Chapter 2: More Things Revealed

The bell rang and most of the students inside Mr. Collin's class packed up their things and got out of the classroom. The only students left in the room were Avegaille, Phil and Nicole May. Mr. Collins sat down on his chair and took out a newspaper. Phil quickly approached Avegaille as soon as she got up from her seat.

"Hey, Avegaille, I have something for ya," Phil greeted sheepishly and he handed over to her a folded sheet of paper.

"Uh…" Avegaille held the paper with her hand and her cheeks blushed a little. Then, Phil quickly ran out of the classroom.

Meanwhile, Nicole May just finished copying everything on the blackboard into her laptop. She turned off her laptop, put it back inside her bag, and got up from her seat. Then, she noticed that Avegaille was still inside the classroom.

"Hey, what's your next class?" Nicole May asked as she went in front of Avegaille.

"Wha? Um, it's History class," Avegaille muttered and looked away from Nicole May.

"Come on, I'll walk with you, since we do have the same class after all," Nicole May told to Avegaille as she walked up to the door of the classroom. She noticed that Avegaille wasn't following her. "Are you coming or not?"

"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry, I'll be right there," Avegaille quickly blurted and ran up to Nicole May.

.-.-.-.-.-

"You seem to act so weird nowadays," Nicole May remarked to Avegaille while both of them were walking along the corridors of the school. She adjusted her glasses and she stared at Avegaille. "I'm surely you know what I mean…"

"What do you mean? I don't even know you…" Avegaille said and stared at Nicole May skeptically.

"Wha… You forgot the person that you bumped earlier this morning?" Nicole May asked surprisingly and stared at Avegaille exasperatedly.

"Really? That was you?" Avegaille asked while she scratched her head. "I didn't notice… You're not the same person with those glasses on." She pointed on the glasses Nicole May still had on her face.

"Yeah, whatever, maybe we could talk later during lunch time. I'll be waiting for you at the library," Nicole May told to Avegaille while she took out her laptop from her shoulder bag. "Just make sure you don't forget."

"Don't worry, I won't," Avegaille replied and laughed nervously. "I think…"

Nicole May sighed as she shook her head slowly. Then, Avegaille stopped walking and stared at the room number written above the door. Nicole May knew that the room was where their history class would be held. Avegaille quickly entered the room while Nicole May followed her. They noticed that there were two seats, where they could sit right next to each other. The classroom was almost similar to Mr. Collin's classroom, except that the corkboard was filled with pictures of historical places and world maps and the back part of the classroom had globes on top of the bookshelf.

"All right then class, I wish to introduce myself before we start with the class roll call," the teacher in front announced to everyone. Everyone stopped talking to each other as they looked at the teacher. "I'm Miss Harrington and I'll be your teacher in History and Geography. Now, let's start getting to know you kids."

Avegaille secretly took out the paper Phil gave to her earlier while the teacher was calling the students' names. She read it with a notebook in front of the paper.

"If you have some free time, meet me on the school grounds after school and maybe we could do something fun together…"

Avegaille couldn't help but smile to herself and blush while she inserted the note back to her notebook. Then, she realized that the teacher kept calling the same name all over again. Nicole May was getting a bit irritated at Avegaille that she crumpled up a page from her notebook and threw it at Avegaille. Avegaille turned to Nicole May and stared at her blankly. Then, Nicole May pointed to the teacher, who was already standing in front of Avegaille.

"…are you Avegaille Stewart?" Miss Harrington asked with an exasperated look on her face.

"Um, yes?" Avegaille replied nervously.

"Tell me, how many times do I have to call your name before you can say you're right here?" Miss Harrington asked.

"Hmm, let me think about that… depends on how much I pay attention to class," Avegaille replied and grinned weakly.

Everyone inside the classroom started laughing while Miss Harrington sweat-dropped. Avegaille just shrugged and Miss Harrington went in front of the classroom. The students kept quiet after they just saw what Miss Harrington had written on the blackboard. It was this week’s homework.

