After Algebra, I find my way to my locker and dump my books inside. I take the books I need for my next class, Biology, and turn around, only to find the Noah Jameson standing next to me, talking to his jock friends.

This is like something in a cheesy movie! Coincidentally, my locker just happens to end up right next to Noah's locker? Okay, come on, what are the odds of that happening?!

Snapping back to reality, I notice Noah waving off his friends. A second later, I realize he is talking to me.

"Hey. You're Rhea, the new girl, right? Don't tell me this is your locker!" he says with a snort of laughter.

"Well what can I say," I say, mentally slapping myself. Great going, Rhea!

"Anyway... what class do you have next?"

"Biology. But I have no idea where the lab is."

"That's on the way to my next class. Come on, I'll walk you there."

We set off to the Biology lab. I try to memorize the way, but I can't keep track! It's like LEFT-RIGHT-RIGHT-RIGHT-LEFT-LEFT...

"So you're the basketball team captain. How long have you been playing?" I ask, trying to make small talk.

"7 years. Ever since fifth grade, since I moved here from Britain," he explains. "Do you play?"

I knew he had a British accent! I cannot help but swoon a little at his dazzling accent.

"Uh yeah, I took classes when I was twelve, but I'm not that good," I admit. "I'm actually more into music."

"Oh yeah? What instrument do you play?" he says, looking straight into my eyes. Oh my gosh! I could just look at him all day!

"I play the piano. And I do a bit of singing," I respond.

"That's cool!" he says, looking into my eyes again, and I feel myself beginning to blush.

"We're here. The biology lab," he says, ushering me towards a white door.

"Thank you so much. It was nice talking to you."

"See ya!" and with a little two-fingered salute, he continues on his way.

Smiling a little at the thought of Noah's salute, I open the door, and find that I'm late to class once again. 'Dammit!' I think. I really hope I won't get in trouble on my first day. If only the professor is as nice as Professor Zinc...

On the right of the room, there is a bony skeleton leaning against the wall. There is a table in the middle of the room, with specimens of frogs, fish, and other organisms. There are three rows of counters for students to work on, each with a sink, tools, and two pairs of gloves. At the extreme back of the room is a white board with a bunch of chairs around it for students to listen to the teacher's lectures.

I see the professor standing near the table in the middle of the room, explaining something about frog specimens, and when I get closer, I realize something strange.

"Professor Zinc? Don't you teach Algebra?" I ask incredulously.

"Ah, well I teach Algebra and Biology. Late again, I see?"

"Yes sir, my locker is on the other side of the building, and I didn't know the way here either so it took me some time to find it."

"Rhea, since it is your first day, I will allow you to enter the class. No more tardiness from now on, however. Understood?"

"Yes sir. Thank you!" I say, breathing a sigh of relief.

"I was just explaining the details of frog anatomy. Now, I would like you all to pair up, and then I will give each of you a frog to dissect."

The room erupts in noise as students ask others to be their partners. I look around for someone to ask, but everyone seems to be taken. Then I hear a voice behind me.

"Hello, I'm Nicole Spanell. Are you new?" she asks in a sweet voice.

Turning around, I ask, with a tired smile, "Is it that obvious?"

Looking at Nicole, I am reminded of Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter movies. She has blonde wavy hair with hazel eyes and beautiful eyelashes.

"I know how tough it is being the new girl. I was new last year," she continues. "I can be your lab partner if you want," she offers shyly.

"Sure. Thanks," I say with a smile.

We pick a counter towards the back of the room and pull on the gloves.

"So, you didn't tell me your name..." Nicole says inquisitively.

"Oh sorry! I'm Rhea Isrania. Guess it just slipped my mind," I say with a sheepish grin.

We get to work dissecting the frog. It's so slimy! I try to distract myself by talking to Nicole.

"So did you see anyone you like here yet?" she asks eagerly.

"Not really, I've just been here for an hour. There is this guy called Noah though..."

"No way! You like Noah Jameson?" she squeals. "He's like the heart-throb of the entire grade."

"Really? So do you like him too?" I ask curiously.

"Oh no. I have a boyfriend," she says excitedly.

"Oh? What's his name?"

"Cameron Leater."

"Wait a minute. You call your boyfriend Ron?" I ask incredulously.

"Well yeah. That's his nickname."

I burst into a fit of giggles. I know it was just a joke when I said Nicole reminded me of Hermione Granger, but this is just too much.

