Chapter 1: Someone Unexpectedly Wins: Valerie's POV

It all started with an assembly. Another stupid school "Students of the Month" assembly. Sure, I got an award every time, but it was always for things like "they got an A+ on their physics midterm". Students were never recognized for their good leadership or outstanding citizenship. It was always academics.

I sat with Cinder, my best friend, in the third row of the auditorium. Cinder and I have been friends since preschool. It's strange though, because were actually pretty different. I get straight As; she gets straight Cs. I'm on the student council; she despises any kind of school program or club. I'm the official teacher's pet; she gets detention about three times every week. But despite our differences as people, we both have the same interests. We are hardcore fangirls for Castle, Johnny Depp, Sherlock Holmes, etc. We both love plays; I'm on the stage and she's in the wardrobe department. I could go on.

We also both didn't have our mothers. My dad said she left as soon as I was born. Cinder's dad said he met her at a bar about a year before she was born, and when she was, the mother found Cinder's dad and gave Cinder to him without a word. We always thought it was kind of peculiar, seeing as our birthdays are on the same day and we're both dyslexic and have ADHD.

"I wonder who'll get an award…" she said to me with a sarcastic tone. She pushed a strand of her short, dirty blond hair off of her face. She always streaked it with wild colors. This month's color was bright orange.

"Oh, you'll so get one Cinder." I countered. She was fluent in the language of sarcasm, but so was I.

"Pfft, as if Val. What would I get one for? 'She scored 67% on her European history midterm…'"

"You told me you got an 82% on that!"

"Well, I… lied?" she said while smiling apologetically.

"We've talked about this Cinder…"

"I know, I know. 'Cinder, I don't want you to have to repeat your 8th grade year. If you don't, I'll be stuck going to high school with Chris.'" She quoted me.

"Shut up! Sorry if I don't want to go to high school with an alcoholic!" We laughed. It was moments like this that we cherished. Of course, we hoped that Chris couldn't here us.

The principal stepped up and cleared his throat, and the chatter amongst the students quickly stopped.

"Good afternoon students. I am happy to announce that there were many students this month who made "Student of the Month". Now, this first outstanding student is… Valerie Hanson!" the principal said.

Cinder gave me a quick, "Nice Val." and a high five as I walked to the front of the auditorium. I shook the principal's hand and took my lousy piece of paper, er, "Certificate of Outstanding Achievement" and sat down in one of the six chairs set up at the front of the auditorium. I took a look at my certificate, which stated my achievement in acing my French exam.

"Next, we have Samona Ripalang!" he continued.

Samona, or Sam as everyone called her, was a smart girl. It didn't surprise me that she was called up. Unlike me, though, she was shy. She was the president of the gardening club. She mumbled "Hi." to me as she sat two seats down from me.

"Now, Colin Colins!"

There was a snicker in the audience. Poor Colin, his name was just too funny to not laugh at. But he was a pretty popular guy. In fact, his best friend was the most popular guy in the school…

"Ashton Fliter."

Speak of the devil. My heart skipped a beat.

Pull yourself together!, I thought, Every girl has a crush on him because of his looks and his charm and his wit… Oh! Don't get caught up in that Val!

He headed to the seat next to Colin, but on the way he gave me a smirk.

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!

Sure, Ashton was cute and popular, but he never flirted with anyone.

Shut up! It was just a smirk. He could've done that to anyone. Alright now, deep breaths. In… Out… In… Out…

When Sam looked over at me with a quizzical look, I stopped my breathing exercise.

"Next up is, Chris Stupler!"

There were a lot of "WHAT?"s coming from the audience. Chris was the guy Cinder and I had been talking about earlier. An alcoholic and a druggie. How did he get student of the month?

He came over and wink and me, starting to sit down. But I gave him the dagger eyes and he quickly moved to the other seat in between Ashton and Sam.

"One seat left, one person… And that person is… Ella Genovian!"

"WHAT?" Everyone in the auditorium said.

Ella is Cinder's real name. I was most shocked of all. Cinder got up and shook the principal's hand. She came and sat next to me.

Everyone was all buzzed about Chris and Cinder getting awards, so there was a lot of talking going on. I took this to my advantage.

"How?" I asked her.

"It says 'For incredible achievement in Euro Hist.'" she said.

"That's not possible though, you're failing that class, right?"

"Yeah, and also, you'd think they'd fully spell out 'European History' on my certificate?"

"Ahem," The principal interrupted the conversations around the room, "Now, the students of the month will now be taken to lunch at 'Garcia's' by the substitute algebra teacher, Ms. Nemi. You're all excused."

That's weird, usually the principal takes us… Why is a sub taking us? And how did Cinder and Chris get awards?

Cinder saw the confused look in my eyes, and she shrugged.

"Don't worry about I Val. I mean, hey, we get free food!"

I took her advice and walked out to the rental van with everyone else, never to return to the school.