In the corner of the classroom, one could see someone who was not there the previous year. Some people did not notice, some did notice, but did not pay any mind. While others, they did notice, and occasionally talked with this new student, who was a senior. At first, one could easily think that said student was a boy, due to the short hair and baggy jeans and shirt, covered with a red hoodie. But, on closer inspection, they would realize that "he" was a "she", based on the facial features, among other things.
But here she was. Carol Burke, new kid of Bayview Secondary School. She had been shown the school by her parents around the time they first moved, and she felt nervous just at its presence. Carol had never moved in the past, so needless to say, she was a little anxious. What if these St. Paul kids weren't in any way like the kids back in Carson City? Bayview seemed to be nice so far, but she was already feeling kind of homesick. She had been experiencing it on and off ever since she arrived in the city.
And then there were her friends back home... she still talked to them over instant messaging and such, but she often wondered what life was like over them these days. They told her information, of course, but oh! How she would love to be there personally!
But, no, she wasn't. She was in English, the last class she had before school was dismissed for the day, at Bayview Secondary School. And, well, the class was boring, to say the least. Most of the class, and the classes earlier, revolved around making sure students learned the rules and similar things, and handing out materials such as textbooks that were needed. So, yeah. Nothing too exciting yet. Carol had engaged in a few conversations with some of her classmates, but they seemed kind of awkward at times. Ah well. She was kind of shy, she had to admit. But, soon she will adapt, right? Hopefully. Some of them seemed pretty nice!
Carol glanced at the clock on the wall. 15 minutes to go before school ended. She could hurry back home and... well, do what? She wasn't sure if she made any friends yet, for starters. But, there were things like homework and such. Perhaps she could look into what kind of clubs they had sometime soon? Possibly. It was just her first day, so she should not expect too much.
So, Carol listen to the teacher talk about various things, such as how grading was done in this class and so on. At least class was ending soon.
The One With The New Kid
Private; Reiko entourage (first day of senior year)
While the teacher may have been talking about how to grade papers, Paige Strand was not interested in the slightest. It could have been beneficial for her marks in the future, but...it was the last fifteen minutes before school ended, and she was OUT of it. Granted, it was the first day of school, and with all the textbooks and stuff handed out, she should be excited that she only had one year of education left. She would find a scholarship she wanted and go off to college; she could party, she could gossip, and she could make sure she was the best with a whole new group of people. But until then, it was class class class class CLASS!
So instead of taking notes, paying attention, and being a good student, her books were shoved to the side of her desk, she was laying down, and she had a pencil balancing on her finger out in front of her desk, just hovering there in mid air like a super-powered ballerina, every so often leaning to one side, to which she would respond to by leaning her finger to the other direction and balancing it out. It would have been a fine thing to do for the last quarter of an hour, except at that very moment, a fly flew onto her finger and started walking around.
Reflexively yanking her hand away, she watched as her pencil responded to gravity by falling, bouncing to the left and right under the desk of...
Paige looked up at the desk's occupant, and saw it was a girl (boy? Nah, definitely a girl) she hadn't met before. And that was saying something, seeing as she had met nearly everybody in school, senior or otherwise. She looked in alarm for her only remaining pencil in her case, until she realized that was her only one. She needed a new set of things for school, but had neglected to actually buy anything. Gah, she was going to have to ask the new girl, wasn't she? It was right above her foot, and it seemed that she hadn't noticed it yet.
Leaning over slightly, trying to look interested in the teacher's drabble, she whispered to the girl.
"Hey, you reckon you could get that?" she whispered, indicating below her foot.
So instead of taking notes, paying attention, and being a good student, her books were shoved to the side of her desk, she was laying down, and she had a pencil balancing on her finger out in front of her desk, just hovering there in mid air like a super-powered ballerina, every so often leaning to one side, to which she would respond to by leaning her finger to the other direction and balancing it out. It would have been a fine thing to do for the last quarter of an hour, except at that very moment, a fly flew onto her finger and started walking around.
Reflexively yanking her hand away, she watched as her pencil responded to gravity by falling, bouncing to the left and right under the desk of...
