_________________________

At school, Aeo and some of his classmates were on their way to the Willoughby High's music competition's sign up room. They had agreed to form a band for the competition but they had to individually audition with their significant talents.

"Have any of you seen Roxanna?" Aeo asked. They all gave negative responses, so Aeo set out to find her. After searching the school halls without finding her, the light bulb in his head lit up.

When he got to the computer lab, he found Roxanna with her headphones plugged in but before he went to meet her he looked around for the janitor and when he saw the coast was clear he went in.

"Aren't you coming to sign up for the singing competition?" He asked. "Come on, singing is for experts. Your better not go if you're not one," she said, removing her headphones.

"Oh... See you in class then."

Roxanna turned back to see Aeo walking away sadly. "Aeo? Oh no," she said getting up.

Aeo got into the bathroom and shredded the whole roll of toilet paper and gave a comforting sigh.

"Aeo? Hello? Are you there?" Roxanna said. Aeo stood on the seat of the toilet and just hoped that Roxanna would go away.

He finally came out in defeat and she said: "Before you say anything, I didn't even know you were there."

"So that's how you speak to everyone huh?" Aeo asked, moving over to the sink to wash his hands. "No?" She said. Then Aeo gave her the stink eye.

"Ok, fine but I really didn't mean it like that," Roxanna said.

"Really, what'd you mean then?" Aeo said.

"Actually I meant I wasn't going to be singing 'cos I wasn't cut up for it, like the experts I mentioned," she said....

______________________

Alak was almost so excited to be in school that day, but maybe almost too excited. Artemis was irresponsible to leave his door open 'cos Alak stole the opportunity to steal some Steel frame perfume from his table.

He knew that doing this was stupid, but he had to try. Miss O'Brien didn't look so old. She was probably a young youth who sought teaching as a passion or a junior agent undercover as a teacher. 

His hair which was falling to the side looked shinier. When he asked around for her they all said she had left.

"Wait, you mean she left? In her own her own free will," he asked.

"Yeah, seems so," Christian said.

"Why are you so sure?" Alak inquired.

"Do you see her around? No. And besides we already helped you ask the Principal's assistant," Christian replied.

"Oh," Alak said , holding back his frustration.

"Why're you so inquisitive about her whereabouts?"

"Nothing! Just some over due homework assignment..." He said walking out.....

Nora Roberts may not have noticed the little man drooling over her the night before but she was certainly going to notice him with what he had in store for her today.

"Everything must be precise and exact. I'm not taking no chances bro," Artemis said to Elias. "Are you sure it's gonna work?" Elias asked, picking the box from the desk.

"It had better." Came the reply.

He spent the rest of the previous night practicing with his old magic set and hoped to use this to impress his lady.

"Artemis! Alak's waiting for us," Aeo said, running towards him. "What's the hold up?" He asked noticing the box that Elias was holding and the other stuff Artemis was holding.

"Tell Alak I'm coming home with Elias," Artemis said. "Okay?" Aeo responded, raising an eyebrow. "And if he or Aunt Lina asks, then tell them I...... Got detention?" Artemis said.

"What? You got detention? Again?" "No, I mean not like that, it's actually very different from that," Elias chipped in.

Aeo gave the go on I'm listening face.

"I'll tell you at home." Artemis promised. "Nope! I need to know now," Aeo said. "Ok fine you can tell Alak I'm not in detention," Artemis said, trying to compromise with his annoying brother.

"Fine..... Wait never mind. I'll text you instead." "That's ok. Bye guys." "Bye."

* * * * * * * * * * *

"And where's Artemis?" Alak asked. "He... Ummm-" Aeo stammered . "What?" " He's coming home with Elias" Aeo said surprisingly calm.

Alak smiled and shook his head which creeped Aeo out. He pulled out of the curb and driving home.He

"He didn't mention why he was gonna be coming home with Elias but-" Aeo was about saying till Alak hushed him. "Don't worry, I'll call him now," he said dialing Artemis...

Aren't you done already?" Elias called stretching his neck and noticed the soccer team coming their way. "Almost done," Artemis called out from the other side of the door.

"Uh, I think you're gonna wanna hurry up now," Elias said, smiling awkwardly to the team who was just passing him. "Why is that?" Artemis asked.

