School Board

Chapter 5: Mardi Gras

"Ready to go?" asked Aaron, talking to Jade on the phone.

"Yeah," Jade replayed.

"What room are you in?" asked Aaron

"Room 372."

"Okay, I'm coming up," Aaron said. Aaron hung up the phone provided by the school and walked to Jade's room. He knocked on the door and Jade opened it. She was wearing a pink dress and her hair was in curls. Aaron stood there shockingly, yet embarrassed because he was more casual. He felt weird next to Jade with big dress and him with a t-shirt and Jean shorts. Jade didn't seem to mind.

They walked them out of the French doors of the foyer and went through the streets of New Orleans. As they walked Aaron saw floats, dancers, jazz players, and endless amounts of confetti. Most of the people were black whitch made Aaron fell a little uncomfortable.

"You like it?" asked Jade.

"Like it, it's amazing! yelled Aaron, trying to hear himself over the loud music.

They walked past all sorts of shops but one in particular struck Aaron's eye. It was called Voo Doo Blues. Aaron looked inside and saw a man sitting in the corner making black fire come from his hands. His smile was uncomfortable, but made Aaron want to look within the store. He took one step in but luckily Jade grabbed Aaron's shoulder.

"Stop," Jade said seriously, shaking her head. "Don't go in there."

"Why not?" asked Aaron.

"Yes, why not?" asked the man with in the shop.

"Because, it's called Black Magic," Jade whispered, "It's like devils magic, I know it seems tempting but you should resist." Aaron was confused, he wanted to go into the shop but he knew that his new friend was probably right. He took one last look at the store and kept walking.

He then remembered when he got Amber a souvenir, it strengthened their relationship as siblings.

"Jade, we should get a souvenir, since this is my first Mardi Gras," Aaron suggested.

"That's a great idea," Jade said. They walked into a shop called New Orleans Gifts.

"These are the kind of stores you want to go into, " Jade giggled.

"I know that now." They looked around and about five minutes later Aaron walked out with a phone case with mascaraed mask that said New Orleans on it and Jade bought an key chain that had her name on it. Jade looked at her watch.

"We better go now," Jade said. When they walked back to the apartment building where Mary had a surprise for them.

"Welcome back, sugar plums," said Mary, " I need you to come to the back room, please, I need help with something."

They walked through a hall to the dining hall. Mary had made a fine dining experience for Aaron and Jade because both were from Europe. There was red beans and rice, grits, and King's cake, which was a circle cake.

"Enjoy!" Mary said enthusiastically.

"Wait, I want to go get Amber." Aaron went upstairs to room 266 and opened the door. There he saw Amber and another girl.

"Aaron, this is Hannah Shlift, a new student in Notches, now leave," Amber snapped.

"We are eating southern food in the dining hall with Ms. Mary, would you like to come?" asked Aaron.

"No, and what is with you and that Mary lady, she scares me a bit."

"Fine, but I'll bring some grits," Aaron said. Aaron shut the door and Amber was confused.

"What exactly is a grit?" asked Amber to Hannah. Hannah shrugged. Aaron went back down stairs to enjoy the Louisiana dinner.