The next day Dawn awoke to a bright stream of sunlight shining in through her blinds. She groaned as she remembered she had to get up and go to school.

After showering and drying her hair, she pulled out some clothes, a white silk shirt, buttoned to the top with a pair of skinny jeans and some small wedge heels. She actually kind of liked that no one noticed her, then she could wear whatever she wanted and not feel like people were judging her. She was pretty into fashion so she generally dressed up most days.

After putting some mascara on she grabbed her sketch pad, shoving it into her bag and texting Drew, telling her to meet her outside his house in 5 minutes.

"Hey, did you get through that bio quiz last night?" Dawn asked as Drew walked towards her from his front door.

"Yeah, killer, how'd you go?"

"Oh, I finished but it took a little while. Senior year is so much harder already."

Drew nodded, "Yeah I hope that's the most homework we have for the week, I just want to play NBA afterschool tonight."

"Oh I want to come over and beat you again!" Her eyes were shining with excitement and she let out a high pitched squeal.

"You didn't beat me, I let you win. There's a difference."

"Pfft sure, you looked very surprised when I won."

"Whatever," Drew said arrogantly, flipping his hair, "But if you really want, come over after school tonight and I'll get Baz to make us dinner."

"Oh definitely. You know I'd never turn down food made by your very own butler."

Dawn had meant to sound playful, but she could tell by the look on Drew's face that it had hit a nerve. He always got awkward around the topic of his home life. Drew's parents were corporate, business-savvy people who often worked internationally, leaving Drew to his own devices, and to be raised by the various maid's and butlers that his parents employed.

Some might say it would be awesome to have whatever you want, whenever you want it, but it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Drew lived a very lonely life, in a great big house that felt so empty. It was something he wouldn't have wished on anyone.

He was an only child, which made matters worse. It wasn't like he could hang out or share the experience with a beloved sibling. He really was entirely alone. When his parents came home on rare occasions he would find himself disappointed over and over, they would take meetings and phone calls at the dinner table, and shoo Drew out of the room every time he tried to spend time with them.

"Yeah, this one makes pretty good food," Drew said dejectedly.

They were entering the school grounds when they heard screaming coming towards them.

"GARY! GET BACK HERE YOU LITTLE!"

It all seemed to happen in a split second.

Firstly, a guy with brown hair ran straight past them at lightning speed, he was almost a blur. Unfortunately, what came after seemed to not realise they were there and accidentally tripped over Dawn, and flew head first into Drew.

Dawn had managed to land with her hands behind her on the ground. Groaning, she looked around to see one of the most awkward sights of her life.

Drew was lying face up on the ground, with a girl with brown hair lying directly on top of him. It was as if they were both completely frozen staring at each other. Her mouth was hanging open and Dawn wondered if it was out of embarrassment or surprise. Probably both, she thought.

"You can get off me now." Drew said, smirking at the girl he recognised as May Maple.

Her face contorted into one of disbelief as she began to get off Drew and pick herself up.

"Excuse me? It was an accident. There's no need to be so rude."

"Yeah well maybe you could look where you're going next time April."

She scoffed loudly as her hands reached her hips. "I said it was an accident. And my name is May."

"Yeah, whatever June," Drew smirked once more and flipped his hair after standing up and dusting himself off.

"MAY! M-A-Y!"

"I didn't catch that."

May was standing dangerously close to Drew as she screamed the letters once more in his face. He barely flinched.

"Um…guys?" Dawn interrupted shyly.

"WHAT!" They both yelled.

"Ahh…the bell just went…we should probably get to class."

May flushed a deep red when it occurred to her that she had just screamed at two complete strangers.

"Oh, sorry, she said, more to Dawn than Drew. I suppose you guys need showing around. You're new right?"

Drew scoffed loudly, "No we don't. Thanks though," he added the last part with a sarcastic glare.

Dawn looked at him disapprovingly before smiling at May, "Ah no actually we've gone to this school since year 7. Thanks for the offer though May." She turned to walk away, with Drew close behind until they heard May speak up again.

"Seriously? That's impossible I've never seen you before in my entire life."

"Yeah of course you haven't. But we know who you are so why don't you run back to your precious group of friends March." Drew seemed particularly annoyed by this point.

"Oh…" May trailed off embarrassed, "Well I'm so sorry. What are your names?"

"I'm Dawn, that's Drew," Dawn grinned and May had the sudden urge to grin too. Dawn's smile was just infectious.

"Well I know we got off on the wrong foot," she glared at Drew mid-sentence, "but it really is nice to meet you guys. Anyway we'd better get to homeroom. I'll see you guys round?"

They nodded and watched May walk off in the opposite direction in the hall.

"Well that was interesting." Dawn said wondering why Drew had given May such a hard time.

"Yeah. She is unbelievable, who does she think she is being so careless and clumsy and not even bothering to apologise."

Dawn frowned, "I'm sure she would have apologised. Maybe she was just surprised."

