siobhan vivian - not that kind of girl by Siobhan Vivian Read Free Book Online Page B

the next card. I probably should have written more than a sentence on each one, but my handwriting was really bad, and I wanted to make sure I could read it. "I am thrilled to have been voted president of student council at Ross Academy, and I call this, our first meeting, to order." A few people clapped, which felt good. "It's going to be a very busy and exciting year, with lots of expectations on our shoulders. Everyone who participated in student council last year knows that I have enormous shoes to fill." I went on to proudly list the many accomplishments of Will Branch, our most recent president. In addition to his regular student council duties, Will also established a senior lounge with leather couches, filibustered the banning of The Chocolate War by storming a secret school board meeting with a Gandhi-inspired sit-in, and coordinated a student-teacher basketball game to raise money for a freshman with leukemia. Will had set the bar high, but I was going to aim higher. "Rest assured," I said, "I have innovative ideas of my own. Including--" Just then, the door slowly creaked open, and Spencer stuck her head inside. She had tried to be quiet, but everyone turned to look. "Sorry!" she said, and excused her way through the room, passing plenty of open spots, until she found a place to squeeze in at the table. Clearly, it wasn't the best timing. But I couldn't be mad. I was happy that Spencer had shown up after all. Not just shown up, but pushed her way to the front, where the older students sat. The girl was fearless. I smiled and flipped to my next card. "In addition to this year's pep rally festivities, I've decided that, as my first act as student council president, we will have our very first bonfire, to take place immediately after the football team annihilates Saint Ann's." Whispers instantly overtook the room. People were excited. It was exactly the reaction I'd hoped for. "I promise to work as hard as possible and make sure I leave Ross Academy a better place. But I can't do this alone. I'll need you to sign up for as many committees as possible, and join me, help me. Together, I know we will be able to accomplish great things. Thank you." With a nod, I sat back down to another round of applause. David replaced me at the podium and went over the list of committees that would immediately need members, beginning with the pep committee. Dipak addressed the state of our treasury. Low. I resisted the urge to shoot a dirty look at Kevin Stroop. This, Dipak explained, could possibly extinguish my bonfire plans. "Don't get me wrong," he said. "I think the idea is cool. But how are we going to pay for it? We'll need a permit, and to pay for the wood, and--" "The permit fee would be waived," I explained. "I already worked that out with the local fire department." Of course I did. I wouldn't have suggested the idea if I hadn't thought it at least partially through. And I didn't appreciate the hint of condescension in Dipak's voice. But one thing I hadn't thought about was who would pay for the wood. "We'll just get a business to sponsor the bonfire," I said. "I'm not sure that would work with Ross Academy rules," Ms. Bee said. "You know the board voted down the branded soda machines a few years back." Spencer cleared her throat. "We could sell little kits to make s'mores and roast hot dogs. That would help offset the costs." "That's a great idea, Spencer," I said. Seriously. I was impressed. Dipak shook his head. "Offset is a good start. But we hardly have the collateral to begin with." The room got quiet. I felt my good idea going up in smoke. Autumn raised her hand. You didn't need to raise your hand at student council meetings, but Autumn so rarely spoke up, she probably never noticed. "How about you ask Connor Hughes? Maybe he could donate it." I could have kissed her, it was the perfect solution. Connor's family owned the Hughes Christmas Tree Farm. They probably had plenty of scrap wood we could burn. The rest of the