Chapter 5

“Phoebe, remember: you’re very lucky to work with Amber. Follow her everywhere and copy literally everything she does. In a month, you’ll have your first interview, and I want to be sure I didn’t make a mistake choosing the new ‘Ellison News’ team. Is that clear? Our paper is read not only inside the school walls, but throughout Sandfield Rock. Everything has to be excellent.”

“Thank you, Zack!” Phoebe cries brightly, almost squealing with delight as she smiles wide at her editor-in-chief. “I won’t let you down! I can’t wait to start working right now. Oh, can I get a ‘Press’ badge like yours? Will I have my own spot in the stands?” she pelts him with questions. “Is it true Secretary Moran reviews material before publication? That is so medieval. What about freedom of speech?”

Zachary may look like a sweetheart, but when it comes to the newspaper, he knows how to grab you by the throat and get under your skin, and the restless girl has yet to learn that.

Amber and I exchange a look, remembering ourselves and what we were like when we first got into the newsroom. Exactly like this. Full of enthusiasm to move mountains and accomplish the impossible.

The thought makes me snort, while my friend sighs and rolls her eyes.

“Ashley, I have no questions for you,” Zack finishes meanwhile. “You know what to do. Let’s go, team.”

He gets up from the table and looks at his watch, signaling that the planning meeting is over. We get up too and each collect our tools. Phoebe takes an electronic notepad, Amber a recorder, and I the school camera. An excellent DSLR you could only dream of. I inspect it out of habit and check the battery charge.

When I’m taking pictures, I forget everything in the world and can strike the strangest poses to get a shot. So I have to stay behind for a few minutes in the hallway by my locker to pull my thick, long hair into a high bun. Ever since my own mane once ruined an excellent shot, it has become a necessary ritual, and I catch up with Amber and Phoebe already at the stadium, where the sports clubs are practicing.

The school year has begun, and new upperclassmen have arrived with it. Sports life is the topic that concerns the school community most, and that is exactly what we decide to cover first.