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"Between the years 1914 and 1918, over one million Americans were killed in Turkey in a genocidal campaign governed by the Ottoman Turkish government in an attempt to eliminate this ethnic and religious minority. Women and children were forced from their homelands and made to walk. Most of them died of exhaustion, disease, or starvation. The men were shot and..."

Snore! Ugh! Did this guy have any clue that his entire class was zoned out? They were either doodling on the front covers of their notebooks, hiding their phones as they shot off texts to their sweethearts, or, in my case, painting their nails. With the lights turned down for Mr. Cole's PowerPoint presentation, it was hard to see what color I was actually using. Lucky for me, Millie Walker had gladly agreed to give up her seat by the window. So, as the golden light poured in on me, I was able to continue applying a double coat of dark purple polish.

It was quite a difficult task, actually. Sitting by the window meant whenever Mr. Cole looked up, his eyes immediately went to the brightest spot in the room, which is exactly where I was sitting. Every time he looked over at me, I was forced to meet his eye and nod like I was paying attention. I was also in the middle of a three way text conversation with Jenna and Mallory, making it that much more difficult.

Jenna: did u hear bout collins? Stacy said that she said shes gonna beat u 2 the ground n blossom queen

I rolled my eyes as I shot a text back. Poor Jenna had so much to learn.

Dylan: Whateves dont u know anything? Evry 1 luvs a little competish. Collins has no chance.

In case you didn't guess, Collins Davis is one of the girls running against me for Blossom Queen. I think there are eight, ten including Collins and me. But I wasn't worried in the least. Everyone knew I was going to win. They might as well go ahead and give me the crown now. Why go through the trouble of actually voting?

Mallory: yeah, but i heard shes got the whole f-ball team handing out fliers

Dylan: i dont need the whole team, just their best player

Ahhh. Christopher Cannon. I had to pause and blow on my nails as images of my fab boyfriend popped into my head. He was everything a girl could want, and more. A chest sculpted of nothing but muscle, a head of golden-brown hair, and deep blue eyes that made you want to melt right on the spot when you looked into them.

He had the looks, he had the popularity, and he had smarts. But as gorgeous as Christopher was, I have to say that I've never really liked him. We'd been going out for nearly six months and I still have yet to feel anything for him. I can't explain it. He was perfect. He was sweet and caring and confident and beautiful. But I just didn't like him that way.

Everyone had always said we'd make the cutest couple, and I agreed with them. We were an adorable couple. That's the one and only reason why I was still with him. Plus, he had no idea I felt nothing for him. The poor boy was totally in love with me and thought I felt the same way. It would break my heart to have to break his.

"Don't forget...!"

I nearly jumped out of my skin when Mr. Cole's shrill voice sliced through the air louder than before.

"This will all be on the test Friday. I would study and study hard." He seemed to be eying me when he said this. I don't know why. I've aced the last four of his tests.

The ring of the bell was music to my ears. I thought if I had to sit another minute with his yapping I'd kill myself.

"OMG," I sighed in relief as I made my way over to Jenna's side. "I thought it'd never end."

"Seriously!" Jenna Rink whined as she stuffed her history book into her cheetah-spotted backpack. The thing was soooooooo third grade, but I never said anything. "Mr. Cole's as old as a caveman and about as interesting as a brick wall."

"You've got that right."

Mallory Smith suddenly appeared beside them, her fiery curls streaming behind her. "Are you gonna make Christopher hand out fliers for Blossom Queen?"

"Oh, puh-lease, that's so amateur!" I squeaked with a wave of my hand. I smiled in delight as my polished nails caught the light of the fluorescent lights. "I'll have Nora makes those enormous black-and-white cookies and write "Vote Dylan" across the top with colors that correspond with the group receiving them. For examples, gold for the cheerleaders, blue for the jocks, yellow for the bird-watching club, and pink for everyone else." I grinned from ear to ear. "It's très magnifique! Christopher'll help me pass them out." I

"Speaking of Prince Charming..." Jenna whispered with a flip of her ink-black hair.

I stretched my neck to see Christopher Cannon strutting down the hallway like he was on a catwalk. If he knew that every girl's head was turned his way, he didn't show it. A smile was planted on his face and his hair swept across his forehead. He was gorgeous.

