Thanksgiving break and Christmas break seemed to pass by in the blink of an eye. Valentine's day brought its usual drama with emotional and hormonal teens. April Fool's day turned some friends into enemies and Spring Break made the rest of the school year that much harder to endure.

For everyone except Sam that is. School wasn't a chore for him, it was actually something he looked forward to. Especially since he started taking AP classes. Now Sam finally felt like he was getting the challenge that his brain needed. Some guys liked going to the gym, he liked going to school.

So while everyone else agonized over final exams, Sam looked forward to taking online pre-college classes. Right now he and Joe were eating lunch outside, both of them being tired of staying inside all winter.

"I still can't believe you signed up for those classes." Joe said shaking his head. "Why would you give up summer break for more school?"

"Like I told you and Fred a million times before, it isn't just school. It's a big opportunity for me to increase my academic standing with future colleges." Sam rolled his eyes in mild annoyance. "It's the same reason I joined the debate team remember?"

"Right, that reminds me, about tonight," Joe awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, "I don't think I'll be able to make it tonight. My dad is coming back tonight and-"

"I understand." Sam mumbled, trying not sound too disappointed.

He didn't bother to remind Joe that neither he or Fred made it to any of his debate meets. And so far he had been fifteen and zero with him as the team's highest scoring debater. But then again it wasn't like it was anything new. Anything knowledge or academic related Sam always excelled.

"Hey, look who's on her way over," Joe took on a teasing tone, "your giiiirlfiiieend."

Sam felt his face heat up and he reluctantly looked in the direction that Joe indicated. Sure enough Megan was heading directly towards them. She was a girl in three Sam's AP classes and was cute with light brown hair kept back in a neat French braid, wore large square glasses much like his own, and always wore pressed jeans and blouses. They began studying together for the AP finals after midterms had passed so it was no surprise when Sam felt himself crushing on her. But that had been over before very quickly.

"I told you guys I only went on one date with her," Sam hissed to Joe as Megan grew closer, "and, there wasn't any, you know, … spark there."

"Oh yeah? Then why do you still hang out with her?"

"Because…well… we're still friends… and she's a good study partner!"

"Riiiiight."

"Hey Sam, hey Joe!" Megan said brightly when she finally reached them. "Sam, I can't wait to see your debate tonight. I'm sure you'll be amazing as always."

Despite himself, Sam gave the tiniest smile that at least someone seemed to want to go to his debate meet.

"See, Megan's excited to go." Joe grinned. "And maybe afterwards you two can go get some ice cream. It'll be like a little date."

Megan blushed and turned away to hide a smile while Sam just blushed. He cleared his throat and decided that it would be in his best interest to change the subject now.

"So where are Fred and Fina? I thought they were having lunch with us today."

Joe stopped smirking and looked mildly uncomfortable. "Fina's um… out sick today, And Fred is over there with his 'cool friends'. I think he's signing yearbooks or something."

Sam looked around and saw a group of kids huddled around one of the better picnic tables. If he stood up and craned his head a little, he could see a little of Fred's signature blue hat. A bit of envy went through Sam, but he tried to ignore it. He shouldn't be jealous just because Fred had the athletic skills and charisma to be treated like a celebrity at this school. Even though Sam thought that being well like would be cool, it wasn't like it was the greatest thing ever right?

Fred had never been so bored, tired, and irritated in his entire life. He was sitting outside with Joleena during lunch with the rest of the popular clique. His hand was starting to cramp from writing in so many peoples' year books. It still baffled him how many people knew who he was, but after all Fred had been the co-captain of a winning football team and totally crushed the competition during baseball season.

"So what are you doing for the summer?" Fred asked Joleena as they signed yearbooks.

"Oh you know, travelling with daddy, maybe a shopping trip in Paris." Joleena barely glanced at him. Instead she handed back a yearbook to a sophomore girl. "What about you?"

"Nothing much, probably lounge around the house. Watch tv and play video games." Fred mumbled. He handed back his year book to some girl and was annoyed when she handed his back with a small wink. Fred rolled his eyes and sure enough when he looked at the page she signed, it had her phone number and a flirtatious message. He glanced over to see if Joleena noticed but she was already chatting with someone else.

"Does it really not bother you that girls flirt with me right in front of you?" Fred asked her bluntly.

Joleena and the girl she was talking to both looked up in shocked surprise. Joleena raised an eyebrow in warning but Fred ignored her and kept looking at her expectantly. Joleena put on a fake smile and patted his knee.

"It's just a little harmless flirting. It's not like you are cheating on me or anything." She giggled.

"But I could dump you for someone else."

Fred didn't know why he said that, but the sharp gasp from both Joleena and the girl gave him some sort of gratification. He wasn't trying to be cruel though. Sometimes he just got tired of playing the clueless cool kid, so he messed with Joleena just to put her on edge.

"Hey, I'm just joking around," Fred laughed and threw his arm around her shoulders. "You know I love only you. Why would I want anyone else?"

"Why indeed." Joleena mumbled with a smile, but her eyes told Fred that he was in for a lecture later. "By the way, shouldn't you be eating with your friends?"

