AN: With Valentine's Day about to rear it's ugly head, I decided to write a story built around that crazy little thing called Love. Now some of you are probably sitting behind the computer monitor like, "But goldenpeach, you said you'd never write a JoJo love story." And you'd be right. That's why I decided to write an innocent puppy love fic in which the Mayor is the object of someone's affection. Why? Because it's so original! That's why! And I love me some Mayor!
On one last note, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE leave a review! It really helps keep me motivated and give's me the sense of having an audience.
Ok! Rambling over. Let's get on to the good stuff!
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Horton Hears a Who! or any of the characters involved in this story.
The final bell rang resounding all over the busy hallways of Whoville High School.
"Okay, JoJo. Humor me," Mr. Gristmel, the principal, said. He closed the door, sealing in the overwhelming silence. "Give me one good reason why you shouldn't sit in detention."
JoJo McDodd kept his head hung low at all times. His auburn eyes were too afraid to match the stern look on Mr. Gristmel's face. As his short legs swung nervously, the Smallest Who of All felt smaller and smaller as he frantically rummaged his brain for a proper reason that justified his sleeping in every class for the past two weeks.
Mr. Gristmel folded his arms as he sat and waited for an answer.
JoJo could think of many good reasons for his frequent napping. Each night he had been staying up late in the old star studying tower writing and composing songs. He'd secretly been working on a song for an upcoming community ceremony honoring his dad, Mayor Ned McDodd's, placement on the twenty who-dollar bill.
It was a pretty big deal to JoJo that his song turned out perfectly. JoJo had never written lyrics to any of his instrumentals before. If he got detention, it would mean that Ned would ground him for a year! The song would never be completed, and JoJo's surprise for his dad would be ruined.
These were good enough reasons—at least that's what JoJo thought.
When JoJo didn't answer on time, Mr. Gristmel reached for the phonebook. "Oh, JoJo. I really don't want to have to get the Mayor involved with this," he groaned.
Before JoJo could plead for mercy, the door swung wide open. A young Who girl walked right in. She looked about nine or ten years old, but like anybody, she was still much taller than JoJo.
JoJo wondered what in the world she doing walking the halls of Whoville High.
"Stacy," the girl said to Mr. Gristmel.
JoJo buried his face in his knees to repress his outburst of laughter. Mr. Gristmel's first name was Stacy? JoJo couldn't wait to tell his friends Iggy, Adin, Beanie, and Coby. That is, if he could make it out of the principal's office alive.
Mr. Gristmel looked heavily annoyed by the girl's presence. "What are you doing here, Tallulah?" he said through his teeth. "Can't you see that I'm with a student right now?"
Tallulah lowered her eyes. "I…I failed my spelling test today," she confessed.
Mr. Gristmel folded his arms around his chest and fell back in his chair. "What else is new with you?"
Tallulah blinked her eyes rapidly so that her tears wouldn't spill over her cheeks.
"Look Tallulah I don't have time for this. All I can tell you is to study harder. Maybe you could make flashcards with your mother or something," Mr. Gristmel said.
"But the words are still too hard," Tallulah protested. "And Mommy is always too tired to help."
The argument went back and forth with Mr. Gristmel making useless suggestions and Tallulah turning every one of them down. JoJo could see that Mr. Gristmel was getting more and more irritated with Tallulah. This didn't mean good news for JoJo. Mr. Gristmel was liable to take his frustration out on him.
Before the argument escalated, JoJo quickly spoke up. "I'll tutor Tallulah!"
Mr. Gristmel's eyes narrowed at JoJo. "I'm not paying for another tutor," he said.
"I'll do it for free," JoJo volunteered with a shrug.
Mr. Gristmel removed his glasses before he considered. "Okay, JoJo," he finally said. "I'll make you a deal. If you can help Tallulah with her spelling words, then I won't make you sit in detention."
JoJo smiled. That was just what he wanted to hear. He had helped his little sisters with their spelling words all the time. This would be easy.
"I'll do it," JoJo said.
"You hear that Tallulah? JoJo is going to help you with your spelling words," Mr. Gristmel said.
Tallulah didn't seem to be paying attention. She was too busy tracing hearts on Mr. Gristmel's desk with her finger.
Mr. Gristmel sighed. He then turned to JoJo and said, "Fair warning, she gets distracted...easily."
"She does?" JoJo swallowed. He looked up at Tallulah. Now she was absently playing with her bubble gum.
JoJo frowned. What had he gotten himself into?