1

Donovan (Boy No. 7 ) put down his silver knife and fork and looked around the gigantic ballroom in which he sat. The high walls were a soft golden brown, reflecting a bright beautiful light from brass lamps that hung about the large room. Other knives and forks clattered and scraped against delicate china plates as he folded his white cloth napkin gently before wiping his mouth. Across from him sat Zach ( Boy No. 1) who was just finishing up his delicious pork and rice. To Dono's left was his girlfriend Sara (Girl No. 2), another student at the school they all so reluctantly attended..
It had been Ms. Prok (The Language Arts teacher ) who had come up with the astonishing idea; for as many people in the advanced language arts classes to meet up for for a writing retreat. She had organized this huge event where (if they had the money) students could fly out to sunny California and for one week hang out with other students of the Advanced Class. Coincidentally, 15 girls and 15 boys had shown up to the hosted event - all using money out of their own pockets to fly down and spend time with each other. It seemed like only the most dedicated students had shown up, and some not so known ones appeared on the scene as well.
Mrs. Prok sat to the left of Dono. He had barely touched his cooked meal as he was deep in conversation with Laura (Girl No. 6). Laura had turned up out of the blue (to the dismay of some) after she had been removed from the advanced class for repeated instances of missing homework assignments. Seeing as she was out in California, and had obviously paid a large sum to come here, she was welcomed to the students only party - after all, they couldn't just send her back the way she came. The table Dono sat at seemed to be full of the smartest students in the class. Connor Mcknight (Boy No. 10) was sitting next to Zach and was looking around at some of the other students who had shown up for the festivities. Their table was one of many which hosted about 6 people. Mrs. Prok had done a grand job - the tables were nice, the china, cutlery and waiters were all perfect, it really was more than Dono deserved. But he decided that while he was on vacation he would enjoy it as much as possible.
Looking across the room, he saw a table that sat mostly girls. He was only able to see the back of Eric (Boy No. 14) who was deep in conversation with Amanda (Girl No. 9) and Gabby (Girl No. 10). It looked like they were done with their meals, as the hushed conversation was fast and low spoken. Olivia (Girl No. 1) and Lexie (Girl No. 8) were holding a whispered conversation as well. 'Girls will be girls,' though Dono, giving off a slight smile. He followed their eyes to a table that sat only two people.
The short one, Connor H (Boy No. 3) sat talking to Caroline (Girl No. 13). They seemed to be close friends at school (as far as boy and girl friends who aren't dating in middle school go, anyay), and it was for sure that they were both into this entire Soccer stuff (which Dono knew tons about, but didn't feel like getting up from his seat due to a combination of bladder problems and contemplation of all the students present.). Connor was a student with a hazy past but was now in the advanced class and performed well there. Caroline was the designated 'Classroom Helper' for this retreat and many of the other activities the advanced class did who always seemed really attached to the students in the class. Dono knew that he wanted to become an A+ student one day, and it would probably come true at the rate he was going. It seemed as if the two had finished their meals and were simply chatting. He had no clue what they were talking about, but it may have had to do with conflict with another student, Angie (Girl No. 5).Angie, with long red hair, small form-fitting jeans, a tight Aeropostale T-Shirt and lots of ponytail holders on her wrist didn't look like she belonged there. Everyone else had dressed up for the nice occasion, but she just seemed to stroll around in her casual, messy clothes as if nothing was wrong. She was currently laughing loudly at something another student had said. For all Dono knew; it could have been anything. Angie was quite the playful jokester, who, for some reason, liked to have fun taking the mickey out of some of the smarter students. She still managed to cling onto her probation in the Advanced Class though, and Dono had no real problem with her.
Sitting next to her was Alejandro (Boy No. 6) who was grinning about something that Dono couldn't hear. Alejandro was the easy-going student that always followed the rules but wasn't afraid to loosely abode them either. He was heavily into making comics about his teachers, usually Ms. Wez, and his locker was littered with various allusions to these jokes. Angie and he shared similar tastes in this, which may have led them to become friends when talking about this matter in the class. They were probably making jokes about her right now.
Angie and Alejandro were talking mostly to themselves, but Brandon (Boy No. 3) and Nick (Boy No. 7) also sat with them. Angie usually sat with her two best friends, Olivia and Caroline, but a particularly comical Mrs. Wez joke had just entered her mind and she felt like sharing it with Alejandro. Brandon and Nick were talking in a casual tone, not involved in the conversation Alejandro and Angie were having, whispering or bombastic, and seemed to be enjoying themselves on this rare occasion. Next to them was Joe (Boy No. 8) who was busy eating his meal. Joe filled out the table, which seemed to be enjoying itself as a whole.
"Ahem," Dono looked to his left to see that Ms. Prok had stood up and was addressing the whole banquet hall.
"Hello, everyone," he said. Mckenzie (Girl No. 3) and Aubrey (Girl No. 15) cheered at this. Although it was loud and unneeded, Ms. Prok laughed at their jubilancy.
"I'd like to start by saying welcome to all you students who were able to come. Thanks for making this possible," he said. At this point all eyes were glued on him. Dono found himself looking at Ms. Prok too; who seemed to have a commanding voice that would echo throughout the great room.
"We started out as a small Class. On my first day I only had only a glimmer of expectations from you guys. My opinion of you has grown so much."
Some kids clapped and cheered. 'I don't think the clapping and cheering is actually necessary,' thought Dono. The voice in his head said it comically as Dono was enjoying every moment of the party.
Ms. Prok continued, "My class has had its ups and downs, but seeming as we're all together and united - let's make this the best week of our lives!"
Dono clapped along with everyone else as Ms. Prok sat back down in her leather coated chair. Dono turned to her with a grin.
"Nice speech," he said.
"Thanks Dono," said Ms. Prok. "Well, I really have to go to the bathroom so I'll be right back." Dono watched as Ms. Prok rose and walked across the carpeted floor, which was smothered with multi-color diamond and triangle patterns; each which were either an olive green or gold.
"Dono, this is something I would never have expected to happen," said Sara. Dono turned to face her as he heard her voice. Sara was smiling - she was truly happy. "Seeing so many smart people together in one place," she continued, "It seems like a surreal dream. I guess we should enjoy this vacation as much as we can."

