Chapter 10

(A/n: Hey everyone! Fews here! Thank you so much for all the subscribing and reviewing these long 4 years! I have quite enjoyed reading and re-reading the story and reviews! You all are lovely people! 3 and so here is chapter 10! Please enjoy!)

-we do not own the DPS fellas-

FWEEEEEET!

Natalie and Nicole nearly jumped out of their skins as a whistle followed by loud bangs on the door woke them from a deep sleep. The corridor light flooded into their room as Cameron burst in blowing the whistle to sound something like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and shouting "Rise and shine, gentlemen! We have rowing practice to get to!" Then he marched out to the next room where he repeated the same tune. Charlie and Knox shouted trying to shut the obnoxious red-head up.

"It's barely four-thirty in the morning," Natalie covered her head with her blanket. "I'm not even on the rowing team."

Nicole grumbled and yawned as she placed her wig on, "Curse you, Nolan."

Out on the lake, the rowing team boys formed a straight line. Cameron paced the line like a drill sergeant as he lectured them on the meaning of diligence. "You boys have just six months to prepare for our annual row race against those snobs at Frankfort! As team captain, I expect each of you boys to work as a team! Pull your weight! Follow my every command, and we will come out on top!" Raising his megaphone he turned his back to the line and shouted, "Onward, men!"

The boys have a uniform "hurrah" before jogging to the boat at the edge of the shore and getting in one by one. Nicole lagged behind both out of exhaustion and uncertainty of how to undergo the activity. Sure, her fake transcript said she could row, however, both her and her sister were not fully prepared to take on actual extracurricular activities. Cameron jogged up behind her and shouted into the megaphone, "Get a move on McQuaid!"

Nicole jogged a bit quicker.

Finally, the boys were all seated and the boat was gently pushed from the shore. On Cameron's command, they took up their oars. Nicole followed suit, a heartbeat behind.

The boys leaned back with a mighty "HURRAH!" and the boat was propelled away from the shore.

Cameron barked orders about posture to other boys while Nicole scrambled to find the rhythm of the rest of the team, but her small hands barely fit around the oar and it slipped from her grasp and into the water where it floated for a moment before sinking uselessly to the bottom of the lake.

"McQuaid?!" Cameron shouted.

Thanks to Cameron's' obnoxious wake up call, Natalie was unable to get back to sleep. She tossed and turned as the room grew lighter with the sun's morning rays. Defeated, she sat up and rubbed her eyes. She threw back the covers and stepped to the window. Looking down at the autumn grounds, she suddenly felt a wave a homesickness. Her bedroom window at home did not reflect the same scenic view with trees as far as the eye could see. Isolation was a fitting word for the feeling around the academy. The door opened and Nicole entered the room. Without a word she stumbled across the room and collapsed on her bed.

"At least I have my sister to keep me company." Natalie patted Nicole on the back. "Classes start in forty-five minutes."

Nicole merely grunted in response.

Closing the door behind her, Natalie headed down the hall. The boys were hustling about getting ready for the day, she smiled to her friends, and followed the crowd to the dining hall.

Neil came and sat beside her, "Hey Nate."

Nodding acknowledgement Natalie dropped her voice, "Neil."

"Is everything okay? You seem a little blue?" Neil leaned closer in genuine concern.

Natalie whispered in her normal girl voice, "A little homesick, I suppose."

Neil took a bite of his pancake, "I see."

"Is this normal?"

"You mean is cross-dressing into a boy's only academy for no logical reason except for kicks and giggles normal? No."

"I mean the homesickness. Don't you ever get homesick being here?"

Shaking his head, Neil swallowed another mouthful of pancake. "Nope."

Natalie's face fell. "Not even once?"

"Never."

"Oh." Natalie glanced down at her untouched breakfast. Come to think of it, she realized she didn't know that much about Neil. Or why he was attending this prestigious academy.

The bell rang and the boys stood and chaos ensued as everyone hurried to clean up and rush to morning classes. Neil smiled back at her as they made their way through the crowded halls. "Maybe I should take you home tonight?"

Her heart thundered in her chest and her face burned bright red. It was too late to question or protest his wild invitation for they had entered Mr.

Keating's English class just in time for the bell to ring. Thankfully, her sister was already seated in the desk behind her, although she was staring blankly at the chalkboard.

"Are you alright, Nick?" Natalie popped her sister on the arm.

Clenching her fists, Nicole grunted through clenched teeth. "My arms... Are killing me!"

Mr. Keating entered the room with his usual whistle, smiling and nodding at the students who had gone quiet and were eagerly awaiting his lesson.

After lessons, Natalie caught up with Neil who was sitting under a tree quietly reading his script. His brown eyes were closed and his bushy eyebrows furrowed with concentration as he struggled to memorize a monologue. Settling down beside him, Natalie patiently waited for him to open his eyes and glance at her before asking, "Why don't you get homesick?"

Neil shrugged, "I don't miss home so much."

"Why not?"

Neil smiled, "I'll tell you only if you tell me why you and your sister are here."

"Deal."

"You go first."

Natalie blushed. "It's kind of an odd reason."

"Go on," Neil encouraged.

"We got bored one day." Natalie shrugged. "Our parents are gone most of the year in France, and there are only so many hide and seek games you can play with your nanny." She winked to show she was joking when Neil cocked an eyebrow. "Also, I really did see you perform in the play last year. I sat in the very back row, but I saw you perform, it was like I was there center stage with you. It was captivating. And I was inspired to take up some acting classes the following week."

Neil shook his head and laughed, "You're really weird." Closing his script, he stood up. "You should come to my folks house tonight for dinner as Nate. Then you'll understand why I don't get homesick."