Paige looked up at the desk's occupant, and saw it was a girl (boy? Nah, definitely a girl) she hadn't met before. And that was saying something, seeing as she had met nearly everybody in school, senior or otherwise. She looked in alarm for her only remaining pencil in her case, until she realized that was her only one. She needed a new set of things for school, but had neglected to actually buy anything. Gah, she was going to have to ask the new girl, wasn't she? It was right above her foot, and it seemed that she hadn't noticed it yet.
Leaning over slightly, trying to look interested in the teacher's drabble, she whispered to the girl.
"Hey, you reckon you could get that?" she whispered, indicating below her foot.
Carol tried her best to listen to the teacher, tapping her pencil against the desk gently. Only 15 minutes to go...
As the teacher droned on and on, Carol suddenly heard a small noise, coming from under her feet. A few seconds later, a girl with a blonde ponytail nearby asked her about... a pencil, apparently. She looked down, and saw that there was indeed a pencil underneath her desk, just near her foot.
In response, Carol ducked down, and, after a bit of fumbling, retrieved the pencil. A while later, she came back up, and handed the pencil back.
"Here", she whispered, trying to keep her voice to a minimum.
However, she looked down and...
Well, her backpack, which had been resting serenely under her desk, had been knocked over, most likely by her foot. Unfortunately, it was open. But fortunately, only a few things fell out. Carol almost swore under her breath, and scooped to pick them up and place them back. She could already feel the eyes of the teacher and other students on her.
Oh crap, she was such a clumsy idiot. Why today, of all days?
After a while, she had everything back, and she could feel the teacher glaring at her. Feeling a little embarrassed, Carol glanced at the clock again.
Nine minutes until school ends.
As the teacher droned on and on, Carol suddenly heard a small noise, coming from under her feet. A few seconds later, a girl with a blonde ponytail nearby asked her about... a pencil, apparently. She looked down, and saw that there was indeed a pencil underneath her desk, just near her foot.
In response, Carol ducked down, and, after a bit of fumbling, retrieved the pencil. A while later, she came back up, and handed the pencil back.
"Here", she whispered, trying to keep her voice to a minimum.
However, she looked down and...
Well, her backpack, which had been resting serenely under her desk, had been knocked over, most likely by her foot. Unfortunately, it was open. But fortunately, only a few things fell out. Carol almost swore under her breath, and scooped to pick them up and place them back. She could already feel the eyes of the teacher and other students on her.
Oh crap, she was such a clumsy idiot. Why today, of all days?
After a while, she had everything back, and she could feel the teacher glaring at her. Feeling a little embarrassed, Carol glanced at the clock again.
Nine minutes until school ends.
Boring! The last few minutes of the day were always sooooooo dull, Amber could've fallen asleep and wouldn't have missed a thing! Idly flicking the pencil on her desk back and forth, the young reporter looked at the clock in the classroom as the hands moved slower and slower: she could've sworn the seconds hand was flipping her off.
'It's a sad fact' Amber thought to herself, drifting her head to look out the window, 'that nothing ever happens on the first day of anything.' She was just about ready to doze off for the next ten minutes, when a clatter came from behind her: whoever was sat in the chair behind Amber had just spilled their bag's contents all over the floor. A totally uninteresting story, but at least it was something to break Amber out of her stupor.
Predictably the commotion resolved itself in the most boring way possible, with everything being picked up and returned without a fuss without a fuss, so Amber returned to her idle daydreaming about playing World of Warcraft that evening: maybe she would go raid Black Temple with her guild tonight.
As she continued to wonder about what she'd do at home, an overshot of her finger led to Amber accidentally flicking her pencil the wrong way, knocking it onto the ground with a light click. Annoying, but a boringly simple mistake to fix. Amber leant down to pick up her pencil, but as she stooped down to pick it up she noticed a light blue pencil sharpener a few inches away from her shoe. It couldn't have been hers, since she didn't even own a pencil sharpener, and she hadn't noticed anyone else drop anything near her except for that girl who's bag had spilt open. Shrugging, Amber assumed it must've belonged to her, and decided to return it.
Wordlessly turning around and plunking the sharpener back on its owner's desk, Amber returned to her absent daydreaming about her level seventy night elf hunter. All would've gone on as normal, if it wasn't for a realisation that struck across her mind: she didn't recognise the girl behind her.
