Greengate Academy

Chapter 13

Cheers erupted from the stands as our school scored another point. Part of homecoming week was a powder puff game. I really had no interest, but Maddie and Zoe dragged me along anyways. I was sitting next to J.J. looking through my phone. The junior and senior girls were playing touch American football, and I had to admit the guys looked kind of ridiculous in their cheerleader uniforms.

Ashley and her posse sauntered past us, "somehow" wedging the heel of her flats into my toes. I glare up at her.

"Sorry, it's just so hard to avoid you when you're so big," She gave an innocent smile and continued walking by. I glared at the back of her head, seriously wishing looks could kill. Or, at the very least, hurt people.

"Want a drink?" Maddie asked me. I gladly took the water from her and took a sip.

"Thanks,"

"Are you having fun?" She asked, sitting on my other side. J.J. was talking with Peyton and Connor.

I shrugged. "I'm not one for social events like this. I'd rather be doing my own thing, and it's only Monday of this week." I decided to keep out the word "horrible" to describe the week. Maddie was on the homecoming commitee, and I don't think she would appreciate me completely insulting her efforts.

"Well, the nominations will be hung up tomorrow. You think I've been nominated? Maybe Zoe?" Maddie wondered, blowing a lock of hair out of her face. Right. The nominations. We put them in this morning; nominating one girl and one guy for the Homecoming Court. The top nominees would receive the title of Homecoming King and Queen, and the runner uppers would be the prince and princess. And yes, it was as stupid as it sounded.

"I don't know. I can't exactly look into the future," I told her. She laughed. Suddenly I saw a familiar face.

"In a couple years, I'll be cheering these people on." Ethan smiled, brushing the blonde locks out of his deep blue eyes. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Connor lock his jaw.

"Okay?" I responded, for once trying to focus on the game.

"You enjoying the game so far?" He kept asking. I shrugged and didn't say anything. He kept up the one sided conversation. "Our school is up two points. Riverrun's totally going to lose! Who do you think got nominated? I voted Ashley and Connor. Sorry, would've voted you but Ashley's one of my best friends. Are you excited for the bonfire tomorrow? Maddie and Brooklyn did a great job on the commitee, don'tcha think?"

I nod. "Yeah. Great job." I waited through the rest of the game. Greengate did end up winning after all. The crowds dispersed and we walked back to our dorms.

Right when we entered a crowd had already started to form in the commons. Maddie and Zoe gasped simulatenously, while I looked between them, confused.

"Um, so what's going on?" I asked. Neither of them answered me, just brushed to the front of the line.

Lauren walked up next to me. I turned to her and smiled. "Gonna drop any more books?" She laughed.

"It has been a while since I've seen you. We should study together sometime."

"Definitely. Changing the subject, do you know what's going on over there?" I motioned to the large group of girls screaming and pushing and trying to get to the bulletin board that was stationed on one of the walls of the common room.

"Oh. The list." She said. I raised my eyebrows. I needed more of an explanation. "I mean, the nominations are out. This is dangerous." I laughed until I realized she was serious.

"To this school, homecoming nominee is important. It can break friendships, cause fights, start rumours, anything. These girls take their homecoming seriously." Lauren explained.

"Wow." I said as someone started crying. "This does seem like a big deal to some people."

Lauren glanced at me. "Good thing you seem smart enough to not be into all this stuff. Yes, it's tradition, but it really doesn't mean anything in the long run."

Even though I agreed, I was about to defend my friends when Maddie practically ran up to me.

"Claire, you need to see the list." She told me, almost breathless.

"Did you get on it?" I asked. She didn't answer, just grabbed my arm and pulled me through the crowd, making sure I was in the front. People stared at me, some with rage in their eyes, others with admiration.

There were two lists, one for the girls and one for the boys. There were five names per list, so ten names in all. I looked at the boy list first.

BOY NOMINEES:
CONNOR SMITH
RYAN ORVAN
ETHAN KING
TREVOR BALTIC
EMMETT VALER

Oh, wow. I knew three of the five nominees. That was pretty cool. I was probably gonna make fun of Connor for getting on the list. I smiled, thinking of it.

My eyes drifted to the girl list, and my smile faded. Because right at the top of the list, read the name Claire Collins.

I was on the list.