Chapter 3

Simon and Jeanette were waiting outside their exam room as they filed out, each with worried looks on their faces, "Crap that was a hard slog – phew – I think I failed" Alvin told Simon. Simon wrapped his arm around Alvin, "See what a little study can do?"

Alvin frowned, "Hey don't rub it in" he pushed Simon's off. Jeanette giggled, as Eleanor asked, "So how was your exam?"

Jeanette shrugged, "It was ok, I finished with enough time to do editing, plus in my last ten minutes I decided to do a word count"

Steph's jaw dropped, "Seriously Jen, I only just managed to finish my paper, never mind do a word count"

Jeanette's head dropped, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel...oh...I mean...you're not...I just..." she let out a small whimper as Steph laughed, "Aw Jen, I'm kidding. I'm not the studious type...wait, it depends on the type of study I guess", she winked.

Simon wrinkled his nose up and gave a disapproving look, "Steph, is that necessary to let us all know that?"

Steph pinned him against the locker, bringing her leg up next to Simon "You bet baby. Hey Simon, what can you teach me about the male body?"

Everyone laughed; even Jeanette had a huge smile on her face and was laughing alongside the others. Simon turned bright red and frowned again, pushing Steph away sharply, careful to avoid her breasts, "Oh come on" and he began storming toward the outdoor area. Jeanette rolled her eyes and sighed, "Sorry Steph, I knew you were just kidding, I guess Simon doesn't understand your humour"

Steph shrugged and linked Jeanette's arm, "Come on we better go find him, guess I got some apologising to do"

Eleanor smirked, "I think it's going to take more than an apology to bring Simon around" Theodore's stomach rumbled, "Maybe some food will cheer him up? And while we're getting Simon something, we can get something for ourselves?"

Alvin put his arm around Theodore, "You said it bro, I didn't want sandwiches anyway, plus I've worked up an appetite after that exam" They all began toward the cafeteria.

Simon began opening his bag of trail mix when a tray with two muffins and fruit salad slid in front of him; on the blue tray the word "Sorry" had been spelt out with yogurt. Simon looked up, (or more looked down Steph's top), he blinked and looked higher, at Steph's puppy dog eyes. Alvin, Theodore and the girls sat down at the table with Simon. Alvin took one of the muffins and bit into it, "Aww look at dem lil puppy eyes, she's sorry Si"

Simon glared at Alvin and took a small handful of the trail mix, popping it into his mouth, "Ok, apology accepted"

Steph smiled and jumped around to give Simon a hug, "Thanks Simon" She took her seat next to Brittany and took a bite of the muffin Alvin had originally taken off Simon's tray.

She smiled again, "Thanks Alvin, sharing is caring, plus I bought it" Alvin shrugged and broke the muffin in two, giving Steph the other half. Brittany began eating her bagel when she stopped, "Oh my gosh, who is that?" Everyone turned to see a tall guy walked across the quad with Ms Wilson (the principal) and another lady. He was solid, with a well defined chest, which was visible under his black tee. He wore an open dark grey shirt over that and dark denim fitted jeans. His hair was brown and had a slight wave in it.

Eleanor piped in "Looks like a new guy"

Brittany made a face, "Gee thanks for spotting the obvious Ellie"

Jeanette pushed her glasses back up her nose, "I wonder who the other lady is?"

Simon took a sip of water, "I wonder why anyone would enrol in the last few weeks before break?"

Alvin took a bite of his muffin, then said between mouthfuls, "Oh that's Alex Harper" Everyone turned to face Alvin, "What?"

Alvin looked up at them all and shrugged, "It's Alex Harper, that's his name"

Steph practically yelled at Alvin, "How the hell do you know that?"

Alvin finished his mouthful and wiped his mouth on his sleeve, "Met him at Football Camp last semester, I remember he said somethin' about comin this way"

Brittany styled her hair, "Well maybe we should go say hi?"

Alvin flicked her arm, "Hey, what about me?"

