Trouble
“Mom, Dad! I had the most insane day ever.” Ned said as he burst through his kitchen door with exciting news of the Pep Rally. This was the first time in his life he was rushed out of the school with the threat of security being called. Luckily no one showed up, at least, not that Ned noticed. But still, the thought of high school security guards chasing him was enough to make him run faster than he ever had.
“The whole school was at this pep rally and it was crazy! So there were songs, and then I led the marching band across the stage. Actually I did that part first, I kinda started the whole thing off if I do say so myself, then they played the songs on an old boom-box and -“
Ned paused in his long rambling monologue when he noticed his parent’s unchanging frowns. His mother was slouched over the kitchen table, massaging her temples while his father was a lump in the corner.
“What’s wrong?”
His mother laughed, but it sounded more like a grunt. It made Ned’s heart skip a beat in his chest. He waited but his mother didn’t say anything, not for a while. His father, however, took over the conversation.
“So that’s where you were? At a pep rally?” His tone was bitter, like Ned did something wrong. Ned wracked his brain trying to think of what he could have possibly done, but his mind was blank.
“And where exactly were you all weekend?”
Ned forced himself to look at his feet, one foot then the other.
“Did you forget about babysitting your little sister?”
Oh so that’s what he did wrong.
“I’m sorry, I thought you would want me out of the house so you could have peace and quiet.”
“You know, it’s one thing to forget to babysit your sister, but to be gone all weekend without telling us where you were? That’s completely unacceptable. Do you have any idea how worried your mother and I were? We thought something happened to you!”
“I’m sorry!” Ned exclaimed, worried now at the severity of the situation. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“And just what did you think you were going to do by staying out all weekend?” That was his mother, finally speaking in a harsh, hurt tone.
“I - I wasn’t thinking. None of my other friends had to call their parents. I figured you would know I was at Peter’s.”
“I’m just so disappointed in you, Ned.” His mother’s words cut to the bone. “You never used to cause any problems. And now you’re skipping school, getting detention, and staying out late. We miss the old you. What happened to playing video games with Dad, and helping me around the house? We didn’t come to America for you to blow off school, and ruin your life!”
There seems to be an echo in the room once the words spilled out. The sound packed a punch straight through Ned’s battered heart.
“I didn’t mean to disappoint you.” He whispered.
Ned’s never felt so much like an obligation in his entire life. He knew his parents prided themselves in his successes, but to put so much pressure on his shoulders was unfair. Still, he loved his parents and he only wanted them to be happy.
“Please. Try to spend more time studying and less time with your friends.”
Ned wasn’t about to argue that before the school year started he barely had any friends. Now he felt like he had three solid new ones and he was really happy. But he wasn’t going to say that.
“Okay. I will.” He said instead because he just wanted his mother to stop stressing. “And I’ll watch Kaleah tonight.”
“Thank you. It’s all we ask.”
________________________
After babysitting his little sister last night, Ned had to cram for his trigonometry test in homeroom. Ned went through the review sheet, answering every single question on a separate piece of paper to quiz himself. He went through his work and put stars next to the questions he couldn’t seem to get right.
He was about to review the one’s he starred, when the morning announcements began playing on the Tv monitor.
“Good morning Midtown High,” Betty said, throwing on her fake smile, “Today we have a special assembly planned by Principal Morita. Instead of going to first period, we are all going to the auditorium.”
Jason continued, reading in a monotone voice, “Mock interviews will take place November 1st and November 2nd. The mock Interview times are posted outside room 304, 311, and the guidance counselor’s office. If you would like to participate, contact the guidance counselor.”
Ned tried to go over his notes while they were taking, but he found it too difficult to concentrate.
At last the announcements were complete, but he didn’t have any time to study because the bell rang. Time to go to a surprise assembly.
_______________________
Ned walked with his homeroom class to to auditorium. He tried to find Peter, but he couldn’t spot him in the sea of people all crowding into one area.
