It was the morning, and students had finally returned to TAPS. CJ looked at her paycheck and sighed with frustration. She was twelve dollars short for the month because of her sick days. It wasn't her fault, she was infected with a flesh-eating virus that was killing her on the inside. But she couldn't use such an excuse to her boss. She noticed her HC Receiver chiming, she moved to answer it. She smiled happily when she saw the Del-egator's name in the Header. 

"Hello?" She began with a smile. "Yes, this is CJ Dixon."

Her smile faded as she listened to saddening news.

    Minutes later, she was sitting alone at a table in the cafeteria. It was breakfast time, but nobody was around. She sat silently and pulled a pen and paper out of her backpack. The PA system began to blare, she stopped to listen.

PA: GOOD MORNING, STUDENTS AND WELCOME BACK. DUE TO THE...INCIDENT, SOME CLASSES HAVE BEEN RELOCATED INTO TRAILERS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAMPUS. PLEASE SEE YOUR DEPARTMENT ADVISERS FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS. WHAT HAPPENED HERE...WAS DEVASTATING, BUT THANKFULLY THERE'S SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP. IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT YOU MAY NEED TO SAY OR EXPRESS, YOU CAN TALK TO OUR NEW GUIDANCE COUNSELOR, MS. BANKER. ON A LIGHTER NOTE--TICKETS FOR THE JUNIOR GALA ARE STILL GOING FAST. PLEASE, HAVE YOUR TICKETS ORDERED BY THE END OF NOVEMBER. THAT IS ALL. 

CJ rolled her eyes and continued writing. She looked at the heading of her paper: The Last Will of Cicely Dixon. She got angry and threw the pen violently across the room. She sighed and crossed her arms on the table, she then sighed from frustration and put her head on her arms. A familiar voice alerted her.

"H-Hey."

She looked and saw Hudson. She panicked and flipped her paper over quickly. She flashed hi a polite smile.

"Hey."

He picked up her pen and placed it down in front of her. 

"Need some ch-cheering up?"

She sighed. "Am I that transparent?"

The mascot smirked and sat down across from her. "So...Romy and I are going to the G-Gala together."

She nodded in acknowledgement. "She told me. Congrats."

"Thanks. We're supposed to wear matching colors f-for it."

"Fun. I bet you two will look great."

He cocked his head in curiosity. "Is your date matching you?"

"No date, no dress, not going."

"W-What do you mean?"

The girl exhaled. "I worked sooo hard this month, and I still can't afford it! Plus, I've been so sick lately." Tears began to fall from her eyes, she lowered her head. 

 "C-CJ. Is it the dress, or is something else bothering you?"

She sniffled and chuckled nervously. "It's the dress--obviously! W-What else would it be?"

He knew that she was lying, but he smiled gently. "Well, how much do y-you need?"

She sighed. 

"I'm twelve short."

He pulled out his wallet, she looked up and shook her head in resistance. "No, Hudson. Put that back!"

"L-Let me do this, I insist."

She sighed. "But, you...don't have to."

The boy chuckled. "C-Can't help but say yes to a crying girl."

He removed the money and placed it in her hand. He chuckled again.

"Just m-make sure you p-pay me back."

She nodded, he sighed. 

"Now, y-you have what you need--you can stop crying, right?"

"Y-Yeah." She removed her glasses to wipe her eyes. She placed them back on her face. "My life is now complete!"

She giggled as a distraction. 

SHE LIES TO YOU, YOUNG ONE. Reuben stated

[I know, but she's smiling now.] Hudson thought and smiled gently. He waved and walked away, she sighed with defeat and continued to write.

    Her HC chimed again, it was a message from Liz

Incoming Message: JOYOUS! I'M FINALLY HERE, BUT I'M VISITING SOME OLD FRIENDS. CAN YOU MEET ME AT 520 AMBER KERRY CIRCLE THIS AFTERNOON?

CJ was fearful, Romy's voice caught her attention.

"Hey. Let's go, Glitter Girl. We're gonna be late for class."

The girl inhaled and smiled. She put the cash in her wallet and stood to her feet. She put away the pen and paper and joined her friend. The two made their way down the hall.