Page 63 of The Lookback

“I’m sure you’re all wondering why we’re here.” The principal’s now grinning even bigger. “We have a suggestion for how to handle prom this year that the faculty thinks is a good one. You know our focus this year has been on growing our school pride—our spirit.”

Boy do I know it, but bigger pom poms and extra pep rallies can only do so much.

“Instead of having our classic vote on students to fill our prom court, we’ve decided this year to do something a little different.”

At least we’re all listening, even if it’s because none of us can seem to stop watching that little yellow piece of corn bob up and down.

“Each club will be able to nominate someone to be a part of the court, and then those members will compete in a series of events on the Saturday before prom. The winners will be the prom king and queen!”

“Events?” Denise asks. “What kind of events?”

“Oh, don’t you worry about that,” he says. “We have something big in mind, and it’ll double as a fundraiser. People can buy tickets to come watch the competitions.”

“Are you kidding right now?” Frank’s the biggest jock at our school. Not the best athlete, but the literal largest jock. He must be six foot four and two hundred and twenty pounds. “That’s a stupid idea.”

“It was my wife’s idea,” Principal Lyons says. “Care to change your position?”

“My what?” Frank frowns.

“I’m not here to ask for your opinions,” Principal Lyons says. “I’m informing you of a change. Your clubs will vote in their nominees today, and then at the end of the week, we’ll be ready for the competition.”

By the end of the day, I’ve been selected for choir, theater, and 4H. I told them to choose someone else, but with a small school, there aren’t that many options. There are only two other girls who have been chosen by the other eight clubs. That means me, Denise (who was chosen for honor society and debate), and Janet (who picked up all the sports) will be competing for the prom queen spot. Principal Lyons has summoned us all to his office to review more details of the rules.

“I’d be happy to concede,” I say. “I’m sure that either Denise or Janet will win anyway.”

“That’s stupid,” Tommy says. “You’re usually really competitive.”

But I’m staring at what looks an awful lot like my past repeating all over again, because for the boys, Tommy was chosen for theater and 4H, and Jed was picked for all the athletics. There are two other boys—Gregory, chosen for honor society and debate like Denise, and Jerry, chosen for choir. I would really, really like to ensure that I don’t plunge headfirst down the same path.

“If you want more competitors, why don’t you invite the juniors to?—”

“No,” the principal says. I’m relieved to notice the corn is finally gone. I can’t help wondering whether he ate it inadvertently or it just fell off. “Adding the juniors would give us too many people. And you can’t back out, either. We’ve already sold dozens of tickets for the event, many of them marking down that they’ll be cheering for you.” He smiles at me, and I want to puke. “We’re seating them in sections based on who they’re cheering for.”

“That sounds mean,” I say. “How will we feel if we have the smaller section?”

“You won’t,” Principal Lyons says. “So you don’t need to worry about that.”

“I can’t believe you’re selling tickets.” I roll my eyes. “Trying to finance a new rolling chair?”

“We need to raise money to pay for the refreshments and decorations for prom, so the more people who come to watch, the nicer your event will be,” Principal Lyons says. “You should be thanking me. We might actually have decent food and more than a few flowers made of paper this year.”

“Assuming any of us are still talking to each other and want to go,” Gregory says.

“Oh, please. My Manila High Mustangs won’t get upset about a little healthy competition,” Principal Lyons says.

“What are the things we’ll be doing?” Jed asks, looking askance at Tommy. “Tug of war? Or perhaps a weightlifting competition?”

“You wish,” Tommy says. “Not everything in the world is solved with muscle.”

That reminds me of his pronounced chest muscles duringThe King and I, and I shake my head to clear it.

“There will be five different competitions for both the boys and the girls, and they will reflect the following qualities, which we like to encourage. First, academics, to show a developed and inquiring mind.” Principal Lyons smiles. “We are proud of the intelligence of our students.”

“But what’s the contest for that?” Tommy asks. “Is it like a sheet of math problems we have to work?”

“That wouldn’t be any fun to watch,” Principal Lyons says. “But we aren’t telling you what the contest will be until you’re about to start, so none of you need to worry about that.”

I’m not the only one who groans.

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