Monday after Thanksgiving recess was the start of another week of school. It was not simply another ordinary period of time confined within an institution of learning, though. Fernham High's Interclass Games were coming up. Preparation and anticipation of the upcoming events made the week a little more exciting for the students.
Only a little, though. They still had regular classes, after all.
Organized by the school's sports teams, the Interclass Games were a chance for regular students to participate competitively in sports. The Games were also a chance for the sports teams to recruit promising new members. While students of each grade would participate, recruiters would be paying close attention to the freshmen, looking for, well, fresh talent.
"Sandy, we're having basketball practice after school tomorrow," Selina told the brown-haired teenager. They were seated together at a table in the cafeteria, in their usual gossip group.
"I don't really want to stay back in school," Sandy mentioned.
"It's not in school," Selina explained, "I've booked a slot in the community hall over at Henderson."
The Henderson suburb was close to the school. However, it was in the opposite direction of Sandy's house. She would have to cycle further to reach home after practice.
"Come on, it'll be fun," Esper added, "You get to hang out with me, Selina and the girls."
Sandy glanced at Ariel, who was happily chewing her food.
"Don't look at me," the blond said without looking up. She took out her last sandwich from her lunch box. "I'm in volleyball."
"You don't have anything pressing to do at home do you?" Esper asked Sandy.
If Sandy stayed away from home, Momma Lois would not be there to nag her into doing her homework. And besides, there was not much to do at home. Nothing fun anyway.
"Okay," Sandy agreed reluctantly.
Sandy did not feel very enthusiastic about basketball practice. With Selina on her basketball team, victory was certain. Thus, the practice felt pointless. Yes, the girls would be having fun but having to meet up at a certain time and place felt like a restriction to her freedom. It was a burden on her mind to have responsibility.
Later, on their way back to class together, Sandy asked Ariel, "Why are you in volleyball anyway? With Selina on our team, it's an easy win."
"I think our volleyball team has a good chance too," Ariel said.
"Even so, don't you want to hang out with the rest of us?"
"Let's just say I want to stay away from you and Esper for a while," Ariel replied.
"Why? Or are you concerned that the Air Blimp can't float across the court?"
Ariel huffed. "That's precisely why I want to stay away from the two of you!" She stormed off with her lunch box under an arm.
Sandy watched Ariel's departure with a smirk on her face. Teasing her friend was always good fun. She started to walk after the blond girl.
"...betting on class 9-D's football team..."
Sandy froze when she had heard those stray words, spoken by a boy who had just passed her. Betting involved money! If she bet money on a winning team, she could make money! And her class was certain to be the champion at basketball with Selina on the team.
The brown-haired girl turned back the way she had come.
Betting was a good way to earn money fast. She still had her allowance money since there had been nothing that she had wanted to buy during the Thanksgiving recess, not while she had all those yummy donated treats. So if she put all her allowance money on her class to win at basketball, she would be rich!
All she had to do was to find out where she could place a bet. And to do that, she had to find that boy who had mentioned a bet earlier. If she searched up and down the school corridors, certainly she would come across the right person sooner or later.
Excited, Sandy took her first step in her search, only to be interrupted by the school bell, signaling the end of break.
The bell must really hate her.
***
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