The Girl in the Boys' Dorms

Chapter Eight: Who needs a campaign when you have a hot roommate?

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The Girl in the Boys' Dorms - Chapter Eight: Who needs a campaign when you have a hot roommate? Score one for Bailey.

"Vote for Evelyn! Have a cookie, and vote for Evelyn!"

I groaned as I passed Brenda, who was doling out huge, round, chocolate chip cookies by the dozen to people. She almost pinned a "Why Settle For the Rest, When You Can Have the Best? Vote for Evelyn!" sticker on me as I walked by her, but immediately retracted her hand when she saw who I was. And still, even after I was hundreds of feet past her, I could hear her yelling for students to vote Evelyn the Pageant Queen. All around me, guys were devouring the cookies Evelyn had gotten and girls were discussing the posters that had been tacked up everywhere.

Yes, Evelyn had plastered posters of herself all over the walls. Most of them brandished her usual slogan - Don't Think Twice, Take My Advice; Vote Evelyn For North Shore Pageant Queen! - but some of them were newer, and said things like - Don't Stammer, Choose Glamour; Don't Be Drab, You Can Be Fab; and my favorite, With Bailey You'll Fail-ey, With Evelyn You'll Win. It was remarkable how gifted Evelyn was with poetry, she had even managed to rhyme my name with something.

Kathleen had abandoned me after lunch - well, technically, she had a different class than me, but whatever - and I was now alone to fend for myself, in the middle of a school that was teamed against me. I was doing a decent job of staying out of harm's way, but knowing my horrible luck record, that wouldn't last long. I kept my head bent as I swerved around crowds of people, keen on making it to French in one piece.

"Bailey! Bailey, wait!"

I quickened my pace when I heard a familiar airy, sugary voice calling after me, not wanting to waste any valuable time with someone who could be considered crazy. Unfortunately, that was when what little luck I had scavenged before vanished, because I was seized by the shoulder and wrenched to a shaky halt. Muttering swear words under my breath, I looked forward to see Andrea standing there, her hazel eyes still focused and creepy as ever. She grinned when she saw that I was waiting for her to say something more, and immediately launched into one of her coveted - not so much for anyone else, but she seemed to consider them a special treat - lectures.

"I've been meaning to talk to you. I said your name a few times - I guess you didn't hear me. Actually no, you probably did hear me, but didn't want to acknowledge my presence. I'm right, aren't I?" I felt my cheeks flush when she asked me this, and avoided her innocent gaze. She didn't seem to take notice of my discomfort - but then again, she was fairly oblivious to discomfort as a whole. "Anyway, it really doesn't matter, I'm used to being shunned by the tennis team and everyone else at this school, so why should you be any different? That's not why I stopped you, though. I heard that you stood up to Evelyn, and that you're now taking a serious part in the pageant. Is it true? Please, say it's true, I don't want to be disappointed."

I sighed. There was no chance I would be able to lie to Andrea - especially not to her face. I was already a bad liar, and after catching sight of her earnest expression, I didn't think I would be able to even shake my head. Taking a deep breath, I nodded, but didn't answer with words. It was best if I kept silent, maybe she would leave me alone if I was.

That didn't work out to my advantage, either.

"Good!" Andrea exclaimed, her smile broadening as she spoke. "Well, since you're a contender, you'll need a campaign manager. And I am completely up to the task - I'm now officially you're pageant campaign manager. Unless you've got someone else already chosen, that is?"

"I - I do." I blurted instantly, not wanting to deal with Andrea anymore than I needed to. Wracking my brain, I tried to think of someone to be my helper - but the only name that came to mind was Kathleen's. So, I said, "Chase."