The next day, during the period of time before classes usually start, Mr Howard walked into the classroom I was in and announced, "Attention students, move to the gymnasium. We're having an assembly today."

It took all I had to resist smirking as dozens of murmurs broke out across the class.

"Huh? Isn't it Thursday?"

Mr Howard glared at Seth. "My instructions were 'move to the gymnasium', not 'ask me stupid questions'. Now, get moving!"

Although they were still murmuring to themselves, prisoners all around began getting up and shuffling out of the classroom door, all under the fierce gaze of the overseer who stood beside it.

When I passed by him his eyes narrowed slightly, so, while still smirking, I gave him a mock nod before leaving the classroom.

Not too far behind me, Seth complained, "Sheesh, I was just asking a question! He didn't have to bite my head off like that."

"Agreed," Mitch replied. "It is rather odd to have an assembly on any other day of the week than Monday. What do you think they want to talk to us about, Angelo?"

Despite the fact I was trying so hard not to start sniggering, I managed to hold together a straight face as I looked back at him and shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe it's about our upcoming tests."

For some reason, Mitch's eyes narrowed a bit. However, he soon replied, "Yeah, maybe."
.      .      .

"Back in my school days, we knew how to party. In fact, trust me, I was the king of partying when I was in high school."

Mr Prickleberry took a moment to silently glare at practically every student before him, before he snarled, "But when it was time to write tests or exams, we always knew it was time to be serious. No more mischief, no more parties - you'd never even catch a student in their right senses saying they want to mess around!"

"However, it seems in your generation it's quite the opposite! It's when students that are meant to be at home studying for upcoming tests that the juveniles among them decide it's time to show themselves by breaking into the school late at night!"

I tried. I really did. But no matter how much I tried to picture puppies being stepped on or pinched my legs, I still couldn't stop my mouth from opening and releasing a loud burst of laughter.

On the bright side, my laughter triggered a chain reaction, so soon after the students who hadn't been stunned into silence by the news were laughing as well.

On the down side, Prickleberry's eyes had already snapped to me before other people had started laughing as well.

You want to know something strange though?

That didn't stop my laughter.

In my defense, Prickleberry had himself to blame for that. I would have been perfectly fine if his face hadn't been trying to match the color of his cherry-red tie at that moment!

While still staring daggers at me, Prickleberry snarled, "You seem to be finding this situation hilarious, Smith."

It took me a few moments to calm myself down before I replied, "I and every other student seem to see something funny in this."

"Which is?"

"Probably common knowledge since so many people are laughing."

"DO NOT TEST ME TODAY, SMITH! I WILL NOT TOLERATE YOUR SMART MOUTH!"

I had to dig my nails into my legs before I could reply without pause, "But you're the one who asked me a question!"

Prickleberry's mouth hung open for a few seconds, then he snarled, "Just...be quiet!"

Smirking, I made a zipping motion across my lips.

Still glowering at me, Prickleberry once again spoke. "I sincerely hope that none of you who seems to find the idea of our beloved school being broken into funny is found to be the culprit, because I can assure you that the consequences would be dire!"

That didn't do anything to curb the laughter, by the way. In fact, I'd say it even increased it.

Prickleberry's grip on the microphone noticeably grew tighter. "SILENCE!"

Barely a few moments later the gym grew silent, save for the occasional giggle here and there.

Just as he had earlier, Prickleberry took his time to glower at as many students as he could before he went on. "Not only did this delinquent break into the school, they also managed to damage the plants that add such  beauty to our environment. So, if you're the perpetrator of these horrible acts, then I suggest you turn yourself in before we find out. And believe me, we will find out. We have video footage of the night before-"

I scoffed under my breath.

"-so all we have to do is check it. If you turn yourself in you'll still be punished, but your punishment would be far less than what you'd get if you don't, I assure you that."

Prickleberry paused and slowly swept his eyes across the gym, as if he was expecting the perpetrator to stand up and announce, 'Here I am!'

It should be quite obvious that that didn't happen.

Prickleberry continued speaking. "Also, if there's anyone who has any idea on who the perpetrator might be, please feel free to come by my office or inform one of your teachers. Not only would you be doing your school a great service, but I'd also ensure you get a reward for it."

"When you say 'reward', then what exactly do you mean?" Someone asked.

Suddenly, a smug smile came over Prickleberry's face. "I knew someone would ask that. Not only would you be allowed to skip the lunch line for basically the rest of your days at this school, but I would also personally pay for whatever you want from the vending machine for the rest of this term!"

