Becky didn't know how it happened. Try as she might, she just couldn't fix the dots. She had no idea how she went from the mysterious, orange haired, hard to understand accent, clumsy new girl who sucked at Physical Education classes to being the most sought after classmate in class. Maybe it was because she was good at Mathematics—–a subject that girls thought were only suited for boys or perhaps it was because she accidentally changed Wendy's golden locks of hair to streaks of brown and green at the science laboratory the previous week and the class now thought she was some kind of invisible super heroine who was able to annoy the meanest girl in class without facing detention like all of them do when they get on Wendy's nerves.

For Becky though, it was an embarrassing situation and the fact that Seth had laughed at her when she told him all about it proved it so. The fact that she failed in that experiment wasn't a cause for celebration but the other girls in class thought otherwise. She couldn't deny she loved that her classmates were opening up to her, getting to know her and no longer mocking her for her Irish accent. She had been afraid the first day she had stepped into the class that everything that happened back in school in Ireland was going to repeat itself; the constant teasing, the bully and the jabs that she should act more like a girl. Thankfully, she has passed that stage with her new class.

If anything, now they appreciated her accent in a certain kind of way. The boys treated her as if she was special in some way because of her accent and the orange hair but they still ran behind Mercedes trying to get her attention nevertheless.

Not that she minded the last part much. She already had a handful of trouble on her hands with the girls and their constant nagging to relate everything she knew about Europe and Ireland to them. She didn't want boys running behind her and getting Seth jealous.

As she sat in class now, trying her hardest best to concentrate on Mrs. Robinson's teaching, only two things were bothering her at the moment. Having enough money for both her and Seth to apply in the wrestling school and the strange looks Mercedes was giving her. She didn't quite get why she was looking at her like that but she didn't like it. Sitting in the front row in class was a curse, Becky has always thought so since first grade. Sitting in the back was more fun especially if you're mischievous. Having a front row seat left her exposed and vulnerable to a teacher's constant stares and in this case Becky dreaded it because she couldn't glance at Mercedes's way and warn her to stop looking at her without Mrs. Robinson getting involve.

Becky almost cried in joy when Mrs. Robinson ended the class. She loved Mrs. Robinson's classes and Mrs. Robinson herself but having Mercedes stare at her the entire time made her feel uncomfortable Mercedes was out of the class though, her school bag slinging on her shoulder before she could talk to her.

"Rebecca," Mrs. Robinson called her.
Becky almost cursed under her breath. She wanted to run behind Mercedes and have a serious conversation with her about what happened yesterday in the library and now the peculiar looks in class. "Yes, Mrs. Robinson?"

"Have you finished the assignment I gave you yesterday?"

She had forgotten about that. "Oh yes ma'am. Here. I have finished everything. It was surprisingly easy. Much the same thing I was taught back in Dublin."

Mrs. Robinson nodded and smiled. The big, motherly smile that Becky missed on her mother's face. "Good Rebecca. You're brilliant. I'm quite sure you will fair well in our upcoming mid—term exams."

Becky tensed up. If only I can improve in Physical Education classes I will be fine, she thought to herself. She suddenly cursed the person that invented the whole idea of Physical Education classes in school in the first place. Becky stood there silently, preparing herself for a rebuke from Mrs. Robinson about a mistake she had unknowingly made but it never came. She occasionally peered outside, hoping to see Seth appear and scowl at her for still being in class but he wasn't there. She sighed a sigh of relief though when Mrs. Robinson closed the book and gave her a thumbs up. Becky thanked her and grabbed her school bag. She was stopped at the doorway by Mrs. Robinson's deep voice.

"And don't worry. Patrick didn't fail you in the experiment last week. You did well except spilling the liquid on Wendy. Would have been worse if it was acid but thankfully, it wasn't so you're fine."

Thanking her, Becky scurried out of class and down the stairs. She half expected to bump into Seth and have him apologize for not coming to her sooner but that didn't happen. He couldn't have left without her. He never did. Shouting goodbye to her friends, Becky took the floor to Seth's class and it was there that she saw him speaking with Mercedes.

She stopped in her tracks, taking in the scene for a moment. Seth waved at her when he saw her, the white paper in his hand flying in the afternoon breeze. Mercedes also turned, the strange look she had been giving her in class settling on her face once more. Becky ignored it and went to stand beside Seth instead. "I was waiting for you," she simply told him.

Seth kissed her forehead, "I'm sorry. I was talking with Mercedes here and didn't realize how much time had passed. Look at this. Mercedes made it. It's beautiful."

He showed her the white paper. On the surface was the painting of a dog—–which she thought was a wolf at first glance—–in multiple colours regally barking in a dark forest under the moonlight. Seth's eyes were glinting as it always does whenever he sees a dog.

But Becky wasn't impressed. "I don't see anything magnificent about this. It is just a bunch of colours mixed together. The only thing interesting about this is the fact that I get to know that Mercedes is a painter which I never knew."