Turning around again in as unsubtle a manner as possible, Amber took a good look at Carol Burke. At first she had mistaken her for a guy, but now that she was looking closer, it was definitely a masculine looking girl. Turning back round in a whip of excitement, Amber thought of all the things she could ask this new chick: who she was; where she came from; what she did; what she thought of Bayview; who she had a crush on; the questions were endless! The perfect source of her first article for the new year!
Looking up at the clock again, Amber no longer felt flipped off by the seconds hand: now she felt that it giving her a thumbs up, moving as fast as it could to give her the opportunity for a scoop!
Five minutes left!
'It's a sad fact' Amber thought to herself, drifting her head to look out the window, 'that nothing ever happens on the first day of anything.' She was just about ready to doze off for the next ten minutes, when a clatter came from behind her: whoever was sat in the chair behind Amber had just spilled their bag's contents all over the floor. A totally uninteresting story, but at least it was something to break Amber out of her stupor.
Predictably the commotion resolved itself in the most boring way possible, with everything being picked up and returned without a fuss without a fuss, so Amber returned to her idle daydreaming about playing World of Warcraft that evening: maybe she would go raid Black Temple with her guild tonight.
As she continued to wonder about what she'd do at home, an overshot of her finger led to Amber accidentally flicking her pencil the wrong way, knocking it onto the ground with a light click. Annoying, but a boringly simple mistake to fix. Amber leant down to pick up her pencil, but as she stooped down to pick it up she noticed a light blue pencil sharpener a few inches away from her shoe. It couldn't have been hers, since she didn't even own a pencil sharpener, and she hadn't noticed anyone else drop anything near her except for that girl who's bag had spilt open. Shrugging, Amber assumed it must've belonged to her, and decided to return it.
Wordlessly turning around and plunking the sharpener back on its owner's desk, Amber returned to her absent daydreaming about her level seventy night elf hunter. All would've gone on as normal, if it wasn't for a realisation that struck across her mind: she didn't recognise the girl behind her.
Turning around again in as unsubtle a manner as possible, Amber took a good look at Carol Burke. At first she had mistaken her for a guy, but now that she was looking closer, it was definitely a masculine looking girl. Turning back round in a whip of excitement, Amber thought of all the things she could ask this new chick: who she was; where she came from; what she did; what she thought of Bayview; who she had a crush on; the questions were endless! The perfect source of her first article for the new year!
Looking up at the clock again, Amber no longer felt flipped off by the seconds hand: now she felt that it giving her a thumbs up, moving as fast as it could to give her the opportunity for a scoop!
Five minutes left!
After the girl gave the pencil back, she noticed that the floor in front of her was now spread with a number of miscellaneous items. She chuckled, in the most non-mean way possible, at the girl now scrambling around to collect her stuff. It would be a dream if her name started with K or C. The nickname possibilities were endless.
And then she didn't even get them all, because a few minutes later, Amber had plunked a pencil sharpener on her desk. Well, you can't get them all, can you? Well, it wasn't any of her business now. Paige turned her attention to a groove in the desk that had been previously made by pencil or pair of scissors. She tried balancing the tip of the pencil in it, and it fell over again. Bored, she turned to the side to see Amber Whimsy being...well, Amber Whimsy.
She was analyzing the new girl in a signature Amber Whimsy way. She was obviously thinking of the ways that she could write a story about her, the new girl. Paige could probably save the girl from the harassment of a nosy but friendly gossip girl, but...whatever, maybe after class or something...
Paige's watch started beeping very quietly, not enough to disturb the teacher, and with that, she reached inside her bag and felt around for a little bag. She kept her medication in one of the little ziplock bags if she needed one during school, since bottles rattled a LOT, and she needed discretion as far as discretion went. Finding it, reaching in and taking one of the little chew-able tablets, she discreetly popped it into her mouth and felt it crumble between her teeth. Hopefully the teacher didn't see that.
Everyone was looking at the clock now, not even paying attention to the teacher. This seemed more akin to the last day of school than the first. There was only one minute left now.
59 seconds...
