The next day at Mr. Hogward's History class, the room was tense and excited at the same time. All the girls had decided without even consulting to each other that they would dress up. The guys could and would never understand the female code. It was 10 minutes before the final bell, and all the girls were comparing their outfit with each other.

In the far corner stood Michael Guerin, his stoic face having a smirk itched acrossed. Michael snorted when he saw Pam Troy walking in wearing a very short red, leather minishirt and a white tube top, showing off very impressive clevage.
Michael nudges Alex, who was standing next to him.
"What happened to the dress code?"
Alex saw what Michael was staring at and shrugged.
"It's the whole Valentine's thing. I guess the teachers are being a bit relaxed, considering this only happens once a year..and prom. Besides, Michael, you're a bit dressed up, as well..don't ya think?" asked Alex, looking at Michael's crisped white shirt and black slacks. Michael had styled his hair with gel and hair spray, letting his unruly brown hair fall over his forehead. Michael narrowed his eyes and didn't say anything. Alex shrugged once again, knowing better to make the Czech commander angry.

Alex gives a soft whistle, when he sees Isabel Evans making an extrance. Her luscious body was showing very, very nicely wearing a short red dress, that showed off her long legs and curvy body. Her long neck was adorned with a red and white beaded choker, and 3 red inch heals completed the look. Her long blonde hair was now in waves, framing her delicate face, and her deep brown eyes captivating Alex.

Michael smirks and said in mock sweetness. "Look who's smittened."
Alex ignores him and walks towards Isabel, his legs feeling like jelly.

"Isabel.." Alex gasps. Isabel gives him one of her radiant smiles, slightly blushing. "Whoa..you look..amazing..." Alex trails off, his mouth slightly opened.
Isabel giggles and says, "Wait until the Valentine's Dance, lover boy..you haven't seen nothing yet." Isabel winks and flashs him another radiant smile, and walks off to join Liz and Maria.
Alex swallowed and put a hand to his chest, to steady his breathing. "Oh I can't wait.." Alex thought, humming to himself and walking over to Michael and Max, who had walked in a few minutes ago. Max was wearing a deep green shirt, showing off the green flecks in his eyes and black slacks and a black belt. Max's hair was combed back and parted slightly. He was watching Liz, who had gone all out. Liz was wearing a mid-knee skirt, wine and blue splashing everywhere, and a silk, white tank top and over it was a blue and red, silk blouse. Liz had applied a bit more makeup then usual, and her hair was down, framing her face.
Max thought she couldn't look anymore beautiful, then now.

Max's eyes flickered when he saw Tess, who was sitting on top of her desk, talking and laughing with Kyle. Tess was wearing a black miniskirt, a small cut running up to her right thigh, and a black silk camisole over it, she was wearing a sheer, slightly shimmery, wine-colored blouse, buttoned half way, and completely the look, she was wearing open-toed black sandals. Her hair was down, framing her heart-shaped face; those curly ringlet of hers bouncing. She was barely wearing any makeup that he could see. He wouldn't admit it to anyone but she looked stunning..more beautiful than Liz.
Swallowing quickly, he looks away and concentrates on the conversation before him, trying to control his hammering heart. What was going on with him?

From the other side of the room, Tess felt something inside her flick, and she knew Max was watching her. She blushed a little, knowing she did look great, but she hadn't dressed up for him. She had dressed up for her secret Valentine..whoever he is.

Kyle had gone towards his buddies and were talking about last nights football game. Tess only half-listened. She looked over at Liz, Maria, and Isabel's group, wishing she could join them. Tess was considering it, thinking she could over and compliment Isabel on what a gorgeous outfit that was, when she saw Maria giving her one of those: "God-you-are-such-a-slut." Tess had a sudden urge to go over there and slap Maria, and what was happening to her now, she just might. Maria was wearing what Tess would call, and most likely anyone in the whole entire world would call, as the: slut outfit. Maria was wearing a satin green tank top, no straps, and white pants, showing off her thin, stick like legs. Maria's dirty blonde hair was pulled up in a twist, letting a few strands caress her oval face. She saw Maria whisper something into Liz's ear, making Liz's so-called subtle glance come across Tess' location. Tess bit her bottom lip, and saw Mr. Hogworth entering the classroom.
He sat his briefcase down and said, "Alright class. Attention, please."
Everyone quieted down and turned to look at him, expectantly.
Mr. Hogworth gave one his rare smiles and said, "I'm not going to ask any of you to sit down, considering you all must be excited about who you're going to be with. As most of you might guess, it is a project, so it will be worth a great deal of your grade." He paused for a few minutes, looking at all the students, who were listening to him, quite intently. Clearing his throat, Mr. Hogworth took out his keys and went to his filing cabinet and opened it, taking out the heart patterend, crystal bowl. Mr. Hogworth set it down on his desk and said, "I have put all the girls names in here, and I would like all of the girls to please go back to the back of the room, and all the men to step forward."

