The next day had arrived and Jeffrey breezed through the rest of the morning. When he arrived at school though his eagerness and nervousness for tonight's band concert made time pass by so slow.
Social Studies was only 50 minutes long, however every minute dragged on as if it was ten. Then math and English were boring as well. Jeffrey wasn't really paying attention, since it was almost winter break.
Thankfully the teachers were kind enough to notice more than one of their students were distracted and so they front loaded most of the tests in earlier weeks and before Thanksgiving. The whole month of December was basically just easy mode, before they hit the month of January. After that it was just preparation for finals and the valley of death.
Every week starting after Feburary was a litany of tests and essays, but Jeffrey was more focused on P.E. Having finished their mile and pacer tests, they finally got to play some more fun activities.
Monday they played a few games of basketball and steal the bacon, Tuesday was volleyball and badminton, Friday was dodgeball day. Today however, they headed to the store room.
Nearby a few old rackets and balls lay around, as were some of the blue mats and blocks. Mrs. Peabody ducked under a few volleyball nets and grabbed a box.
Their school didn't have any pommel horses or ropes and nets to climb. What they did have was a rainbow parachute.
It was a glorious sight. Jeffrey had a mini conversation in his head to justify his excitement
"Were they a little big for it?", Jeffrey asked himself.
"Probably...", Jeffrey admitted.
"Did it make running around trying to shake it and play tug of war fun?", Jeffrey imagined.
"You bet it was", Jeffrey and a bunch of other kids gathered around as their PE teacher laid it out and blew on her whistle.
*FWEEET*
everyone stopped talking
"Today we're going to be playing a competitive game", Mrs. Peabody explained
"Popcorn?", one of the kids suggested
"Finding partners", another energetically asked.
"Nope, today we're going to be playing sharks and lifeguards", the PE teacher announced.
"Sharks and lifeguards", they started whispering to one another.
"what's sharks and lifeguards?", one of the kids asked their friends.
Steven explained, "It's the one where you get dragged under"
Melissa found her group of friends and they started pointing at the boys.
Soon enough teams started to form as the boys and girls started facing off. Another PE teacher had their class join in as well.
Mr. Scranton's 7th graders were actually quite friendly and well behaved today. Probably because it was rainbow parachute day.
Jeffrey made his way over to Samantha and they talked as the game was going on.
"You ready for the concert?", Jeffrey asked.
"Yep, how about you?", she asked back to Jeffrey.
"I can't wait to see my grandparents tonight", Jeffrey said.
"That's cool, my parents are going to be there as well", Samantha smiled.
"Awesome, I think everyone's excited to hear your preformance. You did amazing during practice", Jeffrey complimented her.
In his mind, he did like Samantha a little. He was too shy to ever admit it out loud, Jeffrey was just happy to be friends.
Samantha was also a little embarrassed, although Jeffrey didn't know or notice.
There usually was a relationship whenever people were friends. Jeffrey had known Preston for years, ever since elementary school. Although, they had different classes and almost attended different schools. They had exchanged emails and while they didn't really hang out or know each other.
When they started the year as middle schoolers they became quite close friends. A few borrowed pencils and science classes, eventually lead to joining the same clubs.
As Samantha and Jeffrey chatted the period was over and everyone headed to the locker rooms to change back into school clothes. Jeffrey decided to have a good lunch and focus on selling more jars of Oobleck today. He felt lucky since he got to talk to Samantha.
After finding the courage to talk to some 8th grade girls he never met, one of them bought a jar of art slime.
"Here's $20", she said to Jeffrey.
"Thanks so much", Jeffrey walked away from the student council president.
Jeffrey was enjoying the holiday spirit.