The Brightest Stars

Kristen

"Wow. So he's in your debate class, too?"

"I know right. It's like he's everywhere," Belle says as she moves her mashed potatoes around on her plate. "And the way he presented his argument was like he had done it before, Kris. It was very...intriguing."

"Wow. That's a little weird." I take a bite of my apple. "Have you talked to him at all though?"

Belle looks at me for the first time during lunch. Her brows furrow and says, "No. Why would I?"

"Because you like him. Duh."

"I don't like him," Belle says with annoyance.

"Sure you do."

Though Belle wants to continue the argument, we stay quiet when Sky sits in front of us. By just looking at her eyes, I know something went wrong during the day.

"How's it going kiddo?" I say. Hopefully, she opens up with me like she does with Belle.

"Hey." Her smile doesn't reach her eyes. "Is this really what you guys eat every day?" She takes a scoop of her mashed potatoes and observes it. "It doesn't even look like real food."

"Welcome to high school. Want mine?" I grab a scoop of my own mashed potatoes and put the spork in her face.

"No thank you," Sky says with a small chuckle.

"How's your day so far, Skyler?" Belle says. That quiet shine goes through her sad brown eyes as she observes Sky's expression fall.

"It's been...okay, I suppose. I like my journalism class."

"What about your orchestra class?" I ask. By the sad look in her shining eyes, I know the problem was in Orchestra. It must've been that teacher. He's kind of weird. There are always complaints about this particular teacher, but I gotta give it to him. The only few weeks I've been there for video production, he's really good at what he does.

Once again, Sky puts up her walls at me and does a fake smile. "I loved that class. The structure and discipline everyone has is like at the academy. I'm surprised since most people here are--"

"Are what?!" I say; pushing aside that odd feeling I have with Sky. "Crazy?"

"Eesh," Belle says. "I agree with Skyler on that. People are crazy today." Belle shakes her head in disappointment. "But don't worry, Skyler. Just a few months 'till Thanksgiving break."

Sky gives Belle a genuine smile. "I can't wait. By the way, where is this room?" Sky takes out her schedule for us to see.

My eyes grow wide in surprise when I see her next class. "Theater?! Since when? I've never seen you perform theater before."

"I thought I could try something new," Sky says. "Just as I can be a music geek, I can be a theater geek, too!"

"That's cool," Belle says this time. "Then you can just follow us after lunch which is in about--"

I quickly put a spoonful of mashed potatoes in her mouth just as she's about to say five minutes. "Here, child. You need your nutrients."

Belle's eyes grow wide as she chews her food, but she joins in our laughter.

After what seemed hours of chatting, the bell rings to get ready for our next class. Sky is at our heels as we quickly walk to the theater room. Something that I like about Sky and Belle is that they're very observative. Sky observes every inch and section of our walk to the drama room. This way she won't need our help to get here anymore.

The room carries its familiar scent of leather, and the noise of laughter and voices echoes all around. The classroom itself is small, but it has a connection with one side of the stage. So in reality, the whole auditorium is our classroom.