Nova Academy

Meeting

"All rise for the honorable Miss Connie Mahaswaren," Hazel said as she entered the community meeting hall.

They all stood and she laughed, "Guys, I'm not a judge. You don't need to rise when I enter the room."

"But that makes it less fun," Jacob said pulling out her seat with a flourish.

"Ridiculous. Every single one of you." She shook her head and pulled out her binder. "The first school dance is coming up, which is by far the most terrible thing known to man. Anna Banks from Dance Committee is here on behalf of the rest of them."

Anna gave Connie a knowing glance, and then at Steven who watched her closely. "Before we get to that, I have a question for the president."

"Go ahead," She said distractedly. "What's up?"

"So, I never did get to ask because of all the commotion..." She winked at them both and did a little shimmy. "How was your date last week?"

Connie's head shot up. "It wasn't a date! I used quotation marks!"

"It sounded like a date." Adam leaned forward with a chuckle.

"It looked like a date," Anna said cheekily.

"Anna," She pleaded. "You didn't. Not again."

"Aw come on, don't tell me you didn't notice Hazel and I in the back of the theater in trench coats, sunglasses and fake mustaches."

"Way to throw me under the bus, Anna." Hazel sighed, pinching her side.

"Sorry!" She said sounding anything but. "The disguises were really obnoxious, I wish I could say I was surprised you didn't notice us, but you were... preoccupied." She winked again rather dramatically as Connie's face turned an indescribable shade of crimson.

"It did look like a date though," Hazel admitted, catching Connie's eye with a sympathetic look. "It really, really did."

"It was a date," Steven finally chimed in. "Now I know who those two giggly fucks were that ran by."

"Guilty as charged," They chorused.

"Son of a–!"

"All in favor that it was a date, say 'aye'!" Jacob shouted over a flustered Connie. He leaned over to Jasmin and whispered, "I can do that right?"

She nodded. "If everyone agrees you can veto the President."

"All in favor?"

"Aye!" Everyone cried out in agreement but Connie, who looked like she was about to snap her pencil in half.

"As President, I demand you all to cease and desist! It was not a date!" She hollered.

"I'm VP, I can overrule." Jacob tugged on his shirt cockily. "I have so much power," He whispered looking down at his hands.

"I can run it through again until it's not unanimous," She said weakly.

"Sorry, Berry. Your people have spoken," Steven declared triumphantly. He spread his arms wide, grinning from ear to ear. "Welcome to democracy."

"I hate you." She dropped her head in defeat.

"I love you, too," He replied.

"Steven!"

"Baby," He drawled and she gripped the edge of the table, wishing she had his power so she could break it into pieces.

"Okay," She relented after a few calming breaths. "Moving. On. We need to talk about raising test scores."