"Christopher!" I exclaimed, faking a surprised look. I pushed myself up on my tip toes to plant a wet, cherry lip gloss-flavored kiss on his cheek.

"Hey, Babe," he said warmly as he slipped his arm around my waist. He reached up and flipped a loose, chestnut-brown curl out of my face.

It was little movements like that, little acts of kindness, that made it impossible to break up with him. He was too sweet and his actions showed he actually cared, unlike many of the guys she'd dated her first two years.

"I'll walk ya to class," Christopher offered kindly, his smile smoldering.

"Sure," I gushed with a quick smile. I veered my eyes over to the girls who instantly began walking away. "We'll see you in class," Jenna said with a wave.

"Trey and Amber are going to see that new movie downtown after school," Christopher said as he pulled me down the hall. "You wanna go?"

"What movie?" I had to ask. Once, when he'd taken me to a surprise movie, I ended up sitting through two and a half hours of spaceships and aliens. Yuck.

"Black Heart."

"Oooh, sounds romantic!"

"It's about a horse."

"A horse named Black Heart? That's depressing." I lowered my eyes to the floor as we walked, trying to picture it.

"Don't worry, I heard it's really good. Trust me."

"You do remember the last time I trusted you? I was almost put in a trance!"

"Hey, it was not that bad."

"It was that bad!"

Christopher clamped his mouth shut with a smirk and gave my waist a squeeze. The conversation was over.

"Well, here we are," he said as he released me to lean against the door frame. "Earth science. Have fun."

"Yeah, right," I muttered. I bent sideways so my cheek was facing him, but instead, he tilted my chin up and pressed his lips to mine. Then, as he pulled away, he shot me a mile so warm my cheeks began to burn crimson. He was gone within the blink of an eye.

Every eye in the room was one me and I knew it. I didn't even have to look. But when I did turn around, everyone shifted in their chairs and pretended to be copying the assignments on the board.

Mallory was already in her seat, her red leather clutch holding my chair. When I arrived, she quickly flung the purse to the floor and gave me a quick smile.

"Did you hear?" she asked in a whisper, her red-brown eyebrows curling up in disgust.

"Hear what?" I whined, frowning. I hated being the last to know something. I should know everything before anyone else.

"Ms. Parks is pairing everyone up for the project herself."

"What? C'est affreux! She can't do that!"

"She already did. The list's on the wall."

I swerved around in my seat and spotted a piece of paper tacked beside the door. I was just about to jump up when the old witch passed me by and hissed, "Miss Schoenfield. Anxious are we?"

"Of course, Ms. Parks," I said as I slouched back down, forcing a smile. "Excited for the days lecture."

"Uh huh," Ms. Parks muttered as she made her way to her desk. She looked like a walking candy-cane with those white capris and red blouse. Was she trying to look fashionable?

Now, I'm sure you were hoping to get to read the actual lecture Ms. Parks had for us, but I just don't have time for that. So instead, let's just cut to the part where my life is ruined an hour and a half later.

Mallory was the first one up to the list, and a smile was suddenly on her face. "Yes!

"What? Are we paired up?" I asked hopefully, my heart rising.

"No," Mallory said with a sickening my, flashing her pearly-white teeth. "I got James Brown!"

I looked over my shoulder at James Brown. He was cursing to himself as he struggled to fit everything in his backpack. Though he was one of the biggest nerds in the entire school, he wasn't that bad to look at. In fact, I think I could look at him all day long. But, ew, gross! No way. He may be cute but he was nose-picking straight-A freak.

"An just why are you excited about that?" I asked in disgust, twirling around the diamond stud in my ear.

"You know he won't want me anywhere near him when he's working on that project." Mallory's eyes twinkled in delight. "He'll do all the work, and I get the credit. Best. Partner. Ever."

My cheeks flushed crimson with irritation when I realized she was exactly right. "Oh mon dieu! You're worthless! Move out of my way." I pushed past her and every other person who had the nerve to block my view. Maybe I'd get a nerd too! That would be très fabuleux!

But as I approached the list, my heart sank when I saw the name beside mine.