Okay I'm going to be brief. I rushed this chapter a bit, as I start work THIS AFTERNOON and I wanted to get this chapter out of the way. I went over it heaps, and I hope it doesn't seem rushed.

So, I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 11 – Film Class + Dream Boy

The Helix Media Centre was just across campus from Carnival Hall. I'd never been there before, but Starling told me it had a massive movie theatre, a TV lounge, computers, and video games.

I was going to my first Film class –we were supposed to meet in the theatre, listen to a brief lecture from the teacher, and watch a movie.

Inside the brightly lit theatre, three rows of seats were roped off and a paper sign had been posted that read "ninth-grade film class – please sit in your assigned seat." I scanned the rows until I spotted a piece of paper with my name taped to the back of a chair. Sinking into the deeply cushioned red chair, I opened my orange notebook and wrote film class at the top of the page. It looked like a small class, only about fifteen seats had papers on them. A couple of girls found their seats in front of me.

"Excuse me," one of my classmates said as he stepped in front of me and took a seat on my left.

I looked out of the corner of my eye, and when I saw who was sitting there, I could've died.

Aerrow.

When he pulled his notebook out of his bag, our arms almost touched and I looked away from him. Okay, I could do this. Just ignore the pounding heart and be cool. But I knew I wouldn't be able to be cool. Those eyes, that gorgeous hair, and that scent… oh my gosh, where's a tissue when you need one? I could just drop my pen and pretend that it was an accident, lean down, grab a tissue from my bag, and gently swipe it over his shoe and…his shoe? I'm sure his shoes smell just as amazing. Well, anyway, then I would sit up and press the tissue to my nose and pretend I had a blood nose and….no that would draw too much attention. Okay, then I could…shoot, he's looking at me.

"Hey, you're the new girl from the Coronel's office – Piper, right?"

I nodded and gave him what I hoped was a cute smile.

He glanced at his book and started writing something down. Stop staring, Piper. I need a distraction. Right now.

I leaned down and searched through my bag for something to take my mind of him. Hmmm, oh! Would you look at that, a chocolate! Just what I need. I silently took of the wrapper, shoved it in my pocket, and stuck the chocolate in my mouth before sitting up.

I took deep breaths and sucked on my chocolate. Aerrow finished writing, looked up, and shifted in his seat. He looked uncomfortable.

He glanced around the theatre. "What's that smell?" he whispered.

Oh no. Did I smell funny? Maybe I didn't put on enough deodorant. Or worse…what if I'd peed myself? No, I think I would know if I'd wet my pants. But it's possible. I could've, I guess, from excitement.

I silently reached with my right hand under my bottom. No, it's dry.

I looked over my shoulder, pretending to look for the teacher, and took a whiff of my shirt. Vanilla with a hint of caramel. Smells okay to me.

But what if guys don't like vanilla and caramel? What if Aerrow's allergic to it? What if vanilla and caramel don't go well together and I can't tell that it smells bad because I'm too used to it?

Maybe I should excuse myself, run to the bathroom, call up Dad, and ask him if he thinks vanilla and caramel smells bad? No, I can't do that; Aerrow might think I don't like him. Okay Piper, deep breath, and go with the flow.

I leaned closer to him ever so innocently and said, "What smell?"

He sniffed the air. "It smells like chocolate. I can't figure out where it's coming from."

Phew! Chocolate definitely didn't smell bad. I jammed my hand into my pocket and pulled out the wrapper.

"It's this, I just ate it a moment ago," I explained, holding it up for him to see.

He peered at it with squinted eyes and laughed softly. "It's making me hungry. Do you have a cheeseburger in there by any chance?" He smiled playfully.

I giggled and shook my head. "Nope, sorry." Note to Self: carry cheeseburgers in bag at all times, no exceptions.

I hadn't even noticed that people had filled the seats around us.

A gangly man with a pale grey face stood in front of the class. When everyone was quite, he spoke.

"I'm Mr Raven," he gestured to himself. "Welcome to your first film class. In this class, I'll be taking you on a journey through the world of film."

The theatre was quiet. Mr Raven continued. "You've probably heard this is an easy class." Several girls in front of me nodded. "Well, that's not exactly true. You'll write papers, learn terminology, and memorise many film quotes."

The guy on my right shifted over and put his arm on the armrest. I clamped my hands together in my lap.

