Prep School

Chapter 11

"Did you see him? He talked to me! He said hi! He asked if I was ok! We're soooooo getting married. I can already see the engagement ring!" Sofia squeals all the way to History.
"What engagement? You're only 15!" Gianna says.
"At this rate, they're probably gonna go on honeymoon next year," I say, nudging Gianna.
"I swear some people." Gianna rolls her eyes.
We walk into History and see that the chairs are arranged in a wide circle.
"Are we having a seminar?" I ask Gianna.
She shrugs. "Probably."
We take a seat and pull out our notebooks to take notes.
Mr. Thatcher walks into the room and sits on his stool, facing us.
" Class, today is the first day of our unit: Treatment of Individuals. First, we shall have a seminar about the Salem witch trials and discuss why they were unfair and their causes."
"Now class, what do you know about the Witch Trials? And remember this is a seminar, so you don't have to raise your hand to speak. Just be respectful."
A girl sitting across from me clears her throat.
"It was during colonial times."
Another person pipes up."People were accused of being witches."
No dip Sherlock. That's why they're called witch trials.
"People who acted different were prosecuted and executed," a girl with a nose piercing says.
"They took place between 1692 and 1693."
"Ah, yes. The trials were a dark time in colonial Massachusetts," Mr. Thatcher began,"Between February 1692 and May 1693, many people's lives were changed. Nineteen men and women were hung, seven died in prison, and a man was even crushed to death."
He looks around at all of us, waiting for the information to sink in.
"Why do you think the trials started in the first place?"
A short girl with glasses speaks up.
"People were scared. Already, there were many epidemics going on and people strongly believed in God and the devil."
"But it was still wrong. There was no proof. And most of the time, it was the people who acted differently that got convicted.  It was the people that didn't follow a pure conduct that were prosecuted. If a woman decided not to get married, then she was a witch," the girl with the piercing says.
"Yes, people were scared of difference during this time. Now for your homework, I want you to research some more about the trials. Write down some notes. Then, I want you to pick a stance. Who's side are you on: the witch's or the courts? Write a short paragraph about your choice using information from your research to explain. Next class,we'll have mock witch trial. Class dismissed."
I looked down at the page of notes I had jotted down. I packed up my stuff and was out the door just as the bell rang.

Gianna and I sat in our seats and quickly got out our science notebooks out before Mrs.Bernini could rant about how she was always prepared for class no matter the situation.
Gianna complained about the fact that we had more homework from Thatcher.
"At least it's interesting," I shrug.
"It's still homework," Gianna grumbles.
She turns around and starts complaining to Sofia. I don't think Sofia is even listening; she has a dreamy expression on her face and her eyes are wide as quarters.
"Gianna, you know she's not listening, right?" I nudge her with my elbow. "She's in fangirl mode."
"Well that explains the expression," she says, rolling her eyes.
We both glance back at Sofia in blissful ignorance.
"You know it's kinda sad that she thinks about a boy that much," I say to Gianna.
All I hear is a gasp.
"Gianna, what's wrong?"
"Who. Is. That.", she says pointing at someone, her brown eyes as wide as Sofia's.
I look to where she's pointing and see Zane and another guy walk into the room.
"Oh no, don't tell me you're obsessed with him, too! I can't deal with two Zane fangirls! Especially in the same room!"
"Not Zane! Him."
I look over and see the guy she's pointing to. His cedarwood hair gleams in the sunlight coming from the window and his green eyes are bright and laughing. He's holding a couple books in his hand and his phone.
"Quick," Gianna turns toward me,"How does my hair look?"
"Fine..."
"Do you think I should put on some more lip gloss?"
"If you want t--"
"You're right, I should."
"I didn't even say anything!"
Gianna walks toward the guy and starts up a conversation.
I sit back and giggle at the sight of her twirling her hair.
The guy smiles widely at her and nods. They both start coming over to where we're sitting.
Behind his back, Gianna shoots me a thumbs up.
I grin back at her and she comes back to sit next to me.
Her new boyfriend sits across from us.
"His name's Cace! He likes books! He's smart! And stuff! And he asked me where I sit at lunch!" Gianna says excitedly.
God dang. I can remember the old days, when she was normal.
"Gace!" I say, grinning.
"Huh?"
"Your ship name. I'm already shipping you guys like FedEx bro," I say grinning.
"Shut up!" She blushes.
"I can't wait to see your reaction when he asks for your number!"
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, ok?"