Dono replied, "Yeah, this is great. I also can't believe that we're here either. It's going to be awesome talking to all the other students who aren't are close for the first time outside of class. And we're in California!"
A loud splintering sound came from across the hall. The size of the room magnified the sound and Dono looked to see Taylor (Boy No. 12) staring at a shattered plate in front of his feet. Taylor looked up to see the rest of the students staring at him.
"Oops."
Everyone cracked up as two waiters cleaned up the mess. Dono decided he would take this time to have everyone explain why they came, just for a laugh.
Standing up, he began, "Hey everyone. I'm Dono, and I'm sure I don't need to introduce myself." Dono chuckled to himself at this, for everyone knew him, and they new his family was incredibly wealthy, which would explain how he got the money and why he came. He continued:

"I was wondering if anyone else would like to give a more formal explanation."
The first to raise their hand was Aubrey. She was wildly smiling as she stood up to tell her classmates about herself. "Well, hey, guys. I'm in the advanced class as you know… uh, and you all know me as Aubrey" Some girls giggled at the hilarity of these mock introductions. "I'm really glad to be here and really excited too. I'm sure we'll all get to know each other a little more over this next week, and it'll bring the students together.. Um… go OSU!"
A few other students cheered at the sound of this.
Dono stood up, "Would anyone else like to 'introduce' themselves?"
Mckenzie was next to go. "Hey everyone, I'm the girl who you all know. I'm also the biggest Joe Jonas fan girl in this room."
Screech!
Across the room, Lauren (Girl No. 4) was standing and looking straight at Mckenzie.
"You're wrong," she said. "I'm the biggest Joe Jonas fan girl."
"And what makes you say that?" asked Dono.
"I'm Lauren, nice to meet everyone!" She said mocking the playful introductions they were all giving, as they all already knew each other. She then waved her arms frantically before pointing them in Mckenzie's direction. "Now, let me get it through to you Mckenzie, I am the biggest Joe Jonas fan girl in this room!" she exclaimed.
"None of you are!" this time it was Brittany (Girl No. 11) standing. "I am the biggest Joe Jonas fan girl!"
Mckenzie replied, "You all know I'm the best, you're just jealous!"
"Jealous!" screamed Brittany," Who would be jealous of you?"
"Look who's talking!" said Lauren.
"I'm glad my name is Angie. This makes me feel special," commented Angie out of nowhere.
"Enough!" said Dono, almost doubling over with laughter. "The battle of the fan girls will begin after the banquet, deal?" The three nodded firmly in agreement. 'They're a little… too serious,' thought Dono. 'I mean come on; he's a Hollywood stay, for Christ sakes, they'll never actually meet him!'
When Dono asked for any more mock introductions or explanations, no one said anything. Everyone must have talked with each other just before the banquet started.
He sat down and looked across the table to see Zach and Connor M with their eyes closed. Their chins were resting on their shoulders and their mouths were half open.
"Guys?" he asked. They made no response.
"Are you guys asleep?"
Yet again, there was no response. Dono looked to his left to see Laura with her head on the oak table, breathing gently. Sara was doing the same. Then Dono began to feel drowsy as well. An inescapable haziness overwhelmed him, swallowing him like a thick curtain. All zeal he once felt was veiled behind dark gray fog and his mind was swimming. His brain was commanding his brown eyes to close. Dono noticed that other students were succumbing to sleep too, or were spiraling dangerously towards it. A misty wall flattened all his remaining senses, and with one small nod he was fast asleep.

The bald waiters who had been serving food entered the banquet hall. They were all wearing gas masks. The one who had cleaned up Taylor's shattered plate looked at them with pity. Ms. Prok also entered and looked upon them with contempt.

Their bodies were collected and loaded onto a bus. The bus took them to the California International Airport, which then flew them across the country to the Detroit Metro Airport. From here they were taken by another bus to Mackinac City, located at the top of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Their unconscious bodies were hauled onto a boat which made a 27 minute trip to Mackinac Island. At this point, there was no hope for the poor souls as they landed on the docks of the once populated land mass. It was night; a dark black night, and one which perfectly suited their arrival.