My eyes widened involuntarily, just as excited whispers broke across the hall after he'd finished speaking.

Prickleberry's smirk grew as he observed the reaction his words were getting, then he said, "Well, I think I've taken up enough of your first period already. You may all go to class, but keep in mind all we've discussed this morning."

People began to get up and shuffle out of of the hall, still murmuring amongst themselves as they did so. I stood up to leave as well, but I had hardly taken a few steps before I heard Seth say, "Am I the only one who heard what Prickleberry said?"

Turning back, I noticed that Mitch and Hans were with him as well. "Considering the fact the rest of us aren't deaf-"

"I know, I know, but still! No more lunch line? Free snacks from the vending machine? Man, if I knew who did it I'll rat them out quick!"

Suddenly I was glad I'd chosen to keep the events of the night before to myself.

Han's lips curled, then he shook his head. "See, that's exactly why no one would let you in on anything. There's no shred of loyalty in you!"

"Hey, that's not true! I can keep a secret...but..." A sheepish grin came over Seth's face, "I mean, I always get to the cafeteria late, and by that time the line is already like a mile long! What do you expect me to do?"

I shrugged. "Wait like you always do?"

"But that'd take too long!" Sighing, his shoulders slumped. "Oh well, what's the point of fantasizing? It's not like the person's going to come up to me and say they're the ones who did it."

Damn well I won't!

I nodded. "True. The chances of the culprits being caught are highly unlikely."

Seth sighed then fell silent, so I faced the direction I was walking in once again. A few moments later however, I heard Seth say, "Wait, culprits? I thought it was only one person."

When I realised what he was talking about, my heart lurched. Immediately, my brain began drawing up various reasons I could give to cover up my slip of tongue.

Before I even had the chance to speak through, Mitch said, "Well think about it, it's more likely that more than one person broke into the school. Maybe one of them kept watch while the other did what they wanted to."

"Hmm... yeah, I guess I see what you mean."

Turning my head round, I nodded at Mitch, and he returned the gesture. Somehow, looking into his eyes I had a suspicion he had an idea who the true culprit were.

I wasn't too bothered about it though.

Meanwhile, Seth exclaimed, "Wait, but this is great! I can contribute something to the investigation, and maybe get a cut of the prize!"

Mitch sighed. "Seth-"

But Seth was already striding quickly in the direction of the gymnasium, squeezing through the masses of people still coming out of it.

"Honestly, sometimes I wonder why I'm even friends with that guy."

Shaking his head, Hans looked back at Mitch and I. "I'll catch you guys later."

I nodded.

So Mitch and I made our way to History class alone, stopping by our lockers first to pick up our books.

After we'd done so and were heading straight to class, Mitch said, "Still, don't you think it's kinda weird that Prickleberry is offering these kinda rewards? I mean, remember that guy in the year above us who ratted out the person in his class that was bringing drugs to school? I don't remember him being granted any special privileges. So what's so different about this case now?"

I shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe Prickleberry is just in a giving mood?"

"I doubt it. But it doesn't matter anyway."

Neither of us said another word for the rest of the walk. As much as I didn't think Mitch would rat me out, I had no intention of telling him the true reason why Prickleberry seemed so panicky over this issue.

That answer lay within the picture gallery of my phone.

By the way, I don't think you guys really understand what that picture entails, and that's to be expected. You don't know the full story behind Prickleberry's marriage to the mayor.

Allow me to fill you in.

Now the story I'm about to tell you is one that has been at Bloomsbury high for generations, passed down from class to class each year. It's so old that no one in fact knows which class first heard about it, but everyone just assumes it was the set fifteen years ago, because that was the first ever to graduate from Bloomsby High.

So the rumor that practically everyone in high school has heard is that Prickleberry is not the one who actually owns the school, unlike he claims. In fact, he wasn't even the one who founded it. Everyone thinks it's Mayor Brickleberry who really does, and the only reason Prickleberry married her was so he could get the funds he needed to build the school.

Of course, I can't objectively say whether the rumor is true or false. However, it is worth noting that Mayor Brickleberry is estimated to 20 years older than our beloved principal (she's in her sixties). Also, it was actually our principal who changed his surname to Brickleberry, not his wife.

So there's always the possibility that the story is nothing but a farce, but then again, there seems to be a greater possibility that it is true. Either ways, a picture of a married man cheating on his wife is definitely not going to be good for his reputation.
.     .     .

