THE HIT SHOW [ONGOING]

ACT 1, SCENE 4: The Principal's Office

Willow hated remembering all that had happened. How she had been made a fool of and how she had stormed downstairs, as though she would launch her attack whoever was present in front of her at the time.

She was burning. She remembered the redhead that told her that the showers were upstairs. She remembered the moment she spot her out. She remembered the way she laughed and joked about if Willow had 'found the showers yet.'

It pissed her off. She recalled bolting to the girl, pushing her into the pool, ignoring the explosions of shouting, laughter, and noise behind her, as she walked off to the actual showers.

The shower helped put out the fire. So once she was calm enough, Willow walked back to her dorm. To her surprise, the crowd had disappeared.

At the dorms, Willow told Sylvie everything. Sylvie's striking eyes glowed with interest and shock, as she listened to her friend's adventure. To her dramatic story, Sylvie helped Willow with minor details. She told her that the swim team captain was Verenoica and the coach was her aunt, coach Koval. She also noted that the golden boy she had seen at the ice rink was Ivan and he was the goalie for the hokey team.

Willow didn't care for their names as they were dead to her anyway. She figured that both parties were dating as they were both as fake and weak as each other.

Sylvie interjected and told her that they weren't dating. In fact, Ivan was running for Head Boy, and that he had a sense of 'protectiveness' amongst his peers.

Fake. Still fake.

Willow's knuckles turned white as she clutched onto the armrest of the chair in the principal's office. A simple announcement had brought her here. At least she was able to catch up with her friend before that.

"Threatening behavior, foul language in public, and pushing a girl into the... pool? My dear, you've had quite a day haven't you!"

Willow glanced over at the principal. Her kind smile, tall stature, and her wired glasses sitting on her nose, as she held the statement the enemies had made. It hadn't been a day yet and already, she was having to deal with Willow's trouble.

Willow let out a sigh, trying to control her angered breathing.

"They made me do it."

The principal, Mrs. Harrision, raked her hands over her face. This wasn't the answer she was hoping to get.

"Now, I know it's your first day and everything may be a little overwhelming for you but you need to understand you cannot be acting in this manner! I mean, you're- you're acting like a criminal on the run!"

The corners of Willow's lips turned up as her dark eyes gleamed even darker.

Mrs. Harrison was almost terrified.

"Maybe this is how you dealt with things back home but this isn't how we deal with things here. If you disagree, tell them with your eyes."

Willow thought about ways she could shout 'Fuck off' with her eyes.

"I want you to consider this a warning Willow. I know it's your first day here and you've recently moved to the country, so I will make an exception."

Willow raised a brow.

"Thanks? I guess."

Mrs. Harrison shook her head trying to shake off the terrible gratitude.

"You were meant to join a club today but I guess that hasn't worked out for you."

Willow was quick to pipe up on that one.

"I have to? Why?"

Mrs. Harrison let out a sigh trying to collect her thoughts. She recalled that she had given this information to Willow on their school tour. Generally, dealing with behavior was easier than this. However, this girl didn't seem to be easy to deal with.

"At Belle Cove, we value extracurricular activities as much as our grades. We are known for our sporting abilities, our performances, and our art. You need to join at least one to fill in your hours."

"But I already joined the swim team, see what happened," Willow smirked.

Mrs. Harrison ignored her. Rummaging through her drawers, she pulled out a sheet of paper.

"Here's a list of activities. Join one by tomorrow morning."

~~~

Willow glanced at the sheet of paper given to her by her principal.

"Sylvie, which one is the most low-effort?"

Sylvie let out a giggle. "You must be good at something!"

Willow hung on to that thought but doubted it. If the clubs were about learning a skill, she would have a go, however, after what had happened at the swim team tryouts, she knew that professionalism was preferred.

She glanced over the subheadings at least another ten times, trying to gain some sort of idea.

The Arts

Sports

School Debate Team

School News Team

This all felt so overwhelming for Willow. She had little to no artistic ability. She considered sports, however, the school only accepted athletes. She couldn't debate because she would start cussing out the person she'd be debating with. The news team wouldn't work for her, as she gave absolutely no interest in other people's business.

"What about theatre? You can be a tree? Or you could help with set design?"

Willow scrunched her nose, glancing under the 'Arts' heading. She then let out a laugh, as she pictured herself as a tree, in the middle of the stage, while the other actors would frolic around her.

Sylvie was smiling but not laughing. Willow stopped and stared at Sylvie, trying to see a hint to indicate that it was all a joke.

She wasn't.

Willow measures out the possibilities. If she agrees, then she wouldn't have to move back in with her dad. And set design can't be that hard. She could even do other background work, something minimal. The idea was starting to grow on her.

Tomorrow morning, Willow would be meeting with the theatre group.