Along Came Jordan by Brenda Maxfield

I knew was she dragged herself to school right after lunch, and her face was still a strange shade of green.
    We planned the Servant Sale for Friday after school, complete with a professional auctioneer — thanks to Laine, who knows everyone in town. But the eleventh grade history teacher Mr. Saines found out and pitched a fit, saying the whole thing was way too similar to a slave auction. So we nixed the auctioneer and decided to handle the bidding ourselves. We figured that would appease Mr. Saines.
    Bud did the honors. On Friday afternoon, the whole school seemed electric. I never dreamed there'd be so much excitement over buying a servant. Everyone crowded around the stair landing where we were lined up. Kids were pushing and shoving for a better view. The blood rushed to my face. It was like being in a sideshow at a circus. I didn't remember feeling so naked when we did it at Bates. Sally and Margo were front and center, hoping to get Jordan. They'd pooled their money for a grand total of thirty-five dollars and twenty cents. If everyone brought that much money, we'd get more than four hundred bucks, easy.
    Everyone in EC lined up in front of Bud. I ended up standing next to the griping blonde. I still didn't know her name, but I'd caught a glimpse of her class ring the other day, so I knew she was a senior.
    She sneered at me. "Don't think anyone's forgotten this was your brilliant idea."
    I shuffled as far away from her as I dared. She turned to face the mob of kids and pasted a huge smile on her face. She was a knockout, and I was sure she'd go first.
    Bud raised one arm like a Greek performer and bellowed into the bullhorn. "Friends, fellow citizens, and avid environmental caretakers! This wonderful group of energetic, hard-working EC members is here to become your servants. As you know, there will be no cheating on homework, bullying, or abuse of any kind. If you even think about it, you lose your servant. Servant duties are to be done during the day in plain view. Am I clear?"
    The student body cheered and hooted. I saw Mr. Saines standing against the wall of the office with his hands on his hips, and the look on his face would have scared a Marine.
    "Up first is Melinda Strobel," Bud continued.
    So, her name was Melinda. She stepped forward, took an exaggerated bow, and then looked hard at someone in the back.
    "Twenty bucks!" a guy in the front yelled.
    Some muscle guy — had to be a football player — shoved his way to the front. His shoulders bulged and the students parted for him like cheerleaders at the beginning of a game.
    "I'll give twenty-one for her, and the bidding is closed." Nobody dared argue.
    Bud smiled, took the money, and motioned for Melinda to step down. Melinda winked at the football player, jumped down, and put her arm through his.
    "Next, we have Jordan Lawman. Who would like to donate for—"
    Bud was cut off by Mr. Saines yelling from the back. He elbowed his way forward and grabbed the bullhorn from Bud. "Give it to me," he barked. "These shenanigans are over."
    Bud's face wrinkled in confusion. "We got permission. We're good to go."
    "And now you're not. Give Matt his money back." He turned and bellowed into the bullhorn, "Break it up, party's over."
    Mr. Saines bulldozed his way to the office. The crowd started boo -ing as Mr. Oakes emerged into the area, looking like he'd crawled out of hibernation. The noise increased, and I saw his lips mouth, "What's going on?"
    Mr. Saines took his arm and his head jerked back and forth with whatever he was saying. Mr. Oakes nodded and nodded then turned to all of us.
    "Folks, there's been a mix-up. We're going to have to postpone or possibly cancel the event."
    "He can't do this!" Laine cried. "LaShawna got permission."
    LaShawna put her fist in the air. "I got permission."
    Bud faced her, his hands on his hips. "Who said we could do this, LaShawna? Looks like Oakes didn't have a clue."
    "I turned the request in to the office. Mrs.