On the Offensive

Still over the moon over the win @ Kelsyee Bolton's site, where I've learned I'm going to get a royal-purple crushed velvet blouse for my prize (I've seen it, it's very cute, and I can't wait to wear it to show Meredith HAHA) I learned I sorta misspoke regarding the selection process for Spring Fling Queen.

Apparently Meredith DID have it right (ugh as much as it pains me to admit) and you DO campaign for it -- sort of. You're actually nominated and there's a big ballot and this week they narrowed the competition for Lord and Lady of the Fling down to 5 nominees each. The winner is announced at the dance.

So, I was stunned speechless when Principal Ballard called out the names of the final candidates today. For Lord of the Fling, the list is 5 8th grade boys including my all-time dreamboat way-out-of-my-league-crush, Adam Cartwright himself, who I'm totally convinced is going to win no matter what anybody says. The Lady of the Fling list, though, was a shocker. Not only are there only 2 8th grade girls on it (Amanda Cooke and Sammie Parks) but a couple 7th graders made it on the list, and I'm told that's never happened before. Even more, I found out that I, Haley Elizabeth Hotchkiss, am on that final list!

So, Linds and I went to work. We went into the newspaper office (since Vee's comp still isn't working) and designed some flyers to hang around the school. We figured if Meredith was going to go on the offensive, so were we. I was going all-in. I don't care if I don't win Spring Fling queen. Just since Meredith Hopkins doesn't either.

I won something!

I now take a brief break from my regularly scheduled Natalie drama to tell you...

... well ...

I actually won something.

No, silly, not the Lady of the Fling or anything like that.

It's the 20th follower drawing over at Kelsyee Bolton's site.

Thing is, I NEVER win these things, and I don't even remember entering. LOL

Quelle surprise! (French lessons seeping in)

I'll update everyone later with my prize info -- once I get it.

Spring activities

The Spring Fling isn't the only thing going on at school. There are also tryouts for the school play and gymnastics tryouts.

Can you believe they're doing Romeo and Juliet this year? Just about every girl in the 7th and 8th grade wants to be Juliet. Except for me of course, I'll never make it. I bet they give it to Meredith Hopkins, they usually do. Thing is, she can't act her way out of a paper bag.

And Natalie? She ran up to me today in the hallway, with none of her hangers-on. "Haley, I have to talk to you."

"About what?"

"I have to tell you that I'm leaving the newspaper."

"Just as well," I said, "you hardly come nowadays."

"But you haven't heard why. Guess what? I'm trying out for the gymnastics team!"

"That's great!" I said. "I have to ask, though -- why gymnastics?" I really wanted to know, because most of the girls on the team are major snobs, especially that Bridget O'Shaughnessy.

"I've been taking gymnastics classes since I was five."

I shrugged. "I guess that's as good a reason as any."

More Spring Fling intrigue

So you guys think I should run, eh?

Thing is, you don't actually 'run' for Spring Fling queen, although Meredith Hopkins seems to think it's a huge campaign. She's already taken out ads in the school paper. The thing is, you're chosen for it, and the winner is announced on the night of the dance. It's nothing but a big popularity contest, anyway. And since the beginning of time an eighth grader has won it. Neither of us are in eighth this year and I can't see that changing -- until we actually get in eighth grade.

To add to the intrigue on the Spring Fling, my cousin Nicki is coming for Spring Break next week, and she'll be bringing her dress! It's the one she wore to her own Spring Gala at her school back in Colorado. It's a little pink-er and frillier than I like, but I forgive her for the military-style jacket, lol.

Spring? What spring?

So, today Harriet, Lindsey and I were walking down the hallway, and we were talking about how chilly it is, to say it's the 3rd day of spring. I don't know why, but all of a sudden it feels more like early February than late March.

We were also talking about the upcoming spring dance, and Lindsey raised the possibility of Natalie Spencer winning Lady of the Fling.

"Come on," I said, "it's not possible. They only give it to an eighth grader every year. I bet Amanda Cooke is gonna win."

"There is a first time for everything," Harriet reminded me. "And you have to admit, Natalie is getting a lot of looks for that."

"Well I don't care who wins it," Lindsey said, "as long as it's not Meredith Hopkins!"

"Amen!" Harriet and I said in unison.

"Haley, what about you?" asked Lindsey. "I think you have a decent shot! I mean, you're class president, you're on the paper --"

"Girls like me don't win stuff like that," I told her, "besides, it's nothing but a big popularity contest."

"I know," agreed Harriet, "but it's certainly worth a shot."

Aww, you guys!

I'm not an easy person to impress, and I'm certainly not one to get all mushy and stuff, but I was crying after reading your comments. Really. I wasn't asking for anyone to feel sorry for me, as I'm about the last person who would beg for sympathy. I was just telling everyone what happened @ school.
I invite the newcomers to this blog (and there are quite a few of you!) to go over some of my previous blog entries whenever you have time. Meredith Hopkins and her merry band of minions have been doing this for the last two years. You'd think they'd stop this but they have not.
Thankfully, though, I have good friends both on and off line to help me get through this. You know who you are and I'm happy that you are in my life.

The Pitfalls of Popularity Part 2

At recess all the girls hang out in the hallway by the water fountain, and while I was on my way to the newspaper office, Meredith and Sasha stopped me. They had Natalie with them.

Meredith gave me a once-over. "Well if it isn't Haley Hotchkiss...class president 2 years in a row...assistant editor of the student newspaper...4.0 average..."

"I don't have a 4.0," I protested, "I got a B in math --" The moment I said it I wished I hadn't.

"We know you're smart, Haley," added Sasha, "but do you have to look it and prove it all the time?"

Natalie didn't say anything, but she didn't stop Meredith from saying anything, either. "You know," Meredith added, "you'd look much better without your glasses, but then again, that's not saying very much."

I've said plenty of times in this space that I hate Meredith Hopkins with a passion. I really, REALLY, REALLY hate her. And now I hate that Natalie is running with her.