Detention

Jack's POV

"Well, what are they doing in detention?" Race asked as we stood in front of a classroom door after school. The bell had rung and we waited for almost everyone to clear out before meeting in front of the detention room.

"Spot," I began, stopping myself and looking around. Good, no one had heard. "Caitlin," I continued, "beat up that Mia girl. Those three bullies started it but Caitlin got in trouble."

"Ok Jack," Mush said in his innocent little way. "No one can hear us. Can you please call 'em by their real names?"

"Yeah, it's kinda creeping me out," Blink added.

I cocked my head to one side, a little surprised when my new chin length hair brushed my face, "Like being a girl isn't creepy already?" I paused and shifted my weight. "Skitts said something to a teacher, not sure what but it landed him here."

"Well we gotta get them out," Crutchy said. He had not been able to sit still now that he had use of both his legs and now he was jumping from tile to tile.

"Yeah," Race said, reaching out and grabbing hold of Crutchy's arm. "How can we figure out how to get our bodies back with Skittery and Spot in detention?" Everyone looked at me expectantly.

"Don't worry," I said, holding my hands out in a 'stop' motion. "I've got a plan."

Skittery's POV

Detention is so boring. And let me tell you, there are some weird people in here. I don't understand how exactly I got sent here. That teacher was asking for it.

It was fifth period, math. The teacher, Mrs…well, I don't remember anymore, just had to ask the question I was so tired of hearing. 'Are you okay?' No, I'm not okay, I'm in a girl's body! I didn't say that out loud though.

My response, "Why can't you people just leave me alone? Aren't I allowed to have a bad day every once in a while? I'm having a bad day, okay? I don't want to be here, in this classroom, listening to this. I'm outta here!"

The teacher looked a little shocked by my outburst, I found it kind of funny.

I guess this Shakes girl has never gotten into this kind of trouble before. Before I could even move to leave, she stopped me, only to hand me a slip of paper. Not even thinking about it, I ripped it into small pieces and threw it on the ground.

"That's it," she yelled, "You're going to detention right now. I'm sending you to the principal!" She handed me something called a referral form and sent me out of the room, which I was only too glad to do.

On the way, I saw Mia exiting the nurse's office. She was limping and her right eye was completely black and swollen shut. I laughed at her while I passed by. She just glared back, which got me laughing even harder.

The next thing I know, I'm in detention. I barely paid the principal any attention while he droned on about conduct in the classroom and setting examples to other students. Now I'm wondering how much longer until I get out of here.

Jack's POV

I knocked quickly on the door to the detention room, glancing back at Race who was laying on the floor moaning in pain. "Mr. Truman," I called, shaking my head when I realized I was never told his name. A tall, dark haired man opened the door and looked at me with a stare that could melt ice. "My friend," I started, pointing back at Race. "He, um, she's not feeling so good." Mr. Truman looked over my shoulder at Race, who hadn't realized that someone was looking at him. Race was laying on the floor, laughing at something Crutchy had said.

Mr. Truman rolled his eyes, "you know where the nurse's office is." With that, he closed the door in my face.

"Race!" I yelled, turning to face my friends. "You blew it!"

Race quickly got to his feet, ready to defend himself, "Crutchy was supposed to tell me when he was coming to the door!"

"I forgot," Crutchy sighed. "Sorry guys."

"Well, that means we need a new plan," Blink said slowly. "What now?"

"Well," Mush said, stepping in closer. "I've got an idea."

Skittery's POV

I groaned silently as the door closed shut behind Jack. I had been so hopeful when he had shown up. Then, as always, that hope was taken away by Mr. Truman, our wonderful teacher, when he sent Jack away. Note my sarcasm, Mr. Truman is the meanest guy I've ever met. We can't do anything more than homework in here.

I glanced up to look where Spot was sitting. He was glaring up at the teacher's desk, no doubt trying to form a revenge plan. If we could have talked, I'd be planning one along with him. It was so boring that I wanted to sleep, but Mr. Truman would slam a ruler on our desks whenever we tried. I decided to risk it and talk.

"Sp-Misery," I whispered. Spot turned to me slowly with a 'what do you want?' look. I could tell that he was angry. Hey, so was I.

"What," he whispered back, his tone unmistakably harsher.

"Got any plans," I asked.

