I was about to officially introduce myself at Orientation when Mrs. Lars interrupted my spectacular intro. My name’s Jake Stanton.  Spill—what’s your moniker?” He swept his jet black hair from his eyes and didn't seem to notice the clutch of giggling females ogling him.

Miss Bell smelled of gingerbread and spice cookies. The scent reminded Tommy of Christmas. It wafted around her making his head spin in circles. Tommy was airborne floating on a cloud of happiness every time he saw her. He was hooked on history class.

Tommy turned just as Joe barreled into him knocking him clear off his feet. Tommy lay there, splayed out and terrified. He stared face to face with Joe’s demon fist curled and ready to punch him into a new time zone.

Mr. Taylor’s head popped up from behind his metal desk, startling Tommy. “Do I hear a carnival arriving in town?” he said.  A shock of salt and pepper hair stuck up on Mr. Taylor's head like a scared porcupine. His black-framed glasses were perched on his nose over a furry dark mustache which wiggled whenever he spoke.

Jeff’s cargo pants pockets were chock full of school supplies. He took them out as if his pocket as if it was a magician’s hat.  Tommy almost expected Jeff to pull a white rabbit out by the ears. Then, as swift as an eagle, Jeff opened his notebook ready for action... his pen, a sword of truth.

“Beth, I'm glad I don’t need glasses like you do. They’re for ugly girls. Oh... no offense, Beth.”