Science

      After so many weeks of hearing my only friend at George Heights, Dakota Jordan, talking about her project, the day has finally come. Yep, it’s that time of the year where people can show off their inventions. It’s Science Fair day.

         I’m not the type of person who would sign up for stuff like that. Let’s face it, I’m no Albert Einstein. But Dakota is. She even comes off smart. With her straight red hair, naturally tanned skin and questioning green eyes. Then you look at me: blue eyes, ivory skin and silvery-blond hair. I look more like a ghost then anything.

         I envy her.

         That’s when the teacher asked me a question based on the lecture he was giving. Every pair of eyes was on me. It felt weird because I just remembered I was in a classroom full of other kids and not in my own little world. It also didn’t help my situation that I still didn’t answer the teacher. Oh boy.   

         “Do you have the answer, Sap?” repeated Mr. Johnson. Sap is short for Sapphire. I was named that because that’s the color of my eyes; dark blue.

         Of course I looked dumbfounded. I didn’t have the answer. “Ah . . . the monocracy.”

         “You’re saying that the Boston Tea Party happened because of the monocracy?” The teacher shook his head in disappointment before he asked someone else for the answer. I was already dazing off.

         The bell couldn’t have come any sooner. I was happy to leave history class. Mr. Johnson so has it in for me. Maybe it’s because I didn’t hand in my last – couple of assignments – to be exact. That’s still no excuse.

         Just as I stepped out of the door, I bumped into him. Quinn Colden. He’s a junior like myself, tall, flat muscled and handsome. He also has a charming smile and deep brown eyes. Unfortunately Quinn has a girlfriend, Amy Armstrong, who happens to be head cheerleader. You think things like that don’t matter but evidently it does.

         All my stuff dumped over the hallway floor. Reflexively I knelt down trying to stuff it all in my bag. Staring hard at the ground, I noticed a hand flashed before my eyes. I looked up slowly to see Quinn holding my books with one hand and the other in front of me. I took his hand involuntary and flushed tomato red.

      “Thanks,” I whispered avoiding his eyes.

         “Don’t worry about it,” Quinn said dreamily. “Here are your books.”

         “Thanks – again.” He started walking away when the third period bell rang.

         Shoot, I thought. I darted quickly to my left and took the stairs. On my way I noticed kids hanging out in the hallway. They were gabbing about something unimportant. These kids are also the ones who consider themselves “popular”. I looked past them and kept walking straight.

         Mr. Lancer was already talking about a group assignment when I walked into class. One of the reasons I love having him as a teacher is that he doesn’t draw attention to kids when they’re late. I quickly took my seat in the back while he was still explaining.

         Dakota looked at me questioningly as I took my seat beside her. I shot back a look anyone would know as “I’ll tell you later” or “Wait until the teacher is done speaking”.

         “Now you can pick your partners and work on a skit. Everyone will be presenting either Monday or Tuesday depending on how many we can get through the first day.”

         At that very second the classroom was flooded with voices. I turned to Dakota who was waiting patiently. “Before I explain,” I began, “can you tell me what this assignment is about?”

         “Sure. We have to create a skit dealing with teen issues and come up with a resolution. It’s very simple.”

         I nod my head. “Okay, thanks.” I debated whether or not to tell her about the whole Quinn thing. I decided not to. “I dropped all my stuff and that’s why I’m late.” For sure Dakota knows I’m holding something back but she wasn’t going to press on the subject any farther. “So what do you want to do?”

         “I was thinking we could do something involving alcohol or a fight between me and you about whatever,” Dakota stated in a cool, collective voice.

         “I say a fight between me and you.”

         “Always got to be dramatic?”

         “Always have to make things difficult.” I stated rather than making it a question. “And yes, this is drama class.”

         The entire period we spent figuring out what to make our skit about. It was sort of easier since we got the general idea down. What we have so far are two girls fighting with each other because of some guy. All we have to do is create the skits and we’re done. 

        My other classes flew by much faster. The final bell of the day went off. I quickly had to visit my locker which was located on the other side of the school. I passed many people who were blocking the hallways making it hard for others who have to be somewhere get by.

         It sucks when you’re small and everyone is much bigger than you. I’m about five feet four while everyone else is so much taller than me. There are very few people around my height and that’s just sad.

         Eventually I made it.

         After throwing my bag in the locker (I had no homework so what’s the point in bringing it home), I headed to room 226 where the annual Science Fair was being held. I couldn’t wait to see Dakota’s invention. She may have talked about it a lot, but even I wasn’t allowed to see it – and I’m her best friend.

The reason the Science Fair is held here rather than the gym like most others is because the room is really big. It used to be connected with another room before the principal decided to knock the dividing wall down. No one knows why but some rumors been going around saying that’s going to be the new teacher’s lounge.

         From what I could see, the walls were very white and a huge banner that read: Welcome to the Science Fair. It was also very busy with people getting ready. It seemed exciting and a little frightening. Overall pretty cool.

         That’s when I spotted Dakota and in her hands was something covered with a beige cloth. It was in a shape of half an oval I guess. There could be no other explanation to what it is. Curiosity washed over me as I walked toward her.

         “Dakota,” I waved. She looked up from what she was displaying on a table to see me. Her mouth widen into a huge grin which automatically told me she was glad to see me.

         Dakota took the last few steps, closing the gap between us and giving me a one-handed hug. She looked animated with energy and thrilled. Seeing Dakota like this made me want to smile.

         While we were talking, someone with a mike started speaking. “Please can our contestants come to the front desk. Everyone else go find a seat so we can get this thing started.”

         “Good luck.” I quickly left dodging people trying to get a good seat. It was just my luck that I got to sit in the dead middle at the front. The whole room was filled with chatter. Eventually everyone settled down, taking any seats that were still available.

      There were many cool inventions. This one girl, Theresa Sanders, made this box and inside was an explosion of fireworks and a boy, Derek Winfield, made this robot that could recycle. But nothing could beat Samuel’s laser. Well, not yet. Dakota still hasn’t gone yet. Turns out she’s the last to present.

         “Finally, give a hand for Dakota Jordan,” said the announcer.