The last week of school was a flurry of activity for the seniors. College acceptances were starting to trickle in and most class time was spent discussing the exams. The different social groups within the senior class were all pulling various pranks and administration was doing their best to turn a blind eye as everyone understood the 'tradition' of it all.
Starting during her after lunch spare CJ entered the upper floor English section of the hallway. This set of 6 classes was slightly separated from the rest of the top floor. It was not only at an angle to the rest of the school but it had a set of big double doors with a small window in each one. CJ had made perfectly sized window signs that read "Exam Prep Do NOT Enter" for these windows. Securely fastening them and then locked the doors so that they couldn't be disturbed.
Since this time overlapped with the sophomore lunch period all 7 teens were available and they began set up. For the rest of the afternoon those present rotated depending on who went to class who didn't and who was on look out to make sure no red flags were being raised. When it came time for CJ to go to her last class she momentarily took her leave to make sure she was marked in attendance. She didn't want her absence to mess up the possibility of actually getting away with this. Once in her desk she sat for several minutes listening to the review before asking to be excused as she had a really bad headache and needed to see the nurse. After being given permission to leave CJ even signed in at the nurse's station for several minutes before taking her leave from there as well.
CJ had been doing this long enough and now with a year of NCIS evidence tracking she understood what people might look for. Her family probably wouldn't be happy to hear that she was using her new knowledge for mischief. CJ returned the wing where the 6 guys were still doing their bit. They narrowly got it all set up before the final bell rang. Quickly dispersing and removing the locks and signs the crew said their goodbyes and left.
CJ didn't think her day could get any better until she arrived home to find an oversized manila envelope in the mailbox addressed to her. Dropping her bag at the front door and not even bothering to remove her shoes CJ took the package to the kitchen table and opened it up. Inside she found her much anticipated letter of acceptance to the Penn State University. For the first time in her life CJ wept with joy. She'd be going to school at the top rated university in criminology and forensics.
CJ then started to read through all the accompanying documentation. Course selection, dorm selection, how to accept the acceptance she sat for a couple of hours not realizing how much time had passed until she heard the front door fly open and a loud thud.
"CJ" came an injured Tony's growl "your backpack does NOT belong in the middle of the hallway."
He entered the kitchen ready to continue his admonishment when he saw the table strewn with papers and the look of sheer happiness on his daughter's face. "Whatcha got CJ?"
She smiled with her entire body and held out her letter for him to read. He only needed to get to the second line before he knew what the rest would say. Dropping the paper on the table he rushed towards her grabbing her in a tight bear hug. Squishing with all of his might he lifted her off the ground and kissed her on the top of her head before releasing her. "Congratulations Peanut" was all he said. They stood looking at each other and their tradition of non verbal conversations erupted. I'm going to miss. I know, I'll miss you too. I'm so proud of you. I know. I'm not ready for this. I'm not sure I am either.
There 'discussion' was interrupted by Ziva calling through the front door "Tony you were going to help me bring these…" but seeing her family staring deep into each other's eyes she didn't finish her sentence. Waiting for several seconds to see if they would acknowledge her she stood without moving. When nothing was offered in her direction she finally asked "You want to tell me what is going on?" sounding worried and confused.
This time Tony handed the letter over but the response and hug was just the same. When Ziva let go of her child and held her at arm's length looking her up and down she announced "This calls for a celebration."
That night they went out as just the three of them for dinner. Sitting in a small Italian restaurant they talked about the past and dreamed about the future.
CJ was so happy going to bed that night she forgot what would be waiting for her at school in the morning.
CJ and Steven disembarked from the school bus and walked towards the front doors. "Did you remember when we did this" she said pointing to the bus and made her fingers walk and then pointed to the school "for the first time 4 years ago?"
"Ya, Wow. Lots has changed." He squeezed her hand and smiled sideways. The bus ride had been all about CJ's letter and the lack of anything for Steven. He wasn't worried, exactly, but maybe a little concerned. He threw the worry to the back of his mind. He wanted to enjoy today. He wanted to savour every last minute of this experience.
Heading off to class they said their usual morning goodbye with a kiss. CJ however didn't make it all the way to homeroom. Ms. Turnbull was waiting outside the classroom. "Good Morning CJ" she said in an overly sweet tone. "Good Morning Ms. Turnbull" and as she tried to enter the class and an arm was thrust in her way she added "to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit this morning?"
"Did you have anything to do with the 'redecorating' of the English wing?" her tone only slightly harsher than her greeting.
CJ's show of confusion and surprise was genuine. It took her a few moments to register what Ms. Turnbull was referring to and by that point the deputy principal had assessed the CJ was not the likely culprit. "Ok then" the woman said as she lowered her arm for CJ to get into class. Not having any interest in class but wanting to see some sort of reaction the girl decided to press her luck. "What redecorating?" and she turned to head in the direction of the English wing of the school.
"Where are you going?" Ms. Turnbull asked, now it was her turn to be confused.
"You can't tell the ultimate prankster about a prank that they didn't commit and then not expect them to go and check it out did you?" CJ looked back over her shoulder as she continued along the hallway.
Taking a few quick strides to catch up the DP said "You need to get to class."
"I'm with you so no one will question it" CJ's ease of banter cheekiness should have raised her ire but instead Ms. Turnbull couldn't help but smile.
Entering through the doors CJ had locked yesterday she stopped dead in her tracks and looked around the hall way. Nothing out of the ordinary was there so continuing with her ruse she said "What? The English wing looks like it always does" scrunching up her face in disappointment. The woman put her hand in the middle of CJ's back and gently pushed her towards the first classroom. Walking in CJ knew what to expect but was able to pull off and excellent "oh… now that looks different."
The room was completely empty. Not a piece of furniture, paper or chalk could be seen. Even the walls were completely bare. Ms. Turnbull then said "Follow me" and CJ obediently followed her to the next classroom, it too was bare. As was the entire wing; all five classes were empty. Feeling cocky that she had gotten this far along and knowing that she was no longer a suspect CJ inquired "Where is everything?"
"On the roof" annoyance showing through as the DP answered.
"The roof!" she exclaimed with a bit of a laugh and took off in the direction of the stair well.
"Where are you going Miss DiNozzo?"
"I HAVE to see" CJ called back down the stairs no even turning as she ran.
CJ threw open the door and was about to step out onto the roof when she was grabbed from behind.
"You can't go out there, it's not safe, you might fall off" Ms. Turnbull explained.
From the door CJ could see her handiwork. All five classrooms set up just as they had been on the floor below. Desks lined up, the teachers' desks were even on the same angle as they had been in their original classrooms. The signage was laid out on the ground in the position it should have been had there been a wall available to post it on.
"You satisfied now" the deputy principal asked, meaning was CJ happy that she'd seen what a fellow prankster had done. CJ was easily able to answer "Yep. I'm satisfied now" as she watched the expression on her companions face. It was worth it.
The janitorial staff had been gathered and they started to relocate everything back to its rightful place but not before many other students had climbed to the stairs to see what had happened. A few photos of the escapade started to be passed from phone to phone and by the end of the day everyone had heard about what had happened and how "perfect" it had all been set up.
Ethan walked passed CJ's table in the cafeteria and exchanged a look that meant the world to the graduating senior. Ethan was hooked. Their prank had worked as well as could have been hoped for and no one was any the wiser about the culprits. CJ was leaving that afternoon but her fun loving, jovial outlook on life was going to stay. Six kids were ready and waiting to take up the banner and march forward.
CJ's prankster legacy would live on.