I groaned as my alarm went off. Monday. I hated mondays. I rolled out bed andsluggishly got dressed. I tried to fix my hair the best I could but I gave upeventually. I grabbed my binder and cautiously, and as far away from my bodyas possible, I put it in my backpack. I fixed my uniform. Ughhhh school uniforms.Torture. The thick plaid skirt with it’s mixed matched colors and the shirt thatgave my collarbone a rash. I grabbed my packed lunch and was about to walkout the door when I heard my dad clear his throat. I let out a small groan as Iremembered. Grounded. My dad held up his keys. Hold up there little missy. Imdriving you this week remember? He says and smiles. I nod and we both takethe elevator. It was awkward. We drove in his beat up car to school and Iwalked into school with a lot stares directed at me. I tried to not look weirdand tried to get to my first class as quickly as possible without seemingsuspicious. I realize I have honors bio first. It wasn’t too bad, Coach Brucewasn’t too bad of a teacher and even made it fun. I walked into the lab andsmelt something foul and reazlied everyone else was gagging as well. I lookedaround and found Coach Bruce fiddling with some vials and chemicals. I should’veguessed. He walked to the front of the class and the lesson began. I tried tonot focus on the smell and on the lesson but it was really hard. It smelled likerotten eggs mixed with spoiled milk and some dead animal all in one. After thatI barely made it through English and Grammar. I rushed out of my grammarroom as soon as the bell rang and rushed to the cafeteria. I grabbed my binderand lunch and sat down at a table that was private yet Jake could find me. Ididnt have to wait long. He look flustered but smiled and waved as he saw me. Ishyly waved back since I was already getting a lot of stares. He walks over andsits across from me. What up supergirl? He asks me. The sky doofus. I tell himand he laughs. Im telling ya, im starting to rub off on you! He says. How do youknow im not rubbing off on you? I retort. He just laughs. So, what’s the word?Im assuming ground from your lack of texts. He asks. Yep, and nothing afterschool but counseling. Oh and I forgot to mention Dad is driving me to and fromschool everyday for the next week to prove his point. I grumble and Jake givesme a ‘sorry’ look. Its fine though. It could be worse. I tell him. This is true. Hesays and leans back. So what about you? Any punishment from your mom? I ask.Not really, she didnt know I was gone because she was already asleep andassumed I was doing something else. He says. Lucky. My parents were waiting Right as I walked in. I tell him. Ooff. He says. Yeah. We sit in silence for asecond. Oh, I meant to show you this. I tell him and pull out the photo of myboard. He looks at it and has to squint to really see. Wow, thats incredibleRiley! I need to see this! He says. I smile. When Im ungrounded then you can. Itell him. Fine by me. He says. Anyway, so what do you think caused it? He asksAnd snags one of my strawberries. I have no idea. I tell him. He sighed. Thatwas crazy though. You know? Becoming a fictional character. It felt so… surreal.He says. I knew what he meant but I was still cautious about the new magic wehad found. The only explanation is magic. I tell him and he chuckles. What’s sofunny? I ask him. We’ve always been told that magic doesn’t exist but ourexperience disproves it all. He says. Yep. So, im guessing we will be wanting totest this out again after your ungrounded? He asks. I dont answer. To be honestI was dying to try it out again but what if the magic stopped working? What ifmy parents really found out? What would happen when I told Jake that-? I cansee those doubTs turning in your head Supergirl. Relax! Whatever is going on,we can figure it out together. He says and puts his hand over mine. I tensed anddidnt know what to do. My mind had warning alarms going off. JAKE ISHOLDING MY HAND!!! Ok maybe not holding it but STILL! So, when can we testthis out again? He asks and to my disappointment and relief removes his hand.Well, next week. Wait I have an idea. I say suddenly. What? He says, waiting forme to tell him. The only person that would even remotely believe us is Ms. Amy.I tell him. He crossed his arms over his chest. What? I ask him. I just dont wantthis to get out to everyone. I want this to be our thing. He says and my heartdoes that stupid flutter. Our thing? I think. Well, i promise not to tell anyoneelse but Amy because we need her help to pull this off. I tell him. He considersit for a second. Deal. So, when are we gonna ask her? He asks me. Well my nextsession is tomorrow after school so meet me at her office then? I explain. Its adate. He says and the bell rings. I sit there for an extra second. A date? Whatwas happening to me??? He’s probably just saying that metaphorically. I tellmyself and try not to let the small hope in my heart bury its seed. I groanedas I realized I had fitness next. Just get through the day Riley, then you canthink about all the crazy things later. And with that I hurry off to change.