One girl swore loudly next to him, and shoved her friend. But the friend didn’t seem to mind, and playfully jibbed with her. They went from insulting one another to discussing their favorite bands and celebrities.
Ned smiled knowing that if Peter was sitting next to him, they would be doing a similar thing, except their gossip would be about the Avengers or Star Wars.
At the front of the room was Mr. Morita wearing a suit and straightening his tie. He moved forward and smacked the mic a few times to get everyone’s attention. The room quieted.
“Hello students. I know you’re dying to get to class so I’ll keep this short and simple.”
A chorus of groans swirled in Ned’s ear. Students were hoping to at least miss first period class thanks to this lecture. No such luck, apparently.
“Our assembly today is about what happened right here in this very room last night.”
Ned’s heart began to race, and he felt himself break into a cold sweat.
“Not only was this little Pep Rally non-approved by the school administration but it was also considered trespassing on school property considering it was an unauthorized event. But I’m not worried about either of those things as much as I am concerned with the group that made this happen.”
Principal Morita pulled a sheet of paper out of his pocket, and slowly began to unfold it.
“They call themselves, the Web Heads.”
Ned glanced around the room looking nervously for his friends. He silently hoped no one else would see him looking around and think it was suspicious. But he wanted to catch his friend’s eyes. Without them by his side, he felt so afraid. They were going to be in huge trouble, and Ned’s parents were going to destroy him.
“Now this is a printed out copy of the flyer that was emailed to the entire student body last Friday. I have my I.T. team working on it right now, and we will find out who is behind this. But I am asking you all right now, if anyone knows who the Web Heads are, please step forward. I don’t think I have to remind you that this is a tech-savvy school, so we will get you eventually. It will be much easier if you come forward and turn yourselves in.”
Now Ned really wanted to find his friends. What were they going to do? Were they thinking about turning themselves in? Ned couldn’t hear anything over the sound his increasing heart rate but he could see a bunch of other head’s turning, and looking as well.
“Fraud and related activities in connection with computers is a federal law. However we have a state law that is less harsh, so if you turn yourselves in, the penalty will be lower. It will no doubt go on your permanent record, but you might be able to get away with not having to pay a hefty fine or serve time in a juvenile detention center.”
Now Ned had completely lost it. He was ready to cry, to double over and throw up on the floor. How could he be so stupid?
When no one came forward after a long pause, Principal Morita sighed.
“Okay. I thought it might come to this. Liz Allan, please come up here.”
Ned’s eyes shot out of his skull. He couldn’t help the involuntary shutter that ran down his spine. Some kid next to him, put her hand on his shoulder. She looked like she was asking him if he was okay so he nodded. But in all honesty he was so far from okay, it wasn’t funny.
He waited. Painfully, he waited for Liz to take the stage. Trembling, Ned kept his hand gripped to the seat handles and willed himself to take deep breathes.
“Miss Allan, your name was on the flyers.” He said once Liz was standing next to him, looking as terrified as Ned was feeling.
“Yes sir.”
“Did you put in there?”
“No sir.” She said confidently.
“Did you tell someone else to write your name?”
Liz faltered, “N-No.”
Principal Morita hummed. “So someone did this for you, without your knowledge? Is that what you are saying?”
“Yes!” She said hastily. Unfortunately, it was too hasty for Mr. Morita’s liking.
“Are you sure you don’t know who the Wen Heads are?”
“I’m sure, I have no idea.”
“Very well. But If I find out you are part of this Web Heads group, you will be seriously punished. As for now, since you did participate at this unauthorized pep rally, I am going to revoke your position in homecoming court. You are out of the running, Miss Allan.”
Liz’s face said it all. She was absolutely devastated. The hurt covered her features like a cloak, and she was shaking as well. Ned swore she might fall to her knees right there. Everything Liz had wanted, everything she had worked for was completely ruined; and Ned couldn’t help but feel like it was all his fault.