Brittany flicked him back, "I was only being nice"

Alvin flicked her again, "Yeah well, you're taken"

Steph flicked them both, "Then make way for the single ladies" she started singing and dancing toward Alex, Simon ran his hand over his face, "Oh good grief, she's going to embarrass herself"

Theodore crooned, "Aw our little Stephy is growing up and trying to hit on the new guy" Eleanor giggled and pretended to wipe away a tear, "Aww she grows up so fast"

They all watched as Steph sauntered on over toward Alex.

"Ooh Math with Ms Schneider, good luck" Steph said as she peered over Alex's shoulder to see him reading over his new timetable. Alex turned to meet Steph's deep green eyes and beaming smile, she put out her hand, "I'm Steph Xanatos, welcome to Eastman Hell, I mean High"

Alex smirked, "Thanks," he shook her hand, "Alex Harper...so what's the deal with Ms Schneider then?"

Steph smiled, "Ooh that my friend, is something you have to witness for yourself, however I may be a little biased, as she has it in for me"

Alex nodded and smiled back, "So...uh..." he lowered his head, Steph bent down and lifted his gaze back up with her eyes, "Wanna come hang out? Meet my friends?"

Alex bent down and picked up his bag, "Yeah that'd be great" together they started walking back toward the table of Munks and Chipettes.

As Steph approached she introduced Alex to the group, "Well, apparently you already know Alvin"

Alvin stood up and made a fist, Alex bumped it with his own, "'Sup Alex, how you been?" Alex shrugged, "Yeah not bad, you?"

Alvin wrapped his arm around Brittany, "Can't complain"

Alex nodded his approval as Steph continued the intros, "Yeah, so there's Britt, Simon, Jeanette, Theodore and Ellie...and me" Alex did the math in his head, but said nothing. Jeanette spoke up, "So what subjects are you taking?" Alex rattled off his list of subjects; each had a list of pros and cons added by the group.

Just then the bell rang, Simon was the first to pick up his things, "Well, we'd better go Jeanette, we've got chemistry now",

Steph raised her arms, "Whoo!" Simon gave her a look, as the others, including Alex, laughed; Steph gave her 'see-no-big-deal' look, "What? Oh loosed up Si, go well 'kay? See you guys later" they waved as Simon and Jeanette headed toward the Science block. Brittany kissed Alvin and waved as she headed off toward the textiles rooms, followed by Theodore and Eleanor who had home economics.

Alvin started walking with Steph and Alex, "So what do you do now Alex? I mean surely you don't have exams, you just started?"

Alex motioned his head toward the library, "Well, no I don't have exams now, but I gotta go to the library to finish my work from my old school, they're passing on my exams to do later in the week, gotta study up I guess. What do you guys have?"

Alvin and Steph looked at each other, then back at Alex; They said in unison without enthusiasm, "Spanish"

Alex smiled, and raised his eyebrows "Well have fun then" the three parted; with Alex heading toward the Library and Alvin and Steph hiking up the stairs toward Spanish.

As they entered the room, they found their seats and waited for their teacher, Señoría Kostardas, only to be greeted by another woman.

Alvin leaned over, "Isn't that the chick who was with Alex and Ms Wilson?" Steph nodded. The woman turned around, she looked a little familiar, but neither Steph nor Alvin could pick it.

"Hello class, Señoría Kostardas has had to head back to Spain, um, due to some issues with the authorities, ahem"

Alvin leaned over toward Steph and whispered, "Ha, she was deported"

Steph added, "I knew it would only be a matter of time"

Alvin smirked, "Yeah but you said she'd at least last the semester, you own me $20!"

Steph rolled her eyes.

The new teacher continued, "Um, so anyway I'll be your new teacher, I'm Ms Kennedy" she paused as she watched the class absorb the past information and continued, "OK enough with the introductions, you all still have an exam to complete" the class sighed and groaned, she smiled and began handing papers onto the desks, "I know, I know, but it's in the curriculum and although she's gone, Señoría Kostardas still set the exam, of which now I will be marking. I hope you'll all impress me. Good luck your time starts now"