Take Me to The Races

The Noose Tightens

"This should not be mandatory," Maverick growls. Technically for Tomoko, Trev, and I it wasn't mandatory, but our history teacher was helping out with the event for our period.

"You're telling me, it so damn hot in here." I groan and fan myself. There was too much body heat in the school auditorium. It was making me feel like I was having hot flashes.

"Deodorant is a thing people! Your stink asses need it!" He yells out.

"Stop it you two." Tomoko scolds us.

"You have to admit some people do need it." Trev kept his hands over his mouth and nose.

I look up at the stage to see all the candidates for student body presidents and Mrs. Copper. "Hurry up and start already, so we can get this over with." I grumbled.

As if she could hear me, Mrs. Cooper took her place at the podium. "Okay, now just a quick reminder, that this school hall is a PTA sponsored event. Oh, looks like we have our first question."

Sweet Pea stood up and Fang took a seat on the top of his chair to show his support. "Yeah, no offense to the, uh, current administration, but it doesn't feel like anyone's looking out for the students who are being bus in from the Southside. Is that going to change?"

"Oh does someone need their hand held?" Maverick crackled making the tall serpent turn and glare at him.

"Absolutely, Sweet Pea, that's our priority. No one should feel marginalized or excluded here." Jughead address him by name made me roll my eyes, like he wasn't going to be playing favorites if he got elected.

"Jughead and I will be representing all students, North and Southside alike." Betty backed up her boyfriend.

"Next question, yes, Midge?" Mrs. Cooper points to the cheerleader.

"My question is for Archie and Veronica. Rumor has it that your parents will soon be on opposite sides of the mayoral election, won't that negatively affect your working relationship?" She asks making Josie shot them a smug look.

"Archie and I adhere to the old maxim that politics are never discussed at the dinner or the cafeteria table." Veronica said getting a laugh from the crowd.

"Veronica and I are on the same page about everything, including her family's plans for a prison on the Southside." Archie let it be known that they weren't on opposite sides.

"In the meantime, however we're committed to improving the quality of life at Riverdale High, which means more extracurricular." Veronica steer the conversation away from her parents.

"Reggie and I agree. Except, add the fact that we can and will deliver results." Josie cut her off.

"And we're chill, unlike these guys." Reggie got a laugh from the crowd.

I stood up and made my way out in desperate need for some fresh air. "Abigail Andrews, what are you doing here? This isn't your class." Mrs. Cooper spotted me.

"I brought my class along since I'm helping out." Mrs. Haggly explains my presences to Mrs. Cooper. "Where are you going Ms. Andrews?" She ask me.

"Just to get some fresh air, it's stuffy in here." I explain.

"You can go after you ask a question." She told me.

"But, I'm not even in this grade." I tug on the end of my long sleeve shirt, not being comfortable with all these upperclassmen eyes on me.

"As the moderator of this event, I will allow it." Mrs. Cooper said in her normal arrogant fashion. Miss Haggly's glares show that she didn't appreciate the tone either.