Slowly all the girls went to the back room. Cassie Quinanzi paused and asked loudly, without raising her hand. "Sir, isn't this a bit biased? I mean, come on. It's the 21st century."
Mr. Hogworth gave Cassie a hard look. The whole school knew what a pro-feminist Cassie was. Tess rolled her eyes. She hated girls like that. Feminists, especially Cassie believed that they were better than guys..in everything, and how women had to stand up for themselves, declaring themselves strong and independent. Feminists viewed girls who weren't feminists weak and an embarrassement. Tess considered Cassie and all the pro-feminists an embarrassement. She agreed and knew perfectly well that both men and women had the brain capacity to do anything they wanted to, but physique was a completely different story. Tess believes that everyone has a weakness, both men and women, and when combined, they were unbreakable.
Tess sighed with impatience as Cassie began to ramble on and on about equality and women's rights. Mr. Hogworth sliced his hand into the air, silencing her.

"Miss. Quinanzi, I thank you very much for the enlightened thought, but this is a historical development, in which you shall participate in, or you will fail. Understood?"

Cassie gave a deep scowl, but nodded her head, reluctantly and joined the rest of the group.

Mr. Hogworth turned to the guys and said, rubbing his hands together. "I want all of you to please take a name out."
One by one, all the guys took out the slip of paper and read it. All the girls held their breaths. Some of the boys started to laugh, and others looked at it, not saying a word or making a face.

Mr. Hogworth nodded his head and said, looking at the girls. "Now, the boys will read out their partner's name, and the girl that is called out, please step forward and go to your partner. The project will end after the dan.." Mr. Hogworth's instruction was cut off, when an uproar started. The guys and the girls were saying things like: "Hell no!" "No way, and no how!" "You have got to be kidding me!"
Mr. Hogworth held up his hand, making them all quiet once more.
"Now, I know you must all think I am being unfair, but you haven't let me finish. The Dance is this week, and you have 3 days to get to know your partner and write a paper on who your partner is. Also, at the dance, you may be with your partner or you may what you teenagers would call, 'dumping your date'. I will tell you the idea of this festive occasion next Monday." Mr. Hogworth gestured toward Adam O'Brian, a tall and lanky looking guy.
"Adam, if you please."
Adam cleared his throat, coughing slightly and running a hand through his red hair.
"Cassie Quinanzi."

A few of the guys chuckled, and the girls started to whisper. Cassie walked up towards Adam, her face turning almost the same color as his hair.

"Next."

Kyle Valenti cleared his throat and said, almost in disguist. "Maria DeLuca."
Liz and Maria both gasped.
"You have got to be kidding me!" Cried Maria, looking at Mr. Hogworth, her face consumed with indignation.
Tess knew Maria had hoped Michael would have picked her.
Mr. Hogworth said coldly. "Miss DeLuca, please restrain yourself. I do not want to hear another word out of your mouth, or you will get an F. Now, go to Mr. Valenti!"
Maria swallowed and walked towards Kyle, her face a bright shade of pink.

"Next."

Michael took a step forward and said, "Isabel Evans."
He crumbled the piece of paper and crossed his arms; his dark eyes narrowed, shooting daggers at Mr. Hogworth.

Isabel's face looked stunned. Isabel walked towards Michael, her face heating up. She lowered her head and stood next to Michael, praying with all her might that this wasn't happening.

Tess felt Liz's eyes glaring at her. Tess turned and saw Liz giving her a suspicious look. Tess knew what Liz was thinking.
"Well, you're wrong Miss Priss." Tess whispered to herself, looking straight ahead.

"Next."

Max's face looked grim. He shot Liz an apologetic look, and Tess knew something wasn't right. She felt her heart beating faster and faster. Max opened up the piece of paper and read out, his voice very soft but was able to be heard.
"Tess Harding."