Chapter 3:

It Must Be Fate

~One Week Later~

Gilbert got off the a bus, an aura of relaxation surrounding him. He took a good look at the school he called his own, and stepped forward. Instantly being surrounded by people congratulating him for something that had to do with basketball, he fought his way to his best friend, and partner in crime, Alfred.

"Happy New Year," he announced to the group, earning smiles and laughs. Alfred rolled his eyes and dribbled the ball he was carrying.

"Damn right it'll be a happy New Year," Alfred said, pausing for effect, "Cause in two weeks, we're going to the championship, with you leading us to infinity and beyond! Of course, I'll be a big help, but…"

At this, the crowd that had swarmed the star basketball player erupted into cheers and chants.

"What team?!"

"Wildcats!"

At the same time, the crowd in the hallway leading outside. had divided. All because Francis was walking down the hallway, swaying his hips and furiously texting someone or other. His little brother, Feliciano, was following loyally beside him.

Once Francis and his brother had pushed past Gilbert's group, they instantly cracked jokes. "Looks like the fashion king is back in town, huh?" Alfred laughed, the group echoing and clapping his back in appreciation.

The group stalked by the bulletin board, and Arthur scoffed, putting the finishing touches on the poster. "Behold," he smirked to the people next to him, "the zoo animals, heralding the new year. How tribal."

The bell rang, and everyone went on their way.

Matthew glanced around the building, taking in the distinct smell of teenagers. He groaned, holding his stomach, and turned to his mom, "Mom, my stomach - "

"Always feels anxious on the first day of a new school," Mrs. Williams interrupted, cutting off her son's very obvious complaint.

The man next to the couple shuffled the papers in his hands. He smiled and looked at Matthew, "I've reviewed your transcript, and I think you'll do well here. Welcome to East High."

"Exactly! Honey, I've even made sure that I won't be transferred until you graduate!" Mrs. Williams declared, obviously delighted.

Matthew wasn't as delighted. He turned to his mom and put on his best sad face. "I don't wanna be known as that geeky guy in school again!"

His mom searched his eyes carefully, and sighed. She kissed her son's forehead, murmuring, "Just be Matthew." He looked sadly at his mom, before turning and being ushered away. He had to face the school.

Matthew headed up the stairs, wandering around to find his class. Apparently he was in a drama class, and silently congratulated himself when he found the class on the third try. Walking in, he carefully glanced around the classroom, and walked to the teacher. He quickly gave her the note from the principal and made his way to the back of the classroom to find a seat.

Gilbert was talking with his friends when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Matthew. He instantly perked up, trying to get a better look; see if it really was him. Unfortunately, Francis decided to sit right in Gilbert's field of vision, making it impossible to find the other boy.

The bell rang, and the class took their seats, with Gilbert standing up, still trying to see him. The drama teacher dramatically stood, and began her 'I hope you had a good New Year' ramblings.

"On the bulletin board are the sign ups, Mr. Beilschmidt," Ms. Hedervary announced, glaring at Gilbert to sit in his chair. He turned around at the sound of his name, and slid into a seated position. She carried on, "For our winter mus-i-cal. We will have single auditions for the supporting characters and a duo audition for the two leading roles."

Alfred snickered, giving the class a thumbs down sign behind the teacher's back. Or so he thought.

"Mr. Jones!" Ms. Hedervary snapped, "This is a place of learning, not a hockey arena!" She continued her walk around the classroom, still explaining the events coming up in the school year. "There is also a last minute sign up sheet for the scholastic decathlon competition next week. Chem club president Arthur Kirkland will answer any questions you might have about that."

Alfred scoffed, rolling his eyes at the mere thought of a chemistry club. He leaned forward to see what Gilbert was doing, and intently watched as he called someone. A phone went off in class, leading Ms. Hedervary to sigh and begin collecting phones.

"Ah yes, the symphony of the cellphone," she drawled. "Francis! Feliciano! Phones, now! Also, detention! We will get to know each other very well in detention, shall we not?" Ms. Hedervary announced, a grin on her face, as she took Matthew's phone as well. Almost as an after thought, she mentioned, "Welcome to East High, Mr. Williams."

She strolled to the front of the classroom, "Ah, Mr. Beilschmidt, you have your phone too. What a coincidence that you will be joining us in detention."

"Uh, um, wait, Ms. Hedervary," Alfred sputtered, half raising his hand. "That's impossible, your honor, cause you see, we have basketball," he said, moving his hands to indicate Gilbert as well. "And, as you know, Gilbert -"

"Aha!" Ms. Hedervary interrupted, "Looks like 15 minutes for you too, Mr. Jones. Go ahead and count them!"

Alfred stilled, looking as if his teacher had grown a second head. Arthur laughed, snd leaned over to the students closest to him. "That will be tough for Alfred, cause he can't count that high," he snickered.

"Mr. Kirkland," the teacher sing-songed, "15 minutes!"

He gasped.

Ms. Hedervary slammed her papers on a desk. "Shall the punishments continue? The holidays are over, people! Now, any more comments, questions?"

A shy, hesitant hand was raised, and the teacher huffed. "Antonio?"

"So, Ms. Hedervary," Antonio smiled, "How were your holidays?"

The class collectively rolled their eyes and groaned. A few moments later, the bell rang and people darted out of the classroom. Gilbert was the first out, and waited outside the classroom door for Matthew. He fist bumped Alfred as a goodbye, excited to see Matthew again.

"Hey!" Gilbert called out to him, and jogged to catch up. "I can't believe it, you moved here?"

"I know, I can't believe it either!" He responded happily. "Why are you whispering?"

"Oh, um," Gilbert cleared his throat and spoke at a normal volume. "Well, my friends, they don't know about the singing." He laughed. "It's like I was a different person, you know?"

"Too much for them to handle?" Matthew teased, glancing at his schedule.

"Well, uh, it's not what we do, exactly…" Gilbert trailed off as Matthew cut in front of him to get to class. He was still for a moment, a baffled grin on his face, before following Matthew.

The two stopped in front of the bulletin board, and Gilbert laughed. "Well, you met Ms. Hedervary, I bet you can't wait to sign up for that."

"Of course," Matthew laughed. "But I won't be signing up for anything, I just want to get to know the school. However, if you signed up, I would definitely go see you!"

"Right," he scoffed, "That's totally impossible."

"What's impossible, Gilbert?" Francis questioned, coming out from behind the board. "I wouldn't think impossible is in your dictionary." He paused to turn around and write his name on the signup sheet, taking up nearly the entire page. Looking at his handiwork, he turned back around, and glanced at the two teenagers.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Francis drawled sarcastically, "Were you going to sign up? My brother and I have been in every school production, so we encourage newcomers." He smiled sweetly, with just a hint of irritation. "There are plenty of roles for supporting characters, I'm sure we can find something for you!"

Matthew looked at Gilbert, and made up some excuse to leave. Gilbert smiled and watched as he left, and was finally bombarded by Francis.

"So, Gilbert, I missed you on vacation," he announced, "What were you doing?"

"Oh, uh, you know, the usual," Gilbert replied, nodding way too enthusiastic. "Basketball. Snowboarding. More basketball."

"Nice," Francis laughed, "When's the big game?"

"Ah, two weeks," Gilbert answered.

"Wow, you're so dedicated," he praised, not even pausing, "Just like me! Promise to watch me in the musical?"

Gilbert didn't answer, only nodding to the point that it probably couldn't be considering nodding. He took a few steps back, and turned to go to class.

"Toodles!" Francis called after him.

Gilbert paused in his steps, turning to reply, "Yeah, toodles."