We've been at school about a month now, I seriously can't believe that it's already September, and I'm really loving it here. This school is so amazing. No one picks on anyone else, and we are really just like one big Christian family. Plus getting to work on building my talents all day doesn't hurt either. I can't help but think that my music and writing BOTH have improved in just this one month. Imagine after one full school year here!

Our singing teacher, Mr. Clancy has been amping us up about having a guest teacher, but only if we all worked really hard and he saw definite improvement in each of us. Apparently he has seen it, because just yesterday he said that today we would have a special guest teacher. My new friend/roommate, Grace, and I talked about who it could possibly be for several hours last night. Right now we are sitting beside each other, grinning and twitching in our seats.

Mr. Clancy smiles, with a gleam in his eyes. He's a prankster, that much I've learned. "So students, I was thinking of maybe just skipping class today. You know....Not have any lessons."

A chorus of sad moans and "No!!!" ring out all around the room. Mr. Clancy laughs really hard. "I'm kidding. But, unfortunately even if it disappoints you guys, I won't be teaching today. I'll leave that to our guest teacher...."

He dragged it out, and I literally thought I might fall off the edge of my chair. A voice rang out in the hall way and I flashed my eyes to Grace. Her eyes and mouth were open as wide as mine felt.

"Hi there, everyone. I'm Chad Graham." THE Chad himself said as he stepped into the classroom.

"Will you pick me up if I fall down, Grace?" I whispered.

She whispered back, "Only if I don't end up in the floor first, Carrie."

"I'm happy to be here, you guys. Let's give it up for Mr. Clancy for inviting me." Chad says in a cheerful tone and wild clapping breaks loose full force.

Mr. Clancy is doing grand bows and laughs. I think him & Chad may be buddies, if not they would so get along.

Chad grins. "Okay, so for those of you that don't know I sing in the band, Anthem Lights. But what you might not know is that I'm a certified singing teacher. Which is pretty cool. I've watched multiple students do great things, and I love watching their vocal talents grow and really emerge."

For the rest of the class, Chad alternated between giving us group activities and working with each of us individually. I'm not going to lie, I nearly cried. This was one of my dreams. I could hardly believe that it was coming true.

I watched, practicing all the while as he made his way around the room. One of my class mates chose 'Happy' by Pharrel Williams for his song choice, and I smiled, everything was pretty happy right now. I think Grace was having about the same reaction as me, because one time I watched her try to subtlety wipe her eyes. I watched a big smile, on my face, as he worked with my friend. She's doubtful about her abilities and her talents, but in truth she can do so much and she's got awesomeness practically boiling over inside of her.

After Chad finished his session with Grace, it was my turn, I had a hard time sitting still, but Chad just smiled and my worries seemed to fade instantly. Even though Chad acts like he's all big and tough most of the time, he's got such a good kind heart and you can tell he has a real passion and talent for teaching.

"What song do you want to give a go, ... Carrie?" He said, eyeing the name tag on my desk.

I took a deep breath. "Well I have always felt really touched by 'He Knows My Name' by Francesca Battistelli. "

Chad smiles. "That's a good choice." He has me sing through the song, though I'm sorely missing my guitar, I finally make it through. "Good. But why don't you try this." He helps me with my tough spots in the song, and all too soon my time is up. Class is over, and Chad's going back home. But this day has been awesome.

~ Next Period ~

"There's something different that our school sports that I don't know if any other school in the country has even thought of doing." My last teacher of the day, a very pregnant English teacher by the name of Mrs. Kelly, said with a peaceful smile. She paused for dramatic effect, enjoying us squirming and sitting on the edge of our seats. The next thing she said was, "Would anyone like to guess what that is? For those of you whom are returning students, you don't know as of yet either. This was started during the summer months."

"Skateboard team?" One boy said hopefully, flipping his long bangs out of his eyes.

Mrs. Kelly laughed, "No. At least not yet, Parker. Any other guesses?"

Guesses popped up all over the room. Everything from musical track team (which I have absolutely no idea what that is) to paint juggling. This school and it's students are very... unique.

Mrs. Kelly shook her head. "Those were some... colorful and imaginative guesses but no. None of those were correct." She looked around to see if anyone else had any guesses, none of us did. "Mrs. Talent has decided to open up an animal sanctuary here at the school, since we have such spacious grounds and such a large garden, it's been working well over the summer months."

Applause broke out. I for one knew I was excited, I LOVE animals. "The best part is yet to come students...." Mrs. Kelly said, grabbing our attention again. "All students will help in taking care of the grounds or the animals while here. That way a good work ethic is instilled in each of you. But also you will each be allowed to choose an animal to call your own. They will become your own. However we will also open adoptions for those outside of the school to adopt some of the other pets. Right after class I will take you all down there."

~After Class~

My class tries to walk to the garden, but it's really hard. Somehow I hadn't been here yet, but it is just soooo beautiful here. The garden is wide and there is just about every flower imaginable.

"Go free my students!" Mrs. Kelly laughs and does wide, crazy motions with her arms. We all walk-run so as not to spook the animals.

Grace and I look at each other and squeal with delight. We get to find our very own school pets to keep in our dorm! I mean how cool is that!!!

Everyone scattered, and Grace and I found ourselves at a "rodent" habitat. Not really rats or that sort of thing, more like rabbits, ferrets, and that sort of thing.

"Awww!!!" Grace says, and I can tell from the look on her face that she has made her choice. She bends down and picks up a little while chinchilla. In it's tiny paws it's holding a chip, a Dorito to be exact. "I'm going to call you Doreoito."

"Don't, you mean Dorito, Gracie?" I ask curious.

"Nope." She shakes her head. "D-oreo-ito. It's like Dorito and Oreo smashed together." Grace took her new pet and went back to Mrs. Kelly. I looked around not sure what sort of animal I would end up with. I was leaning over looking at the small animals closer, when my sunglasses fell out of my pocket. They landed on the ground wipe open and a pretty brown bunny hopped over and started sniffing them, then looked back up at me.

"Grasshopper! Hopper!" I called softly. The bunny answered by hopping over to me and I picked it and my sunglasses up, "Your a cool little dude!" I laughed. I returned to Mrs. Kelly, feeling pretty happy.