  I laughed at her casual addressing to Dean Withers.  When Peter saw Dean Withers he almost cursed and he tried to hide.  We pulled him out of his hiding spot and he sheepishly smiled at Dean Withers.  We started out of the house and headed towards our bikes.  Michelle and Seth shared a bike so Dean Withers had to go with Katrina on her bike.  We rode back to the school and sneaked in.  Mr S came and met us.  Amanda rode also with Abby while Michaels rode with Cole K and I.
    "That was great you guys."  he said giving each of us a high five.  When Dean Withers appeared his smile faded.
    "Hello Dave."  she said.
  "I take full blame for all of this.  It was my fault for letting them leave the campus.  Especially on a dangerous mission and with illegal gadgets that haven't been properly tested yet."  Mr S said.  Dean Withers didn't say anything.  She walked closer to Mr S and said,
    "I was going to thank you.  But if you want a proper punishment, I'd be glad to give it to you."  Mr S froze.
    "Well then.  I guess we're all off the hook right?"  I asked hopeful.
  "Normally I'd probably ban you from leaving the school grounds for at least a semester.  but because you saved me, I'm willing to do a one time look over."  Dean Withers said smiling.  We all cheered.  I gave Amanda a high five.
    "YES!"  Molly exclaimed.
    "Now get to bed.  It's past curfew."  Dean Withers said.  We all nodded, quickly gave our belts back to Mr S and scurried out of the room.  Glad to be back behind the safe walls of the campus.  I barely realized it when Matt was walking beside me.
    "Oh-k well you still owe me that date."  He said slyly.  I looked over at him and my heart sank.  I remembered it all too well.  And I wished I could take it all back.  I saw Cole K eying us.  He must have either over heard us or read Matt's lips.  I stopped walking.  Matt stopped too.  I waited till everyone else was a safe distance away.  "What's wrong?"  he asked.  I looked up at him.  I saw his eyes and there was a small flame that still made my heart sing.  But it was going out quickly.
    So I just shook my head an put on a smile.  "I'll meet you at the school fountain on wednesday at 3:30 when there's no classes oh-k?"  Matt nodded and we continued walking.  I still had a horrible feeling in my gut though. Like I was doing the wrong thing.  And my heart ached for another person.  and I was starting to doubt if he was willing to wait for me.
    The guys went one way and the girls went the other.  I started talking with Amand again.  Happy that she was back.
  "We need to talk."  I said.  She nodded.  When we were safely back in the Hyacinth dorms, we said good night to Abby, Julie, and Katrina.  I went into my room and changed into my pajamas and went to knock on Amanda's door.  She opened it and she was in her pajamas as well.  I walked in and sat on her bed with her.
    I told her everything that was on my mind that bothered me.  She listened and didnt' interupt.  she waited till I was finished explaining.  By the time I was done, I was nearly in tears.
    "Wow.  A lot happened while I was gone.  You stop liking one guy and start liking another.  Michelle gains her memories back which we still have to talk to her about, and you become so confused you don't want to hurt Matt but you also don't want to keep leading him on."  Amanda finally said.  I nodded.  "Well you like Cole K more right?"  she asked.
    "Well yeah.  I think we established that already.  But you know the problem with that." I said.
  "What?  You mean you don't know if he likes you back?  Well from what you told me, I'd say there's a very good chance that he does."  Amanda said laughing slightly.
    "Well what do I do about Matt?"  I asked.
  "Only one thing you can do.  You gotta tell him babe."  Amanda said. I dreaded that answer but I knew she was right.  I couldn't keep lying to him.  Even if Cole K might never really return my feelings.  So I went back to my room after saying good night to Amanda.  I got into my bed and turned off the light.  I waited for sleep to over come me.  I waited and waited but it wouldn't come to me.  So I started counting sheep.  Desperate right?  Eventually I fell asleep dreaming about sheep.

