Sabotage at Willow Woods (Nancy Drew Diaries #5)(11)

I turned around and waited while Barney greeted the teacher—he seemed surprised to find her still there—and handed over an envelope filled with bills. Ms. Meyerhoff shot me another curious glance, one eyebrow raised. No doubt she was confused about how I knew Barney. Barney turned to me, his face wide open and smiling. “Anyway, let’s get down to business,” he said jokingly. “Like, are you going to join the Green Club or what? We could really use you.”

I hesitated. “I—well, I’ve definitely been thinking about it!”

Barney nodded. “Good to hear! Come with me; we can chat about it some more.”

I glanced back at Ms. Meyerhoff briefly and nodded my good-bye; she was still regarding me with some suspicion, and I figured it was just as well to have an excuse to get out of there quickly. Barney touched my shoulder and led me out of the classroom into the empty hallway, lined with lockers. There was an echo in the hallway, which made it seem even more deserted.

“What’s holding you back?” he asked. “Are there any questions I can answer? Because I really can’t see any downside to your joining the Green Club.”

I couldn’t help smiling. Whatever the Green Club was up to, there was no denying that Barney was sort of charming—in an unguarded, eager-to-please way. “You know what?” I said when I felt we were too far from Ms. Meyerhoff’s door to overhear. “You’ve convinced me. I’m in. Do you know where I could find Eloise Stromberg? Ms. Meyerhoff said I should talk to her about getting involved.”

Barney’s eyes widened in pleasure and surprise—like even though this was exactly what he wanted, he couldn’t believe it was really happening. “Do I?! Katrina, I can take you to her right now. Let’s get this party started!”

I blushed for him a little then. So Barney was also a little too enthusiastic. But I still couldn’t help liking him. Not in a romantic way—I already had a boyfriend, of course—but like a sweet little brother. I wanted to buy Barney a puppy and let him show me all his favorite eco-friendly toys. I followed cheerfully as Barney thundered down the hall, leading the way toward the BHS gymnasium.

Right before we got to the gym, Barney took a sharp left and led me up a set of stairs. At the top of the stairs was a heavy metal doorway that he pulled open, revealing a big, dark room. He stepped inside, and I followed. There was just enough light for me to make out Barney holding his finger to his lips in the universal sign for Shhh!

I looked around and realized we were standing at the back of the audience for a small black-box theater. Most of the lights were off, save a bright spotlight that shone on the girl who stood center stage. She had long, curly dark hair and huge brown eyes, and she was wearing long, feathery earrings and a twisted-folded kind of top that I knew Bess would know the proper name for. She looked exotic and cool. Even though I didn’t go to this high school, I felt a little intimidated at the sight of her.

It took me a minute to realize she was in the middle of reciting a poem.

“And then there was only empty earth!”

Her voice thundered through the small space, fueled by anger. It burned from her big, dark eyes, and suddenly she seemed a little scary—like a mother bear whose cub is being threatened.

“Because we has torn all the trees away!

And the earth bled, and the birds all fell from the sky

For we had taken all their safe places to perch.”

Her voice softened then—sadness crept in.

“And the people realized what a grave mistake they’d made. Thank you.”

Scattered applause came from the audience. I looked down and realized that about ten or fifteen kids were seated there, spread among the hundred or so seats. They were a varied assortment of high school types: a couple of goth kids; one short boy with dreadlocks and a vintage Tribe Called Quest T-shirt; a girl with huge, dark-framed glasses and a cute skirt printed with baby deer—definitely a cheerleader. That final one made me do a double take: a cheerleader at a poetry slam?

Barney cleared his throat as the applause died down, and I felt a little trepidation as he waved to get Eloise’s attention. “What’s up, Barney?” she demanded, in a not entirely friendly tone. We stepped closer, and she looked me over as I came into the light. She pushed her mouth to the side, thoughtful, as Barney led me up onstage.

“I think I have a new recruit!” If Barney noticed Eloise’s lack of enthusiasm, he showed no evidence of it. His face was pink and happy, and he gestured to me with the excitement of a spokesmodel on a game show as the host announces, “A BRAND-NEW CAR!!”

Eloise’s eyes flipped from Barney’s face to mine, her unimpressed expression unchanged. “Yeah?” she asked.

I nodded then; I was feeling the need to pull myself together and stand up to this girl. “That’s right,” I said. “I wondered if I could talk to you about the Green Club? Ms. Meyerhoff said you’re in charge.”

Eloise’s lip curled. “Talk about what?” she asked. “Either you’re green or you’re not. If you’re not, you have no business being in our club.” She paused, giving me a challenging look. “So are you?”

I stared at her. “I—what?”

“Are you green?” she asked, her eyes bugging in annoyance. I had the sense that I was only going to get one chance to answer this question correctly. Why am I so intimidated?