Corrine stood by her desk, organizing her text book by size, color and subject, as Josie rocked out on her air guitar, hopping from clean spot to clean spot.

"Josie, could your music be any louder?" Corrine yelled above the noise.

Josie stopped and looked at her, confused. "You want it louder? Fine by me." Before Corrine could protest, Josie jumped over the clothes she'd worn the day before and cranked up the volume to max.

"Josie!" Corrine tried to get her attention, to no avail. "Josie!" She was ready to yank out the plug when she noticed a blank piece of paper with her name on it sticking out from under a pile of Josie's various things where the room was divided. She went over and picked it up, searching her mind for what it might be. Suddenly, her eyes went wide. Josie noticed and turned off her music.

"Corrine, what's wrong?"

"Josie, I didn't finish my essay for English! I haven't even started yet!"

Josie just stood there. "Is that it? I haven't started yet either. It's not due for, like, another week anyway."

"Josie! It's due tomorrow! It's worth twenty percent of our semester grade! We have to start, now!"

"Cool it Corrine! English is out second to last class, there's plenty of time." Josie reasoned, trying to calm her friend. She moved to turn the music back on, but Corrine grabbed her arm, leading her out of the room, towards the library.

Marshall was in his room, designing a new poster for Magnet 360, while Lucas lay on his own bed reading a book titled: So, You Want to Contact Aliens.

Marshall held up two different posters and turned to Lucas. "Which one is better?"

"The one on the right." Lucas answered without looking up.

"Lucas, come on! I need your help! This poster has to be perfect!"

"Mmmm hmmm." Lucas agreed.

Marshall rolled his eyes and turned back to the computer. "It'll be great, you'll see. Z won't mind if I'm a little late for Science Club." He turned his head slightly toward Lucas. "You should get going though. Everyone's probably already waiting."

"Mmmm hmmm." Lucas assented without moving.

"Now, what if I bolded this, changed the color of this and moved this over there…" Marshall returned his attention to the computer.

Vaughn was running laps under the lowering sun. The first game of the season was in a week and he knew his team didn't have a chance. That is, of course, if he and his team didn't run drills and passes and plays until they were perfect, or at least good enough to win.

He puffed to a stop, checked his watch and grimaced. Science Club had already been going for ten minutes. By the time he took a shower and changed…it wouldn't be worth it. "They probably don't want me there anyway." He said aloud. He looked toward the school, took a swig of water from his bottle and continued running.

Professor Zachary sat in the science lab, alternately looking at the clock on the wall, to the door, to his watch, to the letter on his desk he wished he could forget.

Zachary had received the letter around noon and had spent the rest of the day in his office. The letter was a simple one, ironic considering the weight it carried.

It was from his mother's doctor stating, matter-of-fact, that a malignant tumor had been found in her brain and that her life was in danger if it was not removed. The letter went on to say that the surgery was scheduled for the day after next and they would do their best. It cautioned, however, there was only a forty-five percent chance of success.

Z buried his head in his hands before glancing at the small note that had accompanied the doctor's letter. It was from his mother and though he'd read it so many times he had it committed to memory, he re-read it again.

My Dearest Noel,

I miss you terribly. I'm sorry to say it, but, I don't have much hope that this will work out. Please don't come, I couldn't bare for you to see me this way, and I know you're needed at that school. Remember, I love you and I always will.

Mom

Noel felt tears coming but blinked them back and took a wavering breath.

He jerked suddenly in his seat as he heard a noise at the door. His worries forgotten, he looked forward to a scientific discussion with his five favorite, though he shouldn't admit it, students. He was disappointed, however, when it was just the janitor coming in to wipe the chalk boards clean.

Zachary deflated and opened his desk drawer to put the letter away.

"It's not as bad as it seems."

Noel was so sunken in his gloom, that he didn't realize it was one of the rare times when the janitor spoke. "It isn't?" He questioned, unbelieving, to his desk.

"There's always good in a situation."

The professor looked up in disbelief, but the janitor was already gone.

Noel sighed and glanced at the letter again. He picked it up and stuck it in his jacket pocket. He turned toward the clock one last time, decided no one was coming and sighed again. Unbeknown to him, a small purple spark jumped to his hand. Noel stood up and flicked off the lights as he went through the door.