“That’s all, you may take your seat.” Principal Morita said, turning back to the class. He gave out one last lecture on following school policy, and then dismissed everyone.
Ned spent the remainder of his day feeling downright miserable. He heard in his third period class that Liz left school right after the assembly. He didn’t blame her. He wanted to do the same. During fifth period, Ned was certain he failed his math test. Finally, lunch rolled around and Ned was able to take his tray to Peter’s table.
His friend was brown-bagging it today, not bothering to get a tray of hot chicken tenders and mashed potatoes when he felt so horrible.
“Ned, we have to fix this.” He said the second Ned sat down.
“How? You heard Principal Morita. She’s out of the running.”
“What if we just do it anyways?”
Ned frowned. “Peter... we’re lucky we haven’t been caught yet. We can’t do anything else bad, ever again.”
“You’re right. But I can’t help feeling horrible about what happened. Liz doesn’t deserve this.”
“I say we do it anyway,” MJ said from the other end of the table.
“How do you just randomly appear out of nowhere?” Ned gasped, “Wait? Are you like Hermione with the time portal thing?”
“No dork. I’m just quiet, unlike you two. And if either of you talk any louder you’re going to get yourselves caught, so shut up.”
“Why do you think we should do it anyway?” Peter asked. “I thought you weren’t a big fan of Liz?”
MJ shrugged. “After her speech, I figure she would be the best homecoming queen Midtown High has ever had. She just wants to make people happy and include people that are unique and different. I think that’s something we all need in the world.”
Peter nodded. “So what should we do?”
_______________________
Ned stood outside Liz’s door, along with Flash, MJ, and Peter. Despite the huge smiles they wore, Liz was irritated.
“What are you doing here?!” She whisper shouted, looking over her shoulder, paranoid that her family might see.
“Uh, we wanted to run something past you.” Ned said, running his hands through his hair. “What if you could still be in the running for homecoming queen.”
“That’s not possible, you heard what Mr. Morita said.”
“But what if it was.” Flash smirked.
“No. No, absolutely not. We’re so lucky we’re not in jail right now. We cannot do that again.”
“Come on, Liz. One last Web Heads adventure. The school needs you.” Flash insisted.
“They want you too.” MJ shoved her phone in Liz’s face.
“You’re winning the votes on social media.”
“It doesn’t matter if I’m winning on social media.” Liz muttered, “I can’t win for real. So I’m out.”
“But if we hacked the system one last time...” Ned trailed off.
“It could happen for real.” Flash finished.
Liz sighed, too tempted to pass up the offer. “Can you do it, Ned?”
“I’ve been able to hack everything else so far. I should be able to... crap.”
He put turned his laptop around. “The homecoming voting system isn’t on the school’s server, it’s on a private one. As in Mr. Morita’s office.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning we can’t get into it unless we have access to his phone or we’re sitting at his desk.”
Liz slapped her hand against the door frame. “Well... we tried.”
“I might be able to get us into his office.” Flash said, causing all eyes to land on him.
________________________
Ned sat in Principal Morita’s office chair, and spun around. Flash whacked the back of his head.
“Ow, dude!” Ned shouted, stopping his abrupt spinning.
“Focus.” Flash snapped his fingers.
“Don’t be a jerk.” Liz scolded, but she couldn’t seem to stay angry at Flash for long.
“He is right. We need to hurry.” MJ said, looking at the closed office door.
Ned cracked his knuckles and leaned over the computer. “Not a problem. Speed is my middle name.”
“I’m pretty sure your middle name is -“
“Peter! Don’t say it.” He yelled. Chuckling quietly, Peter agreed not to say his middle name.
Ned started ferociously slapping keys until the computer screen spat out codes. He was in the zone, just like when he played video games with his Dad, and then, a door interrupted his thoughts.
The group of kids looked up simultaneously at the man standing in the doorway with his suit and tie.
“Gotcha.” Principal Morita said.