Prom Committee

The Principal's Office

"Okay let's get back to reading the next sonnet. Tara, would you mind reading it for us?" Mrs. White asked.

I nodded looking at my book. I was about to open my mouth when all of a sudden I was interrupted by the loud speaker.

"Tara Collins, can you please come to the principal's office?" Mrs. Greene, the principal, ordered.

I jolted my head up with my eyes wide-open. Did I actually hear that correctly? Did she call me to the principal's office?

"Tara, did you hear that? They want you in the principal's office," Mrs. White stated.

"Yes ma'am," I reassured.

I collected all my English literature material and shoved the objects into my backpack. I slung the backpack over both of my shoulders and looked over at Layla.

"What did I do?" I whispered.

She shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know."

I got out of my seat and started walking to the door. The whole room was silent and I observed every student watching me. This is so stinking embarrassing.

I shut the door behind me and just stared into the empty hallway. There was no noise, no movement, and all I could hear was my heart beating a mile a minute. I took a deep breath and started walking slowly.

What did I do? I have never been called to the office ever in my life. I was a good person, and did everything absolutely right. Beck was just sent to the principal's office because he was a slacker, but I wasn't. I am not a sucker either, oh the sweet irony. Stupid English.

My feet were moving, but it felt as if I was barely in motion. Consequently, I knew I was actually almost there, to my dismay. I kept walking, but I tried to quit thinking. Honestly I didn't want to know why I was called in there, but at the same time I did. Well I saw the door to the front office and slowly opened it stepping in.

"Mrs. Greene wanted to see me," I said to Ms. Thatcher, the secretary.

She went inside Mrs. Greene's office and left me alone. Except I was not alone. I peered over and saw Sadie behind the counter.

"Oh hi Tara," she waved all smug.

"Sadie, what are you doing in here?" I questioned.

"Oh, I guess you didn't know that I'm a faculty assistant to Ms. Thatcher."

I rolled my eyes, "Of course you are."

Ms. Thatcher came back to her desk, as if on cue, and strolled over towards me.

"Tara, Mrs. Greene is ready for you."

"Okay," I mumbled stepping behind the counter and walking to Mrs. Greene's office.

I opened her door, and saw her smiling which made me feel a little relieved. But as soon as I closed the door and stepped further in I saw that Beck was still in here.

"Hi Tara, take a seat," she stated.

"Hi Mrs. Greene, am I in trouble?" I stammered sitting down.

"Don't worry sweetie, you are not."

"Okay good," I exhaled, "then why am I in here?"

"Well I have a proposition for Beck here, and I wanted you to be present to hear it yourself," she grinned looking at him.

"Okay," I raised an eyebrow confused.

"Well I could either have Mr. Johnson go to detention again after school for sleeping in class. Or give him an alternative that a little birdy informed me about."

"I can just take the detention," Beck muttered resting his arms on the armrests of the chair.

"Well, what's the other option?" I asked curious.

"He can help with the decorating committee for prom," she beamed folding her hands.

I stared at her dumbfounded, like was she serious. I wasn't a fan of this kid and she wanted me to work with him for a couple of weeks on a dance that he wouldn't even go to.

"I don't think that's a good idea ma'am," I stood up.

"Well why not? Sadie advised me that it's only you and Layla on that job and you could definitely use the help."

"We don't need help, we can do it ourselves. Plus I don't think that HE wants to help anyways," I replied turning my head towards him.

He stood up, "Yeah, she's correct, I rather take the detention."

"See exactly."

"Tara, you're going to need the help," Mrs. Greene said.

"No I don't."

"Besides, I can't do it anyway. I have things to do after school," Beck butted in.

"Oh yeah? Like what?" I asked annoyed.

He glared at me, "That's none of your business."

"Would you two please calm down. I have already made up my mind. I am having Beck, for the next couple of weeks, help you and Layla decorate for the prom. Now do we all understand?"

I huffed crossing my arms, "Yes ma'am."

She peered over at Beck waiting for him to give her an answer.

"Yes," he mumbled putting his hands in his pants pockets.

"So starting today you will be going to the meetings and actually helping the girls. Do you understand?" Mrs. Greene stated.

"Yes."

"Okay good, you both are dismissed."

I strolled out of her office with Beck following behind me.

"I can't believe this, this is so stupid," I retorted.

"Yeah well how do you think I feel. I have better things to do than work on a dumb prom," he muttered.

"Well unfortunately I will see you after school at todays meeting in the gym," I huffed.

"Whatever," he bolted out of the front office door.

"So I see that went well," Sadie grinned.

"Oh shut up, you told Mrs. Greene on purpose. You knew it would get under my skin," I explained angrily.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," she gasped innocently and walked out of the office.

The end of the first period bell rang and luckily I saw Layla waiting outside as I walked out the door.

"So why did she call you in there?" she questioned.

"She wanted to tell me that we're going to have a third person helping us on the decorating committee."

"Who?"

"Beck Johnson."