OMG! Hi hi hi hi hello! I am back! And I know I seem like I always say that every time I post, but I feel like this is the longest it's been since I last updated. I sincerely and profusely APOLOGIZE! Writers block is never fun to deal with, and let me tell you, writers block hit me BAD. I mean, I had this chapter started in April, and it had a COMPLETELY different storyline to it. Then I finished, and I was like "Uh...this is poop..." And totally scrapped the original idea. Took me at least 3 months to come up with this new storyline, and like another month to finish writing. It's still not completely what I want, but it'll have to do, cause I've already written Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 to help with my writers block, and I just want to continue with the story, ya know? I'm sure you all feel the same way, cause obviously you're still keeping updated with this story. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support, patience, and just for being awesome! Please R/R if you feel the need. On with the show... (Chapter 11 will be posted with this chapter. Chapter 12 is pending review)

Chapter 10 – Club Sign-Ups

As Donald had said, Viola was indeed the talk of Iris Academy. She decided the wisest idea on Saturday was to lay low and opt out of the mall visit with her roommates. She had hoped she would finally be able to spend quality time with Serena & Rita, but with the Grabby situation and now...THIS...She couldn't imagine it being a wonderful time under the pressure of everyone's watchful eyes and whispers. So she isolated herself in room 103.

BANG

Viola awoke with a start on Sunday morning.

BANG BANG

She looked at the empty beds surrounding the door. She supposed her roommates forgot their keys again.

She got out of bed and shuffled her way to the door. As she opened it, she couldn't help but mumble "You girls should really..."

But it wasn't the girls. At least, not her roommates. Standing before her was Virginia, and what looked to be like a reluctant Ellen.

"HEEEEEEY Miss Popular" Virginia teased with a wink.

"Oh...Hi Virginia." Viola rubbed her still sleepy eyes. "Whats up?"

Virginia oozed immense enthusiasm. "We're just making some early bird rounds to encourage people to come sign up for our sports club on Wednesday. Right Ellen?"

Virginia patted Ellen hard on the back. "Ye...yeah. You should totally come join" Ellen concurred with a yawn.

"Mm hmm! Looking forward to seeing you there Miss Niemi. Be sure to tell your roomies too!" Virginia strolled towards the next door as she waved goodbye. Viola returned a small wave.

At least it's something to look forward to this week.

To Viola's relief, the hysterics about anything dealing with her and her mishaps had begun to die down as the week progressed, so Wednesday became an exceedingly anticipated day by the roommates and herself. After a lesson in Blue magic, she joined her roommates for another walk toward the gym where the club sign-ups were to be held. Before they even entered the double doors, they could already hear the sounds of excitement from the event held within.

"Whoa!" admired Rita. "I had no idea Iris had so many clubs."

Rita stole the words right out of Viola's mouth. Viola couldn't believe how many booths were lined up, showcasing the various cliques Iris had to offer. What was even more amazing was how organized the show floor was. Despite the frenzied populous, the booths themselves were all neatly organized into rows. It felt like a labyrinth ready to be explored... that is if the labyrinth had since become a tourist destination. Viola wondered where Virginia's club was located.

Serena lead the trio into the crowd. With Serena's commanding confidence, it was surprisingly easy to stick together. The girls tried their best to peruse the kiosks as they passed. Math Club, Book Club, Save Nessie Campaign, Dragon Hunters... Viola smiled as they went along. At magic school, anything was possible, even clubs.

Abruptly, the girls collided as Serena halted to a stop.

"OW! What gives?" Viola was unlucky enough to be sandwiched. After rubbing her head to dull the pain, she was able to gaze upon the culprit.

"Hey girls! Did you know you are made of Beryllium, Gold, and Titanium?"

The stocky snake boy towered proudly in front of them, sporting a cheesy smile that was accented by his poorly shaven goatee.

"Wow...really? Be-Au-Ti?" Rita gave a hearty laugh. "That's the best the Alchemy club could come up with?"

The boy began to frown at being mocked, and possibly outsmarted, by Rita. The girls began to walk past him, giggling all the while. Viola patted the poor boy on the back. "Nice try, bud" she grinned. And they proceeded forward in search for the Sports club.

The girls found the sports club booth with no one in sight. They guessed maybe Virginia went to actively recruit more people. They each signed the club clipboard that was left behind. A few freshman and sophomores were already on the list.

"At least it'll be competitive." Serena commented as she finished scribbling her name.

"So where next?" Rita looked around in glee. The other girls knew this was a dream come true for Rita, who was bored being stuck in the room all day with nothing to do but study and gossip. But before they could decide a definite direction, their attention was directed to center stage.

"Oh my gods...is that...?" Serena looked over to Viola for confirmation, but Viola's unwavering gaze towards the stage was confirmation enough.

Butterflies...

"Oh, the wind it is a a song that harbors through the winter.

Oh, the sail it is a door that bids the song to enter"

The voice echoed and danced through the gym carrying the sweet melody like smooth silk. The Iris students were entranced by the unwavering baritone vocals being produced by none other than Mr. Donald Danson. Viola watched intensely, mesmerized by how cool and confident he presented himself under the watchful eyes of the herd of students below him.

