A Moment Like This
Although Bonnie wasn't in school, the day was still stressful for Angelica. Amber wasn't speaking to her. Aimee barely talked to her. She was worried about her father getting off from work at night as well as if she had a speech or something and on top of it all Lina didn't show up to school all day.
Still the evening arrived and Angelica was dressed in a relatively nice yellow dress. Fortunately her father had managed to make it that evening. "I'm so nervous," She whispered.
"Don't be," Mr. Jones smiled. They were backstage. "You worked very hard for this. Nobody knows better than I do how difficult this was for you. You earned this. So enjoy."
"Thanks Dad," Angelica smiled. "I wish I knew where Lina was though."
"You haven't seen her?" Mr. Jones asked.
"No I…" She gasped.
Lina appeared behind them. Her clothes were dirty and torn. She didn't have her headband on and the bumps on her head were slightly bigger and longer looking. "Angelica! Boy am I glad to see you!"
"Lina where were you all day?" Angelica gasped. "What happened?"
"My parents found out…" Lina sniffed. "They went ballistic. I knew they would. Locked me in the basement. It took me all day to get out. Lucky for me there was a window. By the time I got out and managed to get away it was late."
"Oh my lord," Mr. Jones said. "Some people!"
"I can't go out like this!" Lina shook. "I don't even know if I should go out."
"Well I didn't see your folks so they probably didn't even come," Mr. Jones said. "Look I think after the ceremony you'd better stay at our house for a while. Just until things calm down."
"Just get cleaned up okay?" Angelica told her. "I have some extra clothes in my locker. Not exactly fancy but they'll do. We've got ten minutes before they start. Come on!"
They managed to make it to the ladies room and fix her up relatively before the ceremony started. Luckily no one else saw them. "Well it's not that fancy but it will have to do," Lina looked down. Her skirt had been cleaned off and she was now wearing a simple blue top. Angelica managed to find a spare blue headband.
"You look fine," Angelica said. "Look we won't stay long. As soon as the ceremony's over, we'll head home and then we'll call Dr. Gombell."
"You can stay at our place until we figure what else to do," Mr. Jones said. "I'd better get out in the audience."
"Thanks Angelica," Lina sighed. "I don't know what I'd have done if…"
"It's no big deal," Angelica said. "Come on."
The ceremony proceeded with the chorus singing and several awards and speeches. Behind each student getting an award there was a huge screen showing pictures of him or her. When Angelica's name was called for Most Improved Student she still couldn't believe it was happening. This is all for me! I can't believe this! After tonight I won't be Angelica the Jinx any more! I'll be Angelica the Honor Student! And nobody can take it away from me!
She received her reward and was encouraged to make a speech. "Uh thank you," Angelica told the audience. "I want to say thank you for this award. I guess you really don't know what you are capable of unless you try."
Then she heard a loud collective gasp from the crowd. Angelica turned around and saw the picture of her creating the fire in the backyard. "Oh no…"
"Hi there folks," Bonnie's voice rang in her ears. "I just thought I showed you people what the Jinx here is really capable of!"
