Through the second week of January, Samiya grew more pumped, trying to pay more attention in class, spotting the others taking pictures of the work in class and trying to keep up. Her dad came home to find her writing down notes after notes while doing one handed pushups.

"Everything alright?"

"Sawyer said since he's got there,there's usually a test on Fridays. We didn't have one last week to settle everyone in, but I have to be just as smart as the other girls."

"I get it, baby girl, but you just took a break from pushing yourself too hard. I'll be proud of you either way."

"Even when mom schooled us, I still wasn't trying as well," turning the page to add more.

"This isn't because of this Sawyer kid, is it?"

She slipped and fell on the floor. "No dad," hiding her reaction while changing her goal. "Santina and the other girls work just as hard as he does. I don't want to get left behind twice in a row."

"Well you are making friends. Just get a good night's rest."

The next day, Samiya eagerly came to class where not only Sawyer and Santina's group were there, but another trio of kids she often saw together. The tan skinned girl had a dapper side combo on one side with longer hair on the other side with glasses. Meanwhile, a fair skinned boy with braids talked with her, alongside a more reserved dark skinned girl in a hoodie.

"That's Calliyah Enid, Emillio Abril, and Brooklyn Neals."

"Wait, we live in Queens."

"Don't say the joke, I know," Brooklyn turned immediately.

Samiya slowly nodded. "Sorry."

"It's not my fault, it's my parents."

Sawyer had to cover his face as a smile came on his face while the rest giggled. Samiya wasn't expecting Calliyah to wave to him either.

She hurried through Humanities, anticipating and looking over her notes, ready to move onto Math. But when they entered in there, Ms. Samuel was nowhere to be found. In place of the young mature woman with a calm no-attitude demeanor was a lanky guy asking 602 to calmly leave while asking for their class to come inside.

"Sorry, this is my first day with middle school. Hey, keep your hands to yourself, please," trying to balance assertiveness and kindness.

Calliyah introduced herself and her friends, while Samiya and Sawyer nodded, doing the same.

"Nice to meet you. Call me Mr. Siegfried."

They had no idea what it meant, Sawyer rightfully guessing it had something to do with being a warrior.

"There's only five of you?"

"No, they're just lazy," Sawyer admitted.

"Nothing wrong with being lazy. There's just a time and place. Is your teacher coming back?"

"Well Ms. Samuel might, but Ms. Lilith might not."

Samiya raised a finger. "Lilith?"

"She was the Math teacher before she stopped coming," which led to Saul coming in and claiming she hated them all and wanted them all to die. "That's not true. She was a little strict, but she cared about all of us."

"Well I hope she gets better," looking around as the rest of the class came in. "So, are we doing the test?"

"That was in the instructions. Only half of the kids last class bothered to do it while the other half kept talking so I hope your class is fine."

Brooklyn sighed. "They won't."

"Free period," Emilio claimed.

Calliyah pinched him on the cheek. "Sit down you."

The others finally came in as Mr. Siegfried tried to introduce himself, trying to give them the test, only to be met with backlash.

"Hey, calm down, it's just a test. If you paid attention in class, then you'll pass, right?"

Hariyka got up. "Accurate," going for a high five with the sub. "I got this in the bag. Right, Fate?"

"Yeah, we's got this," nervously laughing.

Mr. Siegfried tried asking the class to be silent, only for several of the students to lie about what seats they were in to talk to their friends. Saamiya used to get her and Sawyer nearby Calliyah's and Santina's group, dead set on trying to pass.

She's really taking it seriously.

Just as she got to the final question, Mercedes turned around, spotting Raymond.

"What are you looking at?"

"Not you! Sit down, don't cause an earthquake."

"Quiet you bald-headed," dropping a b-bomb.

"You're so big you could eat one."

"You're so small I could crush you like a grape."

"Of course you think about food."

Mercedes crumbled her own test paper into a ball and threw it at Ray, who threw it back. She tossed it again, but Ray caught it. This time she started throwing pencils at him.

"Yo, stop it," Siegfried jumped in trying to grab the pencils. "Save this for gym class or something!"

They grazed his fingers, causing him to open the door and ask another teacher for assistance. Meanwhile Raymond's friends joined in catching the pencils so much, Mercedes got up, and pushed her desk into Samiya's and Sawyer's, forcing them to pay attention.

Mercedes ran to the board and chucked the eraser, but it bounced off the desk and smacked Sawyer in the face.

Saul laughed. "How are your hands bigger than your stomach and you still miss!"

"That's it, I'm gonna beat the," dropping the s bomb, "out of you!"

Samiya tried holding her back. "Mercedes, that's enough!"

She slapped her out of the way. "I don't care!" Then as Sawyer got up, Saul ran to the back of the room as Mercedes chased him, stomping on Sawyer's chest to get to him.

"I do," jumping on the desk to pull Mercedes back and send her crashing on the desk before she could get to Saul, pulling her arm back.

"Let me go so I can beat his stupid face in!"

He tried to get up but crashed on the floor as his eyes closed.

"Calliyah, Santina, someone get Sawyer to the nurse or something!"

That was the last thing he heard before falling asleep.