| LANCE |

There are reasons why I despise popularity in high school sometimes, especially when you're intelligent and handsome like me. For example: your fangirls will follow you wherever you go and shout your name like you're one of the members of One Direction, making your ears bleed to death.

And, unfortunately, I was experiencing this kind of mishap right now.

For the nth time, I might add.

"We love you, Lance Collins!" was the first thing I heard as I took a step after entering the school's main entrance, breaking the serenity of the place, and then I was suddenly surrounded by my...fangirls.

Today was Weyral High School's first day of classes, and I couldn't wait to see my best friends Cindy and Spencer, even though we'd usually been together last summer. But, hey, we've been the best of friends since childhood.

Weyral is a prestigious high school, and most of the students here are from well-known families. It has a modern architecture, brick-lined walkways, florid gardens, and exotic fountains. In the middle of the school, a huge Pegasus statue is displayed on the main reflecting pool--its wings spread wide, as if ready to fly. The Pegasus is Weyral's sacred symbol.

I was still not used to my current status, even after winning the 54th Paganini International Violin Competition that was held in Italy five months ago. My popularity rose since then, but I still found it unnecessary to have screaming fangirls around me every time I'd come to school.

I sighed inwardly. I was very thankful to them, yes, but thought I couldn't do anything about it and just let them be. Truthfully, I only joined violin competitions to win them and make my family proud of me, especially that person...

The girls kept screaming, which snapped me from my thoughts. I was sure it could be heard five miles away, but maybe that was an exaggeration. Finally, I waved timidly and said, "Th-thank you for your everlasting support again, I guess."

The shouts grew tenfold, I thought my eardrums would explode. Where are the security guards, anyway? I thought desperately.

At that glorious moment, someone dragged me away from the crowd and shouted, "Excuse me! People who'll be late are coming through!"

I heard a choir singing in my mind the chorus of Händel's "Hallelujah."

As we entered the hallways of the main building that had the look of a five-star hotel lobby and went to our lockers without any restraints, I sighed in relief. "Thanks, Dee."

Cindy rolled her eyes with a smile. "No problem. I just don't want my best friend to be late for his first class."

I smiled back. Her name's Cynthia Kate Blaire. Only a few of her friends can call her by her nickname, which is Cindy or Dee.

She was a famous model for Prime Parker, one of the best clothing stores in the world. Cindy had been discovered when she, Spencer and I had gone to New York City two years ago to attend a concert of Owl City.

"Good thing the three of us are classmates in homeroom and trigonometry," I said as we started walking to our designated room. "I cannot manage to live without you guys."

Cindy laughed as she put a lock of her long dark brown hair behind her ear. "Oh, shut up, Lance. I believe it's vice versa: Spencer and I can't manage to live without you. I mean, you always help us with our homework if we can't understand it."

I waved a hand dismissively. "Chicken topics."

"Gosh, I wish I had your brain."

"I would be dead, then."

"True." Cindy sighed. "Why must our first room be on the third floor, anyway? It's so tiring! And you can't call a school 'prestigious'"--she made air quotes with her fingers--"if there are no elevators and escalators! They really should approve the proposal for that already."

I grinned. "But it is good to exercise in the morning, yes? It keeps you healthy."

"Well, too bad. I'm not a morning person," she deadpanned.

Many students whom we passed along the way were saying "hello" to us. Cindy and I greeted them back, smiling.

All of the students in this school were required to wear the prescribed uniform starting today: long-sleeved white polo shirt and necktie for the boys, while bow for the girls under a cyan school blazer with the school's symbol engraved in the left breast pocket. For the bottom is a dark gray knee-length skirt for the girls, while dark gray pants for the boys. The color of the tie and bow depends on your year: green for freshman, yellow for sophomore, red for junior, and blue for senior.

Reaching our room, the two of us saw Spencer sitting in the second row beside the windows while playing on his Nintendo 3DS, his blue eyes concentrated on the screen. I guessed he was playing Pokémon X, one of the latest Pokémon games.

Diggory Spencer Wensfield was also one of the famous students in Weyral High for being the goalkeeper of Weyral's soccer team, Speed of Light. They usually won the soccer tournaments against the other schools in America. Perhaps he'd be the team captain next year.

"Isn't this nice? Same classmates just like in U.S. history last year, I heard," Eunice Wilcox said as she came to Cindy, and then they hugged each other.

