Page 20 of Pick Me Up On Tuesdays

And worse—what if she called Ethan?

I couldn't help the thoughts as I strode through the half-empty hallways.

The principal’s office smelled the same as usual but with an accentuated scent of whatever mystical tea centaurs drank to keep their patience in check. Principal Catherine was sitting behind her massive mahogany desk, idly flipping through a file—most likely my file.

Her equine tail flicked as she glanced up at me. “Clark Alderman.”

I swallowed. “Principal Catherine.”

She set the file down with a dramatic thud and gave me the kind of look that suggested she was already thinking of an elaborate lecture.

“Didn’t I just give you a warning this morning?” she asked, tilting her head.

I blinked. “Uh… yes?”

“And yet, here you are, requesting funding?” She leaned back, placing a hand over her heart as if deeply wounded. “Clark, do you know what this looks like?”

I clasped my hands in my most innocent ‘I’m a model student pose.’ “It looks like an ambitious student taking initiative for an educational project that would bring great honor to Paramount High?”

As far as my research had gone, Paramount High had never won this competition. That was a good incentive to pin Principal Catherine down—we all know the damage hope can do. But also, that could mean us losing too. So, this was a two-way dip. But I wasn't just going to relax and let karma do her thing, I was going to do mine.

She snorted. “It looks like a student who just got a warning and thought, ‘Hey, you know what would be fun? Asking for school money immediately after.’”

…Okay, fair.

“Furthermore, we have already assigned another team to do this project,” she added.

Just then my stomach fell into a pit. “What?”

“There was another team about a week ago that is currently working on a documentary about marine life,” she elaborated, flicking her hooves as if it was no big deal.

“I'm sure the school can use another team. It can encourage healthy competition—a race to the medal,” I uttered, before staring at her eyes merely wet. I was one of her favorite students, that had to mean something to her, right?

She tapped her hooves on her desk and thought for a second. “Alright, impress me. Why should I approve this?”

I inhaled deeply, launching into my prepared speech.

“Principal, I am one of the top students in this school.”

“Obviously,” she muttered.

“I don’t break rules—”

She arched a brow.

“…usually,” I corrected. “And I’ve never asked for anything like this before. The Nationwide High Schools Documentary Competition is a prestigious event that could put Paramount High on the map for something other than just having the best sports team.”

She gasped dramatically. “Blasphemy. How dare you suggest we be known for something other than sports?”

I rolled my eyes. “Principal.”

She chuckled but motioned for me to continue.

“We have the skills to make a winning documentary,” I pressed on. “Joy is the Wildlife Club Captain—she knows nature better than anyone. Shun is great at planning. And I am—” I exhaled. “—a perfectionist, which means I will personally make sure this is the best documentary ever submitted. The other club members can offer their knowledge in one or two ways.”

She rubbed her chin. “Strong points. Strong points. I like it.”

Encouraged, I added, “All we need is some support. Equipment, transportation, maybe access to a few school resources. If we win, Paramount High gains national recognition.”

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