Chapter 65

Geometry Interferes With The Show

How was I supposed to focus in math class with everything else going on around me? The variety show was the next day and we still had a lot to do. "We" meaning Candace, but I still had to help her.

I heard Mrs. Price say something, but I wasn't really listening. Candace was staring at her notecards and flipping through a big notebook full of unreadable notes about the variety show. Samina seemed to be sort of paying attention. She was actually looking at the board, but I doubted she knew what was going on.

"ISABELLE!" I heard Mrs. Price shout.

"What?" I said.

"Are you listening to me?" Mrs. Price asked.

"Yeah, of course," I said.

"Then what's the answer to #23?"

I quickly solved the problem in my head. "That would be...1.45!"

"I guess I was mistaken," Mrs. Price said. "Just remember, this is math class, not nap time."

"Okay, Mrs. Price," I said.

Mrs. Price kept blabbering on. I totally understood the material, but for whatever reason, I had to pretend to listen to her anyways. "Nice one, Isabelle," Samina whispered.

Candace stared out the window. Beads of sweat were dripping down her forehead and her eyes were darting from the notecards to the window to the clock.

"You okay, Candace?" I asked.

"Yeah," she said. "I'm fine. Don't worry about it. It's just...the variety show's tomorrow and I have to make sure everything goes perfectly on schedule."

"I'm sure it will be great Candace," I said. "It feels so weird telling you this, but chill out! Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Well, there's a lot of stuff that I need to do, but I suppose you could do the announcements tomorrow? And you can work with the dogs at the actual event."

"Does that mean I won't be able to watch the show?"

"I'll set up something so you can watch. Trust me, it'll be so cool!"

"I can't wait," I said.

"ISABELLE! CANDACE! What did I say about not talking?" Mrs. Price shouted.

"Sorry, Mrs. Price," Candace said.

"Detention after school tomorrow for both of you."

"But the variety show's tomorrow!" Candace whined.

"The variety show does not start until seven o' clock. You'll still be able to make it in plenty of time."

"But I'm hosting! I have to be there at four to set up."

"Your extracurricular activities do not excuse your poor behavior Miss Whittaker." Candace groaned. The bell rang and Mrs. Price said, "Problems 13-69 for homework, have a nice day."

Samina, Candace, and I left the room. "So you got a detention from the Dark Overlord Price," Samina said.

"Yeah, my parents are going to kill me for this," Candace said.

"Mine probably will too," I added. "At least it's not a three hour detention."

"Then we'd miss the variety show!" Candace exclaimed. "I have to get to class. See you two later." Candace started walking in the opposite direction.

"Candace seems a little off today," Samina observed.

"She's just nervous," I said.

"I could understand that," Samina said.

Candace did have a right to be nervous. At this point, everything she did directly affected our project. If she screwed up just once, our entire project could be for nothing. It was hard not being completely in control of the project, but I couldn't do this without Candace's help. I was sure that she would succeed. She had to.