Eunice had a slender build, like Cindy, and shoulder-length blonde hair, making most of the guys admire her non-stop. She was also famous in this school for being a loyal member of the Drama Club.

She waved at me in a friendly way, and I did the same. We were friends since freshman year. Thankfully, none of my girl classmates in homeroom were one of my, um, fangirls.

"Though Michelle and Danton transferred to Eldreez Point," she continued with a sad smile on her face.

"Nis! How was your summer?" Cindy asked, then frowned. "Oh, too bad they transferred there. Gosh, of all schools!"

"Nothing special. We just went to Egypt to see the Great Pyramid," she answered. "How 'bout you, Dee? And I know, right?"

Weyral and Eldreez Point are both prestigious high schools that are most famous for their rivalry in Colorado, since the two schools are always participating in different competitions--be it sports, music, arts and etc.

Cindy and Eunice continued to chat with the other girls as I greeted my classmates before taking a seat.

My other best friend didn't notice me, even when Cindy took the seat to my left after a few minutes, making her in-between us. This was always our position, except when the teacher would be the one to decide the seating arrangement for the class.

Cindy rolled her eyes at Spencer. She really likes to do that a lot. Maybe that's where Spencer and I got Cindy's mannerisms from.

Suddenly, she turned off his Nintendo 3DS, causing me to facepalm. Here they go again, I thought.

And I was right.

Spencer turned so sharply to her, I thought he wasn't human. Nobody should mess with him while he's playing, probably except Cindy. "What the heck is your problem, Dee?" he exclaimed, angry.

She feigned innocence. "Oh, nothing. I'm just glad you now noticed us, Spence."

He narrowed his eyes at her. "Ever tried of saying 'hello,' Evil Woman? That's the first thing you should do; not to turn off someone's gaming console!"

They were always bickering with each other, though I was already used to the daily routine. I always acted as the peacemaker between them. I even had a suspicion Cindy and Spencer always did that because they had hidden feelings toward each other. I'd said that to them one time, and the two had hastily denied it, saying I was just hallucinating and thinking too much. Heh! Like I believe you two, I'd thought.

"But we're best friends, Ferocious Eater," Cindy said with mock surprise. "I can skip the first part!"

"Did you know that I just defeated the champion Diantha? Now I have to battle her again, because I wasn't able to save my progress, all thanks to you!"

I interjected between them before a volcano exploded. "Shut it, both of you. You are making a scene. Again."

Just then someone said, "My, Blaire, you're still the loudmouth that I know full well."

Spencer snickered as Cindy glared at the speaker. "Why, Hamilton, are you lost? I believe this isn't even your room," she shot back, squinting her eyes.

Alice Hamilton glowered at her while tossing away a lock of her long blonde hair from her shoulder gracefully, causing some of the guys in the room to squeal with delight.

Yes, they did that.

Alice was a famous teenage violinist like me, and we had joined in various violin competitions worldwide. Since then, Alice and I had become good friends. She was a model for Trench, Prime Parker's rival in the fashion industry. That must be the reason why she and Cindy had this rivalry going on. I thought that girls were so competitive.

Ugh.

"You really are bad luck, Blaire," said Alice with disdain evident in her voice, ignoring her reply. "It's now our junior year, but Lance and I are still not classmates in any of the subjects."

"You poor, unfortunate soul." Cindy examined her expertly-manicured nails while crossing her legs. "Why do I find that an excellent news? And besides, there's no way in my entire life you'll be having my best friend. You just really don't know when to give up, do you?" She faced me sweetly. "Isn't that right, Lance?"

"I d-do not--"

"Lance," Alice interrupted with a smile, "we would indeed make a cute couple, you know. And we're both famous violi--"

"For the millionth time, he's not interested," Cindy said with a yawn.

Before Alice could retort, I said nicely, "Er, she is right, Alice. I am not good at that kind of stuff. I apologize."

"But you haven't tried dating yet, right?" she casually asked, like she was just saying: What a lovely weather today!

Unsure of what else to say, I replied, "Y-yes."

"So, if we go out, I'm sure that perspective of yours will change."

"I...um..." I faltered. This kind of stuff really made me uncomfortable, and I wasn't interested, that was for sure. Why was "dating" invented in the first place, anyway?

