Sylvie and Georgia joined the other stragglers, searching for seats.
“Georgia! Sylvie! Sit here!”
Sylvie spun around. Adara was waving them over.I guess Georgia’s lecture in the food truck worked.Sylvie tried her best to hide the look of shock as they made their way through the crowd and squeezed into the two empty seats.
Adara leaned over. “You two disappeared last night. I was looking for you at dinner.”
Georgia glanced nervously at Sylvie. “Yeah, we ah … had a special project we were working on.”
Adara opened her mouth, but luckily, Madame Godard started speaking again. “If I could please have everyone’s attention.”
The room fell silent.
“As you know, tomorrow evening we’ll have our annual Commis Contest. I would like to go over a few things, as we’ll be implementing some new rules.”
A murmur filled the air.
“First, I would like to remind everyone that the competition is an opportunity for community building and creative expression.” Godard looked around the room. Her eyes settled on someone at the back of the audience. “Bickering, bullying, and cheating will not be tolerated.”
Sylvie craned her neck to see who Godard was looking at. Seated in the final row, looking grumpier than a wet cat, was Belinda Bass.
“Sage parents are welcome to join the event,” continued Godard. “Brindille’s gates will open to visiting family members at six o’clock.”
Sylvie turned her attention back to Godard’s speech.
“Unfortunately, we won’t be extending invitations to Scullery family members this year.”
Grumbles echoed around the room.
“I know you are all disappointed.” Madame Godard’s lips curved down. “I am too. Unfortunately, the CCS has deemed it too dangerous.”
Teachers shook their heads. Kids whispered. No one, including Sylvie, was buying it.
She glanced sidelong at Georgia. Her gaze had settled somewhere distant. If Sylvie had to guess, it was probably back with her family in Montmarte.
Sylvie felt sorry for her. Sure, Sylvie was stuck here on her own too. But it wasn’t the same.The school. The people who work here. Mom knows them all.There was something reassuring in that.
Godard clapped her hands together. “Now for the good news! I’m pleased to announce that I’m changing our voting system. CCS staff will still be involved in the process, but there will be no alumni casting votes this year. Instead, each ofyouwill help determine the winner.”
A buzz of excited chatter filled the air.
Sylvie couldn’t help but notice Flora and the other girl break into enthusiastic whispers.
A smile spread across Godard’s face. “This is an impromptu change. More details will be distributed tomorrow in the competition’s flyer.”
Sylvie wondered if theimpromptu changewas connected to what Godard had learned from the Clarity Consommé.
“As for today, we will have an exciting speech from one of our most famous Commis Contest winners … Guy Fabre!”
There was a squeal of giddy girls. Adara started brushing her hair through with her fingers.
Sylvie rolled her eyes.
Everyone is under Fabre’s spell.
Godard paused. “But before you get out your autograph books, Monsieur Fabre couldn’t make it in person. However, his cwtch should be arriving shortly.”
The room sighed with disappointment.
