Enemies Without a Limit

Chapter 13

"Mr. Adams, I've been looking through your file lately, at your final semester grades and attendances and I can't honestly say I'm impressed." Principal Lodico tisked with a slow shake of his head.

"I was just thinking the same thing about your hair, sir." Darryl joked, pointing out the quite noticeable bald spot growing in the center of the principal's greyish-black hair.

Lodico laughed, "It's all you damn kids, that's got my hair falling out. Just you wait until your my age, son. We'll see who has the jokes then."

"Hmm...I still think I'll have the upper-hand even then. You'll be long gone and six feet under by the time my first hair falls out." Darryl mocked. Principal Lodico was one of the few faculty members at Curtis High with a sense of humor and was one of the only people that he could trust. He was an average sized man, with a height of above five-foot-seven, and a plump stomach. Aside his comment, Lodico really wasn't that old. He looked as if he were in his late or mid forties. He was also messy, Darryl noted as he watched Lodico add his file among the clutter of the other files, along the sides of his overflowing desk. 

Lodico was a high-spirited guy and his office showed it. The school colors decorated his walls as well as school flags, T-shirts, pictures and plaques. The carpeting was maroon as well as the cushions of the chairs they were sitting on. 

"So what's the problem?" Darryl asked getting back on the previous subject, "I can try and make it to all my classes and get higher grades. Problem solved." Darryl said with a shrug as he reached for one of the many knick-knacks on Lodico's desk and toyed with it in his hands, leaning back comfortably in his  chair. 

Lodico leaned back in his chair as well, "Darryl, I'm afraid at this rate, even if you do go to your classes and get better grades, that will barely give you enough credits to become a senior. Not only would you have to go to all your classes, you'd have to join an extra curricular activity to earn those credits." 

Darryl furrowed his brows as he sat up straighter, alert. Damn, he thought. He was pretty sure that going to his classes for the past week and making up all his assignments would put him in the clear. "Isn't it too late to join a club or a team. It's almost May, and the school year is practically over. I mean I can try to go to all my classes and pass, but that's all I'm willing to do." Darryl never took himself as the "team-type." He'd rather pool his efforts alone. 

"Darryl, I know how hard of a time you had since―"

"Yea, I get it!" Darryl sharply interjected. He hated pity.

"Look," Lodico started again, his tone a bit more serious, "I know it's too late to join any teams or clubs―something I do, however, want to see you take part of next year―but I know a committee that has started as of recently and in desperate need of new members." 

Darryl rolled his eyes, knowing there was no way he could talk his principal out of this. "What committee is that?" he asked indifferently.

"Darryl, how familiar are you with the annual junior prom?" Lodico asked as he fastened his suit jacket.

"Isn't that the lame dance they hold every year? No good food...no good music...the themes suck? Nah, I don't wanna join that." Darryl snickered.

"Yes, I've had heard lately that our junior proms aren't as prestigious as the other class proms but maybe you'll be an excellent contributor to the effort to make this the best junior prom Curtis High has had in years."

"You're just saying that." Darryl argued still not convinced. 

"I am, but it'll be worth it. I've spoken to Ms. Marks about the current details of―"