Redwood High

Chapter 11

DECA Trip - part 1

“We are going to State competition for sure,” Carol told me.

Mr. Flores had just finished explaining all about State competition and what we would do if we did go. I was actually interested; I have been when I first heard about it in the beginning of the year. We would basically go to the Anaheim Convention Center and compete in DECA based competitions against other chapters in the state of California. We would stay in some hotel, I kind of stopped paying attention because Carol as yapping in my ear.

“State competition is literally three weeks away I can’t wait. Riley, Grace, we shall be going. Mark your calendars, because we are going.”

Ethan used to sit with us, but he knows sits with another table group across the room. He sat with Giselle, Blake, and Melissa now. Carol was fine now, but I don’t think she’s completely over him. Something happened between them and I think she’s still clinging onto that.

Anyways, DECA is a nationwide organization that allows both high school levels and collegiate levels test their knowledge in to the world of business and marketing.

“So, today we are going to hear from sophomores and juniors who did go to State for the first time last year,” Mr. Flores began, “they were freshmen and sophomores at the time too, so they are going to share with experiences that they had with you guys.”

We watched, as sophomores came up and shared how was their experiences and how they survived and how fun it was. I didn’t need this; I had my mind set on going for sure.

“Sebastian’s going up,” whispered Riley in my ear.

“Yes Riley, I see that. We are not 7 feet away from him,” I replied.

Sebastian got in front of the class and literally oozed confidence. “Okay guys, if you are iffy about going to state that’s fine, that’s normal. I mean the concept of competing against other schools does sound scary.  But I assure you, those 10 minutes are not scary at all. It’s quick and for the next couple of weeks, we are going to prepare you for state.”

***

3 weeks later

 

Packing is difficult. Packing for a five-day trip is even harder. I was set on packing organized and neat, but it was almost time to meet at the school so I just began throwing random clothes in my luggage. We were going by bus to the San Francisco International Airport, which is roughly a 2-hour drive. From there we are flying to Fullerton Municipal Airport, which is about twenty minutes away from Anaheim. If the school did decide to drive straight through from Northern California to Anaheim, that would be roughly about 8-9 hours. This complicated plan reduces that to at least half.

It was a sunny day with minimal cloud activity. That reduces my anxiety levels about flying down a bit. When I first arrived here, I was in constant anxiety because it was a cloudy day.

“Grace, we’re going to be late! Hurry!” I heard my aunt call from upstairs. I double-checked that I had everything and lugged my luggage downstairs. Ryan helped me place it in the back of the car.

I was nervous and excited. Back in Michigan, I didn’t really go to any major school trips. My parents didn’t allow it. I felt like I was in a way betraying them.

When we arrived to the school, I noticed two things: Riley had spilled her luggage and clothes were everywhere and Karen Ledvoski was holding hands with Ethan by the charter busses. I literally gaped at them as my aunt tried to find parking in the midst of people and cars everywhere.

My aunt registered my name in while a female chaperon rifled through my luggage. When they didn’t find anything, I said goodbye to my aunt and Ryan and left to go find Carol and Riley.

They were seated in the cafeteria, waiting like the others to be escorted into the charter busses.

“Did you see?” I asked.

Carol nodded. “I did. But I’m over it. I gave us a second chance and it didn’t work. I’m not going to be wallowing over some freshmen crush. But in reality it’s breaking my heart in pieces. To see him and that… slut… together… AGAIN!” She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath.

“I’m okay,” she said.

“Fucking Karen,” Riley and I both said at the same time.

“Okay people, start filling in the busses! Remember to stay with your chaperone and go on the bus they are on. It makes it less confusing. Let’s get moving people!” Ms. Kathy was tall, had dark hair, and was a super sassy Asian lady. She was cool.

Riley, Carol, and I had the same bus, which I was extremely happy for. Ethan was on some other bus. The only downside was that Karen Ledvoski and Sebastian were also on this bus. To say I was annoyed was an understatement.

Riley pulled out orange juice and began sipping. “This is going to be a long trip.”

***

5 name calls, 4 shouts, and 2 almost fights later, we made it to Anaheim. It got to the point where Riley and I had to physically put a blindfold on Carol so she won’t begin yelling again.

“Carol, we all hate her. But I’m tired. No, exhausted. And you yelling give me a migraine. So shut up before I throw you in the dessert.” Riley took off Carol’s blindfold and rubbed her eyes.

We left at around 7 in the morning. It was now almost one in the afternoon. The day wasn’t over and I already felt dead. Well, more dead than usual.

“Okay, NCTA students. You will all be taking your marketing cluster exams depending on your events. If you need your times again for when you take the test, there are papers in the hotel room. You’ll see them. In two days you will be doing your actual competitive stuff. So freshmen, you guys will only be doing Principles of Marketing. When they shout PMK, that’s you. If you don’t remember your scheduled time, they are also printed on the papers in the hotel. Everyone else, prepare for you’re other events. We have extra laptops and extra chargers. Rehearse your lines. Practice. Today is just a settling in day. We will now be handing you your hotel room keys. If you loose it, tell us so we can get you a new one. Also, don’t forget your I.D’s for when you go to take the exam. Ok so we will now be handing hotel room keys…”

When Mr. Flores finished speaking, we all waited as they handed out room keys. Riley, Carol and I shared a room with some other freshmen. I think her name was Giselle or something.

“You best believe I’m going to hit up the pool. And Disney Land. Maybe California Adventures. Oh god I’m so excited. Nothing, nothing, will ruin this trip for me,” announced Carol.

Oh how wrong she could be.

***

RILEY’S POV

The first thing I did was sneak into Todd’s room and had a quickie while his roommates were gone. I have a problem.

I think I was addicted to his dick.

I quickly researched this on my phone. I found out you can. That’s me currently. I couldn’t get enough. Oh lord.

***

GRACE’S POV

I decided to go to the food court to see what I could find to eat. There’s Chinese food, a pizza place, a sandwich place, an Italian food place, and a burger place. I decided to go back to our room to bring Riley and Carol with me.

When I walked into our room, I didn’t expect… this:

A sobbing Carol, a bleeding Ethan, and a broken something. We haven’t been here for an hour- AN HOUR – and something was already broken.