“Okay, so that’s three now. We have weather and two main anchors. What about sports?” Charise asked.

“Uh, sorry, I don’t know anything about sports, except cheering them on,” Tiffani replied, examining her nails for any chips in the polish.

“I don’t know anything about them, period,” Emily added.

“Ditto,” Ophelia spoke up.

“Great,” Ms. Gibson groaned.


The group was silent for a few seconds. Ophelia glanced over at the window and remarked, "It's getting dark outside. I bet it's going to start raining soon."

She was met with more silence, but it did not last long.

Charise said, in a dramatic voice, trying to be funny and lighten the mood, “And the Lord sent unto the group a jock and a camera crew, and it was good.”

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Everyone looked nervously at Charise, who responded, “What? I wasn’t being serious.”


Ms. Gibson opened the door. “Yes, may I help you?” she asked, looking at the two people standing in the hall, who hurried into the classroom. “Charise!” AJ called out, grinning and waving like a fool.

“My brother the imbecile,” Emily muttered to herself.

Ms. Gibson looked at Charise and said, “I think our prayers have been answered.”

Charise looked disgustedly at AJ, who was now standing as close to her as possible. “I am now praying for space. Lots and lots of space,” she muttered.


Ms. Gibson stood at the head of the table. AJ hurried to sit in the relinquished seat beside Charise. Ms. Gibson said, “Ladies and… uh… gentleman, welcome to the Clique News Crash team. You have been selected to be part of this new school group.”

“Clique News Crash?” AJ asked.

“Emily and I came up with it,” Ophelia explained. “The concept was that representatives of a variety of cliques would be the anchor people. Also, we wanted to play off of the phrase ‘breaking news.’”

“How about we go around the table and introduce ourselves?” Charise suggested.


“Good idea, Charise. I’ll go first,” Ms. Gibson said. “I’m Ms. Gibson, and I’m the advisor for the CNC team. I guess I'd be considered the head of the group.”


“I’m Charise Marlow, psychology student, tutor, and about a million other things. I’m basically working as an advisor. Also, I’m responsible for the basic concept of the show.”


Emily smiled shyly. “I’m Emily Desjardin. It’s nice to meet those of you who I don’t know.”


“I’m Ophelia Desdemona Foley. I’m here because I got into a fight. Ms. Gibson heard about how the principal wants me to basically serve a sort of community service-type sentence, so she made me part of this club.”


“What kind of name is Ophelia Desdemona?” Tiffani said scornfully.

“Shakespearian,” Emily replied, rather sharply, before Ophelia could reply. “Ophelia is from Hamlet, and Desdemona is from Othello, I think.”


Tiffani tossed her hair. “I’m Tiffani Michelle Royale, beautiful person, ultra-popular, and loved by all.”

“Not to mention that you have no shortage of confidence,” Ophelia muttered mockingly. Tiffani glared at her.


“I’m AJ Desjardin, athlete extraordinaire and God‘s gift to women!” Everyone rolled their eyes at this, and Ophelia and Emily snickered.


Everyone looked over at the library volunteer, who blushed shyly. “Oh, me? I’m Angela Julie Paxton, and it’s super swell to meet all of you!”


Ms. Gibson smiled and said, “Great, now we all know each other. The positions will be as follows: Tiffani and Emily will be the head anchors, Ophelia will do the weather, and AJ will be responsible for sports.”

“Of course,” AJ smirked.

“Oh my goodness, you never said what my job will be,” Angela cried out.

“You will be the cameraperson,” Charise replied. “Also, alternate anchorperson.”

“I will do my very best,” Angela said softly. She glanced over at AJ and murmured to herself, “Yes, my very best indeed.”

AJ said, “So… uh… what is this for that I just agreed to?”

Charise, Emily, and Ophelia slapped their foreheads and groaned.