Monday

Nishan came up to me. "I've got big news! I was able to contact the second board member, Professor Edwin. She's the youngest head physicist to win the Quantum Award for Scientific Discovery! She did something with portals and cakes... I don't remember the details. Anyway, she asked if our school has any science events coming up that she could attend!"

"That's great!" I replied.

Suddenly, Autumn butted in. "Uh, do we have any events?" she snapped.

"Not yet, but I was thinking we could have a science fair! It'll be a good way to get the whole school involved!" Nishan continued. "I already have an idea for my project... but it's going to be ambitious. Very ambitious. It's something I always wanted to do at Hearst, but could never get permission... You know that many science fairs feature a model volcano, right?"

"Yeah, I've heard of that. Isn't that a little basic?" I inquired.

"Not when you're constructing a gravity-accurate Venusian Vapor Volcano!" Nishan exclaimed.

"Is that really a thing?"

"Well, this will simulate what one would be like," Nishan mused. "I want it to be a perfect predictor of what life will be like for the terraforming future colonists of Venus when they go too far and destabilize the planet."

"Oooh!" Autumn screeched. Nishan and I covered our ears. "I can help with that. You're going to need someone to make the tiny trees and miniature people, right?"

"Well, tiny terra-forming mist trees and miniature space settlers..." Nishan responded.

"Close enough!" Autumn yawped.

"Should I be worried?" I asked.

"Let's just say that if you can clear out some room around here, it'll help. And some funding will also be required..." Nishan began.

I sighed, reaching for my Gucci wallet. As usual, I was the one who had to pay for everything.

Thursday

"There! The Venusian Vapor Volcano is done! The enclosed environment is the closest possible replication of the planet Venus." Nishan announced.

"Wow... it's taller than I am!" I exclaimed, which was truly a feat as I was wearing six-inch Louboutins.

"Anyway, when we set it off, it'll show what we can expect early space settlers to face as they terraform other planets! Professor Edwin is definitely going to be impressed!" Nishan enthused.

Friday

"I have to admit, when I heard about your school, I was skeptical. The faculty presence is almost non-existent... but it seems you have everything well-managed here." Professor Edwin commented as she entered the auditorium.

Her hair was set in a short black bob while her dark eyes frequently scanned the room, searching for discipline problems. I checked her shoes. They were beat-up, fugly businesswoman loafers dating back from the 1980s. She probably hadn't changed her shoes since then.

"I think you'll find that our school is a shining example of efficiency and organization," Nishan politely replied. "Now, let me show you around the science fair. Over here, we have Julian's experiment..."

"My project examines the science behind the common question, 'Can Anyone Beat Me At Arm-Wrestling?' Conclusion: only dirty cheaters." Julian gave me a look.

I smirked back at him. Hey, I do whatever it takes to win!

"A very... non-traditional approach..." Professor Edwin sniffed.

"Just wait until you see the rest of what we have!" Nishan exclaimed. "And in this corner... is Mia's analytical study..."

"Here you can see that I've graphed attractiveness versus popularity, and I also have charts comparing household income to quality of clothing!" Mia gestured to her project. I gave my best friend a thumbs-up.

"And Payton has extensively researched the science of partying," I gestured to my other close friend.

"I'm working on creating a perfect party... the right combination of snacks, music, decorations, and dancing!" Payton gushed.

"I must say, this is an impressive level of participation from the school. A little unorthodox... but it's delightful to see so many students involved!" Professor Edwin began.

"There's still one project left to show you, Professor Edwin! This over here is the pinnacle of our science fair... literally... the Venusian Vapor Volcano!" With a flourish, Nishan lead us to his completed model volcano.

"A surprising twist on the classic. I assume it's fully operational?" Professor Edwin queried.

Nishan nodded. "Of course! Let me merely activate it, and..."

But Nishan was cut off as the volcano rumbled... shook... and then violently exploded, erupting in paint and goop that splattered all over the room... and all over Professor Edwin.

"What? No!" Nishan gasped. "How... how could this happen! This is impossible!"

"Impossible?" Professor Edwin snapped. "It's clearly not impossible. What this is... it's... simply appalling! Does this school have no regard for safety?!"

Nishan stuttered. "I... I..."

"Good day, sir." Professor Edwin said through gritted teeth.

"But—" Nishan tried again.

"I said good day!" Professor Edwin roared and stormed off.

I glared at Fugly Loafers' retreating back. I knew from the start, from the way she appraised our school and our science fair, that this woman hated us for some reason I couldn't yet elucidate.

It was a small mistake, a total accident, and she didn't even give us a second chance. If Fugly Loafers was anywhere near our school, she would definitely give us a hard time. It was up to me to keep her away, and that meant passing the inspections.

And then, I could finally get around to concocting a plan to absolutely ruin Hearst…