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Previous chapters of the Vista Falls story:
1
2
How should the story continue? Voting is open on the current chapter!
Welcome to Vista Falls Junior High! Each week on Wednesday morning, we’ll post a new chapter of an exciting mystery story. At the end of each chapter, you’ll get to pick from three choices which allow you to decide what will happen next! Come back the following Wednesday to see how your vote changes the story.
Vista Falls Junior High centers around six mystery-solving teenagers from Vista Falls: twins Vera and Lucy; their cousin, Kate; shy Delia; brave Ward; quirky Rick; and intelligent TJ. Joining the teens on their many adventures are their former elementary school art teacher, Mr. Jeff Dinello; Vista Falls Chief of Police, Sam Colbert; Officer Jenny Littlepoole (Sam’s bride-to-be); and Director of the Trotter Wildlife Sanctuary, Claude Jaquith.
Now, let’s see what this year has in store for our friends in Vista Falls as we start the ninth season of Vista Falls Junior High!
Movies Were Movies Were Movies
By Joseph Crisalli
Ward smiled as Mr. Jaquith came into the plant room. “Mr. Jaquith, you got a new wheelchair.”
“Yes, I did.” Mr. Jaquith nodded. “It’s a lot more comfortable than the last one, I’ll tell you.”
“It looks comfortable. I’m glad you have it. I know you didn’t like the last one.” Ward grinned.
“Well, it’s thanks to you kids that I was able to get it.” Mr. Jaquith winked.
“What do you mean?” Ward asked.
“Get the others and I’ll tell you.” Mr. Jaquith laughed.
Ward hurried around the Trotter Wildlife Sanctuary to gather up Rick, Lucy, Vera, Kate, Delia and TJ. Each one of them was in a different part of the enormous building where they volunteered each weekend. Lucy and Delia—ever the best of friends—were working in the animal room where they were feeding milk from an eyedropper to a baby squirrel.
“Hey,” Ward said, “Mr. Jaquith wants to see us all.”
“Okay,” Lucy smiled. “We’re finished here anyway.”
“How’s Fred?” Ward asked. When they had found the baby squirrel whose mother had been lost, Ward had said, “He looks like a Fred,” and the name stuck.
“He’s getting bigger every day. We’ll be able to release him back into Cascades Park soon.” Lucy said proudly.
“Why does Mr. Jaquith want to see us?” Delia asked. “Did we do something wrong?”
“No. I think it’s something good.” Ward nodded. “I know where TJ and Rick are. They’re on the loading dock unpacking the new crates for the rabbits. And, I know Kate’s answering the phone. But, where’s Vera?”
Lucy shrugged. “Knowing my twin, she’s probably looking at herself in the mirror. I’ll go find her. Delia, why don’t you go with Ward to get the others?”
Delia and Ward hurried off to gather up the other teens while Lucy wandered the hallways of the Wildlife Sanctuary looking for her twin. Just as she was about to give up, she realized that the best way to get Vera’s attention was to call her on her cell phone.
“Hello!” Vera chirped after a couple of rings.
“Vera, where are you?” Lucy said into her phone.
“Who is this?” Vera joked.
“You know very well it’s your sister.” Lucy growled. “Mr. Jaquith wants to see us in the plant room. Where are you?”
“I’m upstairs in the office.” Vera laughed.
“Surfing the Internet, no doubt. Let me guess, you’re shopping for sweaters.” Lucy sighed.
“How you underestimate me, my dear sister.” Vera laughed. “I’m printing the mailing labels for our fund-raising postcards.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Lucy said sincerely. “You are helping.”
“I am.” Vera pouted over the phone. “Of course, while they’re printing I can shop online for sweaters…”
“Just get down here.” Lucy said firmly.
“Be there in a second.” Vera responded.
Within a few minutes everyone had gathered in the plant room. It was the first time most of them had seen Mr. Jaquith’s new wheelchair and they were all excited to see it. They knew his old one had been uncomfortable.
“Wow!” TJ nodded—impressed. “That’s a nice chair, Mr. J.”
“Thank you.” Mr. Jaquith said proudly. “And, truly, I mean thanks to all of you.”
“Why us?” Rick asked.
“Well, because of all of you, I’ve been able to take the extra time to find this chair and have it fitted correctly. Without your help, I’d never be able to leave this place alone long enough to have done any of that.” Mr. Jaquith explained.
“But, now you have Riley and Mina working here full time.” Ward argued modestly. “They’re really the help you needed. We’re just volunteers.”
“They’re a big help. It’s true. But, with them just starting out, someone needed to help them get oriented here. You all stayed late and came in early to show them how everything works and what the proper procedures are. You were here to help when I couldn’t be. And, I’m very grateful.”
“It’s our pleasure.” Delia blushed.
“I know you mean that.” Mr. Jaquith smiled. “But, I also know it hasn’t always been a pleasure here lately.”