"Oh, great, another good way to punish us because of you…" Nicole May remarked sarcastically.

"What did I do?" Avegaille asked innocently.

.-.-.-.-.-

After a few more other classes, it was finally lunch time. Most of the students would eat their lunch outside the school building, at the school garden particularly. The school garden had plenty of available tables and benches for students to use during lunch period or simply study while they wait for their next class to start. Others would drop by the cafeteria to buy their lunch from there and later on, eat at the school garden. While the other students had their lunch, Avegaille was on her way to the library to meet up with Nicole May. Her only problem was that she didn't know how to get to the library. She kept trying peeking through each room she passed by until she found the library.

As Avegaille got inside, she noticed that there weren't a lot of people inside. The place was so quiet, she could hear the tapping noises of someone using a keyboard. She quickly walked up to the reference section and saw that Nicole May was sitting down on a chair. Nicole May had her laptop on the table and she continued to type on it.

"You finally arrived, and I thought you would forget," Nicole May remarked as she stopped typing on her laptop and looked at Avegaille.

"Why are we here anyways?" Avegaille asked as she scratched her head and stared at Nicole May skeptically.

"Just take a seat, I want to show something to you," Nicole May told her while Avegaille pulled out a chair and sat on it.

"Hmm, show me what?"

"Just take a look at this.” She turned around the screen of her laptop for Avegaille to see. "Tell me if this picture reminds you of something…"

"Hmm, two students studying at Midway Academy, both are doing a science project together and— HEY!"

"Now… do you remember?" Nicole May asked slowly.

"…Isn't that you… and me?" Avegaille asked as she pointed at the screen. "Hmm, back then, you were so annoying, I couldn't almost stand you… even when we did that project…"

"Yeah, it's the two of us. Our teacher in science class during sixth grade paired us up to be partners. But the only thing I can't forget is that our project was the best out of everyone else's," Nicole May explained. Then, she took back her laptop and closed it. "The project made me pass science class with a high grade, finally."

"But I don't get it, you studied in Midway Academy for six years and yet I never see you around Centralville during summer vacations," Avegaille mentioned.

"That's because I don't live in Centralville yet, not until now, anyways," Nicole May explained. "My Mom wanted a new experience out of New York, so she decided to buy a realty here in Centralville and build a mansion over it for us to live in."

"Well, one more thing, you're not the type of person who wants to be the popular kid in school, right?" Avegaille asked.

"I'm glad you get the idea… that why I wear these glasses to stray off any of those snobbish girls that would come in my way," Nicole May said and grinned at Avegaille. "You know, even though you upset the teachers and they make the class do more extra homework, you're still fun to be with…”

“Huh, that’s weird, coming from you…” Avegaille muttered.

“Oh speaking of which, are you and Phil doing something later on?" Nicole May asked mischievously.

"Hey! How did you know about that?" Avegaille asked in return and her face started turning red.

"Never mind then, I was just asking," Nicole May said nonchalantly and turned away from Avegaille. Then, she covered her mouth and started chuckling.

"Hey, it's not what you think…" Avegaille whined and pouted at Nicole May.

"Don't worry, I don't have any contacts with the gossipy girls and neither will I tell this to anyone," Nicole May said as she turned back to Avegaille. Then, she coughed for a bit and stared at Avegaille seriously. "But to tell you the truth, it's really obvious…"

"You're so mean…" Avegaille whined out while she quickly got off from her seat and quickly held on Nicole May's shoulders and shook her back and forth.

"Hey, calm down, you don't want us get kicked out of the library!" Nicole May quickly blurted while Avegaille continued shaking her. Then, Avegaille quickly stopped and stepped away from her. Nicole May felt a bit dizzy from all the unnecessary shaking. She held on her head and adjusted her glasses.

"You promise you won't tell anyone?" Avegaille pleaded. "Not even to Phil?"