And then she didn't even get them all, because a few minutes later, Amber had plunked a pencil sharpener on her desk. Well, you can't get them all, can you? Well, it wasn't any of her business now. Paige turned her attention to a groove in the desk that had been previously made by pencil or pair of scissors. She tried balancing the tip of the pencil in it, and it fell over again. Bored, she turned to the side to see Amber Whimsy being...well, Amber Whimsy.
She was analyzing the new girl in a signature Amber Whimsy way. She was obviously thinking of the ways that she could write a story about her, the new girl. Paige could probably save the girl from the harassment of a nosy but friendly gossip girl, but...whatever, maybe after class or something...
Paige's watch started beeping very quietly, not enough to disturb the teacher, and with that, she reached inside her bag and felt around for a little bag. She kept her medication in one of the little ziplock bags if she needed one during school, since bottles rattled a LOT, and she needed discretion as far as discretion went. Finding it, reaching in and taking one of the little chew-able tablets, she discreetly popped it into her mouth and felt it crumble between her teeth. Hopefully the teacher didn't see that.
Everyone was looking at the clock now, not even paying attention to the teacher. This seemed more akin to the last day of school than the first. There was only one minute left now.
59 seconds...
"Hmmm?"
Carol looked away from the teacher's lecture on... textbooks now, apparently, and saw that the girl in front of her placed something on her desk. And so, she realized that she forgot to put her pencil sharpener back in, much to her embarrassment.
Whispering a small "thanks", she went back to listening to the teacher, a bored expression on her face. Carol noticed that the girl who had previously flung her pencil near her foot was now chuckling at... something. She suddenly felt further embarrassment once she realized that she was probably laughing at the fact that she spilled stuff on the floor.
Way to leave a nice impression, Carol, she thought to herself.
And suddenly, the girl in front whipped around, an... excited look on her face. What was she smiling about? Whatever it was, it had to do with Carol in some way. It could mean anything, actually. A look of confusion passed over her features as the girl turned back, leaving Carol to wonder just what happened.
Well, that was... strange.
BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRING!
The bell rung, and soon people were lifting themselves from their seats in an eager attempt to leave for home or other places. Carol, however, decided to stay in her seat. Maybe there was someone she could talk to. And, perhaps she could figure out what the heck that look of excitement was about. The last thing she needed was some further embarrassment happening, but hopefully that wouldn't be the case.
Carol looked away from the teacher's lecture on... textbooks now, apparently, and saw that the girl in front of her placed something on her desk. And so, she realized that she forgot to put her pencil sharpener back in, much to her embarrassment.
Whispering a small "thanks", she went back to listening to the teacher, a bored expression on her face. Carol noticed that the girl who had previously flung her pencil near her foot was now chuckling at... something. She suddenly felt further embarrassment once she realized that she was probably laughing at the fact that she spilled stuff on the floor.
Way to leave a nice impression, Carol, she thought to herself.
And suddenly, the girl in front whipped around, an... excited look on her face. What was she smiling about? Whatever it was, it had to do with Carol in some way. It could mean anything, actually. A look of confusion passed over her features as the girl turned back, leaving Carol to wonder just what happened.
Well, that was... strange.
BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRING!
The bell rung, and soon people were lifting themselves from their seats in an eager attempt to leave for home or other places. Carol, however, decided to stay in her seat. Maybe there was someone she could talk to. And, perhaps she could figure out what the heck that look of excitement was about. The last thing she needed was some further embarrassment happening, but hopefully that wouldn't be the case.
BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRING!
Amber could've thrown up her arms in joy as the bell rang around the classroom, signalling an end to the dredge of a day. Likewise, their teacher seemed just as bored as she was, tiredly waved towards the door and clearly intending for the students to use it as soon as possible. "Have a good evening."
If you'd asked her five minutes ago, Amber would've probably been the first student to follow up on his wishes, despite being almost right at the back of the room; the sooner she was on her way home, the sooner she could get round to her games and relax for the evening. However, now she had another priority which stopped her from dashing out the class: the investigation of the new girl!
Spinning around and hanging her legs around the back her chair, Amber looked at Carol face to face, eyeing her over quickly again. Intending to keep her relaxed, she smiled as warm a smile as she could muster through her excitement, which unfortunately might've come off to some as a malicious grin. "Hi there! Are you new?"