    "Hey Sue!! WAKE UP!"  I heard someone yell.  then I felt something hit my head.  I opened my eyes to see that a pillow was thrown at me.  Molly, and the rest of the gals were standing around my bed.
    "What time is it?"  I asked looking at the clock.
    "It's 2.  We slept through all of Monday!  It's Tuesday already!!!" Molly exclaimed.  I was shocked at that part.  We slept through an entire day.  now that's what I call a short coma.  So we all spent the rest of the day chilling.  Dean Withers Excused us from classes.  I always knew I liked that teacher (dont' believe anything anyone else says in protest to that!!)
    "Hey Sue.  Matt's at the door." Trisha said coming into my room.  I nodded and walked out of my room over to the door to our suite.  There he was.
    "Hey."  I said.  He smiled.
    "Just wanted to confirm what we're doing tomorrow.  I'm going to take you off campus to town."  I looked at him shocked.
    "Off campus?"  I asked.  He nodded.
  "Yeah.  Peter and the guys are helping us get out."  he said smiling.  My heart sort of sank.  I smiled anyway.  "So I'll see you tomorrow?"  all I did was nod.  He kissed me on the cheek and then left.  I sighed and then turned around to see Michelle and Amanda in the common room looking over at me.
    "I can read body language and I know that you're dreading that date."  Michelle said.  So I told her as well.  Afterwards she sympathized with me.  "Don't worry.  I can tell that Cole K likes you a lot."  She said.  I nodded but I was still unsure.
    "Yeah, but somehow, I don't see that.  I'm going to take a walk." I said.  I walked out of the room.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

    "She's really beat up about this isn't she."  Michelle asked Amanda.  Amanda nodded.
    "Here's a suggestion.  Maybe we should called Cole K up for a chat. . ."  Amanda suggested.  Michelle smirked and nodded.
    "I like the way you think."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

    I was lyin in my bed throwing a baseball in the air.  Then all of a sudden my phone rang.  I picked it up and said,
    "Hello?"
    "We need to talk.  Hyacinth dorms now." It sounded like Michelle.
  "Michelle?"  I asked but the line went dead.  So I slugged myself out of bed and out the dorm building.  I walked over towards the dorm as told while thinking of what happened when we first came back to the school.  What Matt said to Sue.  Somehow it bothered me.  I pushed it out of my head and walked inside the dorm building.  Just as I walked in I was pulled.  "Woh!"  I said.
    "Sh.  We need to talk now."  It was definately Michelle.  I looked up and saw her with Amanda.
    "Does it have to do with Sue?"  I asked.  She nodded.  "Well I'm outta here."  I started for the door but was pulled back.
    "We're not done with you."  Michelle said.
  "What could you possibly need to talk to me about when it has to do with Sue?  Go talk to Matt.  He's the guy she' going out with."  I said trying to get myself free from their grip.  Unsuccessful.
    "But she's the girl you wish you could go out with."  Amanda said.  I froze in my attempt.
  "You know what?  She came to us saying that she didn't like Matt but she didn't want to hurt him.  Because she liked someone else." Michelle said.  I couldn't believe my ears.
    "Cole, you know you like her."  I shook my head.
    "But she doesn't like me back."  Michelle laughed at this slightly.
    "Dude, she likes YOU!  You're the one that's messing up her head!!"  Amanda exclaimed.
    "Goodness you're so dense sometimes."  Michelle said shaking her head.  I just stood there shocked.
    "How. . . How can I believe you?"  I stopped trying to struggle.
    "Geez you both don't believe us.  Send her a Text message if you must."  michelle said getting fed up.
  "But Believe us.  She loves you."  Amanda added.  I stood there staring at them both soaking in all of the information.  I left the building and headed back to the boy's dorm.  I went back ot my room, and into bed.  I thought for a long time.  Just wondering what I should do.  Should I text her?  Are they telling the truth?  But Sue seemed to be smiling when Matt reminded her about their date.  We're helping them escape off campus.  Damn why is this so hard to figure out!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

    I walked back into the my dorm suite and into my room.  I came back from my walk.  I enjoyed the peaceful enviornment of my school.  I bumped into Tori on the way and we talked for a while.  I started thinking about what Michelle and Amanda had said.  I hope they didn't do anything too drastic.  I thought to myself.

