How Far We've Come

Chapter 22

    The name Clary spoke was, unfortunately, not mine. It was actually the name of a senior in Global who had created a beautiful shirt, which Mr. Gandalf eagerly showed us. It was much more beautiful than my design, a small figure hiking on front and a large Globe with our school coordinates and a inspirational quote.

    "The environment is where we all meet, where we all become one..."

    It really was a beautiful design. I could tell how it had won. I clapped along with the rest of the class and turned back to my computer. I had finally finished editing the movie and had completely shared it on Google Drive. At least that was off of my hands.

    Mr. Gandalf clapped his hands. "There is also one more announcement," he told us. "Remember the big field trip I had told you all about before?"

    The class vigorously nodded, anxiously waiting to finally be told about the field trip.

    "Well that field trip is at Assateague Island," he announced. "It is a three day trip where we will be camping of a sort. We will be kayaking and learning about the unique wildlife of the island."

    We all burst into a round of talking, excitedly, about the trip. But, Mr. Gandalf held his hand up.

    "Now I know that, since this is a three day trip, many of you will not apply," he advised, giving our section of the classroom a pointed look. "But, it is a once in a lifetime field trip, and is all ninth grade. I would highly recommend going." He passed around two papers- an information sheet and a large table. "In this table, you will have to get your grades written down and your teacher's signatures," he informed. "We want to make sure you have stable enough grades to miss three days of school. The students will not be completely chosen on academic merit, but that will play a role."

    I grabbed the form, extremely excited. After what Mr. Gandalf had said about the trip, paired with my pretty much perfect grades, I couldn't have been more ready for the trip. I had high As in all classes, except History, but I could probably get that up. If only he would put in the pop quiz...

    A few weeks ago, I had taken a very difficult pop quiz. I hadn't even read the chapter we were supposed to read, so I was pretty much screwed. I knew I got around a D on it, so I was terrified when it would be put into the gradebook. Mr. Marvin still hadn't put it into the gradebook, and it was frustrating me. Nonetheless, I decided to still go on the trip.

    I held the paper out to Mr. Gandalf, and he quickly signed it, approving my A written in the box above. One down, six to go!

    I turned to Jessica sitting next to me and asked, "Are you going on the trip?"

    She shook her head. "My parents probably won't let me."

    Right. Jessica's parents were apparently really strict, but that never stopped her from hanging out with Hannah and Nancy. I guess it just pertained to us, her friends who went to the best school in the county. No offense, or anything.

    I nodded. "Right. Sorry, maybe next time."

    She gave me an unconvincing nod continued with her work. I leaned over to Clary and Lina and stage whispered, "Hey are you guys going on the trip?"

    Lina shook her head. "My grades aren't that great now. My parents might even take me back to homeschooling."

    Lina had been homeschooled all her life, something not very uncommon for students in the small town of Prestwall. Her parents put her back in school in eighth grade, which worked out well, and helped her get into the magnet programs. But, they were a bit overwhelming for her, and her A grades began to drop to Ds and Es. Her parents threatened to take her out of public school if she began failing classes, so she needed to get her game up.