"The Cut"

Chapter 19- Tickets, Please!

CHAPTER 19- TICKETS, PLEASE!

Monday morning came quickly, and there was a lot of buzzing throughout the corridors of FHS. Students were decorating the lobby, cafeteria and the hall which led to the the gym for Homecoming.

The front office phones were ringing off the hook and the teachers could barely maintain any control over the excitement that dominated each classroom.

 Mr. Lafoe's first period History class proved to be no exception. While he tried to keep his class on task by preparing them with a drill and another infamous study guide, he found it was almost a lost cause. Determined for the week to go as planned, though, he attempted to tighten the ropes.

"Alright, gang, I know we're all excited about the dance, but you guys need to complete your study guides today and submit for a total possible fifty points. Now, I've allowed you to work in pairs, but that is a privilege that will be taken away if abused. Raise your hand if you've completed pages one through three so far."

 Only a few students raised their hands, including Grace. The rest laughed. "Alright." He continued. "I'm going to run and make copies real quick and we'll do another check-in at 9:15. I don't want to hear any nonsense outside of this door. As you know, Erin is my aid and as such, will report any shenanigans while I'm gone."

Teacher's pet !

 He grabbed a few papers from his desk and the roster and smiled down at Erin while she graded homework. "Don't let em' run all over you!" He winked at her and she smiled as he disappeared through the door of Room 235.

"Gawd. Finally!" Shouted Bailey and the class snickered. "He is so freakin' maddening!" Erin looked over, as if to give her a warning. She made a face with her tongue out as Erin scrawled on a post-it note.

"Chill out, Bail. It's only Monday. We've got a long week ahead of us!" Grace tapped her pencil on the corner of Bailey's study guide packet. "Workie, workie."

"But this is such a waste of time!" she whined. "And that twit thinks she's in charge because she's got a thing for El Pervo." Bailey groaned. "I could give two shits about the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and its repercussions. Retch!"

She banged her head into her desk and Grace gently kicked her tennis shoe with her own. She turned her head toward Grace,  and let out an exasperated sigh.

 Bailey needed another coffee, for sure. It had been a busy weekend. The following one would be even more chaotic and the last thing either of them needed was a big, fat "F" on their U.S. History exam.

"We're supposed to be working as a team, Gurl. I'm already on page four. Get your ass in gear!" Grace tried to take her classwork seriously; she flipped through her textbook and handed it to Bailey.

"It's you're turn." Grace instructed. "You finish five and six. I'm going to run to the Ladies' real quick." She stood and grabbed the hall pass on her way out the door.

"Don't get lost in the bathroom, Grace. I'm watching the clock!" She cackled to her friend. Erin jotted another note down and Bailey rolled her eyes dramatically.

 Grace ignored her and walked quickly to the corner of the hallway toward the stairwell. She glanced both ways before pushing the doors open and could already see Evan waiting for her through the glass.

 He grabbed her hand and leaned his back against the wall when she entered the doorway. She kissed him and giggled while he reached up and tickled her side with his free hand.

He tried to sneak said free hand a little further up her shirt, but Grace swatted it away.

 She was nervous and excited at the same time. She'd never been so daring before.