"Why do you always have to see the best in people." It wasn't a question, more of a statement as Drew smiled slightly and shook his head. Truthfully, he wished he was more like Dawn in that respect.

They walked into home room late, with no one but their teacher even giving them a second glance.

"Well, nice to see things are back to normal again," Drew joked.

Dawn laughed too, "Yeah, I don't know why I thought that things might be different this year."


Dawn walked into literature with the intention of sitting and drawing while listening to the class discussion about Pride and Prejudice.

After sitting down, bringing out her sketch book and turning to a blank page, she started to draw what she could see outside the window. It was a beautiful morning, with the glorious sun shining down through the window. It was making her tired, yet keeping her nice and warm.

She was just finishing the outline of the skyline when her teacher, Ms Shirona started the class.

The discussion of themes from the book had been going on for 20 minutes, by which time Dawn had nearly completed her grey lead drawing. She was just doing some shading when she heard someone in the class speak up.

"Pride and Prejudice was nothing more than a cliché where they guy gets the girl. Personally I really don't get all the fuss about it."

Ms Shirona was about to respond when she heard a rather loud, unattractive scoff come from Dawn. She raised an eyebrow, as the entire class looked at her with disbelief. No one had the audacity to challenge Paul out of fear they'd ruin their chances at being friends with him or dating him.

Dawn wondered why everyone was so silent and looked up from her drawing, noticing every single person in the room staring at her.

"What?" She asked quietly, never in a million years did she think her whole class would even realise she existed.

"Dawn," Ms Shirona began with her eyebrows raised and an amused smile crossing her face, "Would you like to say something in response to Paul's comment?"

Dawn's mouth gaped slightly as she looked glanced slightly at Paul who was staring at her intently.

"Well," she paused as she arranged the words in her head, "Pride and Prejudice is no cliché. In fact that's the entire point, yeah the guy gets the girl but it's not conventional at all. She is a smart, independent woman which was unheard of in those days. And that's the reason he falls for her to begin with, because yeah he is proud and yet she can match his wits, his intelligence and most of all, give him a the challenge he is searching for."

"So you don't think women in other stories are as intelligent? Because they are. That's why it's a cliché. The stubborn, rich guy falling for the poor, smart girl is in almost every story I've ever read." Paul responded quickly and softly, he wasn't much of a talker.

"I'm saying that it was unheard of for that time. Not to mention, the reason why this is different from the usual cliché story is because they recognise their faults, apologise for them at the end and set aside their differences to become something more. It certainly wasn't a marriage of convenience like most marriages were back then. They challenged everything that "love" stood for back in that time and married not for money, or social standing, but for true, deep, impenetrable love."

By this point the entire class was watching with intrigue as Dawn talked back to Paul. If Paul was surprised that Dawn was giving him a run for his money, he didn't show it. If anything it looked like he might have been enjoying it.

"Yeah but those challenges that they have to overcome are what makes it so typical. No reader wants to see a straight out happy ending; the most controversial stories are considered the greatest love stories of all time. Think Romeo and Juliet, or the Titanic or—"

"Or the Notebook," Dawn added, her arms folding over her chest and a smirk growing on her face. It was rare that she had anyone to banter with other than Drew, who didn't enjoy books like she did.

"I see what you're saying, and you're right, no one really wants a happy ending. They just want to want a happy ending. The tragedy is what keeps people wanting more. However, Mr Darcy is so torn between what is expected of him and what he wants that he makes a lot of mistakes along the way. I think it's the way he and Elizabeth overcome their mistakes that sets Pride and Prejudice aside from the rest."

"Okay, okay Paul, Dawn that's enough," Ms Shirona interrupted, "that is quite possibly one of the best debates over Pride and Prejudice I've ever seen. However class is almost over. I'd like you all to start you're essays on the way of life in the 1800s where the book was set. Due next Tuesday, dismissed."

Dawn was disappointed that their discussion had ended so soon, but smiled at Ms Shirona none the less as she could see the blonde haired woman looking at her with a twinkle in her eye. It wasn't common for students to put in too much effort in their school as many of them had a large trust fund to get them into university.

After grabbing her books she walked towards the class door when Paul, who was in front of her turned and held the door open for her after he was nearly through the door. With a sideways glance at her he walked off silently.

Dawn could have fainted. Not only had he talked to her in class, but he looked at her. He actually looked at her.

"Get a grip Dawn," she muttered to herself as she began to walk in the opposite direction.

Unfortunately, Ursula, a girl who had always bullied Dawn, apparently being the only person who ever noticed her, was waiting for her.

"Oops," She said as she knocked Dawn's books to the floor. She laughed loudly and high fived one of her 'evil minions' Brianna before walking off.

Dawn sighed as she bent down to pick up her books. Gathering them all and standing back up, she took off to find Drew. Luckily it was lunchtime.


Drew was sitting playing random melodies on his acoustic guitar when Dawn found him.

