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know what?  I know perfectly well what you’re
saying and you’re wrong, Chase.  Dead wrong!  What is
up with people thinking I’m some shallow snob all of the
sudden?  I care, really care about things, okay?  And this
is something that means a lot to me right now.  Just because you
can’t see the good it will do, doesn’t mean the potential
isn’t there.  I’m going to give my friend every
opportunity she deserves.  Sometimes the difference between
success and failure is an open door.  Well, I’m opening
doors for her.”
               
“Whoa, Emma, calm down a bit.”
               
“Calm down?  When you’re the one accusing me of—”
               
“I’m not accusing you of anything.”  He took a
deep breath and agitated I waited for him to answer.  “I
just hope you know what you’re doing, okay?  I wouldn’t
want this to get out of hand.”
               
I rolled my eyes again.  “Please, Chase.  We’re
talking a friend here, that’s all.  I’m not
redefining her life or something.”
               
“Chase!  Are you gonna help or what?”
               
We both looked over atGeorgia.
               
“Stop, bothering Emma and get movin’!  We’ve
been goin’ in circles now for like two minutes, cuz you’re
not doing anything.”
               
“Oh!”  Chase laughed.  “Aye, aye,
Captain, I’ll get to it right away.”
               
I shook my head and chuckled at yet another of Chase’s bad
accents. 
For a guy who’s lived in foreign places, I’m
surprised he’s not better at them.
     
               
               
The next day at school, I was happy to see Hannah waiting for me
outside our history class. 
               
“Hey, did you get my text last hour?” she asked as I
approached.
               
“Oh, no.  Hang on.”  I pulled my phone out of
my bag and glanced down.  Three messages waited for me. 
“Sorry, I’ve learned not to check at all in Health. 
Talk about being anti-cell, Ms. Stuart is the worst.”  I
quickly flipped through the other two and opened Hannah’s.
     
               
Want 2 study 
               
history 2nite?
               
Mom’s gone says
               
I can hang w/u
     
               
I looked up and smiled.  “I thought you’d never
ask!”
               
“Fab!  Hey, I can bring my British boy band collection? 
If you love Take That, wait till you hear BoyZone and Snow Patrol. 
Both are so awesome,” she exclaimed as we walked in.
               
“I think I’ve heard of Snow Patrol, but who in the world
is BoyZone?”  I dropped my bag on my desk and we scooted
to let a couple other students past.
               
“They’re totally vintage--like back in the nineties--but
you will so love them!”
    “Cool—”
               
“Hey, Emma.”  Elton plopped his backpack on his desk
               
“Hi,” I answered as the bell rang.
               
Hannah hitched her bag up on her shoulder.  “I’m
gonna get to my seat, see ya for lunch.” 
               
“Perfect.”
               
“So uh, you and Hannah hit it off, huh?”
               
I looked back at Elton as I sat down.  “Yeah, thanks. 
She’s really cool.”
               
“Really?  I never thought you’d actually like her.” 
Stunned, Elton glanced up at Hannah’s seat.  He stared at
her back totally confused until Ms. Ingle announced,
               
“Welcome fourth period History.  Please open your books to
chapter five. Remember there will be a test on chapters one through
five tomorrow.  After we finish this chapter, we will spend the
rest of the hour in review.  Let’s begin.”
               
There was so much to absorb it took all of my