Chapter 7

The Substitute

"Too bad Mrs. Norbert had to have the baby now. If she held it in a couple more weeks, it could share a birthday with you, Aria," Vanessa said as she and Aria sat down next to Walter in homeroom.

Mrs. Norbert went into labor on Saturday. On Sunday morning, she gave birth to a baby girl and named her Sarah.

"She'd probably have bad luck if she was born on my birthday."

"How so?" Vanessa inquired.

"Well, let's see. She will have trouble fitting in high school, no boys will be interested in her, and she will never be invited to any cool parties."

Walter looked up from his textbook and commented, "I'm not quite sure I understand your logic there, Aria. What day you are born on does not have any impact on what your life will be like unless you buy into all the astrology nonsense."

Vanessa rolled her eyes. "She's not serious, Walter. God, you take everything so literally. Besides, astrology is not complete nonsense. I actually believe in some of it. Like I'm a Capricorn and according to astrology we are very independent and strong friends."

"She right about the friendship part," Aria commented.

"Yes, but that has nothing to do with when she was born." He turned back to Vanessa. "Honestly Vanessa, next you're going to tell me you believe in psychics."

"Actually I did go see a psychic at he mall a couple weeks ago when Aria was getting her hair cut."

Walter glanced back at Aria and frowned. "When did Aria get her hair cut? It doesn't look any different."

"It was just a trim," Aria said quickly.

"Oh," Walter looked back to Vanessa. "Just out of curiosity, what did this supposed psychic tell you?"

"She just told me I would forgot something important when I needed it most. I guess its possible she's a fake, but that does not mean there aren't any psychics out there."

The two of them continued to bicker over psychics and astrology until Aria noticed something. "Hey guys. I wonder where our substitute is. Homeroom's almost over."

"I don't know. Maybe Mrs. Norbert forgot to call one," Vanessa suggested and then turned to Walter. "Why are you still reading your Biology book."

"I just reviewing myself for the test."

Vanessa's eyes widened. "That's today! I completely forgot about it. Oh no… I am so going to fail!"

Aria, too had forgotten about the test, but she did read the chapters and do the homework so she was pretty sure she would at least pass.

"Well, it looks like your psychic was right," Walter commented to Vanessa. "You did forget about important information when you most needed it."

"Oh shut up, Walter! What am I going to do?"

Despite the fact that Vanessa snapped at him, Walter still showed sympathy for her. "Look, it doesn't seem like our substitute is going to show up anytime soon so you can use this next class period to study. Then, since we have geometry together and today we have a study hall, I can help you review then. Alright?"

"Alright," Vanessa nodded a little calmer. "Thanks, Walter. Sometimes, its really good being your friend."

"I knew it. You are just using me for grades," Walter joked.

"You're right, Walter. If you were as dumb as me, I'd never hang out with you," Vanessa laughed.

Aria was glad to see the two of them laughing and joking around as oppose to arguing for a change. The bell rang. Since there was still no sign of a substitute teacher, Vanessa opened her Biology book and began to study while Aria and Walter headed to Latin.

"I hope you are okay with the material in Biology," Walter said as the two of them walked down the hall. "I don't think we have a study hall in Latin."

"I think I'll pass." She secretly planned to do her last minute studying during History. If Derek and Ian can text throughout the entire class period without being noticed, then Aria should have no problem hiding the fact that she's studying for another class.

xXx

Aria, still exhausted from the Biology test, barely had enough energy to play basketball during gym. It turns out, she probably should have studied more last weekend, but she had too much else on her mind with her whole Ms. Fleming may be her biological mother theory.

"Aria, you're suppose to catch the ball when I pass it to you!"

Aria turned to see a very annoyed Karin Wales glaring at her.

"Um, sorry about that." Aria just could not focus on anything today.

Aria could not help but feel glad when gym let out though she was not necessarily looking forward to English. She wondered if they ever found a substitute or if there would just be a study hall. She would soon find out.

As Aria walked into her English classroom, she observed a woman with long dark hair standing by Mrs. Norbert's desk, watching each student as they entered the room. Her skin was probably as pale as Aria's, but she was still beautiful. So beautiful, it was almost unreal. For some reason, Aria thought of Ms. Fleming when she saw this woman.

