The Education of Hailey Kendrick - Eileen Cook [19]
“I didn’t get our project done,” I said, changing the subject.
Kelsie’s face wrinkled up. “What do you mean you didn’t get it done?”
“I had the fight with my dad and I forgot. We’ll have to ask Ms. Brown for an extension.”
“She automatically drops two grades for an extension. That means at best we get a C.”
“What? Is it going to ruin your chances to get into your acting class?” I yanked my brush through my hair. Now she was all worried about our history grade? Where was the concern when she was supposed to be getting the time line done?
Kelsie held up both of her hands. “Don’t snap my head off. I brought up the grade because of how you get about it. A C is fine with me. Heck, it’s a step up from what I’m getting in French.”
I felt suddenly deflated, like someone had sucked all the energy out of my body. “I’m sorry. The thing with my dad got to me.”
Kelsie put her hand back on my shoulder. I could see both of us in the mirror. “I bet if you told Ms. Brown what happened, she wouldn’t mark you down. You’re her favorite by a mile. You’re the only one who does the suggested additional reading in that class. It’s clear you actually like history. You’re the daughter she always wanted to have. Besides, if she doesn’t change your grade, you can blame your dad and maybe he’ll feel guilty enough to buy you a car for graduation.”
I looked at my watch. “We better hurry or we’ll be late for assembly.”
Kelsie threw her arm around me as we walked down the hall. “Don’t stress, Hail. What is it you’re always saying? Things happen for a reason.”
8
Evesham starts every day with an all-school assembly. The official reason is tradition. The administration liked to “bring us together as a community” and start the day with a “shared vision.” Near as I could tell, the real reason we do it is because our dean, Mr. Winston, likes to be the center of attention. The school is nondenominational, but I’m pretty sure Mr. Winston secretly wants to be one of those evangelical ministers. Every day he starts with an inspirational story or quote, before diving into the various announcements about clubs and the importance of people being careful not to toss their silverware into the trash when they dump their trays in the lunchroom.
Most people would have preferred to have an extra fifteen minutes of sleep, but I usually didn’t mind assembly. There’s something relaxing about the sameness of it. The pews we sit in always smell like lemon polish, and the large arched windows make the hall feel important, like a cathedral. That morning I almost wished it were a church. I would need to do some serious praying if I were going to be able to get Ms. Brown to give us an extension with no penalty. History was my favorite subject. I felt like it should be science, since that was my dad’s thing, but deep down it mattered more to me how I did in history.
Kelsie and I were two of the last people to walk into the assembly hall. We slipped into the back row just as Mr. Winston was taking his place at the lectern. My eyes skimmed over the crowd. Girls and guys sat on opposite sides of the hall, seniors in the back, with the younger grades closest to the front so the teachers could keep a close eye on them. Tristan caught my eye. His hair was still wet from the shower. He winked at me, and I found myself smiling. Then I noticed Joel was right next to him, and my heart skipped a beat. Joel looked at me and then pointed at his watch, shaking his head. Kelsie flipped him off, and I felt the tight band around my chest loosen. It was going to be okay.
Kelsie pulled her iPhone out of her bag and held it in her lap, where none of the teachers would see it. She liked to check celebrity blogs during assembly.
“I’m afraid there is a serious issue we need to discuss this morning,” Mr. Winston