Things I've noticed while revising this chapter: 1) The chapter lengths are quite variable, and 2) the plot is developing and character relationships are changing at a rather quick pace. It's only the third day of school for crying out loud! These kids are getting in over their heads! Didn't their parents raise them better? ... But seriously. I feel kind of weird about it, and in following chapters I think I'll try to make some changes to the time scale, just to slow things down a bit. I mean I had things planned for this fic aside from relationship drama, but that's what seems to be running rampant.

As usual, Ms. Frizzle said that she had no field trip for them, but that she was trying to plan one for next week. This came as no surprise, since Ms. Frizzle was always trying to set up a field trip.

When lunch came around, Keesha noticed that Ralphie and Wanda weren't talking. Ralphie wasn't even bugging her, like he always did.

Keesha decided to confront Wanda about it.

"Hey Wan, what's with you and Ralphie?" she asked at the end of lunch.

Wanda, having a bothersome little brother who liked to try to get her in trouble, was good at thinking up convincing lies quickly. She barely had to pause to think of a reply for Keesha. "Oh. Yesterday at detention, I finally yelled at him loud enough that he got the picture. So now he isn't harassing me, but it's kind of awkward between us," she 'explained.'

Most people would have been satisfied with this answer. Keesha, however, knew Wanda well enough to have suspicions.

"I think it's something more than that," she said, crossing her arms.

"No, it's not. Just drop it, okay?" Wanda stood up and stormed out of the cafeteria.

Keesha mentally noted not to get on Wanda's nerves today.

Then came the part of the day everyone was waiting for... not. Ralphie and Wanda begrudgingly made their way to detention once more.

They entered the administration office and found that the other secretary had returned from her sick leave. This other secretary was obviously newly hired, as she was quite pretty and didn't look a day over 19. Ralphie stared.

Miss Gail, the head secretary, introduced the younger woman as Miss Wilson, then set Wanda and Ralphie to work again.

This time the chores were notably less strange (they no longer had to wash windows, but were still sent to make coffee) though Ralphie continued to sneak glances at Miss Wilson throughout the detention session, which annoyed Wanda immensely for some reason.

The afternoon went without anything terribly eventful happening (besides Miss Wilson crying "Oh, I broke a nail! What will I do now?") and when it was over Wanda left the school quickly without a word. Ralphie ran to catch up.

"Hey, Wanda, what's with the rush?" he said as he walked beside her.

"I have something important to do at home," Wanda replied shortly and picked up her pace.

"Are you mad at me?"

"No."

"Yes you are. Why?"

Wanda stopped and looked at him squarely. "'Cause the whole time at detention you were drooling all over Miss Wilson," she accused, spitting the name out like it was poison.

She turned and walked away again, even faster than she was going before. After a moment's pause Ralphie ran to catch up once again.

"Why do you care?" he asked, almost smugly.

Wanda blushed and tried, unsuccessfully, to hide it. "It... it was just annoying, okay?"

"What if I told you that you're the one I like? For real, not just a joke."

"I wouldn't believe you," Wanda countered without slowing her pace.

"Would this convince you?"

He blocked her path and turned her to face him. Similar to what had happened the day before, he crashed his lips to hers in a last attempt to prove his affection.

When they broke apart, Ralphie said simply, "I think that meant something."

Wanda nodded slightly and the two walked toward home, hand in hand.