Bittersweet Moments

16 | Play Dough

16 | Play Dough

"So, Ingrid Ingram, what are the stats for the day?"

"I appreciate you don't call me by that horrid name, Chester. Stats for the day: Outside at the football field, Georgie takes charge of the field and let me say Winnie is not amused right now. At the sixth hall, ooh my, I see our librarian showing off his dance moves again. You go, Mr. Payne! Classroom forty-three, also known as our haunted classroom, has the Exorcists Club trapped inside – ah, no they're having their rituals again. Is Jeanne possessed yet? Should we call the fire station now? Boom, wait! This just in, Ms. Vasquez confirms that she is, indeed dating Acewell Academy's principal. What a horrid taste – "

" – Ingrid – "

"Shi – bleep – I mean shoot! I think Vasquez is on her way here. But seriously? She can do better than that guy. The Yearbook Club should do something about that . . . Wha – oh? Fine. This is Ingrid, and here's just another day at Clevemore High."

I raised the coffee cup to my lips and drank as much as I could. The Debate team ran the intercoms as always, and they delivered news better than any station could. Judging from the strangled sounds and ruffling papers from the speakers, I was guessing Ms. Vasquez, our principal, found their daily hideout.

Once you were at Clevemore High, you became a junkie for daily news, which depicted lives more interesting than yours. The school's morning wasn't complete without Ingrid and Chester's voices over the speakers and if they weren't around, it meant it was hell week (finals week) or they were at the mercy of Ms. Vasquez.

I tapped a girl on the shoulder, a junior but my schoolmate nevertheless. "What's up with the dating thing?" I asked Brenda, niece to our principal.

She smoothed her hair, as if it wasn't as soft as a marshmallow already, "They wanted to break rivalry between the schools or some sort."

I snorted. This enemy-relationship between 'Clevies' and 'Acey spawns' had been going on for centuries. "Impossible," I retorted.

"Tell me about it," Brenda's friends were now flocking around us, desperate for the scoop, "The other principal, let me tell you, is a sweet guy, but the Yearbook Club thinks the opposite."

Just as I was about to ask why, GC Gibbs, member of the Yearbook Club butted in. "Oi, watch it, Brenda," he started to polish his glasses as he stepped into the circle, "That Dex Sanchez is an absolute A-S-S. We spied on their date – he just wants to get into her pants and money."

"That's why you've been protective of Vasquez," I added.

GC nodded a yes, "She doesn't believe us, but the club's going to pull off something great."

Have I mentioned that the Yearbook Club helped Bernardo banish our former principal?

The whole student population looked up to them. They sprung into action whenever a class or a teacher was maltreated in any way, and they were serious in their work. They were the reason bullying was rarely heard around the campus.

I didn't miss how Brenda looked appalled, "You're not doing that to my auntie's boyfriend!"

Perry, GC's best friend, sniggered, "We all know you've got a crush on him, B, but he's – "

"No, I don't!" Brenda screeched, reddening, "It's just that auntie will grill you all!"

"We have a plan," GC assured, "By the end, Vasquez will thank us."

"You won't babble to dear auntie, will you?" Perry eyed Brenda suspiciously.

"No, I have no interest in that," Brenda glared and scampered off with her girlfriends. I glanced at Perry, seeing how his gaze lingered at the group.