Only for the girl's own comfort of course: it was obvious that she was new! Amber was completely certain of her ability to list pretty much every student off by name, and the only reason that she could think of that she wouldn't recognise anyone in the senior year was is that they were brand new to Bayview Secondary School. However, simply saying 'Hi there new kid!' was something that could come off as intimidating, which would stop her getting her scoop.
"I'm Amber Whimsy, intrepid head of the school newspaper!" A lie, but a necessary one: people weren't nearly as willing to open up to the little people when it came to interviews, but if the head of the newspaper was talking to them? Who wouldn't want to have a guaranteed spot in the news?
Besides, it was only a matter of time until she was named editor 'n' chief. This year would be her year to shine, and shine she would! The truth had no hope of hiding from Amber Whimsy, and neither did the student sat right in front of her!
Amber could've thrown up her arms in joy as the bell rang around the classroom, signalling an end to the dredge of a day. Likewise, their teacher seemed just as bored as she was, tiredly waved towards the door and clearly intending for the students to use it as soon as possible. "Have a good evening."
If you'd asked her five minutes ago, Amber would've probably been the first student to follow up on his wishes, despite being almost right at the back of the room; the sooner she was on her way home, the sooner she could get round to her games and relax for the evening. However, now she had another priority which stopped her from dashing out the class: the investigation of the new girl!
Spinning around and hanging her legs around the back her chair, Amber looked at Carol face to face, eyeing her over quickly again. Intending to keep her relaxed, she smiled as warm a smile as she could muster through her excitement, which unfortunately might've come off to some as a malicious grin. "Hi there! Are you new?"
Only for the girl's own comfort of course: it was obvious that she was new! Amber was completely certain of her ability to list pretty much every student off by name, and the only reason that she could think of that she wouldn't recognise anyone in the senior year was is that they were brand new to Bayview Secondary School. However, simply saying 'Hi there new kid!' was something that could come off as intimidating, which would stop her getting her scoop.
"I'm Amber Whimsy, intrepid head of the school newspaper!" A lie, but a necessary one: people weren't nearly as willing to open up to the little people when it came to interviews, but if the head of the newspaper was talking to them? Who wouldn't want to have a guaranteed spot in the news?
Besides, it was only a matter of time until she was named editor 'n' chief. This year would be her year to shine, and shine she would! The truth had no hope of hiding from Amber Whimsy, and neither did the student sat right in front of her!
((Sorry for the waait...)
BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRING!
The class ran free like wildebeast, the teacher waving them out without care. Paige took her bag and started to head out, when she noticed that Amber was now grilling the new girl.
Oh Amber, must you do this to everyone?
Leaning against the doorframe with a hearty smile on her face, she stopped to watch the show.
"I'm Amber Whimsy, intrepid head of the school newspaper!"
Paige literally had to stifle a chuckle there with her hands. Amber? Head of the paper? In what lifetime hun? She wasn't being mean, don't get her wrong. She and Amber were more like vitrolic best friends. After all, what other person would share her love of gossip, whether it be constructive or not? While Paige was more on the non-constructive side, Amber...well, was Amber!
While she looked like she was waiting for Amber, she wanted to overhear their conversation. What was this girl like?
BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRING!
The class ran free like wildebeast, the teacher waving them out without care. Paige took her bag and started to head out, when she noticed that Amber was now grilling the new girl.
Oh Amber, must you do this to everyone?
Leaning against the doorframe with a hearty smile on her face, she stopped to watch the show.
"I'm Amber Whimsy, intrepid head of the school newspaper!"
Paige literally had to stifle a chuckle there with her hands. Amber? Head of the paper? In what lifetime hun? She wasn't being mean, don't get her wrong. She and Amber were more like vitrolic best friends. After all, what other person would share her love of gossip, whether it be constructive or not? While Paige was more on the non-constructive side, Amber...well, was Amber!
While she looked like she was waiting for Amber, she wanted to overhear their conversation. What was this girl like?
And, soon enough, the girl in front of her spun around and introduced herself.
Amber Whimsy, head of the school newspaper, eh? Well, what did she want? Carol wasn't sure if she had any stories on her. Heck, the only thing that she could really tell her about is how she is enjoying Bayview so far. She had a feeling she wanted a story or something, though, based on her introduction and that... look on her face. Then again, maybe she wanted to be friends? That, of course, was a possibility too, and one Carol was up for!