"Don't worry, I'm not the gossipy type," Nicole May assured her while she took off her glasses and placed them in her pocket. "I feel like going to the clinic after what you just did to me…"

"Sorry about that, I get a bit… violent sometimes… especially if you know…" Avegaille replied and laughed nervously.

"Yeah, well, it's okay," Nicole May said. Then, she took her laptop from the table and placed it inside her shoulder bag. She stood up from her seat and looked at Avegaille. "Whatever… anyways, I'm off to my next class. What's your next class?"

"English?" Avegaille replied, with a bit of doubt.

"Come on, we'll go together, I mean after all, that's also my next class," Nicole May said to Avegaille and smiled at her.

"You know, this is the first time I've seen you like that," Avegaille remarked. "Kinda creeps me out…"

"Well, I'm not the same person you met at Midway Academy. I'm getting a bit sick and tired of that snobbish attitude myself. That's why when my Mom told me we were moving out of New York, it made me so happy. I can finally get away from my supposedly friends there," Nicole May explained. "Although, I don't have any real friends there. Those people I hang out with were just a bunch of snobs who just pretend to be friends with you when you have everything they want…"

.-.-.-.-.-

"Avegaille? Still there?"

Avegaille blinked twice as she turned around and saw Phil standing in front of her. Classes already ended for the day and Avegaille was now at the school grounds with Phil. She saw some other students getting out from the school building and running off to the soccer field.

"Hey, come on, are you sure you're all right?" Phil asked as he looked at Avegaille worriedly.

"Wha? Oh, I'm sorry, I was just thinking about something…" Avegaille muttered while she tucked in her hands into the pockets of her jacket. "You said we were going somewhere?"

"You seem to do more thinking than talking…" Phil remarked and he smirked at Avegaille. "But yeah, the arcade is a great place to hang out. Or would you rather want to eat something?"

Avegaille sighed and stared at Phil perplexedly. She folded her arms across her chest as she tried to think of an answer. Phil shrugged while waiting for Avegaille to give out a reply.

"Well?"

"I dunno, I just want to go home before my Mom kills me," Avegaille finally replied and looked away from him.

"No problem, I'll walk you home," Phil insisted and saw Avegaille walking off. He quickly followed Avegaille until he caught up with her.

.-.-.-.-.-

"Can you believe it? The famous actress Sandra Rustford is now living right here in Centralville!" Andrea exclaimed happily as she quickly went near Amelia and squealed.

"Well, it's nice to know that, but just don't go overly crazy when you see her in person," Amelia said calmly as she sweat-dropped.

The two mothers were in the kitchen of the Stewart residence, having their usual conversation while they waited for their children to get home. Andrea became one of Sandra Rustford's biggest fans two years ago. She would always watch all the shows Sandra starred into. The only thing that Andrea was not much into was item collecting and could still control herself from being an obsessed fan.

"What can I do? I just love the way she does things on the television!" Andrea exclaimed happily while she hugged Amelia tight.

"Come on… now… not like this…" Amelia groaned while Andrea continued to hug her tight.

"Oh, sorry," Andrea apologized and she quickly released Amelia. "I wonder if her house is open for everyone?"

"I doubt it, she's too famous to just let anyone visit her. She'll have security guards all over her house…" Amelia replied. "Funny though, her daughter studies in Centralville Middle School."

"Hmm, maybe we could get her daughter to do us a favor…"

"Andrea!" Amelia blurted and she looked at her friend exasperatedly.

"What?" Andrea asked innocently.

Then, the backdoor opened and both Avegaille and Phil entered. Avegaille closed the door while Phil approached his mother and hugged her. Avegaille walked by the refrigerator, opened the door of the fridge and took out a drink. Meanwhile, Amelia sat down on a chair and observed Andrea and Phil talk for a while. After drinking, Avegaille quickly threw the can into the garbage can and went near her mother.

