This chapter is dedicated to Eddy622

Above is Amanda's locker.

***

Walking down the hall of Sultan high with her two best friends, Amanda just couldn't believe it was her final year in high school. She thought about everything she'll miss.

She took a detour to the school fame wall and stopped. Looking at herself in several pictures holding the trophies she had won over the years for the school, she remembered her glory days. Like how she had led her cheerleading team, the sultan's flower, through the championship and claimed the price.

She sighed heavily when thinking about the upcoming state championships and other stuff. Most likely stuff her friends won't understand but more importantly, her forever crush, Jake Bush.

Jake had been the only thing clouding Amanda's head, aside Yale University. She talked about him at every given opportunity. How could she not? Jake was the highlight of her imagination. He was tall, blond, had a smile made from heaven, his words were like honey, his lips; sensational, his presence stopped her world from moving.

And just the convenient mind interruption. "Hello ladies,"
Amanda fluttered a little at the familiar voice, the one voice that could melt her completely.

She let her gaze fall on Jake. Is he not a sight to behold? She thought to herself, smiling out everything he was saying. Amanda had lost track of the conversation and the last thing she heard him say was, "Goodbye Amanda."

"Amanda," Bridget shook her back to reality. "Amanda, what's wrong with you?

Bridget had been close friends with Amanda since forever. They took bath together when they were kids, went on camping trips together, live in the same neighborhood and spent most of their holidays together. Their closeness was so strong that people mistook them for sisters.

Their friendship was actually passed down from their fathers to children. Bridget's dad, Mr. Eric Robertson was the first friend Mr. Michael Udoh made when he first came to Sultan Lake. He helped him get the house he was able to buy and they've been close ever since.

Bridget was a little bit dark skin than Amanda, she was friendly, easy going, loved adventure, nature and her boyfriend, Max, who presently was in college.

Amanda on the other hand had a bright chocolate skin tone. She was tall, had a sexy body figure with everything in the right proportion. She worked hard to maintain her figure, being a dancer and she was happy with her achievement

She loved acting, dancing and singing. Well, she acquires those skills to keep her from thinking too much about life. Like every teenager, Amanda had her own blue moments. And a good hobbies helped her keep the balance. Most times, she goes sight seeing with Bridget not because she wanted to but because she was asked to.

Amanda reminisced Bridget question; a question she had no answer to. "Hmm, what do you mean Bridget?" Amanda distractedly said while watching Jake walk away.

"You've been this way since forever, Amanda, why don't you talk to him already?" Elena, who also had been lost in sight of Jake, cut in. Who wouldn't? That was the effect he had "I mean," she continued, "He must have noticed you too if not he -"

Amanda smirked, interrupting Elena. "Girls!" Amanda called out, forcing her friends to halt their opinions. "Who are we? Aren't the guys supposed to come crawling for our attention, why should we turn the table around? We have a standard and I think I'll stick to that." She continued, folding her arms and resting her back against the wall.

A standard she threw out the window while drooling over Jake. Could that be the standard she intended keeping? Even Amanda could not master the effect Jake had on her.

"Hmm, hmm, like lusting after him? Listen, I know you too well, we've been friends since kindergarten. I know you like Jake." Bridget opined, holding Amanda on her shoulder, "And my guess is he likes you too that can only explain him coming over to say hi all the time."

Amanda hoped Bridget was right. Damn, she wanted her to be right but something within her did not permit her to believe it.

"One little conversation won't bite." Elena assured.

Of course, Amanda expected Elena to say that. She never had any problem talking to guy or forcing their attention to rest solely on her.

Elena was white skinned, blond hair; her dad was a divorced billionaire which made Elena the standard in Sultan high. Every girl wanted to be friends with her and every guy wanted to date her. She was beautiful, classy, sophisticated, drove the best car, selective in terms of boys and hobbies, and she loved the world of fashion.

Sometimes, she showed mood swings one of her many traits of being a Gemini, and this took her friends quite some time to get used to.

Amanda could recall the first day she met Elena. It was one of the days Elena dreaded because of the situation she was in.

That day, Elena was being bullied in the ladies room by Juliet, Samantha and Florence also known as the trinique. They were the richest kids in school before Elena transferred to Sultan High. They were also known for treating other student as trash.

They had tried recruiting Elena but she refused. Ok, even if she did agree, were their names going to change from Trinique to Quadruplenique? That would be painful to hear.

And ever since she refused, they made school unbearable for Elena. But on that wholesome day, Amanda and Bridget came to her rescue.

"Yes Amanda, it won't." Bridget agreed with Elena.

"You two, stop!" Amanda cried out. "You both know I flutter when I'm around him, I can't help it. I can barely say two words when I'm with him so, what kind of conversation are we going to have?" she asked rhetorically. "Besides, you know how guys get when you let them know you like them, they take you for nuts. I'm not going to give Jake the satisfaction of using my name as a topic in their locker room."

"Oh you stubborn Amanda." Bridget lamented shaking her head. "You care about what they say than your happiness?"

Nope, she didn't care at all.

"You know Prom is fast approaching and you are yet to get a date." Elena cut in.

"So, there are enough guys to choose from or I stay home."

"Staying home? Not an option," Elena said instantly.

"Why not?" asked Amanda.

"Cause, the whole school will be voting for you as Prom Queen so, you need to make an appearance." Elena replied

Amanda groaned, leaving her position and walked towards her locker as her friends followed after her.

