03.2023 | WELCOME BACK! Hello friends old and new! I'm so excited to welcome you all back to SITW! I've made some changes to the plot and added the ability to play supernatural charcaters! So come and check it out! I can't wait to jump back into this little town with all of you!
A strange history surrounds the town, it is a place where mysterious and supernatural things have been known to happen. The reputation of the town reguarly draws in visitors and newcomers alike. While some residents avidly believe in the supernatural, others are far more skeptical. What do you believe?
Principal Vanderson had sent a note to MJ's class in the middle of the day on Friday and gave it to student who acted as his assistant for this period. It was an elective class and one that was relatively simple. It was supposed to give office experience and help teach them secretarial skills.
The student made their way through the halls to the right classroom and stepped inside to hand the teacher the note before departing. The teacher opened it up and read it before speaking. "@mj, the Principal would like to see you in his office." She said and the whole class broke out in a simultaneous teasing "OOoooooOOOOooo". The teacher shook her head. "That's enough class."
MJ was sneaking a book. It was in her lap and she was positioned just right so that it looks like she was looking at the notes on her desk...but she was reading. She was reading about a kingdom far from here where there was a sick king who didn't have an heir. From his deathbed he intended to choose from four heirs vying for the throne. There was one particular heir that stood out to MJ: Imelda, the gifted heir. She had this amazing ability but had had to keep it to herself for so many years. She was strong but kind. She was the best heir of them all, MJ thought. She felt like she was a lot like Imelda...
When the teacher called her name she snapped her head up, heat rising to her cheek, and quickly scrambled to gather her stuff. The bell would ring in ten minutes or so and she didn't want to come back to find some freshman drooling on her belongings.
MJ ignored the oo's and the looks. They weren't her friends. They didn't know her. She didn't know why she was going to the principal's office--had her teacher seen her reading?--but she wouldn't do so with a face of shame. She had nothing to be ashamed about.
When she reached his office door she knocked before entering, letting him be the first to speak.
At the knock on the door Charlie looked up from his desk. "Come in." He announced. MJ entered and Principal Vanderson smiled warmly at her. "Ah, just the lady I wanted to see. MJ, please have a seat. There was something that I wanted to speak to you about."
He motioned to one of the two chairs that sat opposite his desk. MJ had moved to town only 3 years ago, he remembered when she arrived. It wasn't hard to remember given the size of the town. They didn't get new people on a regular basis. MJ had always struck him as lovely and responsible. He knew she worked many jobs and always got good grades. She was a good kid.
MJ was a good kid, which was why it didn't make sense for her to be in the principal's office. She was confident enough in her personal performance to not worry, though. She was more curious than anything.
"What's this about, Principal Venderson?" She asked with a frown. The bell was going to ring which would make her late to her next class. She hated being late to class.
She sat, like a good girl, but her eyes on him were guarded. What was he going to say?
Charlie could see the apprehension on her face and couldn't blame her. There was certainly a stigma to being called to the Principal's office, it made sense that a girl who had always done so well would be anxious about it. "Don't worry, dear, it's good news." He said warmly. "I wanted to let you know that are you on track to become this years class valedictorian." He told her with a bright smile.
MJ's face didn't relax, and she gave no indication of him convincing her that it was good news. Usually the guidance counselors gave good news. There was no good news from principals. It was a sad part of the job, but a part of the job nonetheless.
The words that followed made her eyes jump, as if a man with a camera was about to pop out from behind his chair and declare it all a hoax. Unluckily for him, her reaction wouldn't provide any good footage. Her distrusting expression held.
"Valedictorian?" She asked doubtfully, though her quick mind assured her it was possible. She had made all A's since coming, and most of the kids in her class were as dumb as Blair.
Charlie found the doubt in her voice to be rather amusing and he smiled kindly at the young girl as she asked to clarify. "Yes, MJ, valedictorian. You're grades are currently the highest in your class, though there are a few who are near you."
He shrugged a little then. "Not many though." He said, almost in a conspiratorial way.
"However," He said, his voice trailing off. Of course that wasn't all, he could have just her a letter or something or talked to her in the hall. "There is something I wanted to talk to you about."
He interlocked his fingers and rested his forearms on the desk as he leaned towards her a little bit. "I noticed that you and Miss Whittaker have had a bit of a...falling out? There has certainly been some less than kind interactions between the two of you." He said. "Do you want to talk about what happened?"
MJ grabbed her bag and put it in her lap, prepared to leave, but then the principal spoke again and it seemed they weren't done here. There was a shift in the air. She felt it as surely as she could feel the sun on her skin when outdoors. MJ immediately felt defensive. She'd experienced too much in her life not to.
Blair. This was about Blair. She wouldn't be surprised if the girl had gone to the principal to complain. It would be just like her to get everyone on her side against MJ. She kept her lips pressed together tightly, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks. Just what had been said? What did Principal Vanderson know?
"Yes, we've had a falling out." MJ confirmed, not interested in pretending otherwise. Blair was so forward with her spite that it would be hard to hide. "No, I don't really want to talk about it. She is entitled to be friends with whoever she wants to be friends with and ditch whoever she wants to ditch." Apparently that's how MJ felt the situation had gone down.
Charles nodded understandingly. "The Whittaker family is very influential in our town, and being valedictorian is about more than just grades. I just want you to be aware of any confrontations you might with other students, especially students who could cause you more trouble than others." He said sympathetically.
"I just don't want to see something like a broken friendship ruin your chances, MJ. I want you to be able to succeed, to have your life as open to you as possible. I'm on your side." He assured her. "I just want to help you reach your full potential."
Charlie gave MJ an apologetic look. "I know, it sounds absurd. I agree. But small town politics...can get in the way of a lot of things. I want to help you, MJ." He stood, moving to the other side of the desk, next to MJ but avoiding getting into her personal bubble as he leaned against the desk, looking down at her.
"Maybe the two of you can make up? And if not, at least do your best to avoid direct confrontation with her. And I'll do what I can to snuff out any rumors that cross my path." He said with a smile.
MJ kept her eyes on him. She was normally a pretty polite, respectful young lady, but right now she felt full of rebellious indignation. She hadn't been counting on being valedictorian to get into the school she wanted to go to, but now that she knew it was in her reach she wanted it. But did she want it badly enough to try to make up with Blair?
"So Mr Whittaker has you in his pocket, then?" She asked, still unwilling to settle with the principal's words. "You, one of the wealthiest, most influential men in our little town...a guy like Mr Whittaker can make you change things about the school?" Her expression was turning into one of disgust. "You would let him take something unbiased that reflects my hard work from me all because his daughter has decided I am no longer good enough to be her friend? I don't understand. You are the one with power here..."
Charlie was used to moody teenagers and he wasn't about to be baited by one because she was unhappy. He didn't seem bothered by her attitude. "All I'm saying is to give it your best shot, it will be a good test of character." He said with a smile. "You may go Miss Mason." He told her. "And give your mother my best."