A Second Time Around

Prologue

"Stacey, are you listening?" Andrew asked.

Stacey jolted out of her daydreaming and looked around her. Almost everyone in their table was staring at her expectantly.

'W-what? I'm sorry, what did you say again?" Stacey replied sheepishly.

"I was asking if you understood the lesson, but you seem to not have been listening." Andrew said, frowning.

"I was listening!" She said defensively. "It's just that a thought crossed my mind and spaced out. But I understood the lesson."

"Are you sure?" Diane, her roommate, asked doubtfully.

Stacey huffed. "Of course I am."

Now, since this is the first time you'll actually get to meet our beloved girl, allow me to give you a bit of introduction about her.

Anastasia Elise "Stacey" Hampton is the only first year student in their little study group. Every Thursday, they hold their lessons in a secluded spot in the library. This week, however, they agreed to meet every day because the Final exams are coming up next week.

"The Ravenclaws"-- as Andrew insisted they name their group-- consisted of ten members:

five fifth years (Andrew, Diane, Toby, Kevin, and Sharmaine); two fourth years (Luke and Gemma); two third years (twins Tiffany and Tamica); and then there's Stacey.

Stacey was the brown-haired, green-eyed girl who felt like a misfit when she first joined the group, but after their first session, she immediately felt at home in their little gang of geeks.

Diane, her room mate, was like an angel who fell down from heaven when she invited Stacey to join, since Stacey was having a hard time keeping up with her own lessons. Among their number, Andrew was the self-appointed leader because he was the one who came up with the idea to make a study group.

For Stacey, being surrounded by these "grown-ups" is overwhelming and also--if she's being honest with herself--makes her feel elated. After all, rarely does a freshman hang out with the seniors, right? Only this time, it's to study.

"Well, if you're sure, shall we proceed to the next topic?" Andrew asked. She nodded gratefully.

***

"Let's meet again tomorrow?" Andrew asked, looking around at them. There are murmurs of assent and he seems convinced about that. "Alright, dismissed."

Everybody stood up and scurried to get their things, then one by one, they left. Stacey was the last to leave with Diane, but she heard someone calling her name and she stopped. "Stacey," Andrew repeated, walking towards her.

"I'll wait for you down the lobby." Diane told her. She nodded, then Diane left.

Andrew reached Stacey. "You forgot your notebook." He handed it back to her.

She flushed, then took the notebook, her hand shaking slightly. "Thanks," she murmured.

"No problem." Andrew grinned. "By the way, do you have any other questions regarding the lesson?"

"None." She answered, not looking Andrew in the eye.

"Okay. Well, if any questions come up, don't hesitate to ask me, alright? Or you can approach Diane. Anyway, she's your roommate, am I correct?"

"Yes."

Andrew glanced at his watch. "Well,better get going. I'll see you around." He said, patting Stacey on her shoulder as he walks away.

Stacey knows she must be the color of a tomato by now. Hopefully, Andrew didn't notice that.

She climbed down the stairs to where Diane was waiting. "Ready to go?" Diane asked. Stacey nodded.