I wander down the halls of my huge school, wishing that Tracy wasn't absent today. I go to this really awesome private school that has literally EVERYTHING, all for 500 kids in grades Kindergarten through Twelfth. I just wish I knew where the art room was! I mean, Rodney and Rafael also started art today, but they had a different teacher and already left to go to their classrooms. I assured them that I knew where I was going, but I really didn't. I guess I just didn't want to seem petty and helpless. I guess now that I'm completely and utterly lost and have no hope of ever finding room 672, I might as well mull over my plan for tonight. As I look for my classroom, of course (not)! I sit on a bench and start to think, when guess who comes by but Rafael! "Hey, Dawn. Why aren't you in class?" He asks, confused. I'm usually a huge dork when it comes to school, and I would never skip class on purpose. "Well... I kinda got completely lost on my way to art. Do you happen to know where room 672 is?" He nods. "I do, but you're really late. I know where you can get a pass..." He has that mischievous look in his eyes that I usually hate because it gets me in trouble, but this time I actually need it! I get up from the bench and look up at him to see what happens next. He grabs my hand and whisks me away, down the hall to the homerooms. I have no complaints, because it's Rafael doing this. If it had been Juan, or Rodney, I would have totally freaked out, but I don't pull away and run off after him. We come to a stop, finally, at who other than Mr. Hagadore's room! Mr. Hagadore was my sixth grade teacher, and he's the nicest person on the planet. He would always help me when and if I needed it. I creak open the door, and there he is, all smiles like always. "Hello, Dawn, nice to see you here! But why aren't you at class right now?" "Well... long story short, I got really lost on my way to art. But then I found Rafael, so he can take me to my classroom. It's just that Ms. Jar is SUPER strict, and if I'm late, I'll  get a detention!" Mr. Hagadore smiles. I think I know what he's thinking about, and I'm right. "Hey Rafael, can you come in here?" Rafael steps in, kind of timidly. I've never seen Rafael be timid EVER, or not just jump in to any opportunity that comes his way. "Yes, Mr. Hagadore?" "Thank you for being such a good... friend to Dawn. Here, I'll write you both passes to art class." I blink in surprise. Did I really catch that wink after he said friend? And that pause before friend? Nah, he couldn't have. I'm just imagining things. I grab my pass and dash back down the hall with Rafael. He takes my hand and guides me to room 672. "Here you go, Donatella." I glare at him for a second before I step into Ms. Jar's room. Hopefully this works out...

"Hi, Ms. Jar. I apologize for being so late, I had gotten lost on my way here. I have a pass!" I slide my pass into her open hand and skitter to my seat, marked Donatella Hobbs, as quickly as possible. I guess this still isn't good enough, because I get the torture treatment from Ms. Jar. "Quite alright, Donatello." I grit my teeth as the class snickers. Of course. I don't like to be a hater, but c'mon, Mom and Dad! You didn't have to name me after a GUY ARTIST, and then pretend that you wanted a girl all along! "Um, just call me Dawn." I don't even bother correcting people anymore. It's just easier with the name Dawn. Plus, I hate my name. Too many opportunities to laugh, mispronounce, make fun of... Dawn is just easier. Unless you have a teacher who doesn't like nicknames. As Ms. Jar smirks, she proceeds to torture me even further. "Unfortunately, Miss Hobbs, I do not tolerate nicknames in this classroom. We will all call you Donatello during this period of the second quarter." "Donatella," I mutter, as I shrink down into my seat.

Sorry if this stinks! I will make some changes if you tell me what to fix! Thanks for reading (if you did. Although, I guess if you didn't, you couldn't be reading this, so I wouldn't be thanking you anyways! So thanks!) and I hope you enjoy future installments of this series!