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Cool Springs Girls Book 1: Sarah Grace

By Martha Fouts Mrs.

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Cool Springs Girls Book 1: Sarah Grace

Chapter One

My History teacher is crazy. I’m sure he’s as old as my abuelo, but he is my funniest teacher. On the day before a test, he always wears this hat that’s kind of like a turban. It’s really big and made of red velvet and has wild white feathers on it. He stands at the front of the classroom and tells us that we are in for a treat. That we are going to be visited by Carmac the Magnificent, whoever that is. Then he takes the test we are going to be taking the next day, holds it up to his head and acts like he is foreseeing the future and predicting the questions that will be on the test. It’s pretty funny. At least he tries to make test review interesting and doesn’t just give us a study guide to fill out or something boring like that.
“I foresee that there will be an essay question on the test,” he says in this really monotone creepy voice. We all groan. Ugh. Not an essay question.
“So, I suppose you’d better be able to argue what you believe was the cause of the civil war.”
I write down on my paper, “Be able to argue the cause of the civil war.” I raise my hand.
“Yes, Sarah Grace,” he is still speaking in the weird monotone voice.
“Mr. McDowell, how – “
He cuts me off, “Who is this McDowell you speak of? I am Carmac the Magnificent.”
Brianna giggles next to me. Mr. McDowell is so goofy.
I roll my eyes, “Okay, Carmac the Magnificent, I was just wondering. How many reasons should we be able to give for the cause of the civil war?”
“Three or four reasons in a well written paragraph should be sufficient,” Carmac responds and I write that down.
The test review is interrupted by the daily announcements on the intercom. Our principal, Ms. Tucker, is heard all over the school.
“Good morning Cool Springs Middle School! It’s a Marvelous Monday, and we are ready for a great week! At this time we will say the pledge and have our moment of silence.”
She leads the whole school in the flag salute and pledge to the American flag and the Oklahoma flag and then instructs them all to think, meditate, or pray during the moment of silence. She goes through the same monologue every day at the end of first hour.
After announcements about the art club meeting and the football game tomorrow night, she starts talking about the big Alana Ryles announcement and all of the students start shushing each other so they can hear the important announcement.
“I know that most of you have probably heard about the announcement made by Alana Ryles at her concert last night. Just in case you haven’t heard it yet, Ms. Ryles will be conducting a talent search. Only students from our middle school and high school may audition. She is looking for a singer who can blow her socks off. I’m very excited about this. I know that our students are awesome, and I hope all of you who enjoy singing will go to the auditions next Friday. The winner of the talent search will win a record deal. So, start practicing!”
As soon as the announcements are over, Mr. McDowell replaces the turban back on his head, covering his few wispy white hairs, pushes his glasses up on his nose, and continues his test review and his Carmac comedy routine.
Brianna bites her bottom lip nervously and scribbles a note on her paper. She pushes the note across her desk and slides it onto my desk. Her note says, “I’m doing it! Are you still in?”
I write my answer on her paper and quickly push it back to her. “Oh yes!” It says.
Then the bell rings and we go to our second hour class, choir.


 

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