"Aw, but I'm having so much fun with you and our cool friends."

"Yeah Fred, don't go." Joleena's so called friend cooed and moved over to loop her arm's through his. She batted her false, painted eye lashes at him. "You're so much fun to have around."

Fred gave Joleena a pointed look and was met with a blank look. He just sighed in exasperation and unhooked his arm from random cheerleader number whatever.

"I'll be back," He mumbled standing up, "maybe."

With an air of annoyance Fred made his way across the courtyard over to where his actual friends were. Except, Sam was too busy talking to his not girlfriend who was totally his girlfriend and Fina was nowhere to be seen. Joe waved him over and scooted to make room for him on the bench.

"Hey, what's up?" Fred sat down and stole a few fries. "I see Sammy's talking to his little girlfriend. Where's yours?"

Joe looked confused for a moment before suddenly looking evasive. "Fina's um… sick today. She may not be in for a few days."

"Oh. That sucks. So anyways, you got any plans for the summer?"

"Eh," Joe shrugged. "Not really. My mom wants me to get summer job though."

"Man that really sucks." Fred laughed. "I'm glad my parents don't make me do that kind of stuff. Maybe if you aren't too busy bagging groceries or flipping burgers we could all take a day trip to the beach."

"Haha, but I'm surprised you don't just go with your new cool friends." Joe teased lightly. "How's that going by the way? You and Joleena having fun being fakers?"

Fred rolled his eyes and punched Joe in the arm a little harder than necessary. While Joe winced and rubbed his arm, Megan finally left and Sam scooted closer to them with a small sigh of relief.

"What's wrong?" Fred chuckled with a smirk. "Tired of your little nerdy girlfriend already? I can hook you up with a cheerleader if you want."

"Ugh, for the hundredth time Megan isn't my girlfriend, we're just friends." Sam said irritably. "And I'm not interested in dating right now. Anyways, are you coming to my debate meet? It's the last one of the season and-"

"Whelp, looks like the team is calling me over." Fred interrupted, standing up quickly.

"Fine, fine no one has to go to my meet." Sam grumbled. "I'll just win again and no one but my teammates will know about it."

"Megan will be there." Joe pointed out.

"Aww, isn't that sweet," Fred laughed. "But tell you what, if my dad lets me have the truck tonight, then I'll come see you. Where is it again?"

"The Baltimore Convention Center in Maryland." Sam sat up smiling again. "We're going against Saint Bridget's Academy for Young Girls. I know it's kinda far but you can car pool with the debate team if you want."

Fred's smile fell a little. He didn't want to hurt Sam's feelings but there was no way he was going to spend three hours in a car with a bunch of know it alls. "We'll see."

Sam checked his phone as soon as it vibrated and frowned. Of course Fred wasn't going to make it. He should have known Fred was going to flake when he turned down the car pool with the rest of the debate team. Sam sighed and texted Fred back, telling him he understood. He sat in the one of the meeting rooms in the convention center with his team, waiting for the meet to start. His four other teammates where waiting in the room as well, either on their Kindles or reading textbooks.

There was Randy, a freshman like him who was actually two years younger than him because he skipped two grades. Marcus and Dwayne were both juniors and heavily into dungeons and dragons. And Milton was a sophomore who had the uncanny ability to try out for every school play or musical, and yet still never get any parts. They all had joined to gain at least one after school activity for college applications. Sam himself had been elected unofficial chairperson since he was the most serious about his academics.

"Okay guys, big big night tonight!" Their sponsoring teacher, Mr. Graveson, came into the room carrying boxes of granola bars and bottled waters. "Does everyone know your topics and positions?"

Randy piped up first. "I- I have 'Should schools block YouTube', a-and my stance is n-no."

"I have 'All students should have to do one year of community service', my stance is yes." Marcus declared proudly.

"And I have 'People should be fined for not recycling'. My stance is no." Dwayne stated.

"My topic is 'Every student should be required to take a performing arts course' and my stance is yeeeeeees!" Milton sung the last part making everyone cringe.

Finally, Sam spoke. "My topic is 'High stakes state testing should be abolished' and of course my stance is no. Easy win."

"Good, good." Mr. Graveson nodded making his glasses bounce on his nose. He began handing out pre-game granola bars and water bottles and repeated the same rules that they had memorized by heart by now.

Before they knew it, a rep came telling them that it was almost time for their team to face the other team. Taking only their water bottles, Sam and the rest of the team left the waiting room and headed to the backstage of the main area. They lined up against the wall, waiting for the other two lesser teams to finish their round.

"Oh no," Dwayne hissed, his voice low and nervous, "the other team is coming down the hall. Do you think she'll be with them?"

Sam looked over to where he was staring and saw four girls walking down the same hall they walked down. They were wearing black and red pleated skirts, short sleeved white blouses, black buttoned up vests and white knee socks. It was Sam's guess that they were the opposing team from Saint Bridget's Academy. He didn't see anything special about them though and turned to the others in confusion.

"Who are you talking about?" He asked in a whisper. "They look like any other team we've faced so far except they're all girls. But they do look like they're a member short."

Dwayne took another look down the hallway and paled. "Not anymore."