    The next day was Wednesday.  Time to face the music.  I got dressed simply in a pair of black shorts and a pink baby-doll.  I got a text but I ignored it for now.  My mind was too busy to think of anything else.  When it was time for me to go, my friends were in the common room waiting to see me off.
    "You know what you have to do right?"  Michelle asked.  I nodded.
  "Don't worry.  He loves you too."  Amanda said.  I looked at her shocked.  But I continued to walk out of the building towards the Fountain thinking about what they said.  I made it all the way to the Fountain and there was Matt waiting for me smiling.  I smiled weakly and made my way over to him.
    "Ready?"  he asked.
    "As ready as I'll ever be."  I said back.  just then I realized that I still hadn't looked at the text.  I took my phone out and saw that the text was from Cole K.  My heart leaped slightly as I opened it and read it.
     Baseball field.  3:00
It read.  I gasped.  I looked at my watch.  It was already 3:30.  I looked up at Matt wide eyed.  It was now or never.  He looked at me confused.
    "Are you oh-k?"  he asked.  I shook my head.
    "There's something that I need to tell you."  I said.  He sighed.
    "This can't be good."  He said.  I nodded my head.
  "I-I'm not in love with you."  I finally said.  He looked at me shocked and kind of hurt.  "I was at first.  But then, something happened.  I-I got to know someone else."  I said unsure of how I should put it.  He looked at me still astonished.
    "It's Cole isn't it."  he said.  Now it was my turn to look astonished.  "I noticed that you had been spending more time with him.  Everyone did. But he had told me that he didn't like you.  So I don't get it."  he said.  the amount of hurt that was in his voice killed me.
    "I knew I couldn't keep going on like this Matt.  I don't deserve you and I would just be keeping you form anyone that actually likes you.  I'm sorry."  I said.  he sighed.
    "Oh-k.  whatever makes you happy." I tried to catch his eyes but they were glued to the ground.  So I just hugged him and backed away.
    "I'm sorry.  Really I am.  I gotta go.  I'm expected somehwere else."  I said and then I ran off.  I ran all the way across campus towards the baseball field praying that I wasn't too late.  Which was kinda hard since my arm and leg were still damaged from that fall back in the old house.  When I finally got there I didn't see anyone.  I sighed and walked over to home plate.  I stood there for only a bit before I turned to go.  But then a ball rolled over and lightly his my foot.  I turned around and saw Cole K standing there.  I picked up the ball and walked over to him.  "I think you dropped this."
    "Yeah.  Thanks."  he said taking the ball not breaking eye contact with me.  "I thought you weren't going to show." he said finally.  Strangely there was no one around.
    "Yeah I had to um. . . Take care of a few things with Matt."  I said unsure of what to say.
    "Are you two doing good?"  he asked looking away.  I smiled slightly and said,
    "Well things were good until i ended it." his gaze snapped to my face.  His expression was, shocked and. . . relieved?  Was that it?
    "What happened?"  he asked.
    "things weren't as great as they used to be.  Lets just say I moved on."  I said still smiling.
    "Well who's the lucky guy this time?"  he asked.
    "Lucky?"  I asked surprised.
  "I mean. . ."  he started thinking of an excuse but then seemed to give up.  "I got nothing."  I laughed and he smiled.  His smile made my heart leap.  This was what it was supposed to feel like when you're with someone you love.
    "So, what'd you need me here for?"  I asked.  he sighed.
    "Michelle and Amanda told me some things."  He said.  I gasped.
  "Oh boy.  What'd she tell you?"  I asked.  He started to say something but then shook his head and took out his phone.  He typed something on it and then closed his phone.  seconds later my phone vibrated.  I answered it to see that it was a text.  It was from Cole K.  I opened it.
    Do you love me
I gasped slightly.  I hesitated a bit but then looked up at Cole K and saw that he was blushing a lot.  I closed my phone.
  "Yes."  I said.  He looked up at me.  Shocked but sort of happy at the same time.  "Do you."  I asked.  He nodded his head.  I smiled.  He smiled back.
    "Well I'm suspecting that it's more formal for the guy to ask."  he said.  I laughed slightly.
    "Yeah I guess."
    "Well then.  Would you go out with me?"  Cole K asked.  I smiled.
    "It'd be really rude to say no."  I said.
    "And you'd be a really mean person."  he added.  I laughed again.  "So. . ."
    "Yes."  I said.  And then he did something I wish happened a while ago.  He moved closer to me, and he kissed me.
  "YES!!"  I heard a voice scream.  I broke away from Cole K and saw everyone there.  Michelle, Amanda, Molly, Trisha, Julie, Abby, and Katrina.  Then there were the guys minus Matt.  I laughed.
    "Do I want to know how long you guys have been there."  I asked.
    "Probably not."  trisha said.  I laughed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

    "Dean Withers?  You called us here?"  I asked.  Woh, deja vu! It was Thursday.  Dean Withers had sent for all of us.  She nodded and motioned for us to come in and sit down.  We all sat down and she set down some paper work.