Just like reasonable people should, every teacher I had that day reminded us at the end of their class that we had a test the upcoming week. Every single one of them. And none of them decided to pull a Mr Howard and announce it when about half of the class were already out of his classroom door.

I fully intended to point this out when I got to my usual table in the cafeteria at lunch break that day, but I was interrupted before on my way there.

Aimee crossed her arms after she'd stepped in front of me. "Just exactly where do you think you're going?"

Stuffing my hands in my pocket, I sighed. "Hello to you as well."

"Oh, pardon my manners! Hello Romeo, where do you think you're heading right now? Did you forget we have a meeting scheduled with Miss Delane?"

My breath caught.

Slowly, I admitted, "Matter of fact...I did."

Of course, there just had to be a downside to that day.

"Sureee. Anyways, let's go."

"Lead the way."

Aimee frowned. "What?"

"What? I said lead the way. We have a meeting, don't we?"

"Yeah, but aren't you..." Aimee's brow furrowed for a bit, then she shook her head. "Never mind. Come on then."

Albeit the fact I was dragging my feet across the floor as I walked, I still stayed true to my words and followed her. There was no point in refusing to anyways. Best to meet with Miss Delane when I was in somewhat of a good mood.

We walked in silence for a bit before Aimee said, "So... Mr Brickleberry's rewards..."

I sighed. "I know, I know."

"You do?"

I scoffed. "Believe me, anyone who's spent even up to a year in this school knows this is far more generous that Prickleberry usually is."

"Oh no. I mean, you're right about that, but that's not what I'm talking about."

Frowning, I looked at her. "Then what are you talking about?"

"I mean..." Her eyes drifted away from mine, "I just wanted to make sure you're not tempted to... you know..."

My brow furrowed. "Wait, you really think I'd even consider his offer?"

"Well, I can't be too sure-"

"What do you mean 'you can't be too sure'? Have you even seen how Prickleberry and I relate with each other? We're like fire and ice, night and day, oil and water-"

"Okay, I think I get it! I'm sorry for  asking."

"As you should be."

I think she thought my reply was playful, because she just rolled her eyes to it but didn't reply. Oh well, at least the state her question left me distracted me from thoughts of how much I didn't want to have that meeting with Miss Delane.

In fact, I was so distracted that immediately when we got into her class, I snapped, "Can we just get this rehearsal over with?"

Miss Delane looked up from some paper she was looking at, frowning. "Rehearsal? What are you-" Her eyes widened,  "Oh, I haven't told you both yet!"

"Told us what?"

"So during my meeting with Principal Brickleberry yesterday-"

My mind conjured up the scene I'd witnessed the day before. Suddenly, I was struggling to keep a smirk off my face.

"-he told me that parents didn't want Romeo and Juliet as the end-of-year play." She scoffed. "Apparently it isn't 'appropriate' to watch as a substitute for a Christmas play."

Aimee said, "So, that means-"

"We don't have to do the play again, yes!"

Miss Delane and Aimee's eyes both flashed towards me as my exclamation echoed in the classroom. Not that I cared. I was too busy dancing around in my head. Heck, I was tempted to actually do so physically!

"Actually no, it just means the date has been shifted. It's scheduled for Valentine's day instead."

My face fell a bit, but soon brightened up again. "Still though, that's a good thing!"

"Well...I guess so. After all, Valentine's day is a celebration of love." Miss Delane's eyes lit up. "Which means I expect to see some serious chemistry between you two on stage!"

"Between us? Please," Aimee scoffed, "Angelo is about as romantic as a log."

"You didn't feel that way when you were rubbing my chest last night."

"I-" Her face flushed. "Shut up!"

"You know what, I don't think you two would have any issues with chemistry."

Aimee scrunched her face at Miss Delane. "Ugh!"

Looking back at this moment, I find it quite funny how naive I was. Naive enough to believe that the movement of the date of the play was a blessing.

Well, turns out I was wrong.

Dead wrong.
.       .       .

First off, I'm reallyyyy sorry this chapter came later than I said it would! I wasn't really feeling well, so I didn't have the strength to finish up this chapter. I made this chapter longer than usual though, so I hope that at least sorta makes up for it :(

But besides that, what were your thoughts on this chapter? Don't forget to drop a vote if you liked it as well!

Till next time (hopefully really soon)!