Annie arrived at school that Monday morning to discover that Fernham High had changed over the spring break.
The school's clubs had taken over the school. The outdoor clubs and a few of the sports teams had the school field and the driveway. They had erected pavilions for shelter though the morning sky was clear with a gentle breeze. Elsewhere, in many of the classrooms, the indoor clubs had decorated the rooms and put up displays. It was quiet, the calm before the storm, when loudspeakers would be used, music would be played and many, many teenagers not confined to silently sit in class would get noisy.
It was the School Festival of Fernham High.
It was the time when all the clubs, societies and sport teams of Fernham High would do their utmost best to attract new members. Successful enlistment led to a larger club, which in turn came with a larger allocation from the school's funds.
Failure meant a boring smaller club. In extreme cases, the club could even become inactive, waiting for a time, possibly years or decades later, when there were enough potential members with the interest to revive that club.
For the clubs, societies and sport teams of Fernham High, the School Festival was a battle for survival. And their targets were students who had yet to belong to a club, students like little Annie Billings.
The bespectacled Jillian had told Annie all about the School Festival before the spring break. And it was no surprise that the sophomore pounced on Annie the moment she crossed the school gate with Second Sis.
"Annie, have you considered joining the History Society?" Jill asked.
"Hang on," Second Sis interrupted with possessive hands on Annie's shoulders, "My sister's joining the Basketball Team."
Both younger girls stared at Carrie.
"You did note my height, right?" Annie pointed out sarcastically.
"There are small players in basketball too," Second Sis said, "They can easily run past defenses and steal balls."
"Sis, you do know that I have hardly any stamina or running speed, don't you?" Annie added.
"That can be improved with training!" Second Sis declared optimistically.
Annie rolled her eyes up. It would probably be the training from Hell. With a capital H. It would definitely be death by physical exhaustion for her.
"No, Sis. I'm going now." Annie turned to Jill. "I need to go look for my class first. I'll think about it."
"At least drop by our club," Jill said, "It's in Class 10-B."
"I will," Annie promised.
Before the students were allowed to roam free, there was an assembly for the principal to introduce, in his boring monotonous speech, the School Festival and explain its purpose. Those present and suffering were the freshmen and other students not currently putting final touches to their club exhibits. It had to be held on what free space that was left on the driveway, since the gymnasium had been occupied by the teams for basketball and volleyball. And the Drama Club took over the auditorium, though it was not big enough to fit the whole school.
To Annie's relief, the assembly did not last long. Immediately after it was done, Connie and Sabine gathered around her.
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