"Then let us sail the sea my friend. And let us sing together.

A singer lasts a season long, but the song will last forever..."

As Donald finished the last few notes, Ellen appeared next to him. She picked up at the beginning. It became clear this beautiful melody was actually a round.

"Oh, the wind it is a song that harbors through the winter..."

Ellen's voice was a surprisingly full soprano. She belted the notes with ease, although her body language was not as collected as Donald's was.

"Oh, the sail it is a door that bids the song to enter..."

Donald joined her from here. The voices blended well in perfect harmony as the melody wrapped itself around the room. After going around twice, Ellen finished the final phrase, leaving Donald solo to finish it off.

"A singer lasts a season long, but the song will last...forever..."

As Donald held the final note, Viola felt his eyes search, then linger on her. She melted into a smile instantly as the crowd loudly applauded around her. Serena began to giggle when she noticed Viola's expression.

"Be sure to join the Iris Chorale!" Ellen happily announced.

Donald and Ellen joined hands on stage and bowed in tandem.

"Come on!" Serena jerked Viola forward through the crowd towards the stage. Rita trailed behind them.

They made their approach, and ran into some familiar faces.

"Hey girls!" The giddy Virginia had her arm around Ellen who was still beaming from her performance. "You didn't forget to sign up for my club did you?"

"No. We actually just signed up." Viola answered for the trio.

"Awesome! Looking forward to some good competition this year." She gave them a wink as she patted Ellen on the back. "How did you girls think of the performance?"

"Oh! It was very well done." Rita chimed. "Congratulations Ellen!" Viola and Serena nodded their approval.

Ellen blushed a little. "Thanks girls. But I really couldn't have done it without Donald."

Virginia's eyes shifted "Speaking of the little devil.."

Donald and a Falcon boy were quickly approaching the group.

"Hello ladies." The Falcon boy said with a dazzling smile. The boy stood a little taller than Donald. He flaunted porcelain skin, neat black hair, and sophisticated black glasses that shielded stunning green eyes. Even if he didn't have the robes, you would know he was a Falcon just from how he presented himself. He offered a hand to Viola. "I'm Jacob, Chorale president."

"Viola Niemi" Viola gave her his hand expecting a handshake, but instead his eyes lit up at sound of her name. "OH, so you're Viola?"

"Yes?" she nervously answered. Jacob bent down and kissed her hand. Virginia snickered as the other girls held their breaths. Viola grew wide-eyed, and looked over at Donald in surprise.

Donald just smiled and rolled his eyes. "Hey, Romeo, get over yourself, huh?"

Jacob poked his tongue out playfully at Donald, then refocused on Viola.

"So, you enjoy the performance?"

Viola smiled sweetly. "Yeah. I guess you could say I was pleasantly surprised." Her eyes shifted to Donald who simply grinned.

"So you'll join up then?" Jacob asked with surprising enthusiasm that made Viola uneasy.

"Uhhh..." Viola shrugged nervously. "I'd have to think about it."

Jacob frowned. "Aw, what a shame." He shook his head as he bit his lip, then looked at the other freshman girls. "What about you two?"

"Count me in!" Rita exclaimed excitedly.

"Uh...No thanks." Serena shook her head. "Sorry."

"Well one out of three isn't too bad." Jacob looked over at Donald with a grin. "You should try harder next time."

Donald just smiled back. "Bite me."

Jacob ignored Donald's comment, and elegantly bowed to the girls before escorting the bouncy Rita into the crowd of club-seekers.

"Uh...I should go follow them." Donald announced with a shrug. His head turned to Ellen. "Nice work up there. You were awesome." He punched her arm lightly and Ellen smiled back. "Thanks Donald. Couldn't have done it without you."

Donald nodded. "'T'was fun."

As he turned to walk away, Donald gave Viola a wink. "It was nice seeing you." Then, he disappeared into the crowd.

Viola blushed slightly and smiled to herself. The girls stood there in silence for a moment before Virginia's eyes widened and a smile crawled across her face.

"Soooo...what was THAT about?" Virginia eyed Viola.

"Huh?" Viola's thoughts snapped back to reality.

"Psh. Don't play coy with me sweetie. I saw you. And I saw him." Virginia took a step towards Viola with her hands on her hips and a mischievous smirk on her face. "It's not like you don't make it obvious."

"Oh my gods." Serena blurted out. "I KNOW, right!?"

Viola looked at the two girls in confusion. Serena stood beside Virginia and crossed her arms as she gazed at her, mouth gaping before finally saying...

"You're totally into Donald, aren't you?"

Viola was totally dumbfounded.

Awww...Poor Viola. Anyway, just wanted to note that the song Donald and Ellen were singing is a legitimate song. Not sure of the exact title, but I learned it in school. It's a super old pagan chant/song, so I don't think it's copyrighted. If it is, I'll rewrite (again!). But seriously, Google it!