The next morning I woke up early and snuck into the bathroom before the sun came up. I was a little nervous of sharing a bathroom with two girls I'd only met the night before and I wanted to make sure I finished before they were even awake. I let the warm water slide down my face and quenched any thirst I might have to cry during the day. I let myself drown in the scent of my shampoo, something familiar at least, and towel dried my hair so I wouldn't make any noise. Then I mopped up any water that had fallen on the floor. The bathroom looks exactly the way it was before I went in I thought satisfied. I got dressed quickly, grimacing as the rough woolen skirt scratched my skin and making sure that my blouse and sweater were fastened securely. The sun was just rising as I slipped out to the commons room, book and shoes in hands and settled myself in one of the large armchairs. The book I was reading had belonged to my mother and I managed to lose myself in it for hours on end. I opened its worn covers to a random chapter and started reading. Chapter 6...Yay!

"There, in the dark wood, the valiant knight came upon the sleeping princess in a patch of lilies. Her porcelain skin glistened with the morning dew and her hair captured the golden sun rays like a crystal prism. Quietly, so as not to disturb her, he picked her up gently and mounting on his stallion Moonlight, rode off toward the palace."

Suddenly I felt someone come up behind me and place their hands over my eyes. I resisted the urge to punch the person and they leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Guess who?" I got up slowly, pretending to think it over.

"Well, let's see. Deep male voice, smells like Irish Spring and is rather tall, at least judging from the size of his hands and ...possibly ...ticklish?" I twisted around quickly and attacked him. Jack let out a squawk and tickled me back. Before I knew what had happened I found myself pinned against the armchair, laughing hysterically.

"No please, please no. No tickle!" I giggled uncontrollably. Jack stopped and looked down at me grinning.

"That'll teach ya to mess with me, ya little scalawag."

"Yeah, yeah. You got me this time, but revenge is sweet." I replied jokingly, rubbing my hands.

"It's nice to see ya smiling, doll face." I can't believe I forgot. I tried hard to keep up the appearance of good humor, but I could tell, by the way he searched my face, that he could read me like an open book. How could I forget? I plastered a big fake smile on my face and shoved him playfully. What kind of person am I?

"Ooh, looky here, looks like we're interrupting something." Race nudged David with an elbow.

"You know for once, Race, I think you might be right," answered David mischievously.

"Awh, shut up you guys," said Jack throwing a couple fake punches their way while the boys pretended to be scared. "So anyway, what are we going today?"

"Isn't there like class or something?" I asked confused.

"It's Saturday." They replied

"And..."

"Oh, that's right she doesn't know," Jack said to Race and David as they dissolved in a pile of whispers.

"Know what?" I asked slightly frustrated.

Race took pen out of his pocket and placed it over his ear, "That Saturday," he began, "all we do is attend Morning Assembly and the rest of the day is..."

"Dedicated to the pursuit of the individual," chimed in David.

"In other words..." Race and Jack said simultaneously

"Ours to do with as we please," concluded the rest of the group that had gathered at the bottom of the stairs.