"Let's start with a little comedy to lighten the mood," Mr Raven said, turning down the lights.

"I've seen this movie a couple of times, it's really good," Aerrow whispered. Hopefully, he couldn't hear my pounding heart. I just need to think like Dove. Esay Piper, dweep bweeths, downt wook at 'im, evreyting whill bee juast fwine.

The enormous movie screen crackled to life as the film started. Aerrow and I sat in silence for a few minutes, but soon we were laughing at the movie in all the same parts. He caught my eye a couple of times and my earlier embarrassment started to fade. I forgot about my English paper due next week and the fact that I tripped in Sky Fu practice yesterday. All that mattered was being here with Aerrow.

All too soon, the movie ended. The lights came back on, with an annoyingly bright glare, and Aerrow shot me a smile. Which I might add, was quite dazzling.

Mr Raven stood in front of the screen and clapped his hands together. "Right! Could someone tell me their opinion about the film?"

Aerrow raised his hand.

"Thank you! Your name, please?" Mr Raven asked.

"Aerrow."

Mr Raven stepped into the row in front of us and sat on the back of a chair. "What did you think of the film, Aerrow?"

Aerrow didn't hesitate. "I think that any guy who wants to understand girls should watch the film." His comment sent Mr Raven and the entire class into laughter.

"Anyone else?"

I slowly raised my hand and he nodded at me.

"The movie seemed like it may have been ahead of its time," I said.

"Good, good. And you are?" Mr Raven asked, a smile on his face as he rubbed his clean-shaven chin with his hand.

"Piper."

"That was a good observation, Piper. So, if the movie was ahead of its time, why do you think the studio took a risk on it?"

"Probably because it's so funny. People come to the movies to escape, and to get away from busy everyday life."

"That's very good. Quite true." Mr Raven moved off to another row.

After a few more questions, he brought up the dreaded topic of homework. I usually loved homework, but I had enough to worry about already.

"Each of you will need to choose a film and write a three-page report about it. The topic is up to you. You may use a film from the library or from your own collection. To ensure you read the e-mail I'll be sending you, I'm not going to tell you the due date."

The rest of the class began packing up their books. I tried to think of something else to say to Aerrow. "Good movie," I said finally.

L.A.M.E.

"Yeah, it was. See you around, Piper." He grinned and headed out of the theatre, disappearing into the crowd.

"He did what?" Starling said.

"He smelled the chocolate that I was eating." I crashed onto my bed with a sigh.

She flopped down next to me. "How many times have you seen him? He definitely likes you."

Rolling my eyes, I got up off the bed and switched on my laptop. "I don't know. And anyway, all he said when we left was 'see you around.'"

"That could mean anything. Like 'maybe I'll see you around' or 'see you for sure at our next class.' What a typical guy thing to say. Totally murky response."

I waved my arm at Starling. "I'm shopping for lip gloss, so Aerrow can smell me all the time. And lip gloss is definitely the best thing, as I don't think I'll be able to eat chocolate all the time in class. How about bubble gum flavour?" Dad had given me a credit card for emergences – this definitely counted!

Starling wrinkled her nose. "Piper, you've got to get scents he would like. Bubble gum is a girl smell." She stared at my screen and scrolled through the massive collection.

"Is there anyone at Helix that you like?" I asked her.

"I used to like someone at home," she confessed. "Do you remember that picture I showed you of me dancing?"

I nodded, remembering the picture – Starling arm in arm with her tall, gorgeous dance partner.

She frowned. "My mom didn't approve. She thinks he's a good dance partner, but nothing more. He sends me e-mails sometimes." Starling pointed to the screen. "What about this one?"

"Tangerine? Fruit is better than bubble gum?"

"It's very aromatic – guys have a nose for citrus scents," Starling explained. "And here's another good one – cinnamon. And mint!"

We scanned the screen and kept an eye out for the elusive and non-existent cheeseburger flavour.

"How about vanilla bean?" I asked, adding it to the cart. I'd be going home next Friday while the teachers had their staff development day. Hopefully, Dad wouldn't see their credit card bill before then.

Hope you liked it, because i really enjoyed writing it!

Next chapter will be Piper and Cyclonis's punishment thing, cleaning the Supply Room. With Junko and Stork :)

Please Review!

~LouiLuvr