"Mom, do you think Nicole May Rustford and Sandra Rustford are related to each other?" Avegaille asked curiously.

Andrea and Phil sweat-dropped after they heard Avegaille's question. Amelia chucked while she stood up and held on Avegaille's shoulder.

"Why? Did you meet Nicole May? Is she bothering you?" Amelia asked while she tried to hide her laughter.

"Yeah and no… not really, I'm just wondering…" Avegaille replied.

"You and your questions, of course they're related to each other…" Andrea interrupted and started chuckling. "If you make friends with her, tell me."

"Andrea!" Amelia hushed as she sweat-dropped and pinched Andrea's right arm.

"Ow! That hurts, you know…" Andrea exclaimed as she looked at Amelia exasperatedly.

Phil and Avegaille started laughing over their mother trying to keep their conversation to themselves. Then, Avegaille felt like having some quiet time for herself and went out of the kitchen for a while.

Phil, on the other hand, had to wait for her mother to finish her conversation with Avegaille's mother before he could get back home. He wanted to see what Avegaille was up to and finally thought of following her. He sneaked out of the kitchen, then walked through the hallway and finally entered the living room and saw Avegaille watching the television. He quickly went in front of Avegaille, which also blocked the television screen.

"Hey! What do you want?" Avegaille asked irritably, staring at Phil exasperatedly.

"Nothing, just wanting to know what you were doing…" Phil replied and he sat down on the couch, next to Avegaille. "You do realize that your mother allows me to roam around your house?"

"Uh, yeah, whatever…" Avegaille muttered as she folded her arms across her chest and leaned her back on the sofa. She looked away from Phil while he picked up the remote control on the coffee table.

"Come on, I know you love this show!" Phil exclaimed happily and he pressed a button on the remote control, switching to another channel. "Isn't cable exciting?"

"Yeah, it is…" Avegaille muttered sarcastically as she rolled her eyes.

"Oh, come on, you look like you need some excitement in your life," Phil remarked to Avegaille as he glanced at her and quickly turned to the television screen.

"No thanks, I have too much excitement from detention as it is," Avegaille replied sarcastically and stared at him exasperatedly. "If your mother wasn't a good friend of my mother, you would have been kicked out of this house by now…"

"Oh, sorry, I didn't know I was pissing you off already," Phil muttered slowly and he turned away from Avegaille. He placed the remote control back on the coffee table as he stood up. "I'll leave for now…"

"Whatever…" Avegaille muttered while Phil got out of the living room. Avegaille took the remote control from the coffee table and quickly switched the television to another channel.

.-.-.-.-.-

"I wonder what's up with Avegaille, she's been acting so stubborn nowadays," Phil sighed to himself while he watched his mother slice some vegetables for dinner.

Andrea and her son, Phil, were back in their house after their visit at the Stewart residence. It was almost dinner and Andrea quickly gathered up all the ingredients she needed for their dinner tonight.

"Amelia always tells me she's like that whenever she's not in the mood," Andrea replied while she continued to slice some carrots on a chopping board on top of the kitchen counter. "It's not a good idea to annoy her if she's like that. Amelia tells me she causes so much trouble but doesn’t realize it until later on… it's like having split personalities…"

"That doesn't seem right," Phil muttered as he stared at his mother skeptically. "I dunno, but I hope she gets better by tomorrow…"

"You're too worried about her, somehow I know what's going on with you," Andrea remarked and ginned.

"Oh, come on Mom, not you too," Phil whined as he started to blush.

"Yeah, that's what I thought," Andrea said and she whistled while continuing to chop the ingredients.

"You won't tell her or even her mother, right?" Phil asked as he looked at his mother nervously.

"When the right time comes, I suppose, but for now, it'll be better if the two of you were good friends," Andrea replied and smiled at her son. Then, she quickly diced the strips of carrots on the chopping board. "I have this feeling that Avegaille might actually feel the same thing for you."