Jim, Sarah, and Josh were wandering about the ship that was piloted by Captain Amelia, and watched their classmates be let off onto their tiny planets where they would live for a week. They hand a small celebration as they saw Tristan leave the boat, and hoped that somehow he would get eaten by some wild animal during his stay. With his skills, which were almost none, it wasn't impossible.
While Sarah was recording more images on her locket, she noticed that they were approaching their planet. "Guys we're here!" she called them to starboard and they rushed over. They admired the small planet that would be their temporary home as though it were theirs and theirs alone.
Captain Amelia wished them luck as their long boat took them down to the planet's surface. After they landed, the only way they could get back to the academy was to take the longboat and push the button. The boat was set to take them directly to the academy and they would have no control over the boat. Thanks to Joshua they would be able to fly around their small planet without any terrain problems. They found a clearing that was flat in its landscape and where the three of them would set up their camp.
Joshua and Jim had one big tent set up and Sarah had a tent to her self. She had trouble working her way around the automatic controls, so Joshua set up the tent for her. For their first day they had a lunch packed (kind of like school only no teachers and no lunch lady giving you food. Oh and don't forget the fact that you are all alone besides 2 other people. XD)
After they finished eating they finished unpacking. Josh got his building materials out of the long boat and said,
"Hey, Jim why don't we get started?"
"Sure. Hey, Sarah. Want to come help us with building the solar surfer?"
Sarah poked her head out of her tent with a big smile on her face. "You mean it? You want me to help you build it?" She said as though it were a miracle that they wanted her to help. "Of course. We couldn't do it without you. You are going to use it to fly around and find out what you can about where to find food right?" Josh said. "Yeah, just wait a sec." Sarah said. She zipped up her tent and ran over to join them, her braid chasing her.
She sat down next to Jim and helped him fix up the small engine while Josh went and found a board to use for the solar surfer. Sarah's braid was even messier than normal today, and while she was tightening a bolt on a gear, it got caught in it. She tried to hold back an 'ow', but Jim could see the look on her face and her hair in the engine.
Jim chuckled. "It's not funny! It hurts!" She said trying to get her braid out. "You need some help?" Jim asked sarcastically. He separated her hair from the machinery and she thanked him. Jim held her braid in his hand for a moment, and then started to unbraid the untidy mess. "What are you doing?" Sarah asked quizzically. "If you don't braid it properly it will get stuck again. Trust me, I have experience." Jim said, pointing to his own braid.
Sarah gave him a smile of approval and turned to allow him to braid it. He went through the rhythmic movements of braiding. As he did so, Jim took the time to notice the sun caught in her milk-chocolate hair, and how soft it was. Before Jim knew it, he was done and her hair looked better than it ever did. He let go of her hair and she took it in front of her so she could see it. Sarah smiled in satisfaction and said, "Thanks Jim. Now we match."
They finished the solar surfer by sundown and it was time to go to bed. Sarah bid her two friends good night as she entered her tent, and the boys laid in their tent. "So then, you guys are matching now, huh?" Josh said nudging him teasingly. "Yeah, so what?" Jim said turning over to hide his blush. Joshua laughed at Jim and said it was nothing.
It was morning now, and after getting a good night sleep, Jim and Joshua were up and atom. They went out in search of breakfast and found some wild fruit that looked a lot like perps. They brought them back to camp, and chopped them up. "Hey, Sarah you up yet?" Josh called towards her tent. The tent came unzipped and Sarah stepped out. She didn't look particularly different today, but it's what she was wearing that surprised her 2 partners.
She was wearing a small yellow dress. It was very cute and she made it even more so, but it was obviously not fit for this test they were going through. Jim was hiding his blush and when it passed he said "Um Sarah I don't think that is what you should be wearing on a test like this." Sarah walked over to join them and said "I know, but I never packed any clothes for a survival test." "So, are you ready for your expedition today?" Josh asked her. "Yep. As soon as we finish breakfast I'm heading out." She said eating her portion of the fruit.
Sarah headed over to the solar surfer and tried to get on, but kept getting thrown off balance. Jim saw this and came over to help her on. He lifted her onto the solar surfer and helped her get her footing right. "Are you sure you don't want one of us to come with you?" Jim asked. "I'll be fine. I've flown one of these before. If I feel like it I'll tell you about it later." She said tauntingly. Before Jim could say anything, Sarah shot off through the dense forest.