Without saying so, they all knew what Mr. Jaquith meant. The Wildlife Sanctuary had recently added two new volunteers—Bonnie Whiteside and Russell Barrymore. Mr. Barrymore and Miss Whiteside (a married couple—despite their different last names) had caused a great deal of trouble in Vista Falls a few months before and had been sentenced by the court to do community service at the Wildlife Sanctuary as part of their sentence. Mr. Barrymore and Miss Whiteside had been very disagreeable and did nothing but complain. The teens tried all they could to make sure that the criminal couple fulfilled their duties.
No one said anything. They didn’t want to complain. Well, that is everyone except Vera who didn’t mind complaining at all.
“About Mr. Barrymore and Miss Whiteside,” Vera began, “how much longer on their sentences?”
“Six more months.” Mr. Jaquith sighed.
“Oh.” Kate shook her head.
“Now, I know how hard you’ve all been working here. It means a lot to me that you’ve taken time out of your lives to be here when I’ve needed you. And, what’s really remarkable is that you’ve kept up with your school work. I’ve been trying to think of a way to thank all of you. Maybe this is a little corny, but I got you all passes to the movies.”
“Really?” Ward grinned.
“They’re good for the rest of the year—one movie a week.” Mr. Jaquith said, taking the passes from his pocket and handing them to the teens.
“Wow! Thanks!” TJ said happily.
“It’s not enough to thank you for all you’ve done, but I hope you’ll enjoy them.” Mr. Jaquith responded.
“We sure will!” Rick laughed.
“I think you all should spend the rest of your day enjoying yourselves. After all, it is a three-day weekend! So, go to the movies and, afterwards, I’ve arranged for all of you to have lunch as my treat at the Outfield Café. Mr. and Mrs. Malter have promised to have all of your favorites.” Mr. Jaquith winked.
“You’re the best!” Vera chirped.
“Nah, you all are. Now, go on, go have some fun. I’ll see all of you tomorrow at the wedding.” Mr. Jaquith chuckled.
“I can’t wait for the wedding!” Vera spun around. “Wait until you all see my new dress.”
“Just don’t try to be prettier than the bride.” TJ joked.
“Pretty as I am,” Vera stuck out her lip, “Officer Littlepoole will be the prettiest woman in the room. After all, I’m helping with her hair and make-up. She’ll be the most beautiful bride Vista Falls has ever seen or will ever see until I get married.”
“I’m sure.” Ward smiled.
“Can you believe Chief Colbert and Jenny Littlepoole are finally getting married?” Delia said dreamily. “I think it’s great.”
“It will be a lovely day,” Mr. Jaquith nodded. “In fact, I’d better get back to my cottage and make sure my shoes are polished. Not that they get very dirty these days.” He spun around in his chair, “But, still, a man has to look his best for such a special occasion.”
Everyone giggled.
“Thanks again for the movie passes,” TJ said.
“Enjoy them in good health.” Mr. Jaquith waved to them as he wheeled out.
“So, what should we go see?” Lucy asked.
“How about that musical? You know, the one about the girl…” Vera suggested.
“No way!” Rick spoke up. “Let’s go see that new animated movie.”
“A cartoon?” Vera sniffed. “I don’t think so.”
“What about the one about the secret agent?” TJ suggested.
“Too violent.” Delia squirmed.
“There’s that comedy about the couple who wants to get married.” Ward said. “It’ll be funny enough for Rick and me, TJ will like the cars, Kate and Delia will like the romance junk and Vera will enjoy the clothes.”
“Perfect!” Vera said.
“Fine with me.” TJ nodded.
“Let’s go.” Lucy said.
“Ummmm…” Kate looked at the floor, letting her hair cover her face. “You guys go ahead. I forgot, but, I have an appointment.”
“An appointment?” TJ raised an eyebrow. “On a three-day weekend?”
“Yes.” Kate frowned, lifting her head slightly.
“Who is this appointment with?” Ward asked.
“My dentist.” Kate said.
“Kate, your dentist is our dentist.” Vera laughed. “And, he’s closed today. Besides, even if you did have an appointment, you couldn’t go without my mom or dad because you’d need them to pay for it and to use their insurance card.”
“I do so have an appointment.” Kate said sharply. “You don’t know everything.”
“I know you don’t have an appointment with the dentist.” Vera laughed.
“What’s up, Kate?” Lucy said more gently. “Every time we go to the movies, you think of a reason you can’t go. You’ve been doing this for months. Why?”
“I don’t like to go to the movies.” Kate argued.
“Sure you do. You always loved it!” Vera shook her head.
“I don’t anymore. The sound of people eating popcorn bugs me.” Kate said.
“Look, Mr. Jaquith went out of his way to get us these passes…” TJ began.
“I don’t want to go.” Kate began to cry.
“Leave her alone,” Delia spoke up.
“No!” Vera said. “We’re going to get to the bottom of this right now.”
What should they do?
Voting results for how the story continues:
| Vote! | ||||||||||
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58.3%
33.3%
8.3%Go to next chapter!
