Cassy Santos : A Clash Of Eventful Birthdays

The Bad, Goodnews

Charlotte's POV

I sat before the principal's office waiting to see her. I wanted to talk to her about the presentation Cassy missed. Cassy didn't like the idea but I am doing it anyway. I feel guilty for the whole thing.

The door opened after sometime and my dad stepped out of the office. Wait!, What's my dad doing here?

"Dad?",I called surprised. He looked a bit surprised to see me too, but, I could say mine is more justifiable.

"Charlotte, how is your day going",He asked.

"Fine. Dad what's up?, you didn't tell me you will be visiting our school today.",I stated unable to hold my curiosity any longer.

"Just came to conclude some processes of your transfer. Its not supposed to be your headache so I didn't bother telling you",He replied.

"What are you doing here by the way",He asked.

"I want to talk to the principal about something.",I replied

"Is everything okay?Are you having any problem with anyone?",He asked concerned

"Dad everything is fine",I responded and explained to him what happened on the day of my resumption and why I am here.

"That's so kind of you dear. I wish you luck.",He said and turned to leave.

"And Charl, I was meaning to give you this",He stopped handing me some money.

"Oh thanks Dad",I said smiling. "Bye Dad",I waved at him.

"Bye love, take care of yourself",He replied walking away.

I was ushered into the principal's office. I sat down a little bit nervous but I was ready to help my friend.

"So miss Charlotte. How may I help you",Mrs Pierre asked and I explained what happened to her.

"Please ma, I want you to help talk to miss Helen so that Cassy can go on with her presentation. It wasn't even her fault.",I pleaded hoping she would understand.

She sat quietly deliberating on what I just told her."Go back to class. I will talk to miss Helen later",

*****

Cassy's POV

I hid myself at the far end of the library where people will hardly find me. I was seriously thinking of what Charlotte's mom would possibly lock her laptop with. Something occurred to me. I brought out the note Charlotte's mom left and began to read it. I read it carefully until I got to;

And that was, ON THE 16TH OF APRIL 2005 BY MIDNIGHT.

I began to wonder what she meant by this statement. I read it over and over again. Then, something occurred to me. The password might be hidden in that statement. Otherwise, why would it be written in capital?

I stood up picked my book and hurried out of the library in search of Charlotte.

I rushed into the classroom but stopped as soon as I passed the door. All eyes where on me 'Not again',I thought

"Looks like you pretty much acquainted with lateness and not being in class?",Mrs Pierre said to me. She was standing in front of the whole class and with the look of things,she has been addressing them.

"No ma. I was in the library",I gave Charlotte a look that says, 'What's going on?', both she smiled instead. I didn't know what to expect so I stood there.

"Go and sit down. I have got an announcement to make and I don't have all day",She said and I walked into class still tensed. I don't know why but, anytime I am with around Mrs Pierre,I am never comfortable.

"Happens that one of you missed her English presentation the other day as a result of lack of punctuality on her path. I have decided to talk to miss Helen and she will be making her presentation anytime soon.",She said and I was shocked.

Who might have told the principal, Brynn? No,He can't possibly go that far to get a fair competition. So who?,then I remembered. I turned to look at Charlotte and she was smiling but I sincerely didn't know how to feel about this.

"So as a remedy to such occurences affecting the Erudite Topper Prize and people flooding into my office with such problems as hers?, I have decided to change the conditions for winning the Erudite Topper Prize. Winning the Erudite Topper Prize is no longer based on making the best result this year.",She said and I was shocked but I wasn't the only one. The students began to murmur. Charlotte was also shocked. I looked around and everyone was glaring at me. Stephanie's was the worst. I couldn't even maintain eye contact with her.

"Quiet and listen. The Erudite Topper Prize is going to be a competition and only the most intelligent. By that, I mean those that have Topped the class either once or twice will only be eligible to take part in the competition and it's going to have three stages and the participants will be tested in lots of things. Others should not relent. There are still other prizes to be won.",She concluded and the class was I complete coarse. I could hear my name all over the class. Brynn remained calm but the look he threw at me said otherwise.

I was really upset and this is really unfair. Mrs Pierre can't change the process of winning the Erudite Topper Prize. They still other students that are interested and could make drastic change. But her announcement if anything, would kill their nerves.

"Miss Cassandra. You will meet miss Helen for information concerning your presentation. Those eligible for registration for the Erudite Topper Prize, Meet me in my office later",And with that miss Helen left the class.

"Cassy you are so selfish and greedy. Congratulations! You now have little number of people to compete with.Happy about that?", Someone said behind me.

People were calling me names, Selfish,greedy,proud, arrogant... just name it. I was seriously embittered. All these while I haven't spoken to Charlotte and I am not planning on doing that. She's the reason why all these are happening. I stood from my seat to leave the class. I have to talk to the principal about this. Turning the Erudite Topper Prize into a competition is not the best option and I was clearly the cause. Its true the winner gets to win lots of cash that's enough to train him or her two or three years in college. But it has always been an award or kind of encouragement to the last student that's lucky enough to Top the class in Last year. The winner will also Top in at least five different subjects, English and maths inclusive. So it's kind of based on both luck and merit.

I approached the door and Stephanie blocked my way staring at me with pure hatred and rage.

"Out of my way",