Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

could be valedictorian and get into Harvard. Helen stayed out of

the competition, especially because she had started liking Zach less

and less the past few years. Ever since his father became the football

coach and starting pushing Zach to be number one both on the

field and in the classroom, Zach had become so competitive that

Helen could barely stand to be around him anymore.

A part of her felt bad for him. She would have pitied him more if

he wasn?t so combative toward her. Zach had to be everything all

the time?president of this club, captain of that team, the guy with

all the gossip?but he never looked like he was enjoying any of it.

Claire insisted that Zach was secretly in love with Helen, but Helen

didn?t believe it for a second; in fact, sometimes she felt like Zach

hated her, and that bothered her. He used to share his animal

crackers with her during recess in the first grade, and now he

looked for any opportunity to pick a fight with her. When did

everything get so complicated, and why couldn?t they all just be

friends like they were in grade school?

?Mr. Brant,? Mr. Hergeshimer enunciated. ?You may use ?impertinent?

as your word if you wish, but from someone of your mental

faculties I shall also be expecting something more. Perhaps an essay

on an example of impertinence in English literature?? He nodded.

?Yes, five pages on Salinger?s use of impertinence in his controversial

Catcher in the Rye by Monday, please.?

Helen could practically smell the palms of Zach?s hands clam up

from two seats away. Hergie?s powers for giving extra reading to

smart-ass students were legendary, and he seemed determined to

make an example out of Zach on the first day. Helen thanked her

lucky stars Hergie hadn?t picked on her.

She?d rejoiced too soon. After Mr. Hergeshimer handed out the

schedules, he called Helen up to his desk. He told the other students