"This conversation is just going in circles," Amanda said standing in front of her locker. "I may be lost in sight of Jake but I'm not blind, yes, Jake comes around too say hi but your assumptions are wrong." She locked her eyes in Bridget's and added "Jake doesn't see me Bridget, you know me, and you know I'm never wrong about things like this."

Amanda stared at confused Bridget for a while then turned to open her locker. Just immediately, a piece of paper fell out of her locker. Bridget bent over to pick it up.

"What do we have here?" She asked.

"I guess it's a letter from a secret admirer." Elena said coming over to Bridget side.

"And who says he doesn't see you?" Bridget asked rhetorically as Amanda tried to take the piece of paper from her but failed.

Bridget quickly unfolded the paper and read it content a little loud for the three of them to hear.

To my candy, Amanda.

Dear candy

I'm sorry I'm approaching you this way.

I don't know how you will feel or how you will react if I pour out my heart in front of you. I might fear nothing else, but I do fear women.

From the first day I saw you, my heart literally stop. I know this is a line you must have heard a thousand times, but I'll say them any ways.

Whenever we bump into each other, I always wish I have enough courage to speak to you but I get stuck with this thought In my head .

"How can I compete with all of them? Would she ever give me a chance?"

The sight of you today was breathtaking, seeing you smile always is dreams come true for me.

I love the way that your eyes sparkle whenever I look at them, the way your lips slide up a bit whenever you are about to say something funny, the way you take charge, and even the way you study in your private time.

I know this is creepy, I'm sorry.

In summary, I can't get you off my head.

I'll find a better way to express feelings to you face to face. Forgive my lack of confidence .

With love

"Wow, isn't this the sweetest thing I've ever read?" Bridget said handing the letter to Amanda.

"Candy, really? This is so old school. Who still send secret letters in this 21st century?" Elena asked exasperatedly.

"Well this dude does and I admire his courage at least he has spoken to me in his own way." Amanda defended.

"Do I sense a glimmer of jealousy?" Bridget asked rhetorically but Elena said nothing except having the irritation look on her fair face.

Ignoring the look on Elena's face, Amanda turned to face Bridget.
"Do you think it's from him?" she asked.

"Jake? Of course, it's him. Who else could it be?" Bridget asked, hoping to maintain the large smile her friend wore on her face.

"I'm so happy it's him. But, he looks so confident and speaks so boldly. How can he have that trouble expressing his feelings? That's hard to believe." Amanda concluded.

"Amanda?" Bridget called out her name and held her on her shoulder to calm her down. "The point is, he likes you back and that is enough."

Amanda felt a sense of peace run through her. She had the whole world in her favor and she had her friends too. And now she could say, just like every cheerleader's story, hers won't be so different.

"Ehmm, ehmm." Elena cleared her throat. "Girls, we have a class to be in, like right now, remember?" She reminded them.

"Oh yes, I have to be there on time so as to convince Mr. Quinn to let me play the role of Miranda in TEMPEST." Amanda quickly locked her locker and they hurried off to class.

Amanda always had on a mean look that scares almost everyone away; she was like a mean girl in school but if people only knew those were just appearance and that her personality contradicts her appearance.

Amanda cared a lot about her family and friends; she was quite emotional but very strong at the same time. She joined the Children Care Group (CCG) in her community in helping the homeless. She loved challenges and she was diligent in all she does. She took nonsense from no one, but made peace with everyone, at least she tried to.

Amanda was like a mystery box. You'll never know what you'd find inside.

She lost everything that could make her smile the day she lost her mom to a tragic car accident. But, she had to remain strong for her dad and kid brother, Drake. She thanked God for knowing Mrs. Robert, Bridget's mum. She had been of great help to her family.

For the first time in four years, after the incident, Amanda had never had her eye on any guy. She had too much to think about and also she had Yale, too.

Despite Amanda's mysteriousness, Elena still managed to be friends with her.

The three friends were in the same cheerleading squad, which Amanda was the cheer captain.

Amanda, Bridget and Elena got to their literature class a minute before Mr. Quinn came in.

He ordered them to bring out the recommended novel, the TEMPEST written by Williams Shakespeare. Mr. Quinn opened his own copy and he asked. "Samuel!" Pointing at a male student seated at the back of the class, close to the window, who surprisingly had never been noticed in class. "will you like to play the role of Ferdinand?"

Shocked, Samuel raised his head to the eyes invading his space. He looked around, drew a deep cautious breath and spoke. "That's a generous offer sir, but I'll pass." He politely rejected in his surprisingly beautiful deep voice

"What if I tell you Amanda is playing the role of Miranda in the play; will it change your mind?"

Samuel swirled his head and halted at Amanda's direction. Their eyes met and the glare he received from her caused hot chills to run through his spine. In as much as he'd love to play Ferdinand, he was force to say "No sir, thanks."

Everybody burst into laughter, Samuel couldn't understand their reason for laughing.

Amanda cared less about Samuel's rejection. What was important to her was that she got the part she wanted.

Samuel sank back into his chair as he tried to block out the students clatter.

"Quiet," Mr. Quinn ordered. He moved to where the students seat and he pointed to the guy seated beside Samuel.

"Mark, you will play the role of Ferdinand? " He asked.

Without waiting for Mark to decline, he moved to other students and commenced appointing to them roles from the play.