“What?” said Sophia.
“What’s the piece you’re working on for your art exam?” Olivia explained.
“It’s a painting...I mean,a photograph. It’s a painting of a photograph?” Sophia said, like she wasn’t sure.
“Still trying to figure it out, huh?” said Olivia. “I know the feeling.”
“Exactly!” said Sophia, lifting her tray. “See you later, Olivia.”
Olivia started eating her strawberry yogurt. She had just pulled out her algebra book and was trying to get some studying done when Charlotte came up with Katie and Allison.
“You’re all alone,” Charlotte moaned, her lower lip pushed out in an exaggerated pout.
“That’s so sad!” said Katie and Allison.
Olivia marveled at how well the two of them could speak in unison.
“You know you can always sit with us, Olivia,” Charlotte said. “Us cheerleaders have to stick together, right?”
“Totally,” said Katie.
“For sure,” said Allison.
“I guess so,” Olivia said after a moment.
“Awesome!” squealed Charlotte. “So you’ll sign our petition?” Katie slapped a piece of paper filled with signatures next to Olivia’s tray. Allison carefully placed a pink pen on top of it.
“Petition for what?” Olivia asked.
“We want to outlaw wearing black to school during the month of December,” Charlotte explained.
“Excuse me?” said Olivia, raising her eyebrows.
“Black is so antiholiday spirit,” said Katie seriously.
“Plus it depresses everyone during exams!” chimed Allison.
Olivia peered over the edge of the table. “What about your shoes?” she asked, pointing to Charlotte’s heeled black loafers.
Katie and Allison gasped dramatically.
“Shoes don’t count,” Charlotte blurted.
“Really?” Olivia eyed the piece of paper beside her tray. “Does this petition say that? Because my favorite winter boots are black.”
Katie and Allison stared at their captain as if they were waiting for her to call a cheer. Charlotte was struggling to come up with an explanation when Ivy and Brendan appeared with their trays and sat down.
“What’s that?” Brendan asked, indicating the piece of paper.
“It’s a petition banning shoes during December,” Olivia answered matter-of-factly.
“It is not!” cried Charlotte, stamping her foot.
“Who would sign that?” Ivy wondered.
Charlotte turned bright red. “NORMAL PEOPLE!” she shouted.
Everyone at the surrounding tables turned to look.