Dabbling In Sweetness

Chapter 3

During lunch, I find myself staring at the large bulletin board at the center of the hallway filled with current announcements. I blink twice, three times, four, five, and several more as I look at the new addition to it. On a large piece of silver paper with bold letters in the middle, is my name. Above it; say hi to the new Vice-President for the senior class.

Once I have processed my new status as vice president, I gulp. It had become official for the whole school to know. Which meant, I would have to find the courage to speak to Abacus Kennedy. Like a zombie, I make my way to my locker and exchange the books I would need for the rest of the day with the ones I wouldn't. Once I close the locker door, I don't hesitate as I let out a groan and lightly bang my head against it as I try to come up with a solution. But with the first thought came more, and none related to Abacus. Instead, they started drifting to my morning conversation with Mr. Webner and the guy who walked in. Why did he call me Strawberry? Why did he smirk at me?

As I am about to bang my head against the locker one more time, I feel a hand stop the impact.

I give a sideways glance to see Lynett piercing at me with furrowed eyebrows. I hastily regard her and gently move her hand out of my way as I continue to gently bang my head against the locker. Once again I felt her hand on my forehead and this time I looked up to see her rolling her eyes but with a concerned look on her face.

I sigh and lean back into my locker now, fully facing her. "Did you see it?" I ask her, defeated.

She gives me a smile, "Yes. Which is why I'm wondering why you're here instead of holding your head proudly." She places her hands on my shoulder and shakes me a little, "your vice president. That's amazing." I give her a half-smile before letting my head lean on the locker again as I slowly slide down it.

I shake my head, "I don't know what I was thinking Lynett. I'm not cut out to be vice president. Having to address the whole student body on multiple occasions."

She crouches down next to me, "you've been in debates and math competitions before with people looking at you."

"That's different. I've done my research beforehand and know exactly what I have to do and say. Also, it's not like there was a huge crowd looking up at me. Mostly my family, not my fellow peers who will be judging me."

She contemplates this, "Well you won't be alone. You have the whole student council. Besides, I doubt you will have to talk to us more than the president himself."

"Everyone's going to know who I am," I whisper, more so to myself than her. She grabs my hand and pulls me up.

I look at her as she shrugs, "would that be such a bad thing?" We stand in silence for a moment as I think before I respond.

"I guess we'll see."

"Exactly; don't count your chickens before they hatch." I laugh at her phrase but nod because she was right. I could be making something out of nothing, but I won't know until I have to. "Now let's go get some food," she says and drags me with her to the cafeteria.

Once we get our food, I follow her lead to the outside patio where we find a seat close to the entrance. I immediately take out my English book and start reading it. "Heyo," Lily, our peppy cheerleader friend says as she takes a seat in front of us. I mumble a quick hello before continuing my reading. She turns her attention to me and lowers the book as she stares at me. I maintained eye contact with the fiery red-haired Asian, confused at what she was doing. She gives me a wide grin before speaking sweetly, "Amelia pie, do you by any chance-" I knew where this was going, "have the calculus homework?" I stare at her with empty eyes. She quickly makes puppy dog eyes and gives me a pout. "Please- I was up all night watching Delilah," she says and holds up a pound of flowers with a painted face.