“So, what can I do for you two?” Mr. Marsden asked with a smile as Rune and Willow settled themselves into the leather chairs across from him.
Willow glanced sideways at Rune, who was studying the room with what she suspected was horror. She understood. Most people had the same reaction the first time they visited the principal’s office. With each wall painted the royal blue and gold of the school colours, and with a prominent bear theme, the school’s mascot and one her family wasn’t sure was because of them or not, the whole room looked like several someones had vomited school spirit all over it.
She turned her attention back to Mr. Marsden and smiled as well. “We wanted to speak to you about bringing back the school newspaper.”
That drew Rune’s gaze back to them. “Both me and Willow are interested in getting it up and running again. I’ve always wanted to be a reporter, and I thought this would be a great way to get experience.”
Willow nodded. “It’s also a great way for us both to get involved with the school. None of the other extracurriculars we have interest me, but I really like the idea of working on a school paper.”
Mr. Marsden leaned back in his chair, his blue eyes bright underneath the graying blond of his hair. “While I’m glad you’re both interested in getting involved at school, I’m afraid we don’t have the budget to be able to print off a paper. That and declining interest, was why the club was shut down in the first place.”
“We’ve thought of a way around that. What if we were simply to make it a new blog? All we’d need is a link from the school’s website, and anyone who wants to would be able to read our articles. We could also maybe do a monthly print newsletter with highlights, and post it up in the school instead of distributing it to everyone,” Rune said.
“And that wouldn’t cost any more than when the dance committee puts up posters for their stuff,” Willow added hurriedly.
“Hmmm…” The principal said, tapping a finger against his jaw. “That could work.”
Sensing him weakening, Willow went for the final blow. “We could also cover all the school events. We could do write ups about school dances, sports tournaments, and any other special events. We could even help advertise any fundraising the other clubs are doing, like when they do bake sales and car washes. Which, if we’re online, more people will see, including parents and other members of the community, I bet.”
“It would also be a great legacy for us to leave, once we graduate,” Rune said, smiling in a way that had Willow trying not to laugh. Knowing him, she could tell he was trying not to grimace at the words coming out of his mouth.
Mr. Marsden leaned forward, nodding. “You would have to allow others to join, if they wanted. It can’t only be a club for the two of you. If you get a lot of interest, then you can be more selective, but any less than say, five members, and you must accept anyone who wants to help out.”
Willow and Rune exchanged glances. With the rumours about him, neither could imagine them getting anyone else volunteering to join. “That’s fine,” Rune said, hiding a smirk.
“If you’re covering school events that take you away from your regular classes, you two will have to make them up. If I hear that your grades start dropping because of the paper, I’ll be forced to shut it down.”
Willow smiled. “That won’t be a problem.”
“And I expect your articles to be like those published in the town’s newspaper. I don’t want to see any expletives or sexual innuendoes in your work.”
“Not an issue,” Rune replied.
“Well then, I can’t imagine there being any difficulty in you starting up a school news blog. We’ll leave the newsletter for later and see how your online version goes first. I’m not much good with computers, so I’ll leave it to you two to get your blog up and running. Then you can send me the site’s address, and I’ll get someone to put a link up,” Mr. Marsden said, before grinning. “I am glad to see you both willing to fight for this and so interested in starting a club. School spirit’s important. Ah! Your timing couldn’t be better. This Friday’s the school pep rally, the perfect opportunity for you to write your first article about the school.”
Rune and Willow exchanged a look. “We look forward to it,” she said. “Will you just tell our teachers that that’s what we’re doing, so they don’t think we’re trying to sneak out when we don’t go straight to the bleachers?”
The principal chuckled. “Not a problem. I’m sure they’ll be just as excited to see what you write as I am. Feel free to interview anyone you want to for your articles, as long as you don’t interrupt the rally.”
“We won’t,” Rune said after a glance at Willow.
“Excellent! Well, I won’t keep you from the rest of your lunch period,” Mr. Marsden said, standing.
They followed suit, letting him more or less herd them back into the school office then into the hall. He waved at them once more before disappearing back into his office. Rune led the way upstairs, waiting until they were out of the stairwell’s echoing area before looking at Willow. “I hope WASS’s pep rallies are better than the ones at PECI.”
She winced. “I wouldn’t bet on it. They’re mandatory.”
Rune stared at her for a moment, then started laughing.
YOU ARE READING
Silver Bound Girl
FantasíaWillow's a Byron and they aren't just your average family. Not just because there are so many of them, but because they have secrets and traditions far outside the norm. Like spending as much time outside as in, and doing everything to keep rumours...
