+++++++Asa's POV+++++++

I looked around the great hall, watching for any rule breakers. Silence was the golden rule here. Looking to my right, I saw a flash a purple and smiled secretly to myself. There was Olivia Vertigo, in all her dramatic flair.

"What are you smiling at, Asa?" Manfred Bloor, the closest thing I had to a friend, growled to me.

Losing the smile, I whispered, "Nothing, Manfred. Just thinking of new ways to scare the kids at the ruin game this year."

"Come up with anything new?"

"I've gotten quieter when I walk. I'm going to sneak up on some of them tonight and breathe down there necks before howling right behind them."

Manfred smiled at this, relishing in the fright it would bring. "Be sure to try it on Charlie Bone and his infuriating friends."

"Always, Manfred." I replied obediently. Little did he know I was planning an overthrow of his rule. He isn't as smart as he thinks. He chuckled a bit, then we continued watching for rule breakers/

+++++++Olivia's POV+++++++

"No!" I shrieked, running from Tancred. "Calm down, Tanc! I don't want to get wet!" He was in a bad mood because Emma had been getting a little too chummy with the new art student. Tancred was now about to make a huge- and I mean HUGE- storm to wash away all his troubles. No one even knew the new kid's name-well, none of us, at least.

The hunting horn sounded, signaling the end of break. I ran inside and went to the drama coatroom. Once I had my purple cape on-which matched my hair perfectly- I headed to the auditorium for the mandatory meeting of all the students. It was a discussion of a big play for a bunch of benefactors of Bloor's Academy, my school.

Headmaster Bloor was there, as well as all of the school's teachers and- yeck- Manfred.

"Ahem!" Dr. Bloor said, calling us to silence. "It is nice of you to come." Like we had a choice. "The drama teachers have chosen the play. It shall be…" A pause, for dramatic effect. He failed horribly. "Beauty and the Beast! The leading lady shall be Olivia Vertigo. Please come up onto stage." I did, bowing along the way. Everyone clapped for me, knowing how good I was. I heard people whispering stuff like 'She's perfect!', 'Wish I was her.", and 'She is a real beauty.'

Dr. Bloor once again cleared his throat. "The leading male role is to be played by Asa Pike." My jaw dropped. Asa? Pike? He joined me on stage, looking smug. This had to have been planned.

+++++++Asa++++++

Of course, I knew this would happen. Manfred told me so I could 'Keep an eye on that bratty friend of Charlie Bone.' That doesn't mean I don't have other reasons for liking this arrangement.

"You two are expected to practice together for an excellent performance." Dr. Bloor said while handing us scripts. "I don't care if you have to stay together until the play," he whispered menacingly, so only we heard it, "But you better make this one spectacular play!"

Turning back to the crowd, he said, "Other parts will be assigned in practice. As usual, the art classes will provide costumes, scenery, etc. And the music classes will provide music. Dismissed." He walked off the stage.

Olivia still looked shocked. "Well, meet you at your place on Saturday!" I said to her, earning an even more shocked looked.

She was so cute when she looked like that.