Jana

Over! Done! Finally! I practically skipped out of my history class Thursday afternoon. My project with Keith was finally done with. No more having to meet after school to work on it, no more having to be alone with him, I was *free*! And we'd gotten a good grade, too- an 'A'. Only two other pairs in the class got an 'A', although I thought a lot more deserved it. Mr. Naset can be pretty picky, though. But WE did ok, I thought cheerfully, flipping open my history folder as I strode down the hall to take another look at our report with the big red 'A' on the front. Ah, the rewards of working hard.

"Hey, Smiley Girl, what's made your day?"

I glanced up in the nick of time to avoid running into Randy who had just rounded the corner.

"Oh, hi!" I replied, smiling even wider. "Just got out of history class- today was the day our projects got graded. Look!"

I pulled out the report and held it up for him to see. He took the paper from my hand and moved over to the wall out of the way of the kids streaming by as they headed to their last classes of the day .

"Wow! An 'A'! Great job, Jana, I knew you'd do well," Randy said with a grin, giving me a one-armed hug.

"Thanks," I said, then added quickly, "but Keith did a *lot* of work on it, too. Anyway, I'm just so glad it's finally over!"

"So you don't have to work with Keith anymore?" Randy asked, looking me in the eye.

"Nope," I replied, carefully replacing the report back into my folder. "Our project together is *over*."

"Awesome," Randy grinned. "I mean, oh, too bad."

"Ha ha," I giggled, punching him lightly in the arm.

He laughed, then turned to go. "I gotta run or I'll be late for class. Talk to you later, ok?"

"Ok, sure. See ya!" I waved goodbye, the started down the hallway that led towards my homeroom where I had study hall now. I didn't really have much homework to do, but I was thankful for a nice easy period at the end of the day.

"Jana! Where are you going?"

I turned around to see Melanie hurrying up the hall towards me.

"Oh, hi, Mel. I have study hall last period," I replied.

She grabbed my arm and started dragging me in the direction of the 8th grade lockers.

"Not today you don't- we have gym class today, remember?"

I slapped my hand over my mouth.

"Geez! I forgot about that totally!" Darn! "Oh, Mel- the last bell's about to ring, too!"

"I KNOW that," she said quickly, loosening her grip on my arm as I caught up to her speed. "That's why we're hurrying. I'm just glad I accidently left my gym shirt in my locker when I grabbed my shorts or else I never would have come along this way and seen you."

I moaned in agreement as we rushed the rest of the way to our lockers. Frantically twirling my lock, I flung the locker door open and pulled out my gym clothes, then started to shut the door again.

"Jewelry," Melanie said suddenly, pointing to my necklace, as she unfastened her hoop earrings. Ms. Wolfe NEVER lets us wear any kind of jewelry to gym class. Usually us girls leave our duds in our locker before going to the locker room to change so as to not run the risk of losing them in that chaotic place.

I groaned, and unclasped my necklace just as the final bell rang.

"Better hurry, girls." I heard someone say with a laugh from behind us. I glanced quickly over my shoulder as I opened my locker again to see Keith standing across the hall at his own locker.

"You, too, Masterson," Melanie snapped. She still doesn't like Keith very much. "Come ON, Jana! We're gonna be SO late!"

"Coming, coming," I snatched up my gym clothes and tossed my necklace into the bottom of my locker. I knew it'd be okay if I did that- I kept an extra sweater at the bottom of my locker that would cushion the necklace when it landed. Usually I take the time to put my necklace in a really safe place like my coat pocket, but today I just didn't have time. I pushed my locker door shut with my foot and raced off down the hall after Melanie.