Chapter Three

AP US History

Room 215

8: 15 AM

"Now," Mr. Johnson said, "Who's going to start our discussion off today…Jan, how about you? Tell us about FDR's New Deal."

Jan stared at him blankly, "What?"

"Give us some details about President Roosevelt's response to the Great Depression. It was in your reading last night."

"I don't know," Jan said blatantly. She looked bored.

Mr. Johnson was surprised at Jan's attitude. She was one of his top students.

"Well, than who can fill you in? How about," he paused and considered the rest of the class, "Rodney?"

"It was a series of economic programs designed to revitalize the economy…"

Passing Period

Second Floor Hallway

8:45 AM

"Jim. Hey Jim," Kevin said.

"Yeah?" Jim replied.

"Our team's playing today," Kevin grinned slyly, "Notify the others."

Geometry

Room 301

9:00 AM

"Holly dolly?" Michael asked softly.

"Yeah?"

"Could I borrow your compass?"

"Sure."

"Thanks. I hate this angle measurement stuff."

"I'm ok at it. Want help?"

"Yeppers, that'd be awesome."

Holly explained the concept to Michael, and he soon got the idea. They both finished their work early.

"So," Michael said, "Do you like it here so far?"

"It seems good so far," Holly replied, "It sort of hard adjusting, though."

"I bet," Michael sympathized.

"I think I'll join a club, to meet some more people," she said, "Any suggestions?"

Michael thought for a second, "Well, there's this senior, Dwight, - he's an idiot, but we're kind of

friends - who just started some Harry Potter club. I dunno if you're into that."

Holly nodded, "Or I was thinking of maybe seeing if I could join the newspaper staff. I like to write."

"Newspaper. Yeah," Michael chuckled uncertainly, "I actually know the editor really well."

Holly didn't pick up on Michael's nervous tone, "Oh, really? Maybe you could talk to her for me then – see if there are any open positions or something, or if they even need another reporter. I mean, if you don't mind…I totally don't want to force you into anything."

"No, no. Of course I'd talk to her for you," Michael decided to change the subject, "Hey, you know who else is on the newspaper staff? Jim Halpert. He's a really cool guy."

"Oh yeah?" Holly smiled, "He's in my French class."

Michael laughed, "Small world."

Just then, the bell rang, and students quickly filed out of the classroom.

"Homework, page 245, don't forget," Ms. G reminded them.

"Bye, Mike," Holly said.

"Catch you later, Hollygram."

Morning Break

Principal Ed Truck's Office

10:30 AM

"Mr. Truck?" Angela asked, after knocking, "You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, yes. Come in, Angela."

Angela entered the office and sat down primly in one of the chairs that faced his desk.

"I heard the news yesterday, and I wanted to congratulate you, Angela," Ed Truck said, "On your acceptance to Georgetown University."

Angela smiled politely, "Thank you."

Algebra I

Room 311

10:45 AM

Ryan sat in his desk, his notebook open in front of him. He had yet to take any notes today; he already knew these concepts. He had learned them last year. Ryan sighed. Algebra was so easy that it was boring. He really should have taken the geometry readiness test and gotten out of this class.

On second thought, though, he would rather be here. He would rather be bored than have to work his ass off. Plus, he could totally imagine Kelly's reaction to him being placed in geometry.

"Ohmigosh, you're so smart, Ryan. That's awesome! Everybody, guess what? I have the smartest boyfriend ever!"

It would just give her something else to talk about. And God knew, Kelly already talked so much. It drove Ryan crazy.

Passing Period

Third Floor Hallway

10:50 AM

"Holly!" Michael called her name.

She turned around and grinned, "Hi Mike."

"What's your next class?" he asked.

"Religion," she replied, "You?"

"English," Michael replied, "We can walk to the second floor together, then."

Holly smiled. They made their way down the stairs.

"Michael!" Both Michael and Holly turned around at the voice that came from behind them. Holly saw a tall boy whose face was framed by big wire rimmed glasses. He was wearing a black shirt with a telephone box on it, jeans, and red converse.

"Dwight," Michael said, narrowing his eyes, "Why do you have free dress?"

Dwight grinned, "Science fair winner. C'mon, Michael, even the honorable mentions get free dress today. I, of course, got –"

"We know, we know," Michael rolled his eyes, "You got first place. Are you ever going to shut up about that?"

Dwight suddenly turned to Holly, "Who are you?"

"That's Holly. She just moved here. Holly, this is Dwight."

"Hi, Dwight," Holly said.

"Hi. Anyway, Michael, I have good news."

"Hurry up and spit it out, then."

"Toby's transferring."