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

After class, I make my way to the cafeteria with Nicole. We get our lunch then look around for an empty table. Cameron waves to Nicole from across the cafeteria and calls her over.

"Come sit with us. I'll introduce you to my friends," Nicole offers.

I make my way to their table shyly. On the way, I see the normal cliques of high school, each eating at their own separate table. There are the jocks, the preps, the emos, the mathletes, the student council, and, as always, the populars.

When we reach our destination, I see three people sitting on Nicole's table.

"Hey guys! This is Rhea Isrania. She's new this year," Nicole informs her friends.

"Rhea, this is Cameron Leater," Nicole says, pointing at her boyfriend. He has brown hair with a fringe swept to one side, and beautiful blue eyes.

"This is Dahlia Steel," she says, pointing at a girl with luscious brown hair and olive eyes.

"And this doofus is Scott Handin. He's Cameron's best friend," she explains, pointing at a guy with a silly, trouble-maker look on his face. He has blonde hair with blue eyes.

I shake hands with all of them and we chat about school, studies, and everything else.

"What's with them?" I ask, pointing at the populars.

"You know there's a bunch of people in every school that are the most popular students in the school. If they like you, your life is fabulous, but if they don't, you're minced meat," Nicole explains.

"Well, in our school, the main populars are Noah Jameson and Ashley Count. The rest of the populars are just their followers," Dahlia clarifies.

My heart sinks when I hear Noah already has a girlfriend. What was I thinking? Of course he already has one. He is the 'heart-throb' of the entire grade!

However, I don't get much time to sulk because the bell rings and it is time for my next class, English.

"I have English next too. I'll take you there," Dahlia offers.

I bid Nicole and the guys goodbye and then make my way to my locker to grab my books. Fortunately, the cafeteria is right next to my locker.

We make our way to English, and luckily, this time I am not late. The class looks just like the Algebra class, with four columns of single desks, an enormous white board, and pinboards all around the class.

English is not my favorite subject, and I zone out during the lesson. However, I snap back to reality towards the end of class, when I realize the professor is making an announcement.

"Every year, Maple Marshrup Academy hosts a spelling bee between all the schools in Abu Dhabi for the eleventh and twelfth grades. This year, we have altered the rules slightly. Instead of working individually, this year, we will pair you up with another student. In the spelling bee, questions will be asked of both you and your partner, and you will be allowed to confer with each other before responding. Thus, it is up to you to make sure to practice with your partner. This competition will count for 40% of your English score this year and it is compulsory for everyone to participate. The Spelling Bee will take place in 4 weeks."

Holding up a bowl of chits, the professor continues, "In this bowl, I have written down the names of all the boys in this class. I would like the girls to come forward and pick up a chit. This will be your final partner. No exceptions!"

I wait impatiently as the professor calls up girls to pick out the name of their partners. Dahlia gets paired with Drake (fortunately, Drake's only in one of my classes so far) and then I hear the professor call my name.

I go up to the bowl of chits and mutter, 'Please be Noah. Please be Noah.'

I open the chit anxiously and read the name out loud, "Victor King."

My heart sinks as I read the name. Not only is he not Noah, I don't even know him. What if he's a conceited jerk who doesn't do any work?

A boy with dark blonde hair and light brown eyes raises his hand when I read out his name. He has some stubble growing on his chin. He doesn't wear glasses, but he still looks like some genius. I guess he could be considered cute, in the intelligent world.

I wave at Victor, then make my way back to my desk. Just as I sit back down, I hear Ashley Count read out, "Noah Jameson." Just great!

So far, I was worried about who my partner would be, but now I remember something extremely important. I have magical spelling powers! If I participate in a spelling bee, objects will start popping up everywhere, and my powers will be sure to be found out. I have to find a way out of this!

After class, I make my way to the professor and ask her, "Miss, isn't their any way I could drop out of the Bee? Maybe some other extra credit homework? Or something??"

"I'm afraid not, young lady. It is obligatory for everyone to participate."

"But..." I say, panicking inwardly.

"No exceptions!" she interrupts, and with a firm look, she settles the matter.

Uh oh! This is not good. Not good at all!

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What do you think about Noah? And Victor? And what should Rhea do to save her powers?

Picture up on top is of Rhea's Spelling Bee partner, Victor King.

VOTE! COMMENT!

~Ananya