Chapter 1 After a night of snowfall, the morning dawned bright and crisp. The field looked like it was wearing a white dress of glittering diamonds. In the summer, it stretched like a lime vine in a jungle of adventure. In the winter, it was separated into different snow villages of connected forts. When I lifted my gaze, I saw Mt. Pleasant's majestic building resting like a crown on the far hill. Mt. Pleasant was an outstanding school, and I was proud to be a student there.

Soon, Tucker, Billy, and I accompanied our fellow classmates onto the expanse of land. We were smiling and talking about constructing forts when the enemy approached. Students from Hillside school surrounded their infamous leader, George, who was my nemesis. They had trespassed before, and the resulting arguments always stopped us from playing in the snow. I turned to address the intruders with confidence.

"What are you doing here, George? This field is Mt. Pleasant territory, and only its students are permitted to play and build here."

George tried to tell me that this beloved piece of land wasn't Mt. Pleasant territory and that we should share. With those words, George had unknowingly opened Pandora's Box. I was a passionate defender of the field and refused to listen to his erroneous arguments, for Mt. Pleasant students had run through this field and rested in the shadows of the trees for ages. The conflict grew more intense, as members from each faction voiced their thoughts. When I steadfastly refused to surrender, George suggested a challenge.

"Joanna, why don't we compete for the field? Whoever wins can play here anytime they wish. Whoever loses must leave and never return."

We would triumph, of course, and these foes would never trespass again. I agreed to the plan, negotiated the terms, and determined the time and place. Mt. Pleasant students would recount this legendary snowball fight for years.