Chapter 19

"You're late," Leighden commented. She sat down in the chair next to Leighden.

Pershey looked up then she smiled.

"Don't smile, you're late," she said.

Pershey smiled even more before she spoke, "It's better to be late ... than never," she looked at the seated students in the middle. They, in turn, are on the sidelines.

"Still ... you're late," she insisted. Pershey stopped talking. Her attention was already focused on Neil speaking on stage. She couldn't take her eyes off especially her wide smile when Neil looked away from them.

"We're having programs, contests for everyone. We have pageants for women and men. Also, we need your...