"You can date me, Alice! I'm available!" someone at the back shouted.

"No! Date me!" another one exclaimed.

She ignored them and gazed directly at me with determined eyes, making me nervous. "I will not give up on you, Lance Collins."

Cindy stood up from her desk and pushed her rival away to the door, and Alice shrugged her off furiously in return. "Yeah, right. Whatever. Good luck for nothing, Hamilton!" And with that, she slammed the door shut in Alice's face.

"You'll pay for this, you barbaric woman!" Alice shouted behind the door.

"Such a stuck-up," Cindy muttered as she sat down again. "You're not even her belonging. Well, I'm glad you really are not interested in her."

"I was just telling Alice the truth, Dee," I said, shrugging. "I do not want to give her hopes that will eventually go into oblivion. And besides, I am an aromantic; I don't find anyone romantically attractive, and I am not interested in romantic relationships. I am fine with that."

"The way you talk will always be formal, eh?" teased Spencer.

I laughed awkwardly. "Habits. And I am not even sorry."

Cindy did the eyebrow wave, which was her number one special talent. She'd do that whenever she doesn't believe in something. "Puh-lease. You're just too obsessed with your violin at the moment," she said, bringing back the disgusting love topic again. "Plus, you haven't met your perfect girl yet." Her hazel eyes beamed. "Hey, that rhymes!"

"Congratulations," Spencer said sarcastically while playing Pokémon again.

She glared daggers at him, and Spencer stuck his tongue out, keeping his Nintendo 3DS out of her reach, afraid she'd turn it off again.

Before I could reply that my violin was the love of my life, Mr. Zack Larter came inside the room. He'd been our U.S. history teacher last year, and all of us had received high marks on our finals. He could be seen smiling most of the time. That's why he looked so young, even though he was actually forty-five years old.

"I think there's something wrong with the door," Mr. Larter said, perplexed.

Spencer and I glanced at Cindy. She gave us her death glare in return, indicating we shouldn't say anything about the poor, unfortunate door.

He rolled his eyes while I chuckled awkwardly.

"Anyway, good morning, everyone!" our teacher greeted as he put his things onto the front desk.

All of us greeted him back with smiles.

"Are you all excited for your junior year?" He paused, looking around. "Hmm, seeing that I still have the same students in U.S. history last ye--"

"Um, Mr. Larter?" Dylan interjected politely. "Michelle Davis and Danton Glass transferred schools."

"Ah, I see. Thank you for that information, Mr. Baker," Mr. Larter said, smiling. "Well, I believe introducing ourselves in front of the class is no longer needed."

We all laughed. Then, there was a sudden knock on the door. Mr. Larter opened it and we saw Principal Edward Reynolds in the doorframe.

We greeted him "good morning," and Principal Reynolds smiled warmly in return.

He was a chubby man in his mid-sixties, and everyone in Weyral loved him because of his understanding and carefree nature. He'd also added some school activities that you wouldn't get to experience anywhere in America. He was probably the best principal Weyral ever had.

"Seeing the principal is here, I hope classes will be suspended," said Spencer, grinning.

"What's the connection?" Cindy asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Announcement. Duh."

"What's the purpose of the loudspeaker in every room, then?"

"Because ours is broken...?" he answered after a moment.

She just rolled her eyes.

After Mr. Larter and Principal Reynolds had exchanged a few words, two ladies came in, and I was sure the other one looked familiar.

Suddenly, there were gasps inside the classroom. Cindy was gaping, and I didn't know why. Even Eunice, who was at my front, seated still, and I'm sure she was gawking at the newcomers.

"Well, class," Mr. Larter announced with a grin, "it looks like you have new classmates after all!"

"Is something the matter, Dee?" I asked, poking her shoulder.

She was hyperventilating. "S-she's...and the other g-girl...she's...ohmigosh!"

Spencer snickered. "Cat got your tongue, Evil Woman?"

Cindy didn't punch or smack Spencer as she usually does, especially when he calls her "Evil Woman," so something must have been up. The two of us found it weird as she just stared stupidly at the long blonde-haired girl and the curly dark brown-haired girl with red highlights.

Raising his eyebrows in disbelief, Spencer turned to me. I just shrugged back.

"Young ladies, please do introduce yourselves to us," Mr. Larter said kindly to the two.