The grin plastered on Amber's face reminded Carol of a picture of the Cheshire cat from a copy of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland back home, actually. Her sister used to love that book. In a way, she kind of felt like how probably Alice would have felt during her adventures in Wonderland ever since she arrived in St. Paul. It was a strange metaphor, but it made sense to at least her.
Well, Carol, you've gone down the rabbit hole. Now let's see if you could at least be friendly to the inhabitants, she told herself in her head, and so, she made herself smile.
"Uh... hi. Name's Carol Burke" she started, and then answering "Yeah... I'm from Carson City!"
Looking around, Carol noticed that the other girl from before was standing in the doorway, looking in their direction. What was she doing? Did she know something about this Amber that Carol didn't? Probably...
Amber Whimsy, head of the school newspaper, eh? Well, what did she want? Carol wasn't sure if she had any stories on her. Heck, the only thing that she could really tell her about is how she is enjoying Bayview so far. She had a feeling she wanted a story or something, though, based on her introduction and that... look on her face. Then again, maybe she wanted to be friends? That, of course, was a possibility too, and one Carol was up for!
The grin plastered on Amber's face reminded Carol of a picture of the Cheshire cat from a copy of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland back home, actually. Her sister used to love that book. In a way, she kind of felt like how probably Alice would have felt during her adventures in Wonderland ever since she arrived in St. Paul. It was a strange metaphor, but it made sense to at least her.
Well, Carol, you've gone down the rabbit hole. Now let's see if you could at least be friendly to the inhabitants, she told herself in her head, and so, she made herself smile.
"Uh... hi. Name's Carol Burke" she started, and then answering "Yeah... I'm from Carson City!"
Looking around, Carol noticed that the other girl from before was standing in the doorway, looking in their direction. What was she doing? Did she know something about this Amber that Carol didn't? Probably...
"Uh... hi. Name's Carol Burke" Carol Burke responded, pleasing Amber by answering her queries. "Yeah... I'm from Carson City!"
Amber was relieved: this girl was open. Normally, people could be so selfish when it came to things like their thoughts and opinions, and she'd have to go all these extra miles to get more detail out of them, calming them down and making them relaxed, having to get them past this silly 'privacy' hurdle; what business is it yours anymore than the world's who you had a crush on?!
But that was not the case with Carol Burke, who so far seemed quite willing to talk. As long as nothing interfered, her first day might not be so bad after all!
"Carol eh? I've always liked that name." Amber followed this calculated compliment with a friendly smile; it was an instinctual habit from interviewing people. "Carol, let me tell you something: I've decided to make you my intrepid first article for the new year! Isn't that fantastic?"
Duh, stupid question: of course it was awesome; who wouldn't want to be in the papers?
"I'll get what you think about the school and the city and stuff, and then I'll write it up into an article. All you have to do is tell me what you think so far, and you get your name in the papers!"
It was a win-win situation: she gets to have her name on the first article of the year, and she gets to hand off something to keep the teachers happy! Teachers loved stuff that put the school in a good light, and if she did that then maybe that bitch Mrs. Barch wouldn't hold on to that grudge about last year's article about which girls packed the most goodies!
Realising that she was trailing off and looking up absent-mindedly, Amber refocused her eyes on Carol Burke. "Totally spaced out, sorry! Walk me home, okay?
A warm laugh followed Amber's response: she was in a good mood, and she was probably showing it: the end of the day, a new story, and the chance to really nail herself into her editor'n'chief coffin! What about that wouldn't put her in a good mood?
Amber was relieved: this girl was open. Normally, people could be so selfish when it came to things like their thoughts and opinions, and she'd have to go all these extra miles to get more detail out of them, calming them down and making them relaxed, having to get them past this silly 'privacy' hurdle; what business is it yours anymore than the world's who you had a crush on?!
But that was not the case with Carol Burke, who so far seemed quite willing to talk. As long as nothing interfered, her first day might not be so bad after all!
"Carol eh? I've always liked that name." Amber followed this calculated compliment with a friendly smile; it was an instinctual habit from interviewing people. "Carol, let me tell you something: I've decided to make you my intrepid first article for the new year! Isn't that fantastic?"
