A/N: Thanks to Gamble7, Cinnamon Spice and Queen of Doom for continuing to review. Now, about that wanting to be in it….lol, sorry, but no. I promised myself that I'd keep my original characters purely fictional. But it makes me happy that you'd want to be in it. I love your reviews; it's a very good incentive to keep writing.

Thank-you,

unglittering gold.

Medda, it turned out was a red haired woman with a quick smile and a motherly attitude towards who she called, "Her boys." Skittery was quick to explain that she used to teach music to them in Elementary school. Now she taught band, chorus and proctored several studies. Of course the boys jumped to make sure I knew that none of them were actually in band or chorus, they only knew her from elementary school and studies. I smiled, laughing inwardly at them for protecting their "manliness". Medda merely shook her head at them proclaiming it a shame as their voices were so lovely, Skittery's especially she added, causing him to flush red and pull me away from her and head towards the back.

Unwrapping the granola bar Sarah had given me, I sat down in between Skittery and Race. There were four of Skittery's friends in the study, Racetrack, Pie Eater, Snoddy and Mush.

"Man," muttered Race, "This is the best part of the day."

Pie Eater smiled sweetly at him, "Just because you get to stare at Medda."

I promptly gagged on the bite I'd just taken from the granola bar. That was disgusting; she was like three times his age! She had taught him in elementary school. Mush clapped me on the back, which is actually one of the worst things to do to a choking person; it was the thought that counted though, so I didn't tell him.

"That's disgusting." I told Race, clearing my throat.

"We've been telling him that for years." Said Snoddy.

Racetrack glared indignantly at us, "What? She's gorgeous."

The other boys screwed up their faces, "Eeeewwwww."

Medda herself looked up from the book she was reading behind her desk, "What's going on back there?"

"Nothing." Racetrack said as innocently as he could while kicking me under the desk.

"Ow." I moaned, leaning down to rub my foot.

"Sorry," he mumbled, "I was trying to get Pie." He reached over to the other side of him to whack Pie Eater on the head.

Medda turned her attention to me, "What are you eating Anna?"

I gulped; Skittery had said it'd be ok.

She smiled at me, "You're not going to get in trouble, I was just wondering."

"Granola bar, Ms. Larkson."

"Oh. And dear, just call me Medda, everyone else does."

I nodded as she went back to her book. All around me kids were talking and basically doing anything but studying. I knew it was the first day, but weren't you supposed to be quiet in study. Medda though it would appear, ran a free for all study. If you wanted to study, fine, wanted to talk, go ahead.

Racetrack pulled out a pack of cards from a pocket in his cargo pants, "Who's up for cards?"

"I'm not playing poker." Skittery said, eyeing Race.

"Aw. Skitt, stop taking the fun out of everything." He answered.

"I do not take the fun out of everything-"

"Yes you do," Racetrack cut him off, slapping Skittery's jaw again, "fun sucker."

Skittery rubbed his jaw, "I'm sick of poker ok?"

"Fine. We'll play go-fish."

"Race's second favorite game." Pie Eater said to me.

I raised an eyebrow; his favorite game was poker then go-fish? Ok, that was cool, I have no problem with that, a little strange, but I have no idea how to play poker.

Racetrack glared at Pie Eater, but refraining from saying anything, began to deal seven cards to everyone, "You playing Anna?"

I swallowed the last of my granola bar and nodded, "Sure."

"Alright then, pull up your chair."

I turned my chair around so that I was facing Race's desk. Skittery came over dragging his chair and set it up across from Race and Mush, who was sharing Racetrack's side; Pie Eater had done the same thing as me and was now facing me.

Snoddy stood there, holding his chair, "What about me?"

Skittery moved over, so that he was more towards the corner, making room for Snoddy. Racetrack glanced up briefly as Snoddy sat down and dealt out the seventh card.

As I picked up my cards the realization of how ridiculous this was struck me. Here I was, sitting in study, playing go-fish with five boys, weird. I quickly dismissed the thought though. Sure it was different than what I was used to, but these were different kids, this was a different place, and anyway, I liked it, I liked these guys and I was going to make the best of it. I placed down a pair of fours and waited for the game to begin.

Racetrack started off, "Skitt, do you have any fours?"

Skittery smiled, "Go-fish."