Blue and Magenta

Chapter Twenty-Two

Oakstone Academy did not have a new principal yet.

They had not managed to find someone to replace Mr. McCartney, especially as news traveled through the school community about him and Reese. Most teachers wanted to stay away from Oakstone rather than flocking to the school. Mrs. Gouges was the current acting principal. She welcomed the two couples back on campus when they arrived. Her smile was too tight. This time, Magenta's mother was there too to drop Magenta off.

"Magenta, Blue, Shelby, Jasper, and your lovely parents. Welcome back. We at Oakstone want to assure you that we are completely committed to your safety and protection."

Mrs. Gouges said there were new measures in effect, such as security cameras and reinforced guards around campus. She walked them through the new measures to make sure they were aware. They were doing it for the press and reputation as well, because wherever they went the school secretariat and one other person followed with a notepad and camera.

They kept snapping and writing down things and talking in what they thought were whispers but everyone could hear them.

"Acting principal welcomes students back on campus with a walk-through of the campus amendments. Four students were previously involved in the case with Reese McCartney. Seemingly calm, happy to be back."

"Well, I'll let you settle back into your dorms. Please be reminded we have tryouts for the Winter sports day tonight. Blue, I imagine you'd like to join." Mrs. Gouges tipped her hand towards Blue.

Blue nodded and he volunteered his girlfriend too.

"Magenta will join too," he said.

Magenta said, "Huh, I will?"

Shelby nodded and she said, "Yes. Magenta will be joining."

She elbowed Jasper who agreed, clearing his throat.

As Mrs. Gouges left to go do her other regular duties, Magenta bopped her friends on the head.

"Hey! Why am I the recruit?" Magenta said.

"Because you're good at running," Blue said.

"Running away from Blue," Shelby added.

There was a cloud in the sky bent into a smiley face shape, and the sun shone down, the light rays pushing against the quartet's shadows.

"I guess we've got to see that in action to know," Jasper said.

"Race you to the dorms!" Magenta hooted, tagging Blue with one hand before she sprinted off.

Blue said, "Cheeky!" and then he dashed after her, his feet gaining speed.

Shelby and Jasper strolled casually behind, watching their best friends enjoy themselves on a sunny November afternoon.

The tryouts were quite intense. All those trained muscular people were there from Oakstone. There were 100m, 200m, 500m, 1000m sprints, and other athletics sports such as shot put, discus, high jump, javelin, and long jump.

Each sport was a specialty in itself. Magenta's favorites were the 200m sprint and shot put. A shot put was a heavy metal ball, thrown as far as possible within the boundary lines. Magenta usually didn't do tryouts, but Blue encouraging her gave her a newfound sense of bravery.

She waited for her turn, standing on the side. A senior student came up to make small talk.

"Hi, Magenta. It's me, Tabitha from the class above. I just want to thank you for what you did about Reese. I'm not on his list. But he was mean to me last year when we were doing a project together. He made me do everything on my own, and blackmailed me into not telling anyone." Tabitha looked close to tears as she recounted the past.