Disclaimer: I do not own Recess!

Spinelli Woods, Esq.: lol, yes thank the Lord for waterproof mascara! Aw, it was sad, wasn't it? Keep reading!

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Fantasy3: Thanks, I originally wasn't going to have a letter from King Bob in it, but then I remembered the one my class got from a classmate's brother, so I did anyway! Glad you liked it, keep reading!

Chapter Twenty-One: Debate Session

It was the first day of practice for graduation. Not that anybody cared or anything...would YOU if you were them? The class all dragged into the auditorium that they were forced to cramp inside and sat on the first few rows of the middle section. Presently, Mrs. Lawson, who was guidance counselor, showed up. Not that anybody cared about that either. (A/N: I feel bad dissin' the guidance counselor like this...mine was actually rather nice! But I needed her to be bad, so I did!)

"Well, today's your first day of practice, hmm?" she asked with such a sugary grin, Spinelli wanted to slap it off. "I suppose most of you the basic routine, having gone to previous graduations, but naturally we have to practice anyway. For now, we're just going to practice our singing. Then, after spring break, we'll begin REAL practice. Oh, and before I forget...the teachers that are decorating the place up that night want to know when to expect the money for the flowers and programs."

A blank stare is what she got in response. Money for flowers and programs? Skinner and the other school board members had said that they were not to pay for that. Besides, all the money was already promised to St. Jude's. Gretchen had already contacted the hospital to tell them that they were donating the 1200 dollars!

"Uh...Mrs. Lawson?" T.J. asked, rising in his seat. "We were told that we weren't supposed to pay for flowers and programs."

"Oh?" she asked, giving off a "look". "And WHO told you this?"

"The school board," Sammi glared. "Did you know we were the only school in the county having to pay for that stuff?" she demanded to know.

"Well...uh...," the guidance counselor stuttered, not really knowing what to say to that.

"Yeah, so we donated all our money to St. Jude's hospital!" Vince added. "Is that too much of a problem?"

"No, that's a...nice idea," Mrs. Lawson had to admit. "But, if we don't have any money, then we can't arrange for any flowers and programs."
"Please, they have programs every year for the Christmas plays," Ashley Q stated. "Why can't they print some up for graduation?"

Mrs. Lawson gave the brunette a stare. "Are YOU that girl that my son's been talking to?"

Ashley Q started blushing. "Uh..." she began, embarrassed that she knew about her seeing Lawson at work.

"I am so shocked, my son getting involved with an...activist." She nearly choked on the word. "Nevertheless, I'll have to talk to Prickly about the programs. As for the flowers, there's nothing I can do in order to get some without some money. Especially since your class flower is an orange hibiscus. Quite expensive this time of year."

"Listen, we don't need flowers," Spinelli argued, having about enough of this whole year. "We just want to get this graduation thing over with! Flowers DON'T make the occasion! Giving the money to cancer-stricken children is way more important than a bunch of dopey flowers for our pitiful graduation ceremony...if you can call it a ceremony anyway!"

Mrs. Lawson looked shocked to hear Spinelli give such a...speech, I guess you'd call it. After that, she didn't say anything else about the matter.

LATER AT KELSO'S

"Geez, Spinelli, I thought Mrs. Lawson was going to jump all over you," Gus admitted while everyone was digging into their ice cream. "She sure looked mad!"

"Can you blame me?" Spinelli asked. "I am so sick of this year! I'm glad we're graduating in a month!"

Vince started laughing. "Well, I guess we all know where Lawson got his temper from! It must be hereditary or something!"

"Very funny," Ashley Q muttered, rolling her eyes. "He's not as bad as he was in elementary."

"Okay, lighten up, it was a joke," Vince said, holding his hands up in self-defense.

"The only joke around here is going to be graduation," Upside-Down Girl sighed.

"Yeah, that and Prickly," T.J. agreed. "Let's get off that subject. Who's all ready for spring break!"

"I AM!" was the unanimous answer.

"I can SO not wait for Hank and Miss Finster's party!" Sammi grinned. "Uh, what day is it exactly?"

"Hank called me last night," Gretchen piped up. "He said it would be on Friday, which is just next week, and it starts at seven in the evening."

"Great work, Grundler," T.J. smiled. "Now, I for one don't know the way to their house, so maybe we should all carpool."

"That's a good idea, let's all meet here at like six-thirty and find it or something," Ashley B said.

"OKAY!" everyone said at the same time, and clanked their glasses in the air.

Whoa, now the adults are trying to swindle the St. Jude money! Super evil...next time we see the guys, they'll not be drowning in their despair...they'll be PARTYING! So stay tuned, and don't forget to leave a review!