"Come on dude the cheerleaders are coming." "Oh I'm coming, I'm coming," Artemis said. He turned on the tap and sprinkled a little water on his face and turned it back off but it didn't close.

"What're you doing man? They're gonna leave now," Elias said impatiently. The tap was so stiff but he managed to lock it. Then as he picked up his things the tap broke and water began spraying all over.

"Alright, that's it. I'm coming in," Elias said, coming in and getting sprayed immediately. "God! What'd you do?"

"Ion know. I closed it and it popped open." Artemis explained.

'He ha' came the sound from the halls.

"They're right outside. You know what I'll try to fix this, while you go work your magic ok," Elias said.

"Right, but I'll need a lot of lu.." Artemis said. "Good luck. Now get going." Elias said , still fixing the tap.

When Artemis got outside he saw only two cheerleaders, but he only needed one to be in the auditorium for the show. He ran across the halls into the auditorium and then set up.

"OMG are you serious?" "Of course I am. That was exactly how my dream was." Nora said.

"Hello there cheerleader, how's it going?" Elias said, referring to the girl standing beside Nora. "Ummm...." She said, biting her lip and twisting her caramel locks with her fingers.

"Hello there cheerleader, how's it going?" Elias said, referring to the girl standing beside Nora. "Ummm...." She said, biting her lip and twisting her caramel locks with her fingers like she hadn't noticed he was talking to her.

"O..Kay. I'll see you outside?" Nora asked smiling. A blushing Lydia said, "Yeah..., Yeah I'll see you out..." Nora began leaving with a tiny giggle.

"Oh if you're gonna pass there it'll be a waste of time." Elias said. "Why?" Nora said, turning back.

"The... Um.. Soccer players... uh... Have filled up the... Um... Halls. So if I were you, is go through the auditorium," Elias said, indirectly directing Nora to the venue of magic.

After she left, Elias was about going when Lydia called him back. "Where are you going?" She said. That was when he realised he was supposed to keep her busy. "No. I'm not going anywhere, I just... Um... Wanted to find a place to sit."

"Oh, ok." She said, following him to the gym. "Elias Wilkinson. What's yours?" He asked. "Lydia McLaughlin," she said smiling. Elias had a fake smile plastered on his face, as Lydia's smile for him irritated.

Can't wait for this to be over. He said to himself.

An unsuspecting Nora walked carefully through the auditorium with her head buried in her phone texting.

Artemis whistled in that romantic way and it caught her attention. "Hey there!" he called and she looked at him from afar.

Trying to get a closer view, she strides forward.

Artemis was nervous as hell, but he got himself together. "Hi," Nora said, waving to him. She could now see who was before her and she smiled. She actually thought he was cute.... Or handsome. Whatever.

"Why're you so wet?" She asked, laughing a bit.

"Oh, it's the tap. You know it broke and... Tadaa!" Artemis explained, pointing to his wet costume.

"Ok? So why're you dressed like that?" She inquired.

"There's something really important that I have to tell you," Artemis said. "What is it?"

Artemis stretched out his bow tie and dusted his waistcoat. The glittering red color made it stand out with his white gloves.

And his hair was still a 100% though in a mess.

"Are you ready to be mesmerized?" Artemis said. "Yes, I guess." Nora said, taking a seat.

"Good. Now watch closely as I....." He began.

The magic show was a bit interesting to watch but Artemis could feel that she wasn't where he wanted her to be.

She wasn't even very excited.. Yet at least.

____________________________

"So I'll see you tomorrow!" Elias said to Lydia the cheerleader he just met. Who would've thought harmless distraction would turn into a good friendship, over a few chats on some pointless topics.

"Sure, I will. Um... I have to go now." She said and Lydia waved goodbye. He waved equally and gave the heaviest sigh of relief. Then his brain clicked and he remembered that he was supposed to check on his bud who he thought was already sweeping Nora off her feet.

He walked briskly through the halls as the air became chilly. He held his arms to keep the cold out.

Why the sudden change in the weather. He said to himself.

I believe Alak will move on. It was love at first sight, but there can be love at second, third, fourth... sight.... Right?

I mean the numbers are till infinity....