A/n: I have posted two chapters in a row today. Don't rush through them; take your sweet time. I will be on vacation for more than three weeks, so sadly, you fabulous readers won't receive any updates up until then.

Why it's important to pay attention to this author's note: If I see anyone trying to comment something like, 'Post already; it's been two whole weeks!' I will tell them to GIVE UP ON READING THIS BOOK when I come back. 

(Just kidding about that part; I'll still be real pissed, though. And nobody likes to see a pissed author, because the angrier the author is, the more dead characters there will be in the future. *evil cackle*)

- Sunny's POV -

"And that is why England belongs with America!" I stated proudly, crossing my arms with a playful smirk.

Fatespeaker, who was sitting beside me in the car, just sneezed before grabbing a tissue and blowing her nose. The chilly autumn air was beginning to introduce the start of winter, my least favorite season.

She then tossed her purple hair back. "Nuh-uh. England should fall in love with the country of love himself, namely France."

"All they do is argue!" I ... well, argued.

"True, but in fiction, the future lovers always argue with each other.

"Anyways," Fatespeaker changed the subject, "Can I trust you with a secret?"

"Fatespeaker," I looked her in the eye and gave the girl and thumbs-up. "You can trust me with anything."

"Well, okay ..." Fatespeaker took a deep breath, then spilled her next words out quickly. Those words also made me have a mini heart attack.

"I think I like Starflight."

My stomach lurched. A sick feeling entered my guts, and there was this angry type of jealousy that flooded my heart. I almost wanted to strangle my bestie, but I need to remain calm.

So I just sputtered, "Wow, um, congrats! I'll ... uh ... help you get him."

And we were quiet for the rest of the ride, but the knowing look in Fatespeaker's eyes told me she knew my secret.

In fact, I was so distracted with that thought when I was walking to my first class, I didn't even notice anything before I felt a blur of tripping on the floor and scattering my books everywhere. Another person was sitting down, too.

"Oops!" I yelp awkwardly. "I'm so sorry." I sure am a klutz.

"It's perfectly fine," he replied in a smooth voice.

We got back up before glancing at each other. The boy was much taller than me, but seemed to be in the same grade. He sported wavy, purple black hair that had unusual silvery white streaks in it that seemed a bit dishelved. 

I asked, "Are you an exchange student or something?"

"Yup," he replied. "My name's Darkstalker."

Just then, another girl came running over with a playful eye roll. Her hair and eye colors were similar to Darkstalker's, but without silver streaks in the hair. "Darkstalker, why do you have to be so clumsy?" she laughed, then looked at me. "I'm Clearsight, by the way."

"Oh, cool!" I smiled up at her. "The name is Sunny. Do you want to me to show you guys around the school during lunch?"

"Yeah, that would be great," Darkstalker replied, scratching his head. "You can test me. I memorized the map of this place last Tuesday when we got invited here."

After we found out we were in the same class next period, the three of us sat together in History. This time, though, Mr. Webs did something nice by letting us watch a few episodes of Hetalia because it technically counted as world history. However, the bell rang right before the song Marukaite Chikyuu was about to play.

"I ... uh ... need to visit the principal's office." Darkstalker mumbled, sounding completely not like himself.

"Go ahead," I shrugged. "Dr. Arctic seems to be in a good mood today!"

He just nervously laughed, and left.

Fatespeaker, who didn't speak one word about the affair in my car, and I invited those two students over to sit with us for lunch. Their third friend, Fathom, also came. 

Fathom seemed really different from Clearsight and Darkstalker's sharp, poking personalities. Instead, he stuttered a bit while pulling out his manners to greet us, and would flush a bit whenever he made eye contact with others. Well, maybe he was like Turtle, meek at first, but then hilarious and upbeat soon after.

Fathom shyly kept his gaze on the table, nibbling on a dry piece of seaweed. Beside him, Clearsight yawned loudly, as she looked over the fifth Harry Potter book, which was one of the longest yet. 

Darkstalker, the only one who actually seemed to be alert and awake, struck up a conversation. "Good news: This is actually the best cafeteria food I've eaten in my whole life. Bad news: It's still slightly terrible."

"Honestly, I agree," Fatespeaker put in, "once I was craving a warm, savory bowl of mac n' cheese, and I received what seemed like - how do you put it? - a chunky, chewy rock."

Clearsight gagged, while Fathom whispered timidly, "That's gross."

"Anyway," I changed the subject. "You should expect to see Tsunami and Glory fight everyday. I have no idea why they hate each other so much and I think they should stop, but lots of people find their quarrels exciting to watch."

"She sure is like Indigo," Fathom whispered, stealing a glance at a screaming Tsunami.

"Who?"

"Oh," His cheeks flushed. "S-she's just someone back at home, t-that's all."

This just made Fatespeaker raise her eyebrow higher; I shot her a look, and she stopped.

"So, just wondering, why did you guys come here anyway? Don't transfers usually visit other schools in college?"

"We're doing a research project on the educational standards of other schools." Clearsight answered. "Lucky for us three, we got chosen. We're staying over at a hotel, but we need to get up early since it's not nearby."

"Oh, we can pick you guys up!" Fatespeaker volunteered.

The ghost of a smile appeared on Fathom's face. "You sure?" he asked kindly.

"We're sure!" I beamed, holding a thumbs-up. "Fatey and I are both real early risers."

"It's settled, then." Darkstalker held up a hand, and we slapped our palms together in a group high-five.

As I was driving back home, I noticed a flower shop standing about a block away. I could practically hear the ding! of a light bulb moment, as an idea entered my head.

Minutes later, I got to Starflight's house, ready to confess, but my stomach churned like a windstorm. What if he's interested in another girl? What if he's into guys instead? What if I MESS UP AND WE WON'T BE FRIENDS AGAIN?

"Okay Sunny, calm down." I told myself firmly. "You can do this. Starflight is intelligent and understanding; isn't that why you fell for him in the first place? Everything will be fine. Just tell him."

My legs trembled as I stood at his door. There's no going back now. Finger pressed against the faint orange doorbell, I put on my broadest, sweetest smile, taking a deep breath. I counted up to ten seconds ...

And nothing happened.

I waited longer, mind ticking like a bomb about to explode. The suspense was real, hanging in the air.

Maybe Starflight just wasn't home today. Whatever, his neighborhood was still pretty enough to take a stroll around. I stood on the sidewalk and, closing my eyes, payed attention to the soft yet lively sounds of birds singing, breezes gently blowing ...

Wait, why was someone clapping?

The person applauded for a very long time. I tracked the noise back to the backyard of Starflight's house. I knew it wasn't right to snoop in other peoples' business, but curiosity got the best of me.

I took one peek at the people, then yelped loudly.

Gasping, I covered my mouth and tried to run away, but I'd been caught. Fatespeaker and Starflight were in front of me, a bouquet of roses in Fatespeaker's hand. The sight of that made me drop my own flowers, and the knowing look in Fatespeaker's eyes returned.

We must have stood there for decades. Finally, I spun on my heels and ran back to my car, where I drove home and fell asleep in my bed, praying that this was all a dream.