The Bad Boy's Average Girl

Chapter 4: The Scheme

The end of the day bell finally rang and interrupted my history teacher as he listed off the homework activities he wanted us to complete before the next class. 

“OH!  And don’t forget to also read chapter 17-19 and complete the comprehension questions at the end.  I want it typed in Times New blah, blah, blah” 

I stopped listening and packed up my stuff.  How the hell was I supposed to get any of this work done?  I trudged out of the classroom following the rest of my classmates like a herd of sheep. 

“Miss Ferguson!  Miss Ferguson!”  I heard my name echo down the busy hall.  Mr. Hatfield’s hand was raised above his head waving me down.  I managed to push my way against the crowd to meet him. 

“I just wanted to let you know Rose, that I have complete your letter of recommendation and the required survey.  It has been sealed and is ready to send out.  I will keep the envelop in my office until you are ready to send your application in.”  As he talked, he scanned the hallway, probably looking for any rule breakers. 

“I think it would beneficial for you to send your stuff the same day I mail mine in, so the school’s application center receives it all on the same day.  It will make it easier and more efficient for them to not have to wait for the rest of the application.  So just let me know, okay?”  Without waiting for an answer, he turned and walked away.

“Mr. Great, will you please get your hands and mouth off that girl!”  He screamed and sped down the hall.

Geez.  That was fast.  I just asked him yesterday.  Was the quick turn around process a good or bad thing, I wondered.

********************

I slumped in my desk chair and stared at the clock.  10pm.  I hadn’t even touched my homework.  This was going to be a long night.  I glanced over at the paper pile on my desk.  At the top lay my Earlstone University college application.  It required a resume detailing my high school experience, skills, awards, and activities.  An introduction letter along with an essay about why I would be a great and influential college student were also required.

  I opened the documents on my computer and began to peruse their content.  I loved my essay, but my resume was quite bare, as Mr. Hatfield has warned me.  It showed my pitifully, average GPA along with my completed classes.  I hadn’t taken any advanced classes other than writing classes which filled up most of the elective class requirements. Nothing amazing stood out.

Mr. Hatfield was right.  I looked boring on paper.  Someone at the college was going to read this and just toss it aside. I didn’t have a chance. I could not compete with students whose resume was filled with glowing achievements and record-breaking accomplishments. 

What did I have? Nothing. 

I didn’t have extra time in my day to spend at school in clubs or activities.  My extra time not at school was spent at home.  Not that I regretted my choice, the reason and answer  was just not something that belonged on a high school resume.

Then it came to me.  An idea. 

Could I?

Should I?

My heart pounded faster and faster as the idea unfolded before me. 

I opened a new document on my computer screen and began typing. 

“Dear Earlstone University College Admissions,

“I am writing today to recommend Rose Ferguson for admission into Earlstone University.  I have known Miss Ferguson for almost 4 years as her guidance counselor…..”

I didn’t stop until I finished with,

 “ Kind regards,”

 Mr. John Hatfield

I sat and stared at the letter, rereading for any grammar or spelling mistakes.  It flowed beautifully.  It spoke of my passion for Earlstone and talked of my decent writing skills.  It was exactly the letter I hoped Mr. Hatfield would write on his own. 

Without putting much more thought into this idea, I hit print.  I quickly grabbed a new envelope added a stamped and addressed it.  It looked identical to the one I had given my counselor.  I carefully folded the letter and sealed it.  Then I wrote another envelope the same

I logged onto the university website and printed out the survey I asked Mr. Hatfield to complete.  I needed to cover all my basis.  I filled it out, leaving his name blank.  I needed to see his signature first before attempting that part.

Now, I just had to figure out how I was going to do it.  I needed to sneak into Mr. Hatfield’s office, find his letter and survey, and read them.  And then, and only then, switch his letter and survey with mine if I needed to. 

If I liked what he wrote, I would just reseal it with this new empty envelope and walk away. No harm done.  If what he wrote would ruin my chances of attending the school.   I would simply switch them.

No big deal.  No harm done.  I would only switch if I had to.  It is not like I lied in the letter.  I might have exaggerated Mr. Hatfield’s regard for me, but I did not lie.  I put the sealed and the empty envelope into my backpack.  I sighed, not wanting to put a lot of thought into this decision.  I new it was morally wrong, but my future was at stake.

I attempted to start some of my homework but exhaustion found me and I collapsed on my desk.