Pursuing Dreams and Navigating Love

Sarah clicked the "Save" button and let out a triumphant hoot. She was never one to smile often, unless it involved Deliah, but this time she couldn't help but let a smirk sneak its way onto her face. She grabbed the thumb drive from her computer and cradled the warm gadget in her hand. "Another report in the bag," she chuckled to herself. "Fingers crossed this impresses Teacher Satan." She tucked the thumb drive safely in her purse and headed off to bed.

Although it was well past midnight, Sarah was used to sleeping at that hour. Her mom tried to get her to hit the hay earlier, but with so much to do and so little time, it was just impossible. She was determined to land the National University of Texas Journalism Scholarship. Pursuing journalism was her dream, and the only way to secure a spot in the news department in the future was to attend that faculty. She needed it.

As Sarah lay in bed, sleep eluded her due to the exhaustion of staying up late. She momentarily forgot about the report and instead pondered about the guy Deliah had told her about earlier. "Alex," Sarah mumbled with a perplexed frown. "His name sounds like trouble," she sure hoped he wasn't the same Alex that just joined her class. She trusted her sister wouldn't thread the Aerospace road again.

She didn't want her sister dating one of those pretty faced obnoxious guys ever again. She should give this Alex the benefit of the doubt, but if Deliah succeeds in giving her heart to him, it would give him the power to break it or make her happy.

Sarah shuddered at the thought of her sister being so vulnerable in a guy's hands, especially when they had just met. She rolled over and hugged her pillow tightly. "I wonder what this Alex guy's true intentions are," she muttered.

*********

"So, spill the beans, how many French chicks have you had as your girlfriend?"

Steve teased Alex. "Come on bro, tell us the truth!"

Alex scowled and shook his head. "I thought I told you guys on the phone that I don't have time for dating."

"Don't give us that excuse," Henry snorted. "We saw a hot French babe stalking you on Facebook. What's her name again?"

"Aurélie Moreau or Morgan or something," Philip scratched his head. "I can't remember."

"Come on man, as your best friend," Joe whispered, pointing to himself. "I deserve to know."

"Well, I distinctly remember that one time when you kept the fact that you drank all my Sprite cans from me," Alex reminded him.

"Aw, come on!" David urged. "Just tell us!"

Alex sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "I'm telling you, I don't have a girlfriend and I'm not lying. I really don't!"

"You're serious?" the Aerospace boys were all stunned. "No way."

"Yes way," Alex nodded. "I just haven't had time to think about it, with my granny being sick. And besides," he shrugged. "None of them really caught my eye."

"Oh man," Brad muttered. "Maybe he should try being gay."

"Hey," Alex blushed. "Just because none of them caught my eye doesn't mean I'm gay, okay?" he defended.

"Oh yeah? Prove it, name one girl you think is cute or hot," Henry challenged. "And it can't just be anyone, it has to be someone we know."

"Alex scrunched up his face and was about to object, but Joe gave him a rib-cracking elbow nudge to get him to speak up. Alex let out a sigh and tried to remember the name of that girl he met the day before.

"Uh, the girl from yesterday..." Alex asked cautiously. "What was her name again? Delilah or something like Delis..."

"Aha!" Philip exclaimed, clapping his hands. "I knew you were totally into her, bro!"

"Uh, I just mentioned her name," Alex stammered, blushing.

"Not bad," Steve nodded, giving his approval. "You better act fast before some other dude snatches her up, got it?"

"What?" Alex sputtered. "But I didn't-"

"Aww, is Alex feeling shy?" Joe cooed, squishing Alex's cheeks. "No need to be scared, little guy. Big bro's got you for your first relationship." He grinned.

"Ugh." Alex made a face and pushed Joe's hands away. "Gross," he rolled his eyes and stepped away from his friends.

"I'm going to the Newsletter Department. I want to join the newsletter committee," Alex told them. "What?" David pouted. "No soccer?"

