~{Skye}~

I arrange the things on my desk quickly, and now the teacher walks in. She blabs about not having a perfect memory, then starts taking names. When at last it comes to me, I contemplate whether or not to say, "My name's Skye, but I would rather you call me Leeli." After all, every time I meet someone, I'm tempted to tell them that. I mean, who wouldn't want to be nicknamed after a Song Maiden? But the class would most likely think I'm a total weirdo, and the teacher would stare at me as if I were crazy. And everyone would think I have some weird, crazy, Fandom, from like, another world. But all the same, I want to say it. Then I notice everyone is staring at me. It must be my turn. "Skye. But, um.." I drift off. The last two words are almost whispered, and no one hears them. "Good then. Don't expect me to remember them, though," she says. "Now, turn to page fifty three and read along." This lesson is about rodents. Lucky me! I can give examples of my hamsters or wild mice I've caught, if needed! I read along, and the teacher pulls out some pictures. "And here's a common rat," she says. I hear many squeals and eeewwwws, but I think the little creature is adorable. "Aaaawwww," I say under my breath. A few girls give me weird looks. But I don't care if I don't fit in to their society. The teacher drones on about all the various diseases rats carry, then about mice and rabies, but I'm busy drawing. A rat this time. 

~~~~~~~~

Sorry about the length. My posts tend to be rather short, get used to it. ;-D 

I apologize for the shortness!

~Emma~

Animal science! Cool! I start off down the hall.

"I am Mrs. Liu," she says. "I need to learn YOUR names, though. So let's introduce ourselves.

"I am Emma JONG, not Zayng, and I am picky about spelling, grammar, and pronunciation. I can spot a missing comma from a mile away. Also Liú is my mother's maiden name." Gotta make a good impression on the teacher, my mother always told me.

"And it is mine." The teacher responds, looking amused.

Once everyone has gone around, the teacher claps her hand together. "Turn to page 394, please."

"Harry Potter!" I call out.

"Yes?" Oh, goodness, I should not have done that. I don't show it, though. If I act cool about it, she'll forget.

"Oh, sorry. I thought that was a Harry Potter reference."

"Good eye! Well, ear! It indeed was!" Phew!

Got to go! 

Sorry I haven't been posting so much, guys! I'll try to keep up more, now that it's summer.

Emily-

The science teacher, whose name is apparently Ms. Liu, asks us to introduce ourselves. I stand up, rather tentatively, and mumble, "I'm, uh, Emily, but..." I'm tempted to tell her I prefer to be called Booksy, but I stop myself. No one ever calls me that.

I slide back into my seat next to Emma, and across from Amelia.

"But what?" Emma whispers.

"Nothing. Just a nickname no one calls me."

"What?"

"Booksy," I blush, ashamed of such a strange nickname. But Emma smiles at me.

"Nice nickname!" As we read the page about rodents, I can't help but smile to myself. I'm actually making some friends! I did not expect that to happen! Even with horrible Mr. Blits, who TOOK MY BOOK, this school can't be that bad. And Ms. Liu seems rather nice.

Ms. Liu says something which gets Emma to yell, "Harry Potter!" I blush again, ashamed of myself for never finishing that series. I really need to. If I can bring myself to it. The hints Emma gave me about reading without putting yourself in a character's shoes too much seem pretty helpful, though, if I can follow them. I'd better give it a try.

I am ripped through my thoughts by a question Ms. Liu asks. A girl raises her hand. Skye, was that her name? She seems really interested in rodents. I've always thought mice were cute, but not enough to find out scientific information about them. Oh well, now I guess I'll learn. I pull out my violet spiral and a cream-coloured pen, ready to take notes.  

Top! Top, top, TOP!

Arabella~

I'm more relaxed than I've been all day as I slide into the Animal Science classroom. Science is my best subject, biology and physics most of all - I just have a need to know how things work, probably working under the notion that if I can understand what's around me, I'll be less confused about life in general. 

The teacher introduces herself - Miss Liu, a pretty name - and then tells us to do the same. I'm a little uncomfortable with all the introducing today. I've been at this school since kindergarten and it's all changing before my eyes. Only a year and I'll leave it too.

I snap out of my reverie as my turn rolls around. "Oh, I'm Arabella," I say, then shrink down, which the person next to me takes as a sign to continue. I never really bother mentioning my nicknames. Sometimes my family calls me Bel - "Bella" has never been a favorite of mine for some reason. More often, and to my friends, I'm "Arabella Interstellar" - the girl with her head up in space, her dreams lost among stars.

It's these thoughts that have me doodling little planets in the margins of my notebook as I write down the facts from the text. I grin when Emma calls out a Harry Potter reference, and my smile widens when the teacher admits it was one. Maybe a change once in a while isn't a bad thing.