"And that's why cytokines is so important in the metamorphosis stage of a cell's life."

Ember sighed. She looked at the clock. Twelve- twenty three. Science was boring. But her best friend, Camryn, made it a little better, even though she did talk a lot so Ember couldn't listen to the teacher.

"The bell rings in a few minutes, so you can socialize until then," the teacher, Mrs. Preston, told her students. She went and sat down in her desk while the class talked among themselves.

Ember turned to Camryn just as her friend began running her head off. "I've got drama!" Camryn folded her hands together and did a little bounce, her short golden curls flying around her head for a second. "Sara is jealous of Lindsey because she's dating Max. They had a big fight over the phone last night and now they won't talk to each other! Eeeehh!" She squealed. She was always knee- deep in whatever drama was happening. She was a true drama queen.

"Amazing," Ember answered with fake excitement. She really didn't care but she had to listen to Camryn unless she wanted to get in trouble by her bestie.

"Ugh," Camryn tolled her eyes. "You're not listening again." She leaned on the science table, intently watching her friend. "What's on you're mind?"

Ember closed her eyes and then opened them. "Actually," she started, "I'm kinda nervous that no one has asked me to hook them up with someone." She glanced at her friend, "Do you think I've finally set everyone up and no one needs me anymore?" Ember was beginning to feel slightly concerned.

Camryn laughed a little, her white teeth gleaming in the classroom lights. "Sweetie, no. No, not everyone has a sweetheart of their own. You're work isn't done yet! I'm sure people just don't have the time to ask you or the courage,"

Ember nodded, noticing the clock. "Thanks, Camryn. We've got one minute so let's get ready to go," she gathered her purse and backpack as Camryn picked up her handbag. Just then, the bell made the annoying clattering sound that announced that the class period was over and it was lunch time.

The two girls hurried out of the room and down the long hallway, being swallowed by a sea of people. Somehow they managed to make it out to the courtyard and sat at their favorite picnic table: the one near the vending machines.

Camryn reached into her bag and pulled out her lunch. Ember did the same. Soon they were eating a well- deserved meal. They talked about their grades and Camryn's best topic: boys.

"MK heard from Ryan, who heard from Kyle that Griffin doesn't like Jesse anymore, but he likes somebody over here!" Camryn rambled. It was like the food wasn't enough; she was still hungry for drama. "Guess who it is!"

Ember lifted her head off of her head in interest. "Me?" She tried hopefully.

Camryn chuckled. "No," she answered. "Me!" She threw her hands in the air because the joy of knowing that another boy liked her was always shocking in her tiny, little mind.

Ember laughed at her thoughts. "So awesome, Camryn," she replied. Her friend grinned.

When they were socializing, Ember heard footsteps coming their way. She sat down her sandwich and looked up. There, she saw a popular girl, one of Camryn's friends. The girl had dirty blonde hair with dark blue eyes. It looked like she had about twenty layers of mascara on. She smiled at Ember.

"Hi, Brinley," Camryn greeted, giving a slight wave. The girl, Brinley, waved back.

"I have a request," Brinley spoke to Ember.

Ember's insides swelled up. Could it be dating related? She nodded for Brinley to go on.

"Okay," Brinley began. "I like a boy who isn't dating anyone and I want to get up with him. But I'm too shy to ask him in person. I've heard a lot about you, and would you be interested in setting me up with him?" She twiddled her thumbs, looking embarrassed as she talked.

Ember almost yelled with excitement. "Of course," she restrained herself. "Who is this boy?"

"Well, he's extremely popular, unlike me-" that was extremely inaccurate "-but his name is–" Brinley was interrupted as another girl stepped over to her, putting her arm around Brinley's neck.

"Hey, bestie," the girl, known a Iris, said cheerfully. Then her eyes flickered to Camryn and Ember. "Oh, you're asking for help about him aren't you?" She squealed.

Brinley rolled her eyes. "I was until you came and stopped me," she glared at her friend, who shrugged.

Suddenly, the bell rang and a flood of people started for the door, floating Brinley away. As Ember and Camryn tried to call her back, somehow the girl pushed through the crowd and made it back to the Matchmaker and her sidekick.

"His name is Kason!" Brinley puffed, out of breath. Then she let the river of students lead her into the building.

Ember stopped cold and wouldn't move no matter what Camryn said. The tardy bell rang and Ember ignored it. She blinked, fazed by what Brinley said. "No," she whispered finally. She couldn't do it. Kason and Brinley weren't meant to be. It was supposed to be Kason and Ember. She was destined to be married to Kason and become Ember Macintosh!

Eventually, she walked aimlessly in the halls with Camryn to their next class. Her mind was still whirling about Brinley and what she wanted. This was the first time when she couldn't set someone up. Her reputation was going to be ruined!

She couldn't set a random girl up with her crush.

Ember turned to Camryn, heart pounding. "What am I doing to do?" She asked. Camryn knew about her obsession with Kason, and how her future was going to end up with him.

"Hm," Camryn thought, putting her finger under her chin. She always did that when she was thinking about something. It made Ember laugh, and boys swoon over her. Maybe that was how she had a paparazzi after her all the time. "Just don't do it."

Ember sighed. "Yeah, but if I don't, I won't be called the Matchmaker of the school, and then I won't be important anymore," she looked down, utterly defeated.

"Well," Camryn replied, "you could get them together, and then break them apart,"

Ember gasped. "Camryn, you're a genius! That's exactly what I'll do!" She smiled to herself, laughing menacingly. "That's exactly what I'll do..."