18 - Thank You
I don't know about this, but I think, Donald CAN be trusted. I think it's stupid to say it, but he seems to treat me like his friend of some sort. Let's see where he takes me. Of course, if it gets stupid, I'll pull out straight away, can't risk another demerit!
Outside.
When we get outside, I see a large stack of clay pots and some tools by one of the flowerbeds.
Hmm. I like where this is going.
Yes, ma'am. And I brought a friend.
See? I'm
his friend.
That's lovely. It's wonderful to see students working together.
What are we working on anyway?
Um...
Now, I've brought you some trowels. You should break up the soil in a circle around each plant before you try to move it. Make sure to keep a good-sized rootball attached.
What is she talking about? Rootball?
Small damage doesn't matter, I'll be coaxing these little ones along once we get them to their new nests. As long as you keep them in one piece, they'll be fine. I'll be back in an hour to see how you're getting on. Enjoy!
She smiles and walks away, followed by the sound of tinkling bells.
Hey, Donald. So, um... what exactly are we doing?
Digging up flowers and putting them in pots.
Oh. Why?
So they can plant different flowers in the same place.
I now know how Andhaira feels. But I gotta ask.
What was wrong with the old ones?
It's their time of the month.
Oh - wait what?
Gotcha!
I roll my eyes. I don't even-
We're doing it because Potsdam wants it done, that's all.
He lifts his nose into the air and speaks in a crackly high-pitched voice, waving his hands about.
The greater interests lunar harmony are served by moving every petal two hundred and eight degree widdershins! Sparkly!
Ahahahha! That's a good one.
Anyway, grab a trowel and let's get working. This shouldn't take too long.
Okay.
I pick up one of the tools and crouch beside the flowerbed.
You do gardening at home, Don?
I've mowed some lawns. That's about it. But how hard can it be? I like outdoor stuff. Luke didn't want to get dirt under his nails. But I figured you would.
He thinks I like dirt?
You gotta take points where you can!
What, exactly do we get for this?
Ten merits.
Each?
Better be. Don't just sit there, dig!
I'm glad I didn't misjudge him. He seems like a good person. Okay, maybe that playful nature is a little bit overboard especially against Virginia, but I think it's a sibling thing, this guy is nice to others. Like me. Right?
Moments pass...
Yep, he's nice to me.
He holds out his hand.
A snail shell?
A whole snail, I think.
I don't see-
They sleep during the day.
He pokes a hole in some loose dirt with his finger and sets the shell inside it.
Be careful with the trowel just in case there are more underneath.
There's supposed to be snails here?
Why not?
No reason, I guess. I just don't know much about snails. After a while, my back starts to hurt, and I've got much all over my skirt, but we've finally gotten al the flowers into the pots.
+5 Stress.
Ten merits for each of my little gnomes.
Y-E-S!
You're welcome, Ms. Potsdam.
I turn around to find Donald, but it seems he went ahead without me. Gee, I never thanked him for helping me out with the demerits. Oh well, time to go back and wash my hands!
The next day, I could barely will myself out of bed -
Thankfully, my brain is capable of catching what the Prof. taught us today. Not another day wasted. Phew.
Next day...
It's Friday. I need to make up my mind whether or not to run for class office. I still don't know exactly what the jobs involve, other than working with the teachers... and that means spending time with Professor Grabiner. It could help to get me on his good side. Or it could give him more opportunities to make my life miserable.
That's if I can actually win the election, of course. I've never been in an election before. I don't think I have any enemies in the freshman class, but I don't think I'm that popular either.
This will be very difficult.