Prep School

Chapter 17

After a quick lunch of a Caesar salad, Gianna, Sofia, and I get to History early.
Half of the desks are pushed to the side with a piece of paper labeling it Townspeople.
Two rows of desks face each other, one labeled Court, the other labeled Convicted.
Mr.Thatcher sits on his stool in the back of the classroom, holding a clipboard.
As everyone comes in and sits down, he stands up.
"Class, today is the day of your mock trial. Gather into groups of 5 or 6 and decide who will be part of the Townspeople , the Convicted , and the Court."
Everyone rushes around and goes to meet their group members.
Gianna loops her arm through mine and Sofia's and leads us to where Cace, Rocky, and Zane are standing.
Gianna pulls her hair back into a ponytail, all business.
"Ok, guys. Two of us should go to each side. Whoever is the most organized should go to the Court."
"In that case, you should go Gianna," I nudge her with my elbow.
I look at Zane and gesture towards Cace. He looks confused, but then his eyes widen in understanding.
"Yeah Cace. You should go too."
"Ok then. Whoever's the best at arguing should go with the Convicted to try and prove themselves innocent."
"Aria should go," Sofia says.
"Yeah, so should Rocky," Zane says.
Rocky looks over at me and grins.
"Nice working with you partner," he says. He sticks his hand out for me to shake.
I shake his hand, rolling my eyes, then look over at Gianna.
"I guess that leaves Sofia and Zane for Townspeople."
Sofia smiles so widely that it looks like her face is about to crack.
"You're not gonna faint, are you?" Gianna elbows Sofia.
"Huh? No. I'm gonna enjoy this," Sofia stares dreamily at Zane.
"Okaaaayyyy..... That's not creepy," I mutter to Gianna.
"No kidding."
"Ok class," Mr.Thatcher booms," You should be going to your decided stations now. The trial will begin in approximately one minute."
Rocky and I go to sit at the Convicted table with a couple of other kids.
"Ok guys. I did some research and it said that the convicted would just line up and stay silent. They were hanged after the evidence was presented," a girl with glasses says.
"So basically, we all have to be quiet ?", another kid asks.
"Exactly. This is being graded on how accurately we portray what actually happened. Mr. Thatcher said we're getting individual grades."
"Ok class! The trial begins now!"
We all face each other , the Court facing the Convicted.
I scan the Court and spot Gianna. I grin at her.
As I look at the Court, another girl catches my eye. She's glaring straight at me, her mouth pointed downward. When she sees me looking at her, she sneers and turns around to talk to her friend.
What's her problem?
I mentally shrug and focus on the trial.
One of the Court kids starts talking,"You, the convicted, are accused of practicing witchcraft, a crime punishable by death."
Gianna steps to the front. "Aria Black, step forward."
When I do, the Townspeople start jeering, yelling Devil-woman and other names we learned during our research.
I look at Gianna and stay silent.
"You are an unmarried woman who studies Herbology. Do you plead innocent?"
"Yes. I have done nothing wrong."
The Court call the other Convicted and ask them with the same question with a piece of evidence that accuses them of practicing witchcraft.
The Townspeople jeer and shout at the Convicted.
Finally, at the end of the trial,  
Mr. Thatcher stands up and walks up to the front of the class.
"Well class, I hope you had fun, we might be doing more of these reenactments in the future, as long as you all behave. No homework."
The bell rings overhead and everyone bustles out of the classroom.
I hang back, wanting to talk to Thatcher.
After everyone leaves, I walk up to his desk.
"Hey, could I ask you something?"
"Of course, Aria, anything."
"Do you think I need more control?"
"What?"
"Do you think I should hold back? Not fight as hard?"
"What do you mean?"
"Most of my trainers say that I need to hold back to protect myself."
"Aria, that's ridiculous! Your fighting is what protects you. Just swing first and question it later. You need to know how to react and how to react strongly."
Thatcher puts a hand on my shoulder and looks at my troubled expression.
"Don't worry. Just swing," he says reassuringly.
I smile at him and give him a hug.
"Thanks!"

I walk into Science and see Gianna talking to Cace. I grin at the sight of those two.
As soon as I sit down, Gianna turns around.
"Hey, where were you?"
"I was talking to Thatcher."
"About what?"
"Godfather stuff."
"Oh yeah.... I forgot about him." She looks embarrassed.
"It happens," I nudge her.
"Anyway, how's Operation Gace going?"
"What? Oh, it's going fine," she blushes. "He's actually pretty sweet and he's smart. He's the kind that actually cares about your opinions."
I look at her, surprised. "Wow. My old girl friends usually only cared about looks."
I nudge her with my elbow," You've got substance."
She smiles," Thanks."
Mrs. Bernini walks in and holds up a stack of workbooks.
"Class! May I have your attention please? I will be absent for the next couple of weeks to attend to some very important business. These workbooks has your assignments in them and I expect them all to be completed when I return. You may work in groups of four or five."
She hands out the books and explains the assignments.
"You may decide who will be in your group now while I pack up my equipment."
Gianna and I turn around to ask Sofia to be in our group, but she's already joined a group of girls.
"Seriously?" Gianna huffs.
"I know!"
I feel a tap on my shoulder. Turning around, I see Zane and Rocky. Out of corner of my eye, I see Cace talking to Gianna.
Zane clears his throat and looks me in the eye.
"You wanna be in our group?"
I cock my head, my hair falling into my face.
"Sure, but only as long as Gianna can be, too."
Zane smiles. "I had a feeling you would say that, so Cace is asking her. Nice to see you looking out for your friend though."
I smile and turn around.
Gianna and I turn around to face each other and say at the same time," I got us a group! Jinx! Double Jinx! Triple Jinx!"
"Girls, we don't have time for this," Ricky points at the clock," Bell's about to ring."
"Oh schist," I say, packing up my stuff.
"Schist?," Gianna asks, raising an eyebrow.
"I don't curse ok? I'm too good for that," I flip my hair.
Gianna giggles and the others snicker behind me. I smile at the sound of the laughter.
As I'm walking out with them, I see the girl from History glaring at me again.
"What's her deal?" I point the girl out to Gianna.
"That's Lilo, she's got a problem with everyone."
Lilo's streaky brown hair and hard black eyes  glimmer at me. She scowls and turns to whisper to the girl next to her.
I shake it off and hurry to catch up with the others.