Something Different

Chapter 25

2nd Last Chapter!!!

Braelin

"So I see you two worked out your problems?" Selena said walking up to my locker where Cameron and I were talking, our hands entwined in each other. 

"You could say that," Cameron said giving me a wink before Selena awed.'

"I'm so glad you guys are back together and you didn't let that asshole keep you apart," Selena said right as Chad passed and as if he heard someone calling his name, he looked up at us and shot us a glare but I just bit my laugh to keep from laughing.

"I like that black eye on your rocking, Chad, it really brings out your personality," Selena said referring to the black eye Cameron had given him after he had found out about the MP3 recording and if it was possible for glares to kill people, we would've all been six feet under. We watched as he continued down the hallway before Selena spoke.

"I still can't believe they let him stay at the school."

"Me either but at least there forcing him to not only take a class on why racism is wrong but he has to do community hours as well," I said and Selena nodded.

"He deserves worse but at least it's a start," she said with a shrug before the bell ring signaling the start of classes and Selena waved before leaving Cameron and me alone.

"I'll see you at lunch?" He asked and I nodded.

"Yeah definitely, save me a seat."

"Alright," he said before giving me a quick peck and rushing off to his next class. Shaking my head I headed to Psychology class actually looking forward to it. I entered the classroom right as the bell rung and took a seat beside Selena before Miss. Anderson entered with a grin on her face.

"Good morning class!"

"Morning," was the unenthusiastic response she got but she paid it no mind as she erased what was on the board and wrote in big bold letters 'SUMMATIVE ASSIGNMENT.' The whole class groaned simultaneously but she clapped her hands twice silencing everyone.  

"Now I have an exciting project for you to do for your summative so please listen up. For this assignment I want you to cover a subject that you believe isn't covered enough and present it in an interesting way. You have full creative control, the more creative the better and the more involvement the higher the grade. Remember this is worth 30 percent of your grade so please put some effort into it," she said before dismissing us so we could think of ideas of our own. I pulled out my notebook and immediately started writing down ideas I wanted to cover. 

Embracing Differences

A few ideas popped into my head but I still wasn't completely sure on how I wanted to address this topic.

"Hey what are you doing yours on?" Selena asked and I showed her the paper.

"That's a really good idea, you know. People at this school don't know how to embrace change."

"Which is exactly why I'm making this my topic, I'm just not sure how I want to show it. Maybe a video?" I suggested and Selena shook her head.

"Not big enough."

"A painting?"

"Maybe," she said thinking about it before her eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas.

"I got it! I got it!"

"Tell me."

"It's going to take a lot of work but if you do it, no one would be able to ignore the fact that we need to embrace change..." she said and I nodded eagerly.

"Tell me."

"Do an assembly."

"That's it?" I asked not seeing where she was going with this but apparently, she had a plan.

"Think about it Braelin, you invite everyone and I do mean everyone who's even so much as said something racist to you to come, forget that, make them sit in the front row and you give a presentation on why it's wrong and show them that all those stereotypes don't mean shit!" She yelled getting excited and Miss. Anderson glared in our direction.

"Watch your mouth."

"Sorry," Selena muttered but I was finally seeing where she was going with this. 

"Selena you might be on to something."

"Of course I am. All we have to do is get someone who is good with the principal to ask him if you can do it and then start planning," she said getting excited before the bell rung, interrupting our planning.

"We'll talk more at lunch," I told her and she nodded before packing up her stuff and heading to her next class. I started packing up when I noticed Stacey leaving the class.

"Hey wait up Stacey!" I yelled stopping her in her tracks and she turned around, not bothering to hide the surprise on her face.

"Hey what's up?"

"I just wanted to thank you for the USB."

"No problem, I was just trying to do something to help you after everything I've done. I really am sorry," she said and I couldn't help but smile."

"Water under the bridge."

"Yeah," she said with a laugh. "But if you need anything, I'm here."

"Actually, I may need something..."

***

"You want to do what?" The principal asked rubbing his temples as I spoke again.

"I want to do an assembly on the importance of embracing differences. This school, as great as it is, lacks the ability to embrace and that's really important in any career you do."

"Miss. Washington, you do realize that everything the school board does has to be planned months in advance so we can just slide in your little assembly, it would disrupt everything."

"Look," Stacey said standing up and placing her hands on the principals desk, "would you rather having a peaceful assembly for one period or angry protest because that's what will happen and we won't just do it here, we'll bring it to the board and let them know how our principal refuses to let us acknowledge people who are different!" Stacey yelled and I couldn't help but be thankful she was on our side. 

"So what's it going to be?" I asked and the principal cleared his throat before fixing his tie.

"What day would you like this assembly?"