Flipped » m.e

fourteen

chapter fourteen: Lights. Camera. Shakespeare?

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"As you all know," the principal began at the school-wide assembly. "This semester is coming to an end and with finals finally over-" She tried to finish but was overruled by the loud roar of cheers coming from the students who filled up the bleachers all around the gym.

"Excuse me," she cleared her throat, a firm tone to her deep, masculine voice. Everybody always made fun of her for it and called her mister or sir. After putting up with her for decades of being in and out of different high schools, she went from taking it personal to simply rolling her eyes and walking away.

But, if you caught her on a bad day, it was detention city for you.

"As I was saying. . . You all know what's over and now it's time for the festivities." Everybody cheered once again and the principal gave up, finally realizing she wasn't going to get her message across easily.

"It's time for the winter formal and as all you juniors know, time for your biggest project of the year." All of the juniors in their section groaned.

Every year - the same reaction.

"Considering it is a different assignment every year - we have chosen this years assignment and I think this is going to be a fun one."

Every junior sat there anxiously, waiting to find out just what it is they were going to have to do. But, from the principal's words, their project would most likely be the worst.

When the words 'this is going to be fun' escape the lips of a teacher when talking about an assignment, chances are that the assignment is not actually going to be fun.

Last years assignment was to get into groups and create a huge diagram from their assigned act and scene using characters and the background made by themselves.

The year before that, the juniors had to write a modern version of the play with their group. And their story had to be just as long as Shakespeare's version. Written in play form and everything.

Knowing this information, every student feared their junior year and wished it wouldn't come. But, when it did - there was no escaping it and the best thing to do was just focus well during the unit so they could get a good grade on the project.

Every junior sat there quietly, a bunch of thoughts going through each of their heads as the principal dug through a messy pile of papers on a chair to find the information card, explaining exactly what the students were going to have to do.

Teachers and students always had different definitions of fun.

If the teachers could do that to all the past juniors and be okay with it, the juniors this year were scared to see what their definition of fun was for them this year.

Eloise's heart pounded as they all waited. This was the biggest project they'd ever get within the whole year. If she didn't get a good grade on this project, she was screwed.

"Here it is," the principal smiled, holding up a small index card. She walked to the microphone so the students could better hear her and she held up the card closer to her face to read it.