The Beetle and the Bracelet Chapter One- Jane's War on Everything - No! - Just School

“Simon Oscars!”
“Here Miss James!”
“Maxine Petes!”
“Here Miss James!”
“Peter Ryan!”
“Here Miss James!”
“Jane Seaman!”-…
“Is Jane here?”
“Oh- What? - Here!!”
“Do try to pay attention, Jane, and do stop drawing on the desk! *Sigh* What are we going to do with you?”

Jane Seaman was a beautiful, currently board 12-year-old with long, wavy (always conditioned) black hair, almond-shaped blue eyes and olive-coloured skin just trying to get through a day of school without any more dentition than necessary (and any more than she already had.)

Though not a favourite with the teachers, she was certainly a favourite with students, and popular with every kid everywhere. She could name exactly 100, no more and no less, of her friends off the top of her head. She had, however, three special “best” friends, Maxine Petes, Bethany Palmer, and Alex Winter. If she had to choose any more she would add Sam Orange and Leila Beu, but they were her top three.

“Jane!” called Miss James, her year 7 homeroom teacher.
“What-what is it- Miss James?”
“I do wish you’d pay more attention. I’m not going to repeat what I just said. In fact- I have a novel idea. Why don’t you listen? Why don’t you listen, Jane?”
“I’ll try, Miss James,” replied Jane dully. “I’ll try.”
Then she sighed. Was this never going to end!?