Chapter 1 Sabrina Cassidy

I sit and listen to the chirping of the high pitched female voice singing "You Make My World This Much Better." I hate that song. It is on every station of the radio, every award show. It doesn't even make any sense. I kick my shoes off and walk groggily toward the radio. I flip the switch off, and plop down on my bed. It made a small creeeaaaakkk as I crawl to the castle of five-million pillows at the top of my bed. I emerge myself in the pool of pillows and sigh. Only two more days until break… Today was one of the most tiring days yet this year at Vinciton School. I grab a picture of me and my mom. Too bad we won't be spending Christmas together. I smile and set it back on my nightstand. I see Katie walk through our dorm door and collapse on her queen bed. "Same kind of day?" I ask.

"Yeah. I am pooped."

"Me too. It's only seven thirty and I want to go to sleep. It's sad isn't it?"

"I know! It's like Headmistress Cali is purposely trying to tire us so we cannot have any free time."

"Exactly. Hey are you staying or going home for vacation?"

"Staying."

"Goodie, now I can have one more burden on my shoulders," I joked.

"Hey, just be happy I am saving you from Sadie."

As if on cue, Sadie waltzes into the room and sits down hard on her spinney chair.

"Hey Sadie," I say, trying to sound like we were not just talking about her.

"Hey. My Twinkies! Sabrina, is that Co-co Mo-co Coconut lipstick?"

"Erm, no. Why?"

"Just 'cause It just came out. What she has on looks just like it. If she did have it, that would be like, like exclusive!"

Katie mouths "What is up with her brain?"

I shrug. Sadie is really insane. Still, I feel like she is important in my life somehow. I yawn and stretch.

"I think I am going to go to sleep now. You should probably do the same, we have a test tomorrow you know."

I snuggled under the three blankets and relaxed my aching muscles. I let my mind drift to the thoughts of the test tomorrow. The blanket of sleep finally washed over me, comforting and warm.

I wake to my alarm clock at five in the morning. I slam the snooze and sit up like a zombie. Rubbing the crust out of the corner of my eye, I put my right foot on the chilly floor. I shiver and wish the janitor would turn on the heater every now and then. I reach for my lamp and flick it on. I am literally (not really but…) blinded by the light. Great. Now I have "Blinded by the Light" stuck in my head. I stand as the Corus plays again in my mind as I groggily step onto the even colder tile in the bathroom. I reach for my toothbrush and flip the sonic on. The vibrating brush tickles my gums. I spit and rinse my mouth, but it still leaves a mint taste in my mouth. Ew. Tastes like cheese-its… I walk to my dresser and pull out a thick orange sweat shirt and jeans. I grab my wallet and reach for the almost frozen doorknob. I step into the hallway and see some of the older girls and guys already in the parking lot. I reach the black sea of pavement and spot my blue Beetle. I silently wish Katie was here so I could Slug-Bug her. She had seventeen slugs and I had five. I relax into the warm heated leather and pull out of the parking spot. I head for the south wing of the school, the math unit. I reach the tall three story building and park in the STUDENT ONLY PARKING. I step onto the snow covered ground and my sneakers sink into the soft fluff.