In the food hall, London sat with Zack, Cody and Woody. She usually ate at one of the many, expensive restaurants, but tonight she had some snooping to do.

As soon as she had placed her napkin on her lap, Cody started talking to her.

"London, is Bailey okay? She didn't look like … like Bailey when I saw her."

"She'll be fine, Cody. She just needs some rest or something stupid like that."

Cody nodded. "Will you tell her I asked about her? And that I'll take notes for her tomorrow in class if she doesn't make it? And that I hope she gets better? And that-"

"Woah, Codester, slow up there dude," Zack interjected. "Bailey's smart, but not smart enough to compute all of that in one go."

"You know what compute means?" Cody asked his twin in amazement.

"Com-pu-what?" London screwed up her face.

*

"Bailey," London whispered to a lump covered by Bailey's bed sheets. Hopefully it was Bailey.

"Bailey!" Urgently whispered. London shook the bed sheets lightly.

"BAILEY!" At the same time a shout of shock burst through the cotton bedclothes. Bailey's pleated head popped out.

"What, London?" Bailey's voice sounded tired and rough, like she had been crying.

"Listen, Bailey," London sat down beside her (as much as the poor stuff hurt her expensive self, it was for Bailey, her … some-what friend). "I ate my dinner with Zack, Cody and Woody tonight."

Bailey's hand flew to her mouth with shock. "Oh my gosh!" she said, "you ate in the food hall?"

"What, you mean the poor people's place?" London asked. "Pfft, yeah. Not as bad as I thought it would be. But not the point. I sat with Zack, Cody," she put extra emphasis on the 'Cody', "and Woody tonight."

Bailey realised what she meant. "Oh my gosh, what did he say? Was it harsh? Should I just go back to Kettlecorn? Why do I even bother?"

"No, but I did find something out." London sighed. "He so totally and utterly completely likes you. Loads. Too much, my source says."

"Too much?" Bailey's face screwed up. "Wait, source? Who's your source?"

"Zack," London said, grinning. "Oops! I wasn't supposed to say!"

"Doesn't matter," Bailey said. "I'm not leaving this cabin."

"Oh, damn! Not even if I give you diamonds?"

"Not even if Cody shows up and professes his love to me through a power balled."

*

London was running late this morning. Bailey's cuckoo alarm clock hadn't woken her up. Bailey hadn't woken her up, either. Actually, Bailey hadn't woken up.

She arrived at class late. Miss Tutweiller wasn't happy, but what did London care? It was only stupid sea school.

After London had taken her seat, she pulled out her phone. Already she had five texts from Cody, all about Bailey. Bailey! Why not her? But not the point.

8.31am, Cody -
Hi London! Is Bailey feeling better? She won't text me back. Cody

8.33am, Cody -
Do you think she'll make it to class today? Cody

8.34am, Cody -
I'll make notes for her anyway. Yeah? Cody

8.36am, Cody -
Daisies are her favourite flowers, right? I'll buy some for her later Cody

8.37am, Cody -
Or maybe chocolate? Or maybe she's ill because her body can't handle chocolate? Nah, that wouldn't happen. Cody

Oh, and another one!

8.39am, Cody -
Just tell her I said hi, and I'll be round to see her, and don't tell her about the daisies, it's a surprise, but do tell her I made notes. Tell her I hope she gets better. Cody

London quickly typed her reply.

8.40am, London -
C - OK - L

Cody does like her. What's Bailey playing at? He's right in front of her.

London pondered these thoughts while the rest of the class pondered Columbus. Why did Bailey have to be so nice? Why couldn't she just kiss Cody and fly away from Reina (and this stupid sea school) in her jet and live happily ever after?

Oh yeah! Because she doesn't have a jet. And poor people don't get happy endings.

As soon as the bell rang, London slowly and laboriously picked up her matching handbag and left the classroom, only to be faced with ---

Thanks for all the reviews! It's like kittens in binary. Which, omg, would actually be 01101011 01101001 01110100 01110100 01100101 01101110 01110011 I know how cool! I love online binary translators! I love kittens! Hope you enjoy!