The dark brown-haired cheerfully said, "Good morning, everyone! My name's Rachel Simpson!" She waved her hand in greeting with a huge grin plastered on her face. "Let's all be friends, okay?"

"Hello. I'm Mackenzie Adams," the petite blonde-haired said, seeming to dread it.

And then there was a complete cacophony inside the classroom.

"Seriously? The one and only Mackenzie Adams?"

"Aren't you two best friends?"

"Rachel, you're the best tennis player in the world!"

That remark was totally an exaggeration.

"Marry me, Mackenzie!"

While that one was plain preposterous.

"Can I have your autographs both, please?"

"Please join the Drama Club, Mackenzie!" shouted Eunice, desperate.

"You're an inspiration to me, Mackenzie!" Cindy yelled at the top of her lungs.

Even Spencer joined the shouting now. "You totally should join Ricochet, Rachel!"

Now I knew why the blondie had looked familiar. Thanks to the class' outrageous remarks, I remembered Mackenzie Adams was a famous Hollywood actress who had won many acting awards.

Cindy was a big fan of Mackenzie. She'd kept talking about her to Spencer and me before (even though we'd already told her we weren't interested, but she hadn't listened and just continued talking about one of her favorite actresses, which had been pure torture for us guys): how Mackenzie was a role model to girls and such.

Whenever a movie starred Mackenzie (except if it was a romance film, thank God), Cindy would literally drag the two of us to the cinema with Eunice so that we could watch it together.

See how she really loved her best friends?

And I'd also heard about Rachel Simpson; she'd been one of the best tennis players of Eldreez Point High School. I thought this was great for Weyral's all-girl tennis team, Ricochet. No wonder Spencer had shouted that; of course he knew the names of the best sports players of E.P.

And it was only natural for Eunice to have had shouted that to the young Oscar-winning actress. Imagine if she joined the Drama Club: their plays would become sure hits in Colorado. And besides, she was also a fan of Mackenzie Adams.

This would surely be the number one topic in Weyral and Colorado (and maybe in the whole America, too) for months: Mackenzie Adams and Rachel Simpson studying at Weyral.

The only thing left to be done was for their fans to bow down in front of them, crying: We are not worthy to be your classmates! I snickered inwardly at the thought.

"Class!" Mr. Larter shouted to be heard inside the room. He also wasn't starstruck that a famous Hollywood actress and a famous tennis player were currently in this room. "Silence! Good! Ms. Simpson and Ms. Adams, you may take the seats next to Mr. Collins in the second row, since they're not yet occupied." He gestured to the two available seats beside me.

Rachel Simpson stared at me, and then her eyes widened. I suddenly felt awkward. Not because of the girl's pretty face (they said, and I didn't care about that), but because of her gaze. "Hey, I know you! Aren't you Lance Collins, the Paganini of Weyral? Didn't know you were more handsome in person."

I just shrugged and started fishing my notebook from my bag. I always tried to keep a low profile, but, sadly, to no avail.

After Mackenzie had seated to my right (since Rachel had quickly took the other unoccupied seat, making the seat next to me the only one available, and I'd noticed Mackenzie frown at her for a second), Mr. Larter introduced himself for the sake of the new students, then started checking the attendance and giving information about the activities for this school year to the class, which the old students already knew or remembered. He also asked the class how our summer had been.

I could feel someone was staring at me. I always got that feeling--mostly from my, er, fangirls (it's still weird for me to mention that word)--but this was different. I couldn't quite describe it, really. I turned to my right and saw Mackenzie looking at me, somewhat dazed.

"Is there something on my face?" I asked her directly.

She blinked, shaking her head. "I-I'm sorry. What?"

"I asked if there was something on my face."

"Oh, no. Sorry. I was just thinking, that's all."

Maybe she's wondering why I'm not starstruck like the other guys, I thought while half listening to what Mr. Larter was saying. Especially that I'm sitting next to her. Well, she's just a regular human being to me; no reason to be awed.

Feeling a dark aura behind me, I turned and flinched at the sight. Ash, Terence, and Neil were glaring at me. I gave them a look that said: What did I do?

After looking again at the whiteboard, I stole a glance at Mackenzie. She was now listening to Mr. Larter, and I wondered why I had a sudden feeling that, well, as cheesy as it sounds, something would change in my life forever soon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~