"And those are just some of the wonders of the majestic rainforest!" announced Miss Couri, the Stiles High Biology teacher. She had just finished showing her class a slideshiw from her receng trip to the tropical rainforest, and unlike most slideshows, this one had actually been extremely cool, full of exotic animals, unusual plants and stunning landscapes.
"Wow, I never knew trees could be so awesome," Cloe whispered to her best friend, Yasmin.
"Oh, I did!" Yasmin replied. "I've always loved trees."
"Those plants and animals were beautiful," Agreed their best friend Jade, who was sitting right behind Cloe.
"In fact, seeing all those spectacular colours gave me some great new fashion ideas!"
"I'm glad you girls are excited," their teacher said, overhearing them.
"Because i'm planning an eco-tour to the rainforest over spring break, and I'll be taking a group of eight students with me."
"I'm there!" cried Sasha from her seat behind Yasmin, then clapped her hand over her mouth, realizing how loud she'd been. She was the fourth in this quartet of best friends, and tended to be the decision-maker of the group.
"We'll go mountain climbing, take nature hikes and kayak down the river," Miss Couri continued.
"We'll also get to study the local wildlife and help with conservation efforts in the rainforest."
"That sounds amazing," gushed Yasmin.
"I can't imagine a better way to spend our spring break."
The bell rang, signalling the end of school day, and Miss Couri called,
"I do hope you'll think about the trip. I'll have a sign-up sheet here tomorrow."
Miss Couri was one of the newest, youngest, and hippest teachers at Stiles High. As they hurried out of the classroom, the girls excitedly discussed what a fun trip leader she would be.
"She always seems excited about what she's teaching us!" Cloe exclaimed.
"I mean, she manages to make biology fun, so with someone as awesome as the rainforest, I'm sure we'll be blown away!"
"Cloe, biology is fun!" Yasmin protested. She was the best student of the group, and although creative writing was more her thing, she loved all her classes.
"And rainforests are all about biology – the plants, the animals, the ecosystems... That was the point of Miss Couri's presentation today, not just to show us pretty pictures!"
"School's over, Yas – no more lectures, okay?" Cloe protested.
"I just think if we're seriously considering this trip, then we should be clear on what we're getting ourselves into," Yasmin explained.
"I mean, it sounds like a fabulous adventure, but like Miss Couri said, we'd really be studying the rainforest."
"Wait, you don't think she'd actually give us homework on this trip, do you?"
Jade asked as the girls headed for the parking lot.
"I mean, it is spring break – that's time off from school, not time for more school!"
"It's an educational trip," Sasha replied.
"So yeah, I think there might be some learning involved. But we'd be learning about amazing creatures, like jaguars, monkeys and toucans, and getting to see them first-hand! So it'll be be way more fun than an average class."
"Plus, we'd get to visit a spectacular place, and we'd have way cooler stories to tell than if we just went to the beach like we usually do for spring break," Yasmin added as they piled into Cloe's cruiser.
"And we'd get to help save the rainforest."
"That does sound awesome," Jade agreed.
"So, where to, ladies?" Cloe asked, sliding behind the wheel.
"It's such a beautiful day – do you want to go to the park?" Yasmin suggested, tilting her head back to soak in the sun.
"Yeah!" her friends agreed.
Cloe drove them to the park, where they gathered around a picnic table facing the Stilesville Mall, one of their absolute favourite places in town. "It feels so weird to be close to the mall and not to go in," Jade joked.
"I know," Cloe replied.
"But it really is too pretty for us to be cooped up inside."
"Guess I'll have just have to oray for a cloudy day!" Jade teased.
"Well, if we do sign up for this trip, we'll need a whole new set of safari attire," Sasha pointed out.
"That's it, I'm in!" Jade declared. "Anything for a new wardrobe." Dhe swept her hanf in front of her as though painting a picture for her friends and continued, "I can see it now – safari chic in cute cargos and camo-prints!"
"Ooh,awesome idea!" Cloe agreed.
"Are you girls sure we shouldn't stop into the mall for a quick look around?"
"Cloe! We're enjoying nature, remember?" Sasha chided her.
"Oh... Right," Cloe said. "Are you sure we can't just enjoy it from the inside?" The girls shook their heads at her and kept talking.
"I really want to go on this trip," Yasmin announced. "Will you girls go with me?"
"Of course!" Sasha replied. "We're a team!"
"But Yasmin, we really need to finish the new issue of Bratz Magazine over spring break," Jade reminded her. "And we haven't even started on it yet!"
A huge smile spread across Yasmin's face. "Jade, that's it!" she declared.
"What is it?" Jade asked, confused.
"We'll do a rainforest-themed issue of Bratz Magazine!" Yasmin squealed.
"It'll be so hot, and we'll have tons of amazing activities and fabulous new sights to write about."
"Yeah!" Jade agreed. "And I'll havr fabulous new jungle-inspired fashions to share with our readers."
"And we can tell people about all the cool plants and animals that live in the jungle," Yasmin added. "We could really raise awareness about how spectacular the rainforest is."
"I love it!" Cloe exclaimed. "Theme issues are my favourite!"
"So it's settled," Sasha replied. "We'll sign up for the trip first thing in the morning."
"This is going to br the most exciting spring break ever!" Yasmin cried happily.
"And the modt spectacular issue of Bratz Magazine, too!" Jade declared.