Alex shook his head and waved goodbye as he walked away. Brad, Steve, Philip, David, and Henry watched as Alex headed to find his extracurricular activity.

"Seems like he hasn't changed much after going to France, huh?" Brad mumbled.

"Yeah, not really," Steve nodded. "Still as nerdy as ever." He grinned. "I'm glad he didn't change."

"Us too," Henry echoed.

Alex nervously knocked on the door. "Hi, is this the Newsletter Department? I'm Alex James and I would like to join the Newsletter Committee."

The door opened and an irked woman gave him a dirty look. "Well, the newsletter committee has enough people..." she trailed off and raised her eyebrows. "Wait, what did you say your name was again?"

"Alex James," Alex blinked.

"Oh my gosh, you're Principal James's son!" The woman gushed. "I'm Teacher Edison and of course, you're welcome to join our club!"

"But you just said-"

"Nonsense, you heard wrong," Teacher Edison gushed. She pushed Alex towards one of the rooms. "Come on, you're just in time. The newsletter committee is having their weekly meeting! The newsletter is given to the students every two weeks, you know, and we'll be printing new copies tomorrow!"

Before Alex could nod, he found himself standing in front of a five-person strong newsletter team. The five students blinked at him, and he blinked back.

"Uh..." Alex stammered.

"Hello everyone!" Teacher Edison pushed Alex into the room and addressed the students. "We have a new addition to the Newsletter Committee! His name is Alex James and he's Principal James's son!" she cheered.

The two other girls in the committee, besides Sarah, cheered, while Sarah was drowning in her thoughts. What is a popular guy like him doing in the Newsletter Committee? Shouldn't he join baseball or basketball or something? Is he for real?

"Well, look here!" Teacher Edison gushed. "We have to write a report on environmentalism! Alex, why don't you handle this one?"

Sarah's eyes widened. She didn't even get

to write a report individually until her

second year there. Most reports were

written in groups.

Who did this Alex James think he was?

And Sarah was exceptionally disturbed

because she had written the essay of her life

the previous night, after researching on the

topic for ages. She wanted hers to be

printed, not some Alex James.

"Mrs. Edison," Sarah tried to keep her voice calm as she stood up. Alex finally noticed her and remembered her as the quiet girl in his class.

"Mrs. Edison, I don't mean to be rude, but isn't it unfair for you to have a newcomer handle a report on their own? Have you even evaluated his writing skills?"

Teacher Edison was flustered and appeared both panicked and angry that someone was pointing out her mistake. "Well, I'm shocked that you would say that, but I have faith in the principal's son," she emphasized.

Sarah was frustrated; Alex had just arrived and was already receiving special treatment. She had worked hard to earn her position.

"But if you're that unwilling, he can observe and learn for a few weeks before working on a real report," Teacher Edison reluctantly agreed.

She smiled brightly at Alex, "Don't worry, Mr. James, you'll have your chance soon."

Alex felt awkward, it wasn't his fault that his father was the principal and the teachers were trying to impress him. "Hey, who's that girl?" he whispered to one of the other committee members.

The guy looked over at Sarah and made a face. "That's Sarah Johnson, I don't think you've heard of her."

Alex's eyes widened in recognition, he had read some of the school newsletter and remembered Sarah's well-written articles. However, he hadn't imagined her looking like this.

"She's quiet in every other aspect besides writing," the guy whispered. "And she's demanding at times. Julian, don't you know your grammar? Correct this! Julian, please check your facts! You're reporting something false!" he mimicked her.

Alex was surprised, he didn't think the seemingly shy and easily forgotten girl could act that way.

"There are other rumors about her too," the guy, Julian, whispered. "But I don't bother with them. Why bother with a girl like Sarah when there are prettier ones like Deliah Johnson?"

But Alex wasn't listening. He frowned at Sarah at the same time she looked up and furrowed her brows at him. Without exchanging a single word, they already started to dislike each other.