Nothing but Trouble by Jacqueline Davies

Author:Jacqueline Davies
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2016-08-29T04:00:00+00:00

EIGHTEEN

THE NEXT DAY WAS THE SECOND Tuesday in October, and that meant one thing at Odawahaka Middle School: time for the annual assembly to kick off class elections. Usually, a class president was elected for each grade: fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth. But since the sixth grade was the only class that was still at Oda M, theirs would be the only election this year.

And everyone knew who would win: Kayla.

Kayla was a shoo-in for three reasons. First, she had a magnetic quality that bordered on magic; people fell under her spell and couldn’t get out. Second, because Kayla had won last year, she was the incumbent—which is a huge advantage in any election. And third, no one else was interested in running. Running for class office was a lot of work, and this year’s sixth graders weren’t particularly fired up, especially since they were the last class at Oda M. What was the point in leading a school that was doomed in a town that was dying? It was like being elected captain of the Titanic five minutes before the ship sank. No wonder Mr. Platt still didn’t have a single member in his new Robotics Club. Why try?

Besides, everyone knew that class president was an empty honor. There was no real power. Nothing ever changed at the school, no matter who was elected.

Principal Shute stood at the podium speed-reading the election rules from the Official Odawahaka Middle School Handbook for Student Elections. He was clearly bored, and the students mirrored his attitude by slumping in their seats and staring at the ceiling. The five classroom teachers sat onstage, as they did at every assembly, and Kayla sat beside them, since she was the outgoing class president.

There were only two students in the audience who were paying attention: Maggie, who kept checking her watch, and Lena, who kept checking the light meter on her camera.

“Anyone who would like to be a candidate,” said Principal Shute, reading as quickly as possible from the manual, “should submit his or her name by placing it in the official nomination envelope kept in each homeroom. You have until Friday at noon to submit your name for candidacy. On that afternoon, the official Election Board will gather the nomination envelopes from each homeroom and announce the official candidates on Monday morning. At that point, the campaign season, which will last precisely two weeks, will be under way. Candidates will be permitted to hang posters in the halls and cafeteria. Candidate speeches will be given the last Monday in October here in the auditorium.”

“Why is he reading so fast?” asked Lena. “It’s like his pants are on fire!”

Maggie checked her watch again. “I don’t know. Maybe he’s got somewhere important to go.”

“Appropriate presentation attire is required for all candidates,” continued the principal, rushing ahead. “Young ladies, skirts. Gentlemen, ties. No exceptions. The last Tuesday in October is Election Day. Voting will take place during homeroom, results will be tabulated by the Election Board during lunch, and the results will be announced at the end of the day.

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