Page 33 of The Sunny Side (Rojo 2nd Generation: Rojo Police Department #3)
C LANCY
“Okay, guys! I know today is an exciting day because the term is almost over, but you’ve still got a few hours yet, so don’t mess up a good streak, alright?
” The last few days had been hard for the kids to get through with final tests that would decide whether they were going to get promoted to the next grade and the excitement of enjoying the last few weeks of summer without any school responsibilities.
Even though I was just as excited, especially since I had plans to redecorate my classroom and prepare for the school year ahead, we still had quite an event to get through before any of that could begin.
“We’ve got guests arriving now, and I expect all of you to be on your best behavior.
Even though I hate to have to say this, your grade in this class isn’t final yet. Today could make or break some of you.”
My students understood the implied threat and must have believed it, even though it was complete bullshit, because the classroom became eerily quiet, and all of them were stockstill in their seats.
“We’re going to walk to the auditorium in an orderly and quiet manner and then take our seats on the left side.
There are some special guests attending today including the mayor and even a news crew from one of the local stations.
I hope you know how important it is for you to not do anything that’s going to embarrass the school or yourself,” I said as I made it a point to make eye contact with each student.
“The internet is forever, as you all know, and I’d hate for the news crew to catch you in the act of doing something you’ll regret later. Don’t you agree?”
None of the kids said anything, so I leaned forward and put my hand by my ear before I asked, “Don’t you?”
“Yes, ma’am,” they chorused. I knew it was total bullshit.
However, I had gotten to know this group of students very well over the last few weeks and had faith in them. I just hoped they didn’t blow that faith out of the water in the next hour.
“Okay! Line up, and let’s go,” I said cheerfully. I grabbed the binder of questions I planned to ask that had been randomly chosen from the list I had created and then opened the door and walked out into the hall.
I was impressed that my students managed to keep their volume low even when we were joined by two other classes who were on their way to the auditorium to watch the contest.
What had started as a simple challenge had morphed into quite the circus.
Mrs. Weathers had approached the chief of police, Nick Cardenas, about letting more officers join Brawley on stage.
Between the two of them, they created an opportunity for the police department to establish a rapport with the students in attendance and show them a softer side of law enforcement.
I was happy to be part of it even though I was nervous about speaking in front of such a large crowd, even though I knew a lot of them would be our friends and family.
I wasn’t shy about public speaking, obviously, since it was my job to stand in front of a classroom and talk to relative strangers, but I had never aspired to be a television personality for a reason.
Well, that was probably because of how many times Collette had insisted that the camera added twenty pounds - a gross exaggeration of the common phrase that it only added ten.
I hadn’t thought of Colette - or my father, for that matter - much at all lately.
That was impressive, considering that, six months ago, my life seemed to be centered around avoiding their wrath if I couldn’t just avoid them all together.
I fully believed that my time with Brawley had given me an opportunity to change the way I looked at myself.
I knew that was at least partially due to how often he complimented my drive, joy, and outlook on life besides just my looks.
The outlook on truly everything was markedly better with him in it.
I couldn’t help but smile when I walked through the auditorium doors. Brawley and his fellow officers, all of whom I’d met at one point or another recently, were standing uncomfortably on the stage with an older gentleman I didn’t recognize but realized must be the chief.
I directed my students to the section where they’d be sitting, herding them through the aisle as they waved at people they knew, until I was able to put them in the care of another teacher. Once that was settled, I gathered my team of students and smiled to calm their nerves.
“You guys are going to do great today. I have no doubt that you’re gonna kill it.”
“Are you sure?” one of the girls asked uncertainly.
I laughed before I said, “I know for a fact that Officer D hasn’t been studying nearly as much as he’d led you to believe. All of you are ready for this competition. You’re going to be so proud of yourselves when it’s all over!”
“You didn’t give Officer D the answers?” Dayton asked suspiciously.
“No, sir. I left my binder locked in my desk and never once took it home.” Dayton looked skeptical, so I smiled and assured him, “I’m rooting for y’all to win!