Mercedes smiled, quite a fake smile Becky recognized instantly. She has seen enough of them for them to stick in her memory. "I'm not a painter. I just made this out of boredom and because I realized how long it has been since I made Seth a colourful sketch. So I made this."

Becky gave Seth a skeptical look, "Is that so? I didn't see a sketch in your room the other day."

Seth rolled the sketch and tucked it in his back pocket. "The WWE posters were too many on the wall and the sketches didn't exactly fit in so I removed them." When he noted the mournful look on Mercedes's face, he quickly added, "But I kept it. I didn't throw it away. They are safely in my drawer Mercedes. They were just too good for me to burn them."

Becky rolled her eyes as Mercedes's face brightened up. "Shall we go now Seth? We need to head there before it closes. Come on."

"May I ask where both of you are going," Mercedes asked, "maybe I can join you?"

"Oh, we are just going to the wrestling school to see if we can apply," Seth said.

Mercedes's eyes lit up, "Can I come along? I have nothing to do at home except watch silly stuffs. It will be great to hang out with friends only if you guys are okay with it."

Seth looked at Becky, seeking approval. Becky wasn't okay with having a third person tagging along especially if it was Mercedes. But she nodded anyway. "Fine," she muttered and took off, leaving Seth to catch up.

Mercedes was right behind them so even if she wanted to kiss Seth desperately, she kept herself in check. The walk to the wrestling school was quiet except Mercedes and Seth occasionally chatting about things she didn't know of, mostly random stuffs she didn't care about. What irked her was the fact that Mercedes had managed to somehow walk beside Seth, nudging him at each and every opportunity that arises and the one time she conveniently touched his hair under the pretense of taking something out.

The wrestling school wasn't grand. It was a medium—sized structure and it almost looked dull and lifeless on the outside. But as they pushed the glass doors back and entered, their surroundings sparked to life. The first thing that caught their eye was the ring, standing tall, its white canvas, sparkling, inviting them to come. The three sighed as they took in the sight. Not even the musky scent of sweat all around them could derail the moment for them. All they acknowledged was the adrenaline, the energy, devotion and dedication each student was putting into whatever they were doing.

They stood there for a long moment, just watching until someone broke them out of their reverie. "Can I help you with something?"

It was Becky that responded first. The accent reminded her of her own and when the person asked the second time, she had no doubts he was Irish. "Yes. We need help here. You see, we want to apply."

"I'm Fergal," his hand swept towards the three of them questioningly, "the three of you?"

"No, I'm not applying. It is just the two of them, I think. I just accompanied them, that's all." Mercedes replied. As if we needed you, Becky thought, shooting her a glare. Mercedes pretended not to notice and looked away.

"Then come along." They followed Fergal around the students, sidestepping work out equipments. "You're both lucky then. We are almost full so we are only taking three admissions. Everyone can enter but first you've to be seventeen to qualify." He crossed his hands on his chest, studying them. "You must be seventeen or above to apply. If you're not, then there's nothing I can do about it," he looked at Becky pointedly, "even if we come from the same country."

Becky smiled confidently. "I'm seventeen," she smoothly lied, "so as Seth and Mercedes here."

"Is that true," Fergal asked Seth and Mercedes.

There was a momentary pause before Mercedes spoke, "Yes. In fact, we are all in the same class. She is telling the truth. Don't be fooled by her short height." Seth nodded too.
Becky scowled at her but kept her mouth shut. Mercedes had saved her whether she liked it or not. The least she could do was keep her mouth shut and be grateful.

But when they were told the fees, Becky regretted lying. Her and Seth's shoulders sagged in disappointment. They didn't expect the fees to be that high and they made their concerns known to Fergal. He advised them to come back with the complete fees because unfortunately, there was nothing he could do for them.

Fergal went back to teaching the students while the three of them retreated to the sitting area and watched the students train.
Becky said to Mercedes, "Thank you for what you did for me back there. You really didn't have to."

Mercedes smiled, one that was more genuine. "You want this so badly, I can see it in your eyes. There's nothing to thank me for. What are friends for anyway?" She patted her on the shoulder. Becky suddenly felt guilty for the cold shoulder she has been giving her this entire time.

Seth winked at Mercedes, "We own you one again." Becky and Mercedes blushed. "Don't worry, we'll figure something out." Seth assured Becky, kissing her knuckles, "I will ask my father or try to talk my mother into it. I'm sure that one of these options will eventually prove fruitful."

"You can apply without me you know," she told him, "I will wait and save up in the meantime. Besides, I'm still sixteen. Next year, I won't have to lie."

Seth shook his head stubbornly, "I'm not applying without you. We promised we will apply together and later buy a dog. We have to keep the promises we made to each other. We'll figure something out, you'll see."

Becky stroked his cheek fondly. He always had a way of assuring her, lightening up her mood and making her feel good about herself. She didn't know what she would have done without him here with her. She might probably go crazy just thinking of their lost opportunity. "I love you."

He kissed her soundly, whispering against her lips. "I love you more."
The day might not have gone all right for them in the end. Hopes had been dashed but they still had each other.
Together there is still hope. . . . for the future.