Emma walked into the room used for the school newspaper. Today they would get their first assignments for the first paper of the school year. She was excited to finally start on something that would look good on a college resume, even if her father didn’t like the idea that she was trying to pursue journalism.

“Good afternoon Emma.” She heard as she took her seat at one of the computers.

“Eli? What are you doing in here?”

“You’re looking at the new school photographer.” He said holding up his camera.“I just dropped by to get my assignment from Louis. But I’ll see you around. And tell Sophia I said hi.”

“Oh, I will. Bye.”

Emma turned back around in her seat and began to take out her notebook and pen, lining the pen just right across her notebook.

“Is everyone here?” Asked Louis as he stood in the front.

“I’m here.” Said Evelyn.

“Right…..So today I will be assigning your first articles. Now some of you may not get published this time but don’t worry there is always another paper to be written. Okay, first I would like to assign someone to the soccer match tomorrow, any volunteers?”

Emma looked around the room as nearly every hand shot up into the air. Typical, everyone always wants to be in the sports section.

Louis looked around the room and stopped to look at Emma.

“How about you, Emma?”

“Me?” She questioned. How can that be she didn’t raise her hand?

“Why not? It isn’t that hard to do, so you shouldn’t have any problems. Unless of course you don’t want to write for the paper.”

Really? Those were her only two choices. He couldn’t just give her an assignment she might actually enjoy.

“Fine, I’ll do it.”

“Good, I’m glad you see it my way then. You’ll need to be at the game before 4 and I’d like it write up by 9 that evening. You can email me or hand it to me, since we’re in the same house after all. Oh and don’t focus on the girl. I know that seems like a good story angle but no one wants to read that.”

Emma rolled her eyes and tried to forget his sexist comment, “Okay.”

“Alright, now for the other assignments. I need a theater enthusiast to go and interview the two new stars of the schools production of Romeo and Juliet.”

“I’ll do it!” Shouted Evelyn.

“Okay, Evelyn will do the theater assignment….” As Louis went on assigning new task to everyone Emma started to do what she does best: plan ahead. She was starting to think about what she would wear, what to bring, and how best to prepare considering she knew absolutely nothing about soccer.

---

With paint brush in hand Charlotte began to create a scene she had had in her head for a while. Slowly she moved the brush along the canvas but never touched.

“You know if you actually put the brush closer the paint will get on there, right?”

Charlotte didn’t move she simply kept focusing on the canvas.

“Is that how that works?” She joked.

“I like to go through the motions before I do paint. Make sure I get it right.” She told him.

“Listen I’m sorry about the other day.” Zayn said.

“I just didn’t want you to think I was arrogant so I didn’t tell you who I was.”

“Why would you think that?” She questioned.

“I’m use to people thinking that way about me I guess. Apparently I have a very pretty boy image, tends to make me seem like something I’m not.”

“You think you’re pretty?” Charlotte teased.

Zayn shyly looked down and smiled as Charlotte turned around to look at him. He was really cute when he did that, she thought.

“I forgive you, just next time be honest. I don’t like looking like an idiot in front of others. Okay?”

“Okay.”

---

Liam walked on the field for practice and immediately spotted Audrey sitting in the grass struggling to get her cleats on.

“Ready for practice?” He asked sitting down next to her.

“Yep.” She said with a grunt as she forced her right cleat on.

“Yeah me too. I think maybe we should go over a few things before we start.”

“What kind of things?” She asked continuing to work on her shoe.

Liam reached over and grabbed her foot with his left hand, then with his right he slipped on her cleat and tied it.

“I could have done that.” She said.

“I’m sure you could. Now as for those things. I just want to make sure you understand that that is the pitch,” he said pointing to the field, “and that is the pond.”

“I know.” Audrey said getting defensive.

“Alright, just wanted to make sure you know which one we use for the game.” He teased.

---

Niall and Juliet have found their calling. An outlet for their constant need to be against the other.

Debate Club.

Originally when Juliet first saw Niall, she thought about turning around heading to the Headmaster’s office and begging for another extra circular. But once she realized she would spend practically every day getting to argue with him and it being a good thing, she started to change her mind.

“The topic for today is: are single-sex schools good for education? And because I know this will be a controversial topic given the circumstances; Niall you will be against single-sex schools and Juliet you will argue for single-sex schools. Juliet, you may have the open argument.” Said Mr. Caldwell.

Juliet cleared her throat. “I would like to state that single-sex schools are good for education because they remove distractions that are found among multi-sex schools. Distractions such as, dating and competition for the opposite sex. Having single-sex schools allows students to flourish in an environment where they are least likely to focus on anything other than their education.”

“I would like to disagree with that statement, Juliet. I would argue that single-sex schools are not good for education because it does not allow the same opportunities to both parties. I think that if there is an all boy’s school and an all girls school but not one where there are both, a certain level of socializing is missed. When the sides are split like that, society does not benefit because how can we learn to respect and tolerate one another if we are separated. It allows sexism to flourish and does not solve the problem.”

Juliet was thrown by Niall’s answer. She knew he was required to debate the opposite side but she didn’t think he would actually have a knowledgeable answer.

“Juliet your response.” Mr. Caldwell called.

She composed herself and started again, “But don’t you think, Niall. That if single-sex schools place enough education on the topic of sexism and tolerance, then there would be no faults. It isn’t like there are no opportunities outside of school where both sexes can socialize.”

“From experience I can say that when you are in an environment where it is perfectly normal to be an ass to women, you find it to be hard when you actually have to be polite.” He said winking at Juliet.

There it is. There’s the Niall, Juliet knew. For a moment he almost had her.

“Mr. Horan don’t say ‘ass’ and as for this debate I’m giving it to you, but not for the last comment. You all may leave.” Mr. Caldwell said before grabbing his things and leaving.

“You just can’t do it, can you?” Asked Juliet.

“Do what?”

“Be serious. Almost every debate we have always ends like this.”

Juliet started to leave as she was followed by Niall.

“Admit it I had you fooled though. Especially with that crap about sexism. You should have seen your face.”

“Fine, I’ll admit it. But part of me believes you feel that way. Why else would you have said it?”

“Because I’ve heard it said a thousand times by Prime Minister Styles. Anytime we would go over to Harry’s house during the summer, we would be lectured on the importance of Winthrope becoming co-ed.”

“Has it really been that bad?” Juliet asked as they started walking back to the house.

“That you’re here. I don’t Little Jules. It’s only the second week.”

“That doesn’t really answer the question.”

“Honestly, I really don’t know. While I enjoy debating you every day, I sometimes feel that tradition of this place is going away. And maybe I value that more than us being friends.”

She was shocked by his honesty. How could he value a stupid school over being a decent human to the girls here?

“I’m sorry you feel that way.” Juliet said and walked a little faster so she wasn’t walking with him anymore.

Notes

Short chapter. I wanted to give all the other characters a little update on their story.

As always don't forget to vote, rate, subscribe, and comment. I love hearing from you guys!