The Art of War
3: Say It Ain't So
"What're we going to do?"
"Nothing, we'll just wait for her to get expelled, it'll happen eventually."
"But, what about Spencer--"
"Yeah, what about me?" I asked, taking a seat at my golden lunch table, interrupting the deep seated conversation my assistants happened to be involved in.
"Uh…Spence, didn't see you there!" Shannon Smith exclaimed, handing me my bottle of water and gigantor M&M's cookie that usually consisted of my afternoon nourishment. The water kept me in shape and the sugar kept me going until I could get home to Pierre and his excellent cooking.
"We were just…uh…discussing our plans to dispose of the new girl." Sara replied. My brows furrowed.
"And why's that? She's not all that bad." I said and my minions all looked at each other, then back at me, sighing.
"Look Spencer, you're a good person, and I think that…how shall I say…clouds your judgment sometimes." Madison Duarte, my fellow co-captain of the Cheerleading Squad said silkily, closing her compact with a snap. I instantly discounted the 'you're a good person' comment, I had ruined my fair share of social lives here at Pinkerton Prep, and jumped right back in at Ashley's defense.
"How about we just give her a chance? Dean Carlisle will straighten her out in no time."
"Spencer, girls like that don't "straighten out", if you get my drift." I just shook my head, a little confused and a lot worried that maybe they'd drive her out, and how was I supposed to continue my unrequited love-fest then?
"Yeah, just wait Spence, she'll come after you soon enough. And then it's gonna be a lot harder to get rid of her. She'll be all entrenched and stuff." Jordan added sagely. I choked on my cookie a little, neglecting to mention that I actually wanted her to come after me, like, now…in a broom closet…between classes…when no one was looking…
"So, uh, got a meeting today after school. You'll take care of the Squad until I get there right Madison?" I squeaked, sure my face was turning red from my afternoon imaginings.
"Sure chica, just remember what we said." Madison replied and with that the lunch bell rang, sending us all off to our classes yet again. For the rest of the day I kept up "Ashley-Watch", taking in a quick inventory of students every time I entered a room, then spending the rest of the time staring at the door and hoping she'd walk in, late and beautiful…
Needless to say it didn't happen, and once the final bell rang I found myself trudging off to the student council room for our election meeting, more than a little depressed.
"Ah, well if it isn't our star campaigner." Mr. Hanley, the kindly old adviser to the Dean announced as I walked in, early as usual.
"Good afternoon Mr. Hanley." I greeted without any enthusiasm, taking the bulletin he was handing out and falling heavily into a seat.
"What's wrong Ms. Carlin? You don't seem yourself." He asked just as the rest of the campaigners walked in.
"I'm fine." I muttered and he nodded, turning his attention to the rest of the loafers, who'd yet to put up any posters or anything while I already had my campaign website up and running and posters all over the school.
"It's not enough in this competition just to be on time. You need to get everything moving as quickly as possible if you intend to win. Preparation is key." He warned warmly as he plugged in the projector and pulled up the latest polls.
"Now here's what the race looks like so far, and for some of you, its not looking good." He announced much to the dismay of most of the room. We had these little meetings from time to time, mostly to spur us forward and keep us on our game, as well as knowing how the school population felt.
"Now Teresa, Scott is a few points ahead of you in the Secretarial Race, and that means you need to step it up." Scott put on a smug look as Teresa lowered her head, immediately whipping out her phone and texting at light speed.
"Blair and Nady, you two are just about tied for first right now, and Aaron you're bringing up the rear in the Treasurer's Race." Cue the gladiatorial looks of death from Blair and Nady to each other while Aaron just sullenly sat in the corner.
"In the Vice Presidential standings, Claudio, you're ahead of Phoebe by only half a point, you both did well getting yourselves prepared but be ready for the debate coming up next week, it'll definitely decide the frontrunner. Erik, I don't know what to tell you but you've got to find a platform that works because you're obviously not connecting with your classmates." Mr. Hanley handed them the information regarding the first of the two Vice Presidential debates and I sighed, resting my chin on a fist and watching the last pie chard come up. Even the sight of the blue slice entitled "Carlin Campaign" taking up the entire pie couldn't cheer me up.
"The Presidential Race is looking…well, pretty much set." Mr. Hanley declared with a chuckle, then was interrupted by the door swinging open. All of us shielded our eyes against the white hot light of the projector, attempting to see through the bright curtain of color to the person behind it but failing. Mr. Hanley instantly jumped up and turned it off, turning on the light instead, and the entire classroom gasped, except me, I just grinned stupidly.
Ashley stood there, holding up a white piece of paper and looking around the cavernous theater style lecture room warily. She raised an eyebrow as Mr. Hanley approached her.
"…this the election meeting?" She asked in that dark voice of hers and I forced myself to sit up straight, wiping the goofy grin off of my face and attempting to look serious.
"Why yes, can I help you miss?" Ash just handed over the paper and Mr. Hanley raised his glasses from his suit pocket to his eyes, looking over it slowly. He appeared to read it over several times, then cleared his throat as she inspected a nail, one hand on her hip and appearing to be as disinterested in us as we were interested in her.
"Well, per Dean Carlisle's instructions, it looks like we have a new entry into the race. Miss Ashley Davies will be entering the Presidential Race as of this afternoon!" He announced and my heart did a somersault in my chest, making me cough as I tried to process. What?!! There couldn't possibly be another entry!! Primaries were next week! Scott responded by standing up in his seat and looking around the room, to which Ashley just gave him a look was clearly questioning his sanity.
"I don't see any cameras…I mean, this is for an episode of MADE right?" He asked non-jokingly and Mr. Hanley just replaced his glasses calmly, though his eyes were sparkling. He sure did love a good wrench thrown into a political campaign. Stepping back up to the projector he bent over his laptop and pulled up the presidential pie again, causing my fists to ball up at my sides angrily as he gingerly added a new color. It was a tiny little red sliver that he slowly typed "Davies Campaign" into and suddenly it clicked in my head, that tickling sensation that had been there all day.
"Davies!" I hissed.
tbc
r&r