Noelle's assistants seem to be doing well after their crash course on our history the other day. Its now been just over a month since I met William. Being in school once more is a bit nerve wracking, and I have fallen into a pattern, and even managed to find myself in the choir clique. And, until yesterday, I hadn't even looked at any other activities for this school, that changed when the councelor found me at lunch. The practical begging for me to run for sophmore representative to the student council, followed by the pressure to attend a math competition; well, lets just say i caved.

William began my campaigning, after asking me a few questions, and telling me what a representative's responsibilities were, the free class period due to meetings was a bonus, and because my aptitude scores were as high as they were, made even Leah and Rob want me to do it.

But today, I probably did the nerdiest thing possible in high school:  competing in a math competition.  A competition where we are given problems, that are considered way above our grade levels, and asked to solve them. Of the twelve schools there, I was one of four girls, and each school brought six people. I was, surprisingly, the only freshman.

I asked about competition rules, since some of these Scholastic competitions have rules about the minimum time at a school before you're allowed to compete under that school's name, I was summarily handed a copy; and an idea struck me.

My school's team were required to wear black slacks, with girls being required to wear a skirt. Well, thats nothing new to me, but I definitely wore yellow thigh-high socks, with black shorts under the skirt. I was not going to be the victim of peeping. The knee length pleated skirt was actually a good fit, the vibrant yellow button down blouse wasn't my color, but I personally offset it with a charcoal black undershirt, and left the top two buttons unbuttoned.  I convinced all the boys to wear their Windsor ties loose, and unbutton their top two buttons as well.

The teacher didn't like this, and wanted us to 'straighten up' once we got here, but I argued that if the other schools thought we weren't taking this seriously, they would either get mad, and make mistakes because their mind wasn't on the competition; or would take their time because they think we aren't a threat.  Also, since we all are wearing our outfits the same way, we are still uniform, and we can't be docked by the judges for it.  When he relented, I became the boys new hero.  

The first round was a paper test, in which everyone was put into the same room, however two schools recieved the same test version. The schools were told who else in the room had the same version as them, and then we were given thirty minutes to complete as much of it as possible.

It was a breeze.  We had The whole thing done in five minutes, and sat there whispering about different ways mistakes could've been made, until the end of the timer.  Apparently the teacher had told them what 'the new girl's' aptitude scores were, because when I said 'let me do it,' there was no question.  It was just handed to me.  We were the only school to get a perfect score on the paper test.

The second round was an oral answer round, where we were asked a theory question, and expected to answer the proctor.  Each school was asked a question, and if the person answered correctly, they stayed standing.  At the end of round two, we were still in first place, with four members standing.

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The final round was what they called a buzzer round.  Two schools were placed head to head; one student at a time, and whoever could answer first, hit the buzzer, then had to answer the question, fully, within 12 seconds of being acknowledged.  If the question was answered wrong, or not fully, that student was asked to leave the stage.  The boys wanted me to be the last one to go; I could tell they wanted to show off.

Well, they all went out; we would loose if I had answered anything wrong.  Just before I answered, what would have been our last question, one of the opposing teams students blew up about our uniforms, and how we were making a mockery of the competition.  I guess the judge didn't think it an appropriate time for them to be yelling, or as the judge said 'grandstanding'; as we were handed a default win as their unsportsmanlike conduct disqualified them.  I looked over at the teacher, and he grinned.  He knew this strategy had just worked in our favor; but it wouldn't work again.

At the award ceremony the judge gave a speech, and we could tell it had been amended because of us.  I mean, who else could the line, 'what you wear has nothing to do with your capability,' have been about?

On the bus ride back, the teacher asked me if the boy's outburst was actually my plan from the beginning, and I answered honestly.

"If this school considered this normal, there was bound to be a school which would get jealous of how relaxed we would appear, and one of the students would undoubtedly overhear their coach comment about it, and take affront to it.  Boys at this age are predictable." I just omitted 'and impressionable.' From what I would have normally said.  

I then explained how this wouldn't work again, and at the next competition, we should take it to the other extreme, and everyone go as dapper as they could.  When one of the juniors asked why, I explained that at the next competition, most of the schools will have a similar dress to what we had done; so by going the other extreme, we would unbalance them again; as they would be relaxed, and we would be impeccably dressed.  Making them feel as though we are making fun of them again.

The teacher chuckled, and asked what I would wear if the boys were dressed 'to the nines.'  I think I motivated the boys when I answered.

"If you approve of my idea; I will wear a formal, floor length, gown of yellow, trimmed in black lace, and black shoulder-length gloves, white polished shoes, with black tights, and black accessories.  I will put my hair up in a beehive, and use Bobby pins with yellow cut glass to make my hair sparkle.  But I would need the boys to dress just as over the top."

"Can you come up with all of that in three weeks? Finals are shortly after our next meet."

My mind immediately moved to Noelle's assistants, and decided I could use them.  

"If I can't, I can get pretty close."

"You heard it boys.  The next competition, you'll be 'escorting a proper lady.'"  I could tell he was poking fun at the whole situation. "So, think of it like getting ready for prom.  Only without the tux rental.  And I want fresh haircuts, and everyone carying a black comb in their breast pocket."

All the boys were grinning.  This was going to be fun.

When I told Noelle my plan, she immediately set out procuring things for me.  Remembering some formal styles from the past, and making a dress that was both over the top, and easy to sit in a desk.  She took it all in stride.  They even made the Bobby pins with little yellow princess cut glass pieces attached to pieces of scrap black lace, then to the three hundred Bobby pins they picked up. Reed convinced me to wear a corset under the dress, and I agreed, if she could find one I could wear, and the dress needed to be designed for it.

Noelle got into it a bit more than I expected, getting permission to use 'Ambassador's Limosine' to take the six students, and the teacher to the competition.  The caveat was that one of her assistants, as well as herself had to also be in the car; to which the three of them grinned.

I am not sure I want to know; I'm going to bed.