Chapter 21: Simon's Suggestion

Thomas Edison Elementary – Dining Hall
Theodore's POV

I made my way over towards the self-service counter, with Eleanor beside me.

"What would you like Ellie?" I asked Eleanor.

"Let me see, I'll have some of that salad with a piece of bread please Theo" Eleanor pleasantly responded.

"Here you are" I said as I passed her the plate with her order.

"Is there anything else you'd like Ellie?" I enquired.

"No not really, anyways, what are you having?" Ellie politely pointed out, suggesting that my plate was empty.

"Apparently, one of the specials today is a burger. So I'm going to give that a try!" I confidently replied.

"One burger special, please" I kindly asked the dinner lady behind the hot counter.

"Here you are!" she replied, and observed "Careful, it might be hot!"

"Thanks!" I replied.

Eleanor and I went over to the cashier to pay for our items.

"That would be $3.50 for the Salad and bread" the cashier pointed out.

Eleanor went to get some change out of her purse.

"Drat!" she whispered under her breath.

"What's wrong Ellie?" I asked.

"I don't have enough change!" she pointed out, showing me she only had $3.40.

"Don't worry Ellie, I'll pay for your lunch today!" I optimistically said.

"Thanks Theo!" she whispered back .

"How much would it be for the burger and the salad?" I asked the cashier.

"Hmmmm, that would be $6.75, altogether" came the cashier's response.

I opened up my wallet, to find a crisp ten dollar bill. I passed the note to the cashier who gave me $3.25 change.

"All done, now let's find a place to sit and eat this. I'm hungry!" came my response, as my stomach growled.

"There's Simon and Jeannette over there, sitting by themselves!" Eleanor pointed out.

"Well, let's see if they would like company" I excitedly said as we headed towards them.

A few moments later…
Theodore's POV

"Hi Simon, hi Jeannette" Eleanor and myself chimed together.

"Oh, hi Theo" Simon said.

"Hi Ellie" Jeannette responded.

"Do you mind if we sit here with you?" I asked encouragingly.

"Sure, we would love the company!" Simon requested, motioning for us to sit at the table.

"I didn't get chance to say thank you Theo, for buying me lunch!" Eleanor said gratefully, turning to face me. I blushed a little.

"It's no problem real-" I tried to say, but Eleanor instinctively pressed her lips against mine. For a few moments, it felt like a firework had just gone off.

I know that Brittany had Alvin, Jeannette had Simon. I'm glad that I've got Eleanor! I happily thought.

Just then a voice boomed "ELEANOR MILLER and THEODORE SEVILLE, stop what you are doing and report to the principal's office!"

Eleanor and I ended the kiss promptly.

Oh dear, am I in trouble now? I panicked.

Just then, Alvin and Brittany appeared from outside the dining hall. They approached us, Alvin had a wide grin on his face. He was holding a megaphone behind his back.

"ALVINNN!" I pointed at my eldest brother, and then angrily emphasised " That's not funny! You almost gave me a panic attack!"

"Your reaction was priceless Theo!" Alvin smirked, only for Eleanor to slap him on the cheek.

"You deserved that! No one, I mean no-one hurts my Teddy!" Eleanor angrily stated.

"Sorry Theo!" Alvin sympathetically remonstrated, nursing his cheek.

"I can't stay angry at you forever, Alvin" I responded peacefully. Alvin then came over and hugged me, all was forgiven.

"How did the play rehearsal go?" Simon asked, changing the subject.

"Well, if you must know, it has been cancelled." Brittany sadly reported.

"Sorry to hear that" Jeannette responded.

"Anyways, Si and Jean, do you have any ideas about what we can do instead?" Alvin asked.

"Give us some time to think, and we will get back to you later!" Simon encouragingly stated.

"OK, see you at home. Brittany and I have something to care of! Bye!" Alvin said, with a grin on his face, escorting Brittany out of the dining hall and heading for home.

Later in the evening, that same day

Seville House – Boy's bedroom
Simon's POV

What to do, What to do? I asked myself several times, contemplating what to do instead of the play.

All of a sudden, my mobile phone went off.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Hi Si, it's me Jeannette" Jeannette responded "Do you need help with a plan for next week?"

"I could do with someone to help me! If you don't mind coming round?" I asked.

"See you in about 5 minutes, Si" Jeannette said, and then put the phone down.

5 minutes later - Seville House
Simon's POV

The doorbell rang, as I opened it Jeannette was there.

"Come in, Jean" I motioned to her.

"Thanks, Si" Jeannette graciously answered.

"Would you like some lemonade? This could take a while to sort out" I pointed out.

"Sure, why not!" came Jeannette's response.

We both then headed upstairs to the bedroom, to consider an alternative to the play.

Later at night

Seville House – Front Room
Alvin's POV

"So, have you solved the problem yet?" I impatiently asked Simon and Jeannette.

"Yes" They both chimed.

"What are we going to do then?" Brittany enquired, with her arms crossed and foot tapping on the ground.

"Well…." came Simon's response.