No I.O.U.s

In this short story teaser, a high school student has to sell candy to raise money for the band. However, she is confronted by her arch nemesis and is desperately trying to keep it together. Enjoy.

“Ugh,” I groaned out loud. 

The baseball team had just finished practice and a few of the players were headed my way. But this was not the reason for the ‘ugh.’ The ‘ugh’ came from the sight of my arch nemesis heading over with that stupid smirk on his face. I knew I was in for an annoying encounter with Mike Thompson, the cockiest, most arrogant boy I had ever met. 

I plastered on the fakest smile I could muster before saying, “Hello, would you like to help the band by purchasing some candy or donating to the band boosters?” 

The school’s marching band was selling candy to raise money for band camp. Band camp was always at the end of summer, so we had all of June and July to sell to sports teams while they practiced. I chose the baseball team, because they practiced earlier in the day. That way I didn’t have to stand out here in the heat of the day. Had I known I’d meet my arch nemesis here, I would have picked a different sport. 

“Well, nice to see you too.” His royal cockiness sauntered right up to me, leaning over the counter. 

I rolled my eyes, trying not to let him get to me. But I could already feel the vein in my neck throbbing from the sheer pressure of clenching my teeth. 

“What do you want?” I snapped. 

“Whoa now, is that anyway to treat a paying customer?” He grinned. 

“Are you paying? Because last time, I seem to recall you handing me an IOU.” I turned to the lockbox and pulled out a scrap piece of notebook paper with his chicken scratch stating ‘I O U’ with a winky face.