Just Try It

Chapter 13- The Bad News

Monday, February 13th 9:30am

Lincoln High School

Mr. Hannish's classroom

Sondra winced as she looked at Moe's quiz, while he talked to Mr. Hannish.  She was beginning to understand what Moe was having trouble with when she heard Moe ask desperately, "What do you mean, 'no tennis'?"

By listening intently, Sondra heard Mr. Hannish's quiet answer, "Your grades have dropped low enough to make you ineligible to play."

A quick glance showed that Moe did not look surprised.  Instead, he seemed resigned as he asked, "For how long?"

"I don't put the grades in until Friday, but after that I won't average them again for two weeks.  We won't have enough new assignments in to make a difference before then anyway."

Moe sat down hard on the closest chair, and he said in a hopeless voice, "They can't save my spot for me.  I won't be on the varsity any more."

Sondra stopped pretending she wasn't listening in.  Instead, she walked up and stood next to Moe as she asked, "If you don't put the grades in until Friday, can't Moe still bring up his grade?"

Mr. Hannish paused, and looked at Moe for permission before answering.

When Moe nodded, Mr. Hannish said thoughtfully, "Even if he gets an 'A' on Thursday's test it wouldn't be enough.  He will need to turn in some extra credit projects by then too."

Sondra smiled and said, "No problem."

Mr. Hannish shook his head and warned, "My extra credit isn't easy," as he went to his folders near his desk.  He quickly pulled some papers out and handed them over to Moe, who passed them to Sondra.  "These are some extra credit options for this chapter.  Stick to the highlighted areas if you want to understand the material better for the unit test on Thursday."

Moe nodded and managed to thank him before leaving, but Sondra thought that he looked a little shell shocked as he headed to his next class.

Sondra took Moe's hand and tugged him to a stop.  She asked, "Moe, are you okay?"

He shook his head and said in a hopeless tone, "Not really.  I appreciate what you did, but there is no way I can do all of that by Thursday, get an 'A' on the test, and stay up on the new assignments too."

Sondra smiled and said, "Not by yourself, but we can do it together.  I already have some ideas."

When Moe paused, Sondra asked hesitantly, "You don't have a problem with me tutoring you, do you?"

Moe slowly shook his head, and then said, "I don't want you to try to do too much.  You have a job now.  You can't spend all this time helping me, and get nothing in return."

Sondra smiled and insisted confidently, "Then we'll just have to figure out some way to have you pay me back, because you need my help to stay on the tennis team, and I won't take no for an answer."  Sondra couldn't help but grin.  Taking charge, even in a small way, felt good. 

Moe blinked at her assertive tone, and Sondra quickly turned away to hide her amusement.  Moe hurried to catch up.  When Sondra glanced over she saw that his frown had disappeared, and he was even smiling as he declared, "I'll find some way to pay you back."

Sondra nodded, but her smile faded as she looked at the door in front of them.  She said thoughtfully, "We should get to class and find out your grade in Ms. Brecker's chemistry class," right before she pulled him into the room.

Ms. Brecker was surprised to have Moe and Sondra talk to her after class, but she admitted that Moe's grades were getting close to making him ineligible for tennis.  She agreed to let him a make up Friday's quiz during the study hall after lunch.  However, she warned that this quiz would be even harder.  If he took the make up quiz, it's score would count, even if it was lower. 

Moe flinched and looked like he might object.  Before Moe could back down, Sondra agreed for him.  Half the time a teacher would say that to get a kid to think and really study, but the quizzes weren't really much different.  Even if it was harder, she had seen how good he was doing on the material now.  She had no doubts that he would do fine.  Letting him refuse out of panic wouldn't do him any good.

While he was still looking at her with a stunned deer in the headlights look, Ms. Brecker went on to say that if Friday's test score was like the past couple he would be saying goodbye to tennis. 

Moe managed a feeble nod of understanding, but Sondra asked, "What if he does well on it?"

Ms. Brecker hesitated before giving any encouragement, but finally answered, "This test is big enough that he could get to a B- or C+, but only if he Aced the test, and that isn't likely." 

That was enough for Sondra.  She quickly led Moe out of the room and toward their next classes.  Luckily, they were the ones that Moe found easiest.  He had time to calm down and focus, but as lunch approached Sondra could see the tension building around Moe again.  Bombing the quiz due to test anxiety was a real possibility if she didn't find a way to distract him. 

When they went into the lunchroom, Sondra looked around for their friends.  Maybe they would be able to distract Moe.  When she saw Susie heading toward them purposefully, Sondra was a little annoyed, but then she smiled ruefully.  She had wanted a distraction after all.  It was working too.

When Moe saw Susie coming up toward him, he panicked a little and actually whimpered as he looked for an exit.

Sondra hid her smile, and prepared herself.  Having a distraction was one thing, letting Moe be overwhelmed by a teenage vamp was another.  Besides, she had promised to help.   When Susie was almost there, Sondra stepped forward and asked Moe in a voice that carried, "Did you hear that Malcolm was coming back?  Susie must be so happy that he is going to be back on Valentine's Day.  I heard that they were really serious before he left a month ago." 

By timing her turn, she managed to place herself right in front of Susie.  She tried to act like she she just seen her as she asked her excitedly, "You are excited, aren't you Susie?"

Susie looked around at everybody staring at her and blinked in stunned surprise.  After a moment of silence she cautiously asked, "Malcolm is coming back tomorrow?"

Sondra nodded and let her smile fade as she gushed, "Maybe it was going to be a surprise, but it was just too romantic to keep as a secret."

Susie looked like she had just smelled a dead fish and replied weakly, "Yeah, romantic."  Susie shook her head and her face hardened before she leaned in close and hissed, "You had better not be lying, Riley."

Sondra refused to be intimidated.  Instead she asked, "No trick.  I thought you might already know.  If not, you owe me a thanks for the heads up.  It will give you time to look your best." 

"Yeah, look my best." Susie repeated, as she looked down at her tight outfit blankly before walking back over toward Nancy without another word.  Sondra had the feeling something wasn't right, but a quick look at Moe had her focusing on the problems she could actually do something about... keeping Moe calm and ready for his quiz.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter.  Sorry to say that I have not edited it as much as usual.  If you see an error, please let me know.  Thanks for reading.  I look forward to all comments and feedback.  If you liked the chapter but don't feel like commenting, please consider tapping the little star.  Thanks.