    "I thought that I owed you guys an explination as to what happened with those men."  She said.  We all nodded.  "So as you know, they're our enemy.  They once tried to destroy our school before.  In 1850 the organization called "Pink Olives" attacked our school in a very similar way as to how they did this time.  And kids just like you guys saved us."

    "Who where those kids?"  Trisha asked.

    "They were your great grandparents."  Dean Withers said.  She smiled at our shocked faces.  "True that boys were never admitted in our school history as students.  But there was a time when we had operatives from Leafered Adams Academy come over to our school and help guard against the Pink Olives.  They were your greats."

    "But how can that be?!  There's gotta be some weird pattern going on."  Peter said.  "The odds of that happening are slim."  he continued.

    "Slim, but it happened Peter.  Your greats were known as heroes for that.  And that's why you boys were admitted in the school.  To see of you were the decedents of the famous boys who teamed with the girls to save Alberto Lennard Academy."  I sat there soaking all of this up. It was a lot to take in one blow.  I always thought that my ancestors were regular normal people.  And that my sister and I were the first Wetherstines to attend Alberto Lennard Academy.

    "So that's the only reason we were admitted?"  Kurt asked.  Dean Withers shook her head.

    "No of course not.  You are all exceptionally great students. But knowing that you were all in the same grade, I thought that it might be interesting to let destiny play its cards and see if you all would come together as a group to stop the Pink Olives again.  And it happened."  I looked around at all my friends.  I would've never thought that we were all at once connected to each other.  "Well the danger's over now.  David was a protegee to the Pink Olives Organization.  This was his first mission without guidance.  Needless to say he won't be wrecking any schools any time soon.  As for the men in the black, they're all taken in for questioning.  You saved our school.  You'll go down in the books."  Dean Withers said.  I nodded.

    "Sweet"  Molly said.  We all laughed.  Finally the danger was done.  We could get back to our regularly planned schedules.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

    "Hey Sue!  Ready yet?"  Trisha shouted from the hallway.
    "Two seconds."  I shouted back.  I grabbed my camera and phone and left.  We were heading to classes.
    "The school year's almost over."  I said.  Everyone nodded.  We all walked into Ms Gradey's dance class.
    "Oh-k my little darlings.  We'll be learning a final dance for the end of the year festival!"  Ms Gradey said enthusiastically.  "It seems like Mr Cloud switched out of this class so. . . Sue, you need a new partner."  I looked up at her as she scanned the room for a boy.  "Cole.  You can be her partner."  I looked over at Cole K and he smiled.  I smiled back.  "Oh-k so now lets get into our spots and start learning the combination!"  she said.  Everyone got up and into their places.
~~~~
    "As an end of the year idea, we'll do a project.  Pick any lesson we've learned this year and build a demonstration out of it.  Neatness counts and accuracy as well.  Make it pretty, make it seem like you actually cared about the project, Jesus."  Mr S said.  the class laughed.  "Beak up into groups of four."  I walked over to Molly.  She was standing there with Michelle and Trisha.
~~~~
    "The year's over!  We're going to be going on our end of the year trip and then summer vacation's starting."  Michelle said.  She was walking hand in hand with Seth.  Michaels and Amanda were holding hands as well.  They had their rescheduled date.  It was so cute.  Of course we spied on them.  They went to the movies and then to get a bite to eat.  They were talking the whole time and Michelle and I were saying "aww" the entire time.  It was so much fun.  At the end of the date Michaels asked Amanda to officially be his girlfriend.  Of course she said yes!
    "things are starting to mellow down now aren't they."  I said.  Everyone nodded.  "It's kind of boring now.  Nothing to do, no where to sneak off to."
    "No way to get in trouble now."  Molly said.  She snapped her fingers.  "Darn."  Kurt walked over to her and they started holding hands as well.  They had only started dating a week ago but it was so cute.  Trisha and Peter were still only friends but it was obvious there was something going on between them.  Julie and josh are starting something as well.

(Just telling you there's only ONE MORE CHAPTER! : '- (