And Then There Were Five *Watty Awards 2012*

Meet Haley, Grace, Hannah, and Sky

~Haley~

I knew she would be one of them the moment she set foot in Algebra 2. I could just feel it. I felt some sort of connection snap into place. The girl was new, just moved here. That's all I knew. She had two bonde braids falling over her checkered elbow length shirt. She wore cutoff jeans that stopped at her ankles and cowboy boots, dressing her feet. Her nails were a chipped light pink shade, and her face was speckled with light freckles like little raindrops. She sat in the nearest open seat, looking a bit unnerved. I took a double glance at where she was sitting; next to Monica, who always sat by Bria, her 'conjoined twin'. Monica looked up as the new girl sat down, glaring at her,"Um, 'scuse me. Yeah, that seat is taken."

"Oh...", she sputtered, fumbling to quickly pick up her things. "S...sorry...", she apologized, though not sure what she was apologizing for. Monica went back to repainting her day old manicure, ignoring blondie. THe new girl, puzzled as to where to sit, looked around the room for another open spot.

"Hey! Um," I called out to her, unsure of her name, "you can sit by me", I offered hoping to learn more about her.

She hurried over, and sat down by me. "Thanks", she smiled, organizing her books and folders, which I noticed were very tidy and clean, unlike my own.

"So, what's your name again?", I asked, hoping to start a conversation.

"Hannah", she smiled. "Hannah Lane, and you?"

"Haley Beams", I said, thinking about all the cracks that had been made on my name. Soon Mrs. Madley (Mrs. Mad for short), strode in, slamming a large textbook on the desk, labeled 'Algebra 2'.

"Welcome to Algebra 2 and back to school. Now get out your pencils for a pop quiz.", she announced and grabbed a stack of papers off her desk. While handing them out, she also said in a monotone voice, "Oh and welcome Hannah Lane to our class." A couple of 'hey's' scattered the room, but mostly stares or smirks. Most new kids were ignored, or automatically assumed to be boring.

Janet, my good friend, leaned over me and gave a bright smile to Hannah, "Hey there girl frieeennnddd.", she whispered in a vally-girl voice.

Hannah gave a shy smile, about to exchange hello's when Mrs. Mad screeched, "NO talking during tests or quizzes. If you talk I'm assuming you're cheating." A few glances and smiles in our direction. Janet tears off a piece of paper, scribbles a quick note and passes it to me:

Someone has their panties in a waaaaddddd...                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Pass to Hannah! <3 J

 I smile, Janet is always so perky, and I'm in love with her bubbly handwriting. I pass the note to Hannah, who gives me a small smile, and then returns to the quiz. I turn to mine; now question number one....

~Grace~

Lunch. Sometimes the hardest period for some students. I remember my first day. Being new, not knowing anyone. As I enter the lunchroom, I look around for my usual group of friends. I guess you could call me popular, but I like to see it as friendly or social. I skip the lunch line and grab and apple and banana, some water, and make my own salad. I sit down and we begin to talk about the upcoming dance. It's in two weeks, but everyone is already conversing on what is to be worn, who everyone is going with, etc. "Grace have you even begun to think about your outfit?", one of my friends asks.

"Mhhmmm...", I say, munching on my apple. "I was thinking something red maybe?"

"Like this color?", Beth, another good friend suggests, throwing a mini red tomato at me. It lands in my water. I grab it and flig it back at her, smiling, but since I do not posess any athletic skill, I miss, and hit another girl's head. I notice the girl for the first time, sitting alone. I've never seen her before; she must be new.

I walk over, "Hey, I'm really really sorry! I posess NO athletic skill. I'm really sorry!", I apologize.

She smiles, and lets out a shaky laugh, "It's fine." She has a youthful face, with two long blonde pigtails. She wears denim shorts and a peace-sign top. 

"You want to sit with us?", I offer, hiping she'll say yes.

"I guess if that's ok?",she turns around to face my table.

"Yeah! Come on.", I walk back with her. "By the way", I say as I take an empty chair and pull it up to our table. "what's your name?"

"Skylar, or Sky. Most people call me Sky.You?"

"Grace. Hey guys, Sky is going to sit with us today.", I announce as I put down the chair. I see a bit of confusion, but it is replaced with big grins and hello's in a split second.