Chapter 27: Chapter 27

“Good morning boys and girls of Edwin and Co. or should I say Edwins and Edwinas…”

“Wait is that the P. A system?” someone beside me in the hall asked. Everyone in the hall at 2 pm that afternoon stood at a standstill looking up and down the halls at the speakers hung on the walls.

I stood with Rebecca beside me, we had been on our way to submit the new list of approved cheer squad members to the coach, Mr. Fletcher.

“Was that Shewa’s voice?” Rebecca asked. I shrugged. It sounded like her though.

“Bet you are all wondering what is going on, eh?” the voice continued with a giggle. “This is the new Chairman of the newspaper committee, AdeShewa Adekunle, speaking to you from the newsroom. I’ll clear your confusion dear students, Edwin and Co. now has a radio station airing on Fridays only. Presenting the programs from the school radio is none other than yours truly…actually me. I am your host on Edwin and Co. radio.” She laughed again.

I chuckled. Shewa knows how to have fun even in the most serious situations. There was a murmur of excitement waving through the students in the hall as more students made their way out of classrooms to listen to what she was saying.

“So, here’s a little surprise from the newsroom, a sneak peek at what you’ll be getting on our radio station besides music and entertainment news. Ask Diddy has a surprise for you.”

Murmurs of Ask Diddy, Edwin and Co.'s very own gossip column sounded in the hall.

“So,” Shewa continued. “From Ask Diddy we have a letter.”

Ask Diddy your most personal interrelationship questions. Tell Diddy everything. Go on! We dare you!

Remember, the reason Ask Diddy is added to the school newspaper is to help students interact with a fellow yet anonymous student. All secrets told to Diddy remain secret.

Dear Diddy,

So I had sex with a teacher…No, I wasn’t forced by her, I love her, we love each other and we had sex. If you are reading or listening my love, I love you and when I graduate we can get married.

_ In Love.

Dear In Love,

Do I say I am happy for you? Or should I say you should be wary? Honestly, I am confused and worried. Why are you having sex with your teacher?! And what teacher has sex with her student?! Mr. Jorge needs to hear about this!

-Diddy.

Okay…so as have a student-teacher relationship right here in Edwin and Co.?!

Over the speakers, Shewa laughed. “Wow, that one was heavy. I am in the boat with Diddy here, Mr. Jorge needs to do something about this. A student-teacher relationship? Lots of juicy stuff here Edwins and Edwinas and I cannot wait to share them with you. More important updates on the new school radio on Friday. Bye, guys.”

A pop song on low volume played. Everyone was excited about the radio but most importantly for now the excitement was about who “In Love” was and which teacher he or she was in love with. I’m telling you, all kinds of stuff happen here in Edwin and Co.

“I think the radio is such a good idea,” Rebecca said. “I never liked reading the school newspaper.”

I nodded my agreement. “I love it. But…Mr. Fletcher would not like it if we are late before the break is over.”

“Right!”

We hurried together to a disgruntled coach’s office. He was looking at some sports schedules on the board.

“You girls are late. I told you not to be late.”

“Sorry,” Becca and I said simultaneously. “Here’s the list, sir.”

He collected it and looked it over. “So what else did you girls come up with?”

“Uh, the girls were thinking that since we get to cheer for the boys when they play then they should cheer for the girls when they play too.”

Mr. Fletcher smiled. “You want the boys to do cheers and clap and flip for the girls?”

“It’s only fair,” Becca responded. It had been her idea. She doubles as a cheerleader and basketball player.

Coach laughed. “Now that would be a sight to see, let’s see which boys want to join the cheer team. I’m putting you both on that job, convince them to join the squad.”

We both leaped excitedly at the idea. When Becca had made the suggestion this morning to Siobhan before she handed the approved list to us, Eva had called it a totally ridiculous idea but the rest of us were totally on board with it so now with coach’s approval we will have a boys only cheer squad for when we girls have to play.

As we left the office I turned to Rebecca. “We should run this past Shewa now and see if she can announce it before the break is over.”

She agreed and we ran upstairs to the newsroom. Mr. Edwin spared nothing when he made the plans for this school. The newsroom was like an actual newsroom with a conference room, photography room, printing press, and everything. We met AdeShewa just leaving the newly added Radio room with its control board, microphone, and other contraptions.

“Hey, Bianca, look at that!” she said excitedly. “I am kickstarting a career in journalism right here in high school.”

“I am so happy the radio idea was approved.”

“Not happier than me, I get to do more than scrutinize newspaper items now. Do you think I make a better Chairman than Annabel Reed and Christian Ward?”

“Very much better than the both of them combined,” I assured her. “You got the board to agree to a radio room and they never accomplished that.”

She smiled. “You are right! So to what do I owe the pleasure of you girls in my office.”

She was so proud of herself. I know how much she talks about being a tv host and I gotta say this is a very good start. But it surprises me though because Shewa is a princess, get this, she’s a Nigerian Princess with her family directly next in line for the throne and her older brother was the first young, black Mayor of a constituent in Ireland but she doesn’t want to have anything to do with her royalty. In fact, she fights to achieve things on her own without the influence of her family and I love her for it.

Becca handed her the paper. “Well, looks like Edwin and Co. will be adding a new squad to its cheer team. Take a look and announce it for us will you.”

Shewa’s eyes widened and she chuckled. “Consider it done.”

As we left the newsroom there was a break in between the pop songs playing and Shewa’s voice came on the speakers.

“Edwins, today is your lucky day! Edwin and Co. say hello to a new squad, the boys' cheerleading squad!”

Rebecca and I high-fived each other. Now we need to convince boys. I was already thinking about my choices and a smile curved my lips upward.

Aaron.

That sweet boy had stayed with me all night and when we woke this morning he was quite modest about coming into the bathroom with me, so with a kiss on my lips and head he donned his shirt and went back to his apartment. The old Aaron would have forced his way in.

He's not making it any easier, I just might be falling in love now.