Duh, stupid question: of course it was awesome; who wouldn't want to be in the papers?
"I'll get what you think about the school and the city and stuff, and then I'll write it up into an article. All you have to do is tell me what you think so far, and you get your name in the papers!"
It was a win-win situation: she gets to have her name on the first article of the year, and she gets to hand off something to keep the teachers happy! Teachers loved stuff that put the school in a good light, and if she did that then maybe that bitch Mrs. Barch wouldn't hold on to that grudge about last year's article about which girls packed the most goodies!
Realising that she was trailing off and looking up absent-mindedly, Amber refocused her eyes on Carol Burke. "Totally spaced out, sorry! Walk me home, okay?
A warm laugh followed Amber's response: she was in a good mood, and she was probably showing it: the end of the day, a new story, and the chance to really nail herself into her editor'n'chief coffin! What about that wouldn't put her in a good mood?
Paige started to learn some things about this girl. Of course, to make it look less suspicious, Paige retreated behind the door in a motion that made it look like she was leaving. So from there, she listened. Of course, the only thing she learned was that Carol Burke was from Carson City. Paige had no idea where that was, since she'd never been outside of Minnesota. But now Amber had offered to walk her home...or was it the other way round? Bah, who cared? Let's meet the new girl!
Paige waited beside the door until they came out.
((Gaah, my shortest post ever...))
Paige waited beside the door until they came out.
((Gaah, my shortest post ever...))
Aha! She knew it!
This Amber person did indeed want to interview her for an article! Carol actually figured something out quickly for once! It was a small victory, but a victory none the less!
Now, what Amber wanted to know is... how she was enjoying St. Paul? Yes, apparently so. So, how was she enjoying it? Well, it was nice. Certainly not like Nevada, but nice. She still thought she was going to get beaten up or something, but so far, things seemed to be going on well.
"Interview? Sounds... alright. I think I have enough time on me, right?", she said, still trying to smile as best as she could.
Amber seemed to space out for a few seconds, but then suddenly, something about walking home.
Wait, walking home? Carol could do that. But... what if their homes were some distance away? She would have to call her parents to tell them where she was if it turned out that Amber lived far away from the apartment complex she now called home.
But, she could manage, right?
Well! It would seem she was starting to make friends already. As long as Amber wasn't leading her into an ambush or something, or use the information to spread lies and slander, she could be at least on good terms with her.
Lifting herself from her seat, she then said "Sure! Where do you live, just so I know where we're going?"
This Amber person did indeed want to interview her for an article! Carol actually figured something out quickly for once! It was a small victory, but a victory none the less!
Now, what Amber wanted to know is... how she was enjoying St. Paul? Yes, apparently so. So, how was she enjoying it? Well, it was nice. Certainly not like Nevada, but nice. She still thought she was going to get beaten up or something, but so far, things seemed to be going on well.
"Interview? Sounds... alright. I think I have enough time on me, right?", she said, still trying to smile as best as she could.
Amber seemed to space out for a few seconds, but then suddenly, something about walking home.
Wait, walking home? Carol could do that. But... what if their homes were some distance away? She would have to call her parents to tell them where she was if it turned out that Amber lived far away from the apartment complex she now called home.
But, she could manage, right?
Well! It would seem she was starting to make friends already. As long as Amber wasn't leading her into an ambush or something, or use the information to spread lies and slander, she could be at least on good terms with her.
Lifting herself from her seat, she then said "Sure! Where do you live, just so I know where we're going?"
"Sure! Where do you live, just so I know where we're going?" Carol asked, lifting herself from her seat.
"Just a few blocks down." Amber replied, still grinning widely with the excitement of a fresh story. "Follow me!"
With a healthy spring in her step, Amber strode out of the classroom with a huge amount of anticipation, picturing the interview with Carol Burke. "Bayview's cool,", she would say, starting out like any interviewee would. "But that's a boring story. I have a secret, Amber! And I want you to put it in the paper!' she would then reveal! What secret could lie in wait? International government spy? Professional student bank robber? Singing sensation Britney Spears gone undercover!? It was all possible!
Practically bursting on the spot, Amber caught sight of herself and took a breath.
