A Change for Good

Chapter 14- The World Has Gone Bonkers

One thing I learn that morning- Amber does not spare any mercy whatsoever.

After she drags me out of bed, she leaves me barely any time to get dressed before I am dragged once again down the stairs.

Logan smiles at us, crossing his muscular arms over his chest. "You take centuries to get ready, Anna. You're lucky I haven't met my grave yet."

I scowl. "Lucky? More like unlucky. Plus, that was barely five minutes, and school starts in 3 hours!"

Amber claps her hands. "No time for chit-chat, Melissa is waiting in the car. Get moving, people!"

Amber's car pulls into the school parking lot at 6:15. In the morning. However, I am forced to put on a cheerful mask as we walk through the front doors.

The four of us walk down a series of silent hallways, the only noise coming from the occasional squeak from our shoes. But as we round a sharp corner, the silence is broken.

..."Dude, I hate that stuff! Turn it OFF!"

..."Nuh-huh, this is the bomb! We are totally going to play this for the dance."

..."You guys are all jerks. We need a mellow, yet melodious song... how about Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor?"

..."How about we kick you off the committee?"

I stop at the open door, refusing to take another step in. This is so not my crowd.

Amber looks behind her shoulder while following Logan and Melissa in. "Come on, don't be a wimp. Everyone's going to love you!" And with that, she disappears into the door to the dark side. I can still hear her peppy voice on the other side of the wall. "Hey guys, we have a newbie! She's about to walk in. How about we give her the warm welcome the dance committee is famous for!"

My eyes narrow as everyone starts to clap and wolf whistle. Thanks Amber, I really needed that. I look down to see my traitorous feet bringing me across the line of life and death. After making it to the other side, I'm brave enough to look up at the crowd before me.

About 20 students are lazily draped across desks, on the floor, or on the counter in the back of the room. About a third are texting, the rest are either eyeing me suspiciously or giving me the once-over. I take a deep breath before giving a small wave. "Hey guys, I'm Anna," I state bluntly.

A chorus of "Hi Anna" comes back to me before I sit down next to Logan off to the side of the classroom.

A girl in glasses and a high ponytail takes my place at the front. She peers down at a neon green clipboard. "Alright, everybody, settle down. The first item on our agenda for today is to decide the dance theme. As you know, it is eight weeks away, so we need to get a move on, people. Anyways, the themes that were suggested are: A Night in the City, Winter Wonderland, and Under the Sea. Please take two minutes to discuss these themes with your peers."

A crescendo of voices indicates discussion time. I flicker my eyes blankly between Logan Melissa, and Amber. They all seem to be deep in thought. Wow. They really do take this seriously...

"Uhhh... what about a Masquerade ball instead?" I break them out of their trance.

Aftter a brief moment, they all start to nod.

"Good idea, Anna!" Logan praises me. "I knew this committee was perfect for you!"

I roll my eyes. "Please.. Anyone could have thought of that."

Melissa rises and faces the rest of the students. "We have a new suggestion, folks." Everyone quiets down immediately. "Anna here has suggested that we have a masquerade ball instead."