Sam looked too and his eyes widened a little. Coming down the hall was the last member of the Saint Bridget's team and despite the matching uniform, she definitely stood out from her teammates. Her skirt looked the same knee length as the others' but it swung around her swaying hips in a way that none of the other girls' had. She walked with an air of confidence and instead of the standard black Mary Janes she wore black leather ankle boots. While the other girls had their hair neatly tied back or combed back, her inky black locks were tied messily and haphazardly into a knot on her head. And even though it was almost eight o'clock at night and they were clearly indoors, the girl wore oversized dark sunglasses.

"Don't stare at her." Milton jostled Sam. "That's how she gets in your head."

"What are you talking about?" Sam frowned in confusion. "Who is she and why do you seem so worried?"

The three older boys exchanged a look while Randy and Sam just looked confused.

"The girl with the sunglasses, her name is San-Li Nikendo," Marcus explained in a hushed whisper, "she's a freshman like you two but she's won every single debate match she's ever been in. Even before she joined a debate team."

"Some people say that she even hacked into Princeton's online debate club and debated some of the college students." Milton whispered. "And she was still in middle school."

Sam rolled his eyes. Rumors like these were usually stupid and unfounded. "She doesn't look that smart." He frowned and went back to looking at her.

As a matter of fact, this San-Li girl didn't look that smart at all. While her teammates were standing together going over their speaking points, she just stood against the wall apart from them, not even bothering to look at them. As a matter of fact, she didn't seem to be looking at anyone or anything with those dark, oversized sunglasses on. She was just slowly blowing a bubble with her gum and popping it.

"Don't under estimate her." Dwayne warned. "It's not just that she's smart. She messes with your temper. Makes you flip out and forget every point that you were going to make. Last year, I heard that she made a senior with a perfect record run off the stage crying. And he was supposed to be the valedictorian of his school."

"And I think she's going against you." Milton pointed out. "Be careful that she doesn't mess you up too."

"I don't believe it." Sam scoffed. "No amount of mind games or tricks can win a debate. I got this match in a bag."

"Hey."

All five of them tensed and looked up to see the very girl they were talking about standing right in front of them. San-Li lifted her sunglasses up to steady all five of them, revealing deep black eyes lined with equally black winged eyeliner.

"Which one of you is Sam?" She asked, her eyes flickering across them.

There was an audible gulp as Sam's so called teammates stepped back, leaving Sam to San-Li's scrutiny. Her eyes took him in and for a breathless moment Sam was actually afraid that she would physically hurt him. But then a playful spark came to her eyes and her lips curved into a smirk.

"Easy win." She chuckled and finally stepped away.

Easy win? Sam blinked in confusion before white hot rage began bubbling in his veins. Easy win!? Why? Because she thought she could intimidate him? Fat chance! Sam had studied and worked his butt off to win this debate like he had all of the others. And he had done it without any fancy mind games or tricks. Sam would show her. He would show San-Li exactly what happened when you tried to rely on intimidation without any intellectual backing.

Two Hours Later:

Sam was stunned. Stunned and mortified almost to the point of numbness. He had lost. But he had more than just lost. Sam had been thoroughly beaten and humiliated. San-Li had not only bested him on an intellectual level, she had somehow managed to nearly get him screaming at her. More than once the judge had to tell Sam to calm down or else he would forfeit the match. His heart was still pounding in his chest.

"I-I'm sure it was just a fluke." Megan patted his arm soothingly. "These sort of things happens sometimes. And if you ask me, she's should have been disqualified from the match when she first started in on you."

"Technically she didn't break any rules," Sam responded numbly, "I just couldn't stand her stupid smirking. Or the fact that she questioned the validity of every single point I made."

Megan winced and remained silent but Sam barely noticed. They were sitting at one of the tables in the reception room for the after debate refreshments. Sam wasn't hungry though. In fact, the more and more he thought about it, Sam realized that above all else he was angry. That match should have been his. This San-Li girl looked like she would have fit the role of party girl better than an intellectual or serious student. If it had been anyone else from Saint Bridget's Sam may not have minded the loss as much. Anyone else but that smug, constantly smirking, arrogant-

"Hey Sam,"

Sam looked up and once again was caught off guard by San-Li standing in front of him. Under her arm was the debate trophy that should have been his.

"Hi," Megan stood up and offered her hand tersely to San-Li, "good game. It was really close between you two."

San-Li chuckled (the same low chuckle that set Sam's blood on fire and almost made him lose control and lose the match) and ignored Megan's outstretched hand. "It was hardly a close match. Maybe if your little boyfriend managed his temper more and focused on his speaking points it would have been."

Sam immediately leapt up and started yelling. "You were the one practically mocking me on stage!"

His outburst made the reception hall go silent and everyone stared at them. Sam blushed furiously and quickly sat back down but San-Li looked unfazed. Her eyes practically glittered as she continued looking at him, a small smirk curving her lips.

"It was hardly mocking," she said, "just a little friendly… riling up."

With that she gave another laugh and finally walked away.

"Man, I hate her." Sam mumbled as he continued to watch her. "I hate her so much."