This update is turning out to be more work than I thought... there are a few factual matters I decided to change, just to make everything make a bit more sense. They're small changes, but are mentioned every so often and I have to make sure to catch all of these mentions so that the continuity of the story is unaffected. *sigh* What have I gotten myself into?

By the way—in the original version of this story, I called the principal Mr. Regulation, as a not-so-subtle reference to Mr. Ruhle's name. I've picked a new name for him this time around. Still a reference, but not so blatant now, hahah.

Anyway, here's the new-and-improved chapter 3!

And so the first lesson began.

"Well, class, since it was so long ago that we were all together, how about we all reacquaint ourselves, and tell a bit about what we're planning for the future?" Ms. Frizzle suggested. "Who would like to go first?"

"Oh, I would!" said D.A. She stood up and looked around at her classmates. "As you all know, I'm Dorothy Ann Parker. I was on the school newspaper committee in junior high, so I hope to be on staff here too. I take great pride in my organizational skills and I plan on attending Harvard after I graduate from high school."

She sat down confidently. "Way to give a speech," Carlos whispered beside her. She smiled and rolled her eyes at him.

"I'll go next," said Tim. "I'm Tim Jamal, and my family and I just moved back here from New York because my dad's company transferred him. I'd like to be an artist someday." Keesha suggested he show the class a few drawings from his sketchbook—which he did. Everyone was very impressed.

"Marvelous, Tim!" Ms. Frizzle said. "Who's next?"

Ralphie stood up. "I am Ralphie Tennelli. I am a sports man and, as everyone knows, a ladies' man." He wiggled his eyebrows at Wanda.

"Oh, grow up!" Wanda sighed. "I'm Wanda Li. I'm going to be on TV in action movies, and nobody can stop me!" she stated proudly.

"Good, good. How about you, Arnold?" Ms. Frizzle continued.

"Well... Arnold Perlstein. I'm still going to be a geologist. Uh... I guess that's all."

"Carlos Ramon. Inventor, athlete, genius. You name it, I'm good at it!" Carlos said and flashed his trademark grin.

"I'm Keesha Franklin. I've done a lot of thinking, and right now I want to be a novelist. But I'll probably change my mind soon anyway!"

"Who's left?" said Ms. Frizzle. "Phoebe?"

"I'm Phoebe Terese. I always wanted to be a veterinarian, but recently I've been thinking about being an ecologist."

"All right!" Ms. Frizzle smiled. "How about we start on a little science revision and we'll see what we can do about a field trip soon, hm?"

Everyone cheered, except Arnold, who covered his face with his hands and slumped down in his chair.

The class went by surprisingly quickly, then the eight of them had to part ways for their next classes. They exited into the hallway as the bell rang.

"Wow you guys, how cool is this?" exclaimed Wanda. "We're all reunited, and now the Friz is back!"

"Yeah, it's so great!" Keesha replied. She took a folded piece of paper from her pocket, and studied it for a moment. "My next class is at the opposite end of the building..."

"You'll have to run to get there in time," remarked Tim.

"Hey Ralphie, piggyback!" Wanda called out. She jumped on his back and he ran down the hallway, the other six trying to keep up. Only Carlos could come close to Ralphie's speed, even while carrying Wanda.

Suddenly, something that would only happen on a '90s sitcom happened... Ralphie and Wanda ran right into the principal. The three of them were sprawled across the hallway. The principal got up and looked sternly at Wanda and Ralphie.

"I don't know just what you two were thinking, but that is completely unacceptable behavior. You will both come see me at my office at lunch hour and we will settle on a punishment for you." He looked down disapprovingly at them, still sitting on the floor, and then strode away quickly.

Wanda and Ralphie just burst out laughing. The rest of their friends caught up, out of breath.

"What happened here?" said Carlos, looking down at Ralphie and Wanda laughing hysterically on the floor. "Barely second period of the first day of school and you two are already in trouble, huh?"

"Why am I not surprised?" said Keesha.

The friends split up to attend the next two periods of class, then lunch came. Ralphie and Wanda went to the principal's office to receive their punishment as the others went to buy their lunch.

"It really was worth it, you know," Ralphie said. "Wasn't that fun?"

"It was a blast! But I think you need to check your brakes," Wanda said. They walked into the main office and were directed to take a seat by the principal's desk until he arrived a few minutes later. The nameplate on his desk read "Mr. Tennet."

"Mister Tennelli, Miss Li, you have displayed destructive and disrespectful behavior. Do either of you have anything to say for yourselves?" Mr. Tennet looked at them over his glasses, which looked about 20 years out of style.

"Um... it'll never happen again?" Wanda said hopefully.

"I certainly hope it won't. You will each serve one hour of detention after school for seven days, starting tomorrow. Any questions?"

Wanda and Ralphie remained silent.

"Then you are excused."

The pair left the office and found their friends in the cafeteria.

"So?" said Carlos, "What'd you get?"

"Detention for a week," said Ralphie glumly.

"The principal seems strict, doesn't he?" said Phoebe. Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Well, at least we'll be together, right Wanda?" Ralphie said, and winked.

"Ralphie, cut it out!" Wanda said in exasperation.

"Come on, guys, it's obvious you like each other. Maybe you two should give it a try," Carlos suggested. "D.A. and I have been going steady for three months now."

Dorothy Ann smiled at him. "Yeah. You never know what'll happen."

"Whatever," Wanda said. "All I know is that right now I'm starving. I'm going to get some food!"

After the last two classes of the day, the eight friends met up on their way to Ms. Frizzle's classroom for end-of-day roll call.

They took their seats and Ms. Frizzle marched to the front of the room with a hint of a smile.

"Class, tomorrow we're going on a field trip!"