Now, let’s get this show on the road. Does anyone need a quick bathroom break?
” When everyone shook their heads, I said, “Remember, this won’t make or break you, so enjoy yourself.
Have a little fun showing these officers that they are not smarter than a middle schooler!
” The mood was instantly lifted as the kids laughed, so I motioned toward the stage and said, “Chin up and shoulders back. Stand tall and show ‘em what you’ve got!”
I followed my students and left them at their podium before I joined Mrs. Weathers at the front of the stage. She held the mic, something she’d been fretting over getting online since I came in to set up before school started this morning, and smiled at me before she called the room to attention.
“Family, friends, faculty, and students of Bowie Middle School, welcome to the first ever Summer Student Trivia Challenge. I’d like to thank Mrs. Proctor for being the driving force behind it and Ms. Middleton for seeing it through to the end.
Also, a huge thanks to Officer D and the other officers from Rojo PD for joining him today in what I fear will be a crushing defeat.
I have every faith in our students and know they’re not going to show any mercy.
They’ve worked tirelessly to demonstrate what they’ve learned during the summer session and then some.
” Mrs. Weathers motioned toward the student team and announced their names, with each lifting a hand to wave when their name was called, and then she handed the mic to Chief Cardenas so he could introduce the police officers.
“Thank you for having us, Mrs. Weathers. Although I am very impressed with the team of officers that Officer Dumont has put together, I have a hunch that the student team is planning to teach us a thing or two to prove that just because we’re adults, we don’t know everything .
I’ve only been here a few minutes, and I’ve already been taught that I should call him Officer D around here.
” The kids in the audience went wild, and I saw the adults in the audience laughing and clapping too.
Chief Cardenas let them have their fun before he said, “I would like to introduce, in order from left to right, the RPD team captain - Officer D, my son, Officer Cardenas, Officer Seaverson, Officer Dean, Officer Hamilton, and two Officer Forresters, who happen to be brother and sister.” He turned toward the members of his department and said, “Good luck, officers. Make us proud!” He turned toward the students and winked before he said in a stage whisper, with his voice still booming over the mic, “You’ve got this, guys! Have fun!”
I placed my binder on the podium we’d situated on the left of the stage, and then I took the mic from the smiling chief.
“Thank you all for joining us. I have to remind you that this is a competition, so no one in the crowd is allowed to help either team. Not that my team . . .” I cleared my throat and then grinned. “ . . . I mean, the Bowie team needs any help.”
The students cheered, so I waited for the commotion to die down before I flipped open my binder and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, let’s get started.”
◆◆◆
The second Chief Cardenas said my nickname, I felt a change in the air. My guess was that was because everyone within the sound of his voice sucked in a breath so they didn’t burst out laughing.
I let my head fall forward, knowing I’d never live this down, right before I heard Tay Cardenas snicker and Lawson whispered, “ Officer D ?”
I cleared my throat and made sure not to move my lips as I whispered, “You can all fuck right the hell off. I didn’t start it, but if you start giving me shit about it, I’ll damn sure end it.
” Corey Forrester started chuckling but masked it with a cough, and I heard his sister, Marley, do the same.
Soon, Lawson was patting his chest to deflect from his muffled snicker, and Colt finally succumbed and cleared his throat.
“Calm down, or they’re gonna think we’ve all got the plague, you assholes,” I hissed. “Shut up !”
It seemed to take dog years for the chief to hand the mic to Clancy, but after she asked the first question, I just wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole, especially when my team started arguing.
“No, that’s wrong, Marley. There are eight continents, not six. Maybe nine,” Lawson insisted as he pointed at the white board where Marley had written our answer. “There are at least two more you didn’t list.”
“No, there are three more,” her brother said emphatically.
“There are six continents, boys. I promise.”
“You’ve gotta include the North Pole and the South Pole, right?” Lawson asked.
“And Greenland!” Corey added.
“I’m surrounded by idiots,” Marley muttered right before the buzzer sounded.