First things first, get good with the staff. Can't write a story if they kick you off the paper!
For now, she'd have to stick to the dull, routine stories, and leave the more interesting news for later.
Without checking to see if Carol was still following her, Amber walked out the door of the classroom, and as soon as she did she caught sight of Paige Strand.
"Paigey!" she shouted, surprised, though pleased, by her appearance. "What're you still doing here?"
"Just a few blocks down." Amber replied, still grinning widely with the excitement of a fresh story. "Follow me!"
With a healthy spring in her step, Amber strode out of the classroom with a huge amount of anticipation, picturing the interview with Carol Burke. "Bayview's cool,", she would say, starting out like any interviewee would. "But that's a boring story. I have a secret, Amber! And I want you to put it in the paper!' she would then reveal! What secret could lie in wait? International government spy? Professional student bank robber? Singing sensation Britney Spears gone undercover!? It was all possible!
Practically bursting on the spot, Amber caught sight of herself and took a breath.
First things first, get good with the staff. Can't write a story if they kick you off the paper!
For now, she'd have to stick to the dull, routine stories, and leave the more interesting news for later.
Without checking to see if Carol was still following her, Amber walked out the door of the classroom, and as soon as she did she caught sight of Paige Strand.
"Paigey!" she shouted, surprised, though pleased, by her appearance. "What're you still doing here?"
As Paige hung around the door to the classroom, it gave her some time to think about some of the important things that plagued her min-
"Paigey! What're you still doing here?"
The two girls had finally left the classroom. Good thing too, since she was boredl.
"Hey Amber! Well, I've just been around, cause Jacob's been all like working and stuff, so I've got like no-one to speak to, so I like, just hung around here for you!"
Everything Paige Strand said just then was an outright lie. She hung her arm around Amber's shoulder to give a fake half-hug, and leaned in close to her ear to whisper.
"Not really. Wanted to meet the new girl. What's she like?"
"Paigey! What're you still doing here?"
The two girls had finally left the classroom. Good thing too, since she was boredl.
"Hey Amber! Well, I've just been around, cause Jacob's been all like working and stuff, so I've got like no-one to speak to, so I like, just hung around here for you!"
Everything Paige Strand said just then was an outright lie. She hung her arm around Amber's shoulder to give a fake half-hug, and leaned in close to her ear to whisper.
"Not really. Wanted to meet the new girl. What's she like?"
Carol followed Amber out of the classroom, a small, genuine smile forming.
Only a few blocks, huh? She could do that. If she ended up arriving a little late, she could call her parents. Again, hopefully it wouldn't be too far from the complex, but she still thought she could manage.
Once they got out, Amber greeted the other girl from before, and soon they were hugging.
So wait, they knew each other? Most likely, given that they were now hugging. Of course that meant they knew each other! They were acting like friends, after all! And, well, they didn't sit THAT far from each other, so it was likely that they knew each other to some extent.
"So you two seem to be on good terms", she started, then almost put her hand to her face.
Wow... what a good way to start talking to the other girl. Seriously, she was never going to be good at making friends here if she kept acting like a... silly person all the time! So she better shape up, soon.
Then again... things often turned out for the better, right? Things happened for a reason. Why, no one knew, but they did. So, maybe Carol shouldn't give up on the whole interview thing, if she wanted to get known here in a positive way. Ah well, might as well see what happened next...
Only a few blocks, huh? She could do that. If she ended up arriving a little late, she could call her parents. Again, hopefully it wouldn't be too far from the complex, but she still thought she could manage.
Once they got out, Amber greeted the other girl from before, and soon they were hugging.
So wait, they knew each other? Most likely, given that they were now hugging. Of course that meant they knew each other! They were acting like friends, after all! And, well, they didn't sit THAT far from each other, so it was likely that they knew each other to some extent.
"So you two seem to be on good terms", she started, then almost put her hand to her face.
Wow... what a good way to start talking to the other girl. Seriously, she was never going to be good at making friends here if she kept acting like a... silly person all the time! So she better shape up, soon.
Then again... things often turned out for the better, right? Things happened for a reason. Why, no one knew, but they did. So, maybe Carol shouldn't give up on the whole interview thing, if she wanted to get known here in a positive way. Ah well, might as well see what happened next...