Grinning, she practically skipped over and sat down next to him. Opening her lunch, a large contained full of fruit, she squealed, "Drew!"

He winced, "Dawn I'm right here. No need to scream so loudly."

"I know, but I am having the best day. Paul actually talked to me! He knows I exist! And he's smart and has good taste in books!"

Dawn proceeded to tell him the entire story, not missing any details of the way he had looked at her and challenged her and held the door open for her slightly.

"Wow, I actually never thought I'd see the day." He looked thoughtful for a few moments as a grim look crossed his face and he looked seriously at Dawn, "I don't want you to get your hopes up okay? I don't want you to get hurt if he doesn't talk to you again."

Dawn nodded, "You're right. He probably won't even take a second glance at me next time."

At the sad look on her face, Drew sighed, "Or maybe he'll think you're awesome, because you are. Any guy would be lucky to have you."

This greatly improved her mood as she squealed once again, popping a grape into her mouth.

"Maybe this year won't be so bad after all," Dawn mused.

They spent the rest of lunch throwing grapes at each other and laughing when the other couldn't catch one in their mouth.


Dawn had never been in a better mood when she walked in to homeroom the next day. Her and Drew took their seats in the corner of the room and were chatting quickly about their previous night's NBA match.

"Oh please, you lost Drew, you're going to have to start coming to terms with it," Dawn teased as Drew frowned.

"I let you win, and that's that." He said crossing his arms.

Dawn watched as Drew's mouth formed a small O shape.

"What?" She asked? "Is there something on my face?" she began brushing her hand over her face lightly.

"No, um…Paul just walked in. And I swear he looked over here."

Dawn's face immediately formed a grin and she resisted the sudden urge to squeal loudly.

At that point the bell rang and she sighed as the said goodbye to Drew and walked off to her first and second period double music class.

"Alright class, I am happy for you to have private music study this morning as unfortunately your normal teacher is away today," A relatively young teacher with long, pink hair said firmly, "I'll be coming around to help you as best as I can."

Dawn took out her notebook as she thought about what she wanted to do for her compulsory senior music project which would be coming up in a few weeks to allow the music programme teachers to evaluate each student. The performance would be in front of a teacher only. Each class member would have to perform multiple times throughout the year with a piece of music that reflected something important to them.

Dawn had already decided to write a song, and she would be allowed to have Drew play the music as he was in the other music class.

She hummed lightly to herself and closed her eyes, letting the inspiration hit her. Suddenly she found the inspiration and began furiously scribbling down words in her notebook.

Towards the end of the two hours, Dawn looked over what she had written in front of her and smiled. The page was covered with words, and there were many sentences and single words crossed out and written over.

It was far from finished but she liked it so far. She couldn't wait to show Drew at lunch time what she had come up with.


Before lunch, Dawn found herself arriving ridiculously early to science and surprised to see that Drew was already there sitting in their spot.

"Hey," she chirped, "I spent all morning working on a new song and I can't wait to show you!"

"Awesome," he said, "I just had the most boring history class."

"Hey guys," the two looked up from their conversation to find May standing next to their table with a huge smile plastered across her face.

They both exchanged a glance before starting up conversation with the girl.

"We were just talking about our classes. Senior year is getting harder don't you think September?" It was Drew who spoke, but he offered a small smile at the last part to show May he was just teasing her. Secretly, he was impressed that she had risked her social standing just to come and say hi to them.

She glared at him but couldn't help a smile tugging at the edges of her lips, "Yes Grasshead, it's getting harder. That's what's supposed to happen you get older, you also get smarter…at least some of us do…"

Drew smirked and began to argue back whilst Dawn tuned out. She slowly glanced over to where May's table of friends were sitting to find Paul looking over at her. She blushed and immediately leaned forward to hide behind Drew where Paul wouldn't have a clear view of her.

"Yeah well at least I look where I'm going," Drew said arrogantly, flipping his hair.

May fumed, "When are you going to let that go!"

Dawn decided it was time to intervene before they got too loud and started drawing attention.

"Guys, the class is about to start," She said, sweat dropping when they both turned on her.

Once they realised she was right, May blushed, "Oh, right…well I guess I'll just see you guys later then," she turned awkwardly and walked away to her table.

"Well, I never thought I'd see the day where we'd be friends with May Maple," Drew said blankly, as if she still believed it to not be possible.

Dawn laughed; it was weird for her to see Drew get along with another girl. She briefly wondered if Drew found her attractive and if that was the reason he was picking arguments with her.

She smiled to herself at the possibility of Drew and May dating, "I dunno, I quite like her."

Drew groaned and they stopped talking as the teacher began to go through the answers to their Bio quiz from a few days before.

Dawn wasn't paying much attention though as she decided to take one last glance at Paul. He was looking down at his paper, scribbling extended answers onto his sheet. She noticed he seemed to be working pretty hard in the two classes they had together and wondered if he was as involved in his other classes as he was in literature.

Focusing back on her own paper she sighed contently, things could only keep getting better from here.