SNEAKY SABOTAGE

Chapter 14

I plastered a smile on my face as Noah described the current position of Cecil and Alex's campaign. 70% of what he is saying is flying high over my head. My dad showing up yesterday was very bad for me. I couldn't sleep all night. I cried and cried. Jeremy came to my room in the middle of the night and gave me a box of ice cream. That helped a lot. Ice cream always helps. But I didn't sleep. So the whole day my mind has been gloomy.

"Earth to Jenny." I snapped out of my thought and faces Noah's worried glance. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Is it about yesterday?"

I nod. He didn't push any farther because he knew if I wanted to talk, I would have talked. Instead he starts talking about sabotages again. I block off yesterday from my mind and concentrate on what Noah was saying.

"You asked Susannah about the cupcakes?" I asked him.

"Yup. She said she's gonna bake the cupcakes while we're at school. Then we're gonna go help her with the frosting."

"You told her about the colors? The number?"

"Yes ma'am. Did you but the cards and strings to tie with the cupcakes?"

"Yes."

"So I guess we're all set for our campaign. Let's go sabotage people." Noah raised his fist in the air and did a sprint across the hallway. I snorted and started after him.

I was coming back from my Physics class when I bumped into Alex. His face lit up when he saw me. he was probably expert in giving that look to all the girls. But I couldn't think those stuffs. I had one thing in my mind. To prove myself fun and casual.

"Hey," he flashed his teeth. That's when I lost everything in my brain. No fun, no casual. All i manage was a grin. But then I remember he was running against Noah. if I started being all googly eyes towards him, I'll be held accountable for act of treason.

So I wiped off the grin and said, "Hi."

"So what have you been up to?" He rubbed his neck which reminded me a lot of Luke. It was his signature move in wooing girls. But apparently Alex didn't use it that way.

"So you wanna get intel out of me? Not gonna happen." I managed my best haughty voice.

"Oh," he seemed taken aback. The reaction on his face said he had no intention of such and was just saying hi. Now my mind was racing thinking that I made a fool of myself.

"I was kidding," I say and start laughing. Soon he joins me.

"Look, I don't hate Noah or anything. I would be happy if he won. I just wanted to give it a try. I ran for class president in my previous school too. Just so you know."

Here I was thinking he was one of those jerks who didn't care about good grades. They only had passing grades and excelled in sports to get a good scholarship. But Alex. He had a responsible side too.

"No. It's okay. I'm not mad at you."

He let out a relieved breath and said, "Glad to know that."

"I'm not so childish that I would be mad at anyone who runs against my best friend." Except for Luke maybe. He ditched us.

"You and Noah, pretty close huh?" Was there a hint of something I heard.

"Yeah. We're best friends. We know each other from kindergarten. He's always been there for me."

"You guys never went out?" He wasn't meeting my eyes. Two can play this game.

"Do you count the fact that he took me to homecoming last year because neither of us had a date or a group?"

"Uh," he rubbed his neck for a few seconds. "Maybe."

"No. He's like my brother. You got nothing to worry about," I wink at him. Who is this jenny? Where were those flirts coming from?

"Oh, cool. I guess I'll see you around."

"Yeah, bye." I stayed at my position as I saw him turn around and walk away. Any moment now. He took a few good steps and then he turned.

I ducked my head and walked hurriedly in the other direction. Jenny doesn't fantasize over a boy. But this time, she did.

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We were hiding in the corner in front of the cafeteria. Thank goodness it's a little shady and dark. Cecil is baking her cake in the school oven. Her mom has a bakery. So, she's expert in decorating. But the first question that cam to my mind was why not bring one from the bakery? According to Noah, the answer was simple, she wanted to increase school spirit and get the sweet votes.

Our plan was simple. One look out, one goes in. Inside, we sabotage the cake. Without any toss or discussion it was settled that I was going in.

"Why can't I be the look out?" I whispered to Noah.

"Cause honey, if you're out here standing without doing anything, everyone's gonna know you're up to something. But for me, I'm the goody two shoes."

"Goody two shoes is supposed to be an insult, just so you know." Noah muttered under his breath and I made a face to him.

"Bravo 1 ready?"

"Yes, sir." I go in the cafeteria. This time after lunch, no one's supposed to be here and none is. So I slip towards the kitchen door. I was praying and wishing that the door was open. I turned the lock and voilà. It was open.

Of course it was. How else is Cecil supposed to check on her cake.

I took in the smell of baking cake and cursed under my breath. So the cake was already in the oven. Now what? I opened the oven wishing it hadn't been long since she put the cake in the oven. But no, it was already almost done. I couldn't mix anything now. We can't afford letting Cecil know that something is wrong with the cake.

I glance around for plan B. There was no plan B. So I had about T minus 3 minutes to make one and get into action. I see some big bowls covered with foil. I open it and smile to myself. She had gone for read frosting. To my luck, the stuff in my pocket is red in color. And that strong strawberry essence is gonna cover any other smell. I congratulate my luck and start pouring the vial empty and mix it with the ladle I found nearby.

I run outside making as little noise as possible.

"What took you so long?" Noah pulled me away from the cafeteria.

"The cake was already done. So I mixed it in the frosting."

"Shit, she's gonna know."

"No, it was red and strawberry essence."

"I love that brain of yours for quick thinking."

"I know I'm amazing," I pout and flip my hair over my shoulder.

Noah and I were handing out flyers to people that only said vote for Noah. No limerick. Because Noah couldn't come up with one. I saw Cecil putting finishing touches on her three tier cake. It actually looks very delicious. But I know better than to try that.

On the other table Luke has somehow convinced the cheerleading squad to do some dance routines in front of their table. They were touching up their make up. Of course they would dance, after all it's Alex Cove. He caught my eye an smiled. I turned my face away.

"What's the plan?" I was shocked to see Noah was asking me about the plan.

"Do nothing. Only hand out flyers." I pass some flyers to a group of students and said, "Noah for Senior President."

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Cecil and Naomi ushering everyone towards their table. It was time, they were going to cut the cake and then the first bite is gonna be very sad. I let my eyes roam around the hallway and occasionally stop at Cecil and her cake.

Everyone was gathered around their table. Naomi burst open confetti and Cecil cut the cake. But as soon as she pressed the knife in the cake, it somehow had a spring reaction and hit her in the face.

Cecil scream at the top of her lungs. Oh no. "My eyes," Cecil was howling at everyone. "It's burning.... get me water!!!"

I looked at the other table and found Luke gaping at her. I thought about nothing else and ran towards Luke.

"What did you do?" Me and Luke asked each other at the same time.

"You first," I said quickly. There was no way I was admitting first.

"I put a spring under her cake. It was triggered by the pressure of her knife." He cocked his head.

"I put Jalapeño powder in the frosting. It was supposed to get in the mouth not in the eyes."

"Tell that to principal Hay." He pointed to a mad principal Hay. The nurse came and took Cecil. I was hoping she would be okay. Principal Hay turned towards the stricken students. Then directly at me.

"Ms. Ryan. My office. NOW," his icy cold voice sent chills down my spine.