"If I did, would we still be here," he replied, now glaring at me, forgetting all about the teacher. I rolled my eyes at him, which only served in making him angrier. Who ever said that I was scared of Spot Conlon? I'm not, and he knows that. He doesn't like that fact.

"I don't know," I snapped back, "How am I supposed to know what you think?" I ended the conversation there, sitting back and turning away from him.

That's when I noticed that everyone in detention was watching us intently. I guess that's the most action they've ever seen in here. Unfortunately, it also attracted the attention of Mr. Truman. He glared in our direction.

"Do I have to separate you two," he asked coldly. I scowled and sat back. I didn't know that Spot and my argument was his problem. I noticed that after that, he paid special attention to both Spot and me. This was gonna be a long day.

Jack's POV

"I am not wearing this," I said, folding my arms across my chest.

"You wanna get those two outta detention so we can be guys again?" Mush asked, staring me in the eye. I nodded and grumbled a little. "Ok, so everyone ready?" I turned to see the rest of the guys nodding. Mush had dragged us to the drama room and dug up some pretty wild costumes. It was funny to see the guys, not only as girls, but now as aliens as well.

"Hurry up though," Blink protested. "This things is boiling," he pulled off the enormous head of his costume, his hair was plastered to his face and neck. The weird thing was, he was still cute. I mean, Emi was still cute. This is getting really confusing. Mush snapped me out of my thoughts when he knocked on the class room door. When Mr. Truman opened the door we began making noises and wandering around the hall.

"Aliens!" Mush screamed. I saw Mr. Truman roll his eyes and I caught a glimpse of a very angry looking Skittery before the door was shut again.

"So much for your plan Mush," Race sighed, pulling off part of his costume.

"Shut up," Mush scowled. "I don't see any of you coming up with a plan."

"I have one," Crutchy spoke up. "It's kinda simple but I think it will work."

"Alright," I said, happy to shed the heavy costume. "What's your plan?"

Skittery's POV

I glared at the door as it closed shut. Was that the best plan they could come up with? Obviously, Mr. Truman wasn't stupid and could see right through their tricks. This only made me angrier. I was already mad because of my fight with Spot. Actually, it was because we had been caught. I didn't mind getting on Spot's bad side, the main reason being that he wouldn't do anything to me.

Drumming my fingers on the desktop, I tried to think of any way to get out of here. When I heard someone clearing their throat, I glanced up to find Mr. Truman glaring at me. I stopped tapping my fingers, but returned his gaze. Why do adults think that teenagers are scared of them? Most aren't, but some decide not to say anything. I was different. I mean, I grew up on the streets of New York. You had to be tough.

"Hey," a low voice caught my attention. I turned to face Spot, wondering what he wanted to talk to me about. Weren't we already in enough trouble?

"What," I asked, glaring at him. I still wasn't quite ready to forgive him yet, not that there was anything to forgive. I glanced up at Mr. Truman, who for once looked preoccupied with something else, "Unless you have a plan, I don't want to hear it."

"Well, I am Spot Conlon," he said, "that must count for something." I saw that familiar smirk come across the girl's face.

"In case you haven't noticed, this isn't New York," I told him, "No one cares who you are." Spot glared back at me, but I knew that I was right. We weren't newsies, not anymore. We were regular high school students from the future. Who would listen to us now? Most would think we were crazy, which was exactly what I didn't need right now. I turned back to the clock, wishing that the minute hand would move a little faster.

Jack's POV

We all looked at Crutchy expectantly. "So what's the plan?" I asked, wringing my hands together. We had to get Skitts and Spot out soon. I wanted to go home.

"Well, we could..." but Crutchy was cut off by a voice coming over the intercom.

"Would Mr. Truman please come to the office for an important phone call. Mr. Truman to the office." We all looked at each other quickly and tried to hurry out of the way. We all found a place to hide except for Mush, who tried to look casual in the middle of the hall.

The door to the classroom swung open quickly and Mr. Truman rushed out. "Aqua," he called when he saw Mush. "Please watch over the detention room while I'm gone." Mush nodded and smiled as Mr. Truman disappeared down the hall in a hurry.

"This is perfect," Mush squealed, really sounding like the girl he currently was. He rushed into the classroom and the only thing we heard was, "Class dismissed!"