"What? Really? Yes!" Michael cheered. He turned to Holly and explained, "Toby Flederson. Total loser. He'd be your worst nightmare if you ever met him. He takes all the fun out of the word "fun," which I didn't even think was possible until I met him."

"Wow," Holly said.

"Yeah. I'm glad you won't have to meet him, though. It must be hard enough for you, being the new kid, and you sure don't need him around to make your life any worse."

"Mhm. Well, I'll see you guys around," Holly said as they reached her classroom.

"Bye, Hol," Michael replied.

"Auf Wiedersehen," Dwight said.

"What?" Michael asked Dwight as they continued down the hallway.

"It's German for goodbye," Dwight explained.

Michael rolled his eyes, "People either take French or Spanish for their foreign language, Dwight. Get with the program."

Dwight ignored him, "You're going to be at intramurals today, right?"

"I don't know. Why?"

"My team takes on Kevin's. We're going to win, obviously."

"This I want to see. I'll be there if Jan doesn't have other plans for me."

Lunch

Gymnasium

12:00 PM

The bleachers were about half full, with people sitting in clumps of four or five. The two teams huddled on opposite sides of the basketball court. The game was set to begin in a few moments.

Kevin's team consisted of Jim, Mark, a junior named Sean who was in Kevin's study hall, and a third sophomore named Alex. They were pretty good; Jim and Alex had played JV basketball, and the others weren't bad.

Dwight's team was made up of his cousin Mose, a tiny freshman who was always eying the ball suspiciously, and Dwight's three friends from physic's class. Their names were John Bryers, Melvin Frohike, and Richard Langly, but everyone called them by their last names: Bryers, Frohike, and Langly.

A whistle blew; the game was about to begin.

Jim was the first person to grab the ball. Pam grinned from the bleachers. Jim dribbled for a few moments and then passed the ball to Mark, who quickly scored despite Langley's attempts at blocking him.

"Objection!" Dwight shouted, "Jim traveled!"

"Suck it, Dwight," Kevin said flatly.

Alex passed the ball to Sean. Dwight threw himself at the latter in an attempt to get the ball and ended up hitting the ground stomach first. Sean, in turn, looked as if he couldn't decide whether to be afraid or laugh. He just stood there for a few second, holding the ball. That was when Mose sneaked up behind him and grabbed the ball.

"Sean!" Kevin yelled irritably.

Mose dribbled, looking to his left and right suspiciously. He went to make a basket, but Jim blocked it and stole the ball.

"Foul!" Dwight yelled, "That was so clearly a foul!"

And so it went for another thirty minutes. The final score was 25-10, with Kevin's team taking the win.

Passing Period

Junior Hallway

2:25 PM

"Michael!" Jan called from behind him.

He cringed inwardly and then turned around, "Hey Jan."

"Missed you at lunch, babe."

"Yeah. Well, Dwight lost."

"I don't know why everyone even thought to expect anything else. You should have stayed with me."

Michael nodded.

"Hey Jan?" he asked timidly a few moments later.

"Yeah?"

"Do you need any more newspaper writers?"

"I don't really care," Jan sighed, "Yes. Sure. It might make less work for me. Why, you're not going to write…are you?"

"Nah. I have a friend in my Geometry class who wants to."

"Well, tell him to show up at a meeting. I think Wallace said we're having one soon."

"When?"

"I don't know, Michael. Soon."

After School

Back Entrance to Saint Therese

3:45 PM

Meredith sat on the curb of the sidewalk behind the school. She pulled out a box of cigarettes from her pocket, lit one, and began to smoke.

She had been sitting there for a few moments when she heard footsteps. She sighed, hoping it wasn't a teacher or one of those judgmental Campus Ministry snots.

Ryan Howard suddenly appeared next to her. Meredith didn't know his name, but she had seen him around before. He went out with that loudmouth freshman.

"What are you staring at?" she asked bluntly.

"I…" he looked nervous, "Nothing. Sorry."

"Chill out, kid," Meredith replied calmly, "I'm not going to beat you up or anything."

"What brand?" he nodded at her cigarette.

"Morleys. You want one?"

Ryan hesitated, "No, I'm good."

Meredith shrugged, "Probably just as well. I don't want to get in trouble for giving some freshman a smoke. Now beat it."

Ryan walked in the direction of the bus stop, leaving Meredith alone.

Author's Notes:

Dwight's three friends, Bryers, Frohike, and Langly, are a nod to The Lone Gunmen on The X-Files. That show is my new addiction! Also, Meredith is smoking the same type of cigarettes as the Cigarette Smoking Man from the Files, but don't read too much into that.

Oh, and the telephone box on Dwight's shirt is the TARDIS from Doctor Who. That's The Doctor's time machine, for anyone who may not be familiar with the show.

On a completely unrelated note, have you hugged your review button lately?