The woman spoke, "Hello, class. I am Ms. Malone and I will be your substitute while Mrs. Norbert is on maternity leave. First, I will take attendance quickly and then we will begin with my lesson."

"Thomas Bradley."

"Here."

Aria wondered if they were going to continue with Romeo and Juliet or finally start something new.

"Ian Harris."

"Here."

"Derek James."

"Present."

"Kendal Lewis."

"Here."

Ms. Malone did seem to go though the names fairly quickly. She did not even bother to look at the students who answered.

"Aria Rosenberg."

"Here." Ms. Malone did, however, look at Aria. Aria could have sworn she saw a brief smile on the corner of Ms. Malone's lips before she resumed her role taking. Aria decided to shrug it off. She must have been imagining things.

Once Ms. Malone finished taking role she began, "I understand you have been studying the play, Romeo and Juliet, for the past month. Well, I want you to know that today, we will start something different."

"Yes!" Derek cheered.

"Instead, we will study fairy tales."

The class looked at each other confused. Kendal whispered to Ian, "I think she has us confused with a class of first graders."

"Actually, Ms. Lewis. I believe fairy tales are valuable for people of all ages, especially the way we are going to study them." With that, Ms. Malone pulled out a box from under the desk and passed out the fairy tale books to everyone.

Aria was surprised Ms. Malone knew who Kendal was already. After all, she had only just learned her name. Also, how did she even hear what Kendal said to Ian. They were all the way in the back of the room. Aria barely heard Kendal from two desks away.

"First we will discuss, Sleeping Beauty. Now, who can tell what this story is about? How about you, Mr. Harris."

Ian, who had decided to rest his head on his desk for a nap, looked up, confused. "Um, let's see, Sleeping Beauty. Uh, there's a princess, she gets put in a comma or something and a prince comes and kisses her and she wakes up."

"The prince risks his life to get to the princess," Ms. Malone seemed to make Ian nervous as she looked down on him. "Tell me, Mr. Harris. Would you risk your life to save the woman you love."

"Um," Kendal gave Ian the same sharp look she had given him during Ms. Norbert's discussion. "Yeah…sure."

Derek rolled his eyes at his best friend. Ms. Malone turned to him.

"And what about you, Mr. James. Would you risk your life for the princess."

"Depends."

"Depends on what?"

"How hot she is." Most of the class laughed while Aria just rolled her eyes.

Like Aria, Ms. Malone was not amused by Derek's comment. "You know, Mr. James. You really should take this lesson more seriously. You never know what decisions lie ahead for you in the future."

"Right. Someday, I going to rescue a princess from a tower, give her true loves kiss, and together we will rule the kingdom."

Ms. Malone's eyes seemed to grow darker all of the sudden. "I don't appreciate sarcasm, Mr. James. Now, if you don't mind, I would like a serious answer to my question."

"No, then. I would not risk my life for one girl since there are plenty of others out there."

"You're going to be a bachelor for the rest of your life with that attitude," Kendal snapped.

"And I'm looking forward to it," Derek responded.

"Enough," Ms. Malone interjected. "Well, Mr. James. I appreciate your honesty."

Was Aria imagining this or did Ms. Malone seemed satisfied with his answer? Maybe she just did not believe in true love and the whole point of this lesson was to show that fairy tales send the wrong message.

"Now, Ms. Rosenberg," Ms. Malone turned to Aria. "How do you think this story should end?"

"Um, I guess with the prince rescuing the princess and they live happily ever after."

"And the evil fairy is defeated?"

"Well, yeah. I guess."

"That seems awfully close minded, Ms. Rosenberg. Detention."

Aria could not believe her ears. Was she actually getting detention just for answering a question?

"Hold on a second." Aria was surprised to see that it was Derek who spoke. "You're giving to detention for answering the question after you just said you were happy with me for giving my opinion? What kind of game is that?"

Ms. Malone looked at him sharply. "For someone who just stated he would not risk his life for a woman, you seem awfully quick to come to this particular girl's defense. Detention, Mr. James."

"Wait," Aria spoke up. "Ms. Malone, I'm sor….

"That's my final word. Detention."