ℝ𝕠𝕤𝕖 | 𝐋𝐞𝐨 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐳 [Greenhouse Academy] ¹

Chapter 5: Smoke

"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Hayley Woods", Leo says as Hayley walks into the common room. Everyone claps as Hayley thanks them.

"Stop. You're embarrassing me", Hayley says teasingly.

"Good job on bringing her back", Becca tells us looking up from her tablet.

"I barely did anything...She practically jumped in the car", Leo jokes.

"No, I didn't!", Hayley defends crossing her arms at Leo.

"I swear I never saw someone pack a bag so quickly. She pretty much waited at the window for me to show up", Leo boasts. Hayley rolls her eyes at him and mouths that he is a liar behind his back. I finally hobble inside carrying Hayley's bags with me.

"Will somebody help me?", I ask them about to fall over from the weight of the bags. Leo turns around and rushes forward first catching my bags before I fell. Hayley and the other Ravens come soon after.

"Thank you", I tell everyone before looking at Hayley and Leo, "Why didn't you help?"

"We agreed during the car ride that we would get my bags later", Hayley tells me with a small laugh.

"Oh...", I say embarrassed,"I was asleep."

Everyone laughs at my silliness before Max looks at the clock.

"We have to go to class for the activity", Max tells us as I look at everyone confused.

"What activity?", I ask worried about failing my first assignment.

"You really need to stay awake during car rides", Hayley chuckles.

"Hey. It was a lot of work bringing you back", I joke as we all begin to walk to class. Emma explaining the assignment on the way there. I begin to think of a word to describe Sherriff Woody as a leader.

Ms. Suzy walks up to us before explaining how the presentations will go, "I hope you all found a suitable word to describe Sherriff Woody today. Now in class, you will type that word into the class app on your louie and wait for your name to be called to explain why you chose that word."

I do as instructed already knowing the perfect word to describe Woody as a leader. I listen to my other classmates go and explain their meanings some saying honor, honesty, etc.

Finally, Leo goes up and begins to explain his word which was Cowboy, "Our job was to describe Sheriff Woody in one word", he says pointing to the screen, "The word I chose is cowboy. I think every leader needs to be a bit of a cowboy. You know, a tough, protective sheriff that gets lonely sometimes. That's what Woody is. Who could lead those toys better than him? The Slinky Dog? Mr. Potato Head?"

"Don't you dare insult Mr. Potato Head", Becca defends as we all laugh. Max goes up next after Leo walks down.

"Woody always recognized the danger before the rest of the toys, and he always took responsibility at the right moment", Max says explaining his word choice Responsibility. I am called after Max leaves and go to explain my word Flawed.

I walk up and begin my explanation,"I have chosen the word Flawed for our activity to describe Sheriff Woody as a leader using one word. I have chosen flawed because I believe that everybody has flaws and makes mistakes but, a true leader can acknowledge those flaws and learn from them. And although Woody didn't acknowledge his flaws at first he eventually did and even admitted to them. I believe that is what a leader is.", I finish as everyone gives me an applause as I sit down. Jackie is called up next and walk up to my spot.

"I have a little confession to make. I only saw the movie for the first time today. And I'd also like to thank Max for organizing a very special VIP screening for me. So the first word I thought of was friendship, because this is a movie about a friendship between two leaders. One leader being older and more experienced, and the other being new and fresh. At first, Woody thinks he's going to be the leader forever, but then Buzz Lightyear comes along, and he realizes he isn't as perfect as he thought. Woody was willing to sacrifice Buzz to stay the leader, but he realized his mistake as soon as he did so. That's why the word I chose is humility. I think Woody only became a true leader once he was able to admit to his mistake. As soon as he did that, not only did he earn his role, he also earned a friend for life. That's what leadership means to me", Jackie finishes as we all applaud her before she tells us to stop.