Red ✔

Red Riding Hood vs. Cinderella

The P.A. system screeches. I do not need to cover my ears anymore. I have gotten used to the continuous screeching since October.

"Hello. Today is Monday, January 31st, 2011. Time for our announcements," the speaker says. "Can the students come to the office at lunch recess for late detention? Also, there has been a recent snowball fight on the school yard, so we need them to stop or there will be severe consequences. You know who you are. Next, we have a staff meeting at lunch recess. Please bring your student folders with the required details. Lastly, the Intermediate Valentine's Day Dance is coming up in a couple of weeks. Ask that special someone to be your Valentine. Thank you and have a good day," the announcer finalizes.

Outside of French class, I moan. How am I going to get a date to the dance? None of the guys are worthy enough. All the cute guys are taken. If I want to meet Alex's crush, I have to ask someone or wait cowardly on the sidelines.

The French classroom is dark-looking from the outside.  I catch a glimpse of the big wooden desk.  It is empty, other than the short pencil holder in the corner.  A part of the chalkboard is showing from my field of view.  The entire class is outside waiting to enter French class, even though I hope the teacher does not come to school at all.  It will be a lot better if we have a substitute teacher.  Then, I can sit with the 5ies without complaints. 

"Who are you going to ask?" Holly asks the 5ies, leaning against the wall.  Her books are grasped in her arms.

"Maybe Dylan," Nicole answers, glancing at the Eco-Team poster. "Or, I will wait until someone asks me."

Nicole has developed this "fascination," as she calls it, for Dylan.  She thinks that he is cute and all, but he is still a brainac on the inside.  They talk once in awhile, not much, since there are girls crawling all over him.  She does not talk to many guys, except for Hudson, her family friend. They used to hang out as little kids.  They sometimes walk to school together, but his reputation is completely different from hers.  He is known for his pranks and mischievous attitude.  He bullied Dylan a lot when Dylan was nerdy and socially awkward.  

I pick up a loose piece of paper that has fallen to the floor.  I read it is my French vocabulary sheet.  I surely do not want to lose that, especially when we are having a big test next Wednesday.  I have not even start studying.   I hate studying.

Marilyn nudges Holly with her shoulder.  "How about you?" Marilyn questions Holly.

"Colin," Holly replies automatically, blushing.  It is like second nature to her. 

"Of course." I roll my eyes. So predictable.

"Do you have your dream date?" Holly inquires, applying some lip gloss on her pink lips.  I envy her lips because unlike mine, hers look like she has lipstick on all the time.  I have zombie lips—pale and thin.

I give her a duh look.  "No, but I have to get one."

"Oh yeah, that condition," Leo says. "You can go with a girl as friends."

"But then I will not be able to meet 'her'," I say, empathizing her.

"True," Leo says.

"So are you going with anyone, Marilyn?" Nicole asks.

"Uh...I want to go with Billy, but I do not know if he likes me back. Victoria is always flirting with him."

Billy is Marilyn's Grade Eight crush. He has shaped into a less weird and more intelligent guy. Billy has been the class clown every year in his classes, but all his jokes are lame. This year, his jokes actually make sense. Marilyn likes him because he is funny, nice, and smart. All the qualities that every girl looks in a guy. I do not agree with her choice completely but he is not that bad.