It's not hard to spot Claud. She dresses in ultra bright colors that look great with her jet black hair. She likes to wear outrageous earrings and hair ornaments that she makes herself. Claud is Japanese-American and has beautiful dark almond-shaped eyes and perfect skin, which is amazing to me because she's an absolute junk food addict. I'm not kidding. She adores Ring Dings, candy kisses, and Mallomars. Her idea of a good lunch is a chocolate bar with peanuts and a can of fruit punch.

    Then there's Kristy. When it comes to fashion she couldn't care less. First of all, Kristy is a full-fledged tomboy. She likes sports and even coaches a softball team called Kristy's Krushers. She has dark brown chin-length hair that she sometimes tucks under a baseball cap. And most days, like today, she wears her standard uniform - a turtleneck, jeans, and sneakers.

    I waved to Kristy and Claud and then hurried across the crowded lunch room to join them.

    "Guess what?" I announced as I placed my lunch next to Claudia's. "I'm going to save the planet." Claudia just blinked her dark eyes at me and said, "It's about time." Kristy took a big bite of her (ick) hamburger and cracked, "I was going to save it but I have a big softball game this afternoon." "You two think you're so funny." I swatted at Kristy, who was grinning at me from across the table. "But I mean it. This grade period we're studying ecology in Mrs. Gonzalez's science class. She's asked us to come up with an independent project - " "To save the earth," a voice finished from behind me. It was Stacey McGill, balancing a carton of yogurt and a small salad on her tray. She slipped into the seat beside Kristy. "I've got to do the same project. We only have a week to think of something, and so far my mind is a total blank." Stacey is absolutely gorgeous, with fluffy blonde hair and these huge blue eyes with dark eyelashes.