~Dora's POV~

I said bye to Randy as he dropped me home. He was a good friend, and I really enjoyed spending time with him, but I really need to try to get hold of my parents, they haven't called me, or answered any of my calls or replied in any way. I'm getting really worried about them.

As each day passes, I get more and more worried. I haven't heard from my parents in days, I thought I would've at least got a call or text from them saying where they are. To make matters worse, Diego, who I used to be so close to when I was younger is barely talking to me anymore and seems embarrassed to be around me. I know the other kids at school tease me, I just don't let it bother me and continue being myself, maybe Diego just doesn't want to be teased as well.

At least I have Randy to talk to now, he doesn't care what others think of him, like me. I'm glad we were paired with each other for our project, it makes it much easier to work with someone you get along with, I know Diego and Sammy have been struggling to get theirs done. I hear them arguing a lot when Sammy comes over, they sound like a married couple sometimes. I can't wait to see what they came up with for their topic though. I can imagine their work either being really good and there different ideas working together really well, or just not working at all.

12th December..

"Class, its time to present your projects. Any volunteers to go first" The teacher says, hoping a group would want to go first, no one raised their hand. "No one? Ok, Dora, Randy. How about you present first"

We worked hard on this, so we didn't really have much to worry about. We stood up and walked to the front of the class to present.

"we initially struggled to think of ideas for our topic, physical attraction. But eventually decided on the question. Does the astrological sign associated with your birth (zodiac sign) have any effect on the attraction between two people?" I began. We continued our presentation, no one looked very interested in what we were saying, so I guess that was a good thing, Randy felt comfortable enough to talk a bit as well. I was proud of him, I know he doesn't do very well talking in front of people so it was a big step.

A few other people when with subjects many different subjects, from, psychopathy, to familial bonds. The latter being the subject of Diego and Sammy's project. There ideas were actually really good and it was presented in a really clear way. i wonder why they always seemed to be arguing when they were working.

Everyone had completed the project so everyone in our class was able to go to the winter dance today, rather than spending it in detention.

I tried to called my parents one last time before getting changed into my costume for the dance, they didn't answer sadly, but at least I can have some fun at the dance.

~Randy's POV~

I didn't really dress up much for the winter dance, the posters said to come as your favourite star, originally I was going to wear a shirt with my favourite constellation ,but decided to wear a shirt with the hydrogen symbol, what stars are made of, I know its geeky but figured its better than wearing a costume of Harry from pitfall, (it's a classic!) I know I'd get bullied for that, even more than I already am.

I sat by a table at the side of the room eating snacks, I didn't really want to go to this dance but my parents told me that I should so I can 'be social with people my age rather than playing video games and wasting time by myself'. I don't mind being here, I mean there's free food, but it would be much more enjoyable if I had a friend here.

I sit alone for another ten minutes, before I see Dora walking towards me. She was dressed as the sun, a literal star. It was funny, we had a similar idea.

"You're the sun." I laughed as she walked up to me, "I get it."

"and your hydrogen" she pointed out "its what stars are made of" I was glad she understood. Soon after, a song came on.

"I love this song, you want to dance?" she asked, she asked if I want to dance. I would love to dance with her, but I really don't like dancing.

"Sorry, Dora, I can't really dance." I gently let her down.

"okay," she said, she seemed a little down after that, but she shook it off quickly.

"But... I can hold my breath for seven minutes, though." I quickly added, wanting to continue the conversation, she just looked at me strangely, it was a bit random. "My parents left me unsupervised at the community pool a lot. Pretending to drown is a good way to get attention. Wanna... Wanna see?" I said oversharing a lot. I really need to stop doing that. I prepare myself to hold my breath and begin to hold my breath.

"I love dancing" she said, before running off and beginning do dance. She was so fearless, I couldn't do that, I would be mocked. That's high school for you. If you act like yourself, you will get mocked for it.

~Diego's POV~

I was hanging out with my friends at the winter dance, but then I heard someone yell "look its disco-dorka". I turned to look and saw my little cousin in the centre of the dance floor, completely embarrassing herself and acting totally clueless about it.

Soon she approaches me and tells me to dance with her, this got everyone there yelling "Dance, Diego, Dance" I just left the dance, Dora most likely following closely behind me.

~Randy's POV~

Dora left the Dance soon after Diego, I'm guessing she went to chase after. Just then I realised I was still holding my breath and began choking.

~Dora's POV~

I didn't understand why Diego was so upset and worried about other people. I know they're mocking me but I try not to let it bother me, why doesn't he try to do the same.

"Diego, wait! At least I got people dancing and clapping." I said trying to show Diego the positive side.

"They were mocking you. They were laughing at you and me! You've been here for weeks. How do you not see that?" Diego snapped.

"I see it. I'm not stupid. But I have to be myself. That's all I know how to do."

"well, just stop doing it. For, like, one day just stop being you and just be normal."

"Diego, we used to be so close. Why are things so different now?" I was hurt, I was hoping me and Diego would be best friends when we were reunited, but clearly, I was wrong.

"Because, Dora, this isn't the jungle, where you can just do whatever you want and be best friends with a monkey. This is high school. It's life or death. And it was hard enough already without having to take care of the class weirdo." Diego snapped at me. I was very clearly wrong to think I would still be bet friends with him when we were reunited.