he's my hero → t . stark ( ON HOLD )

Chapter 10

"She's testing you already? You've only been here a week!" Tucker exclaimed at lunch on Monday. They were talking about the math test that would be the next day, and Zoza shrugged.

"I understand it pretty well. I mean, it isn't the hardest concept in the world." she bit into her peanut butter and jelly sandwich and chewed.

"Eh, she's right. Just because you go in for extra help Tuck..." Colin chuckled, eating his sandwich, earning a glare from Tucker. David smiled at Zoza, and she finished her sandwich and opened her cookies. She passed them around so everyone took one, and they heard footsteps clomp onto the stage. They could tell that the microphone was lifted from the hardwood, due to the feedback that rang through the room. Zoza, who was sensitive to loud noises, covered her ears quickly and winced. But, when a cheery voice echoed in the lunchroom, she jumped and hit her knee on the table.

"Hello Campbell Middle School eighth graders! I'm Faith Dunham, and I'm running for Student Council President! As a finalist, I'm required to give a speech to all lunches, so here I go. If you elect me Student Council President, I will fight for long lunch periods, better desserts, better class parties, a wide variety of gym activities, less homework, and most importantly, recess! I'm sure that I am the most qualified person for the position, and i'll always do my best! Thanks for your time!" Faith giggled, and she set the microphone down before skipping off stage.

"What a bunch of crap. Anybody with half a brain knows that no SCP can get any of that accomplished. Whoever believes her is a moron." Harry shook his head while lots of kids clapped and cheered.

"Well, at least we know we're smarter than a majority of the eighth grade." Zoza bit into her cookie, and another set of shoes made a thumping sound as they stepped on the stage. This time, no feedback erupted from the microphone as it was lifted, and a boy cleared his throat.

"Uh, hi, I'm Marty, but my friends call me Marty J. I'm the other finalist for SCP, so this is my crack at a speech. So, there are lots of things an SCP can do. They can help set up fundraisers for charities and donate to food banks. They can collect DVDs made for kids and give them to kids with cancer. They can make bracelets, sell them, and donate the money made to places that give kids a small gift for the holidays. The SCP should try and help others, along with the school. But enough with the better desserts, less homework, and recess. Thank you." Marty set the mike down, and a roar of applause filled the room. Beaming, Marty walked over to David's table, and he took the last open seat.

"You killed it man! Nice on!" Tucker clapped him on the shoulder, and he blushed lightly.

"Thanks Tuck, I made it up on the spot. I forgot about speeches." he chuckled, and he looked at Zoza.

"Hey there. You new around here? I'm Marty, but you can call me Marty J, if you're friends with these knuckleheads." he grinned, and she smiled.

"I'm Zoza, nice to meet you Marty J. And yeah, nice speech up there." she shook his hand and offered him a cookie, which he took with a grin.

"You're gonna love it here, even if Faith wins." Marty popped the cookie into his mouth, leaning back in his seat.

"Yeah, I think so too." she smiled, and the bell rang.

***

That night at dinner, Zoza sat between Steve and Bruce, and she talked about school.

"And then Marty J, that's what only his friends can call him, gave this awesome speech that he ad libbed, and he totally beat Faith, but that's okay because we don't like her..." she rambled, and they all listened, but Tony was nowhere to be seen. Pepper had told them that he was eating in the lab tonight, but that's where he usually ate these days.