The notice

Notice:

Good morning, students. A note from Mrs. Wagna:

Dear students,

I am happy to announce that we, the teachers, have planned to celebrate your final year with exciting and unforgettable memories. To make this special, we have decided to give all students the opportunity to showcase their talents on the stage during the ceremony. Of course, there are no strict rules—the only expectation is to make it memorable.

Additionally, we will need support from cafeteria staff and security, and the talent department will provide all the necessary details about your participation.

Further instructions will be given by me, Mrs. Wagna, on Monday after classes. Every 3rd-year student must assemble in the auditorium, and participation is mandatory!

Thank you for your patience.

"Mom! Mom!" yelled Leah, running from her room, almost about to trip and break her toe. She exhaled deeply and excitedly began to talk about the email she received from her school, happiness radiating from her as if she were "a cat in a fish shop."

"Oh, that's wonderful, darling! So, are you trying to pursue Kevin?" her mother teased.

"Mom!" Leah blushed furiously, sounding embarrassed. "Come on, I know I've been acting crazy about him. I'm almost 17 this year—I have to talk to him! I want to know what's on his mind first."

"But you've been tracking him for two years, and what's the result? Absolutely nothing, my dear girl. Why don't you make a quick pass at him and get it over with? You can't keep whining all the time. Every time I ask you about a boyfriend, you say you're 90% there. Honestly, you're not."

Leah replied, "I promise I'll pursue him this time. Besides, I'm good at singing, and no one in the class knows."

"Courtney, you're the worst!" said Leah, scowling at her friend, almost as disgusted as before. "You have no idea about Kevin, do you?"

"What do you mean I don't know anything about him?" Courtney shot back. "Listen carefully. After his rehearsal, I saw him with Rose. He invited her to the Thanksgiving party, and she agreed to it."

"What?!" Leah shouted, so shocked and sad it looked like she might faint.

A question popped into her head. "Wait, how do you know?"

Courtney smirked and replied, "I was just passing by at the time. I forgot my geometry book. We have that assignment, right? We have to make the numbers big and draw all the circles on a chart by next week. Jeez, I wish there were no assignments at all."

"So, what about you? Do you have any assignments?"

"Courtney, don't change the topic! Just tell me what happened, briefly," Leah demanded.

Courtney gave her a cunning look. "Oh, I know. You think I made this up, don't you? That's why you're hesitating, aren't I right?"

"The one hesitating is you, not me! Keep that in mind," Leah retorted.

"You rarely even spoke a word to him, whereas I actually talked to him about the Thanksgiving party. He said, 'I'm so glad. Lots of friends, lots of fun.'"

Leah's body started shaking as she felt betrayed by her friend for not telling her anything about Kevin earlier. She knew almost everything about him—or so she thought.

"Look, Leah," Courtney said, "I asked him because I'm in love with John. And it seems like he's attending too." She smiled cheerfully.

"Did I hear that right? She's not in love with Kevin?" Leah thought. The state of being awkward shifted to excitement.

"Okay, that means you're coming too?"

"Yeah, that's that," Courtney confirmed.

Leah jumped into Courtney's arms and hugged her tightly, saying, "Oh, Court, thank you so much!"

"No worries," Courtney replied. "Now all we have to do is go shopping."