Quince Clash by Malín Alegría Page A

immediately. A muscular guy with a cool goatee was standing by the window. He wore a Dodgers baseball cap backward and balanced a big camera on his shoulder. “I was just telling Mrs. —”
    â€œIt’s Ms. Cooper. Ms. Grace Cooper.” She extended her manicured hand to Fabi. “You can call me Grace.”
    Fabi extended her hand to Grace. The woman shook it firmly. Fabi made a note to herself that she had to shake people’s hands firmly like Grace. It showed confidence and sass. Fabi smiled, feeling a bit starstruck. The woman was so polished and sophisticated. She looked like she’d just walked off a magazine cover. Grace smiled sweetly at Fabi.
    â€œI’m the production manager for Quince Dreams . We’re so excited to be here and to finally meet you. In these next couple of weeks, leading up to your big day, we plan to get some interviews and make sure everything is in order.” She looked more closely at Fabi. “How are you feeling? I know this is a lot.”
    â€œYeah, it’s all so overwhelming. I can’t believe you’re actually here. So it’s really going to happen?”
    Grace reached out and gave her a squeeze. “Of course it is. Fabi, from this moment on, don’t you worry about a thing. That’s my job to make happen. You just sit back and let me handle everything.”
    Dr. Hudson coughed softly and said, “I’d like to get back to what I was saying about possible sponsorship.”
    Grace interrupted, “Sure, but first, can you tell me a bit about Fabiola?”
    Dr. Hudson chuckled softly and glanced at Fabi. “Miss Garza is one of our most valued students.” He winked. “She’s such a role model to the young girls of the Valley — a real gem.” Fabi stared at him in disbelief. He was starting to sound like her sister. “Why, I was just telling the staff that we needed to honor her in some way.”
    â€œI think that’s a great idea.” Grace took out a small notepad and started to scribble a note. “Maybe at the quinceañera, you can present an award to her?”
    The principal laughed. “I was just thinking the same thing.”
    Fabi didn’t understand what was going on. She watched the two adults plan her party as if they knew her. The principal had never said two words to her before today and now he wanted to give her an award. This was not what she expected. Fabi had to talk to her sister. She looked at the clock. Fifth period had started fifteen minutes ago. Maybe the principal would write her a note?
    â€œExcuse me,” Fabi said, trying to get their attention. “Um … Dr. Hudson … I think I need to go back to class. I don’t want to get in trouble.”
    â€œNonsense, Fabiola,” he said, smiling brightly. “This is a very important event for Dos Rios High School. You only turn fifteen once.”
    â€œBut I’m already fifteen,” she informed him.
    â€œA technicality. Please, have a seat.” He motioned to an empty chair. “Do you want something to drink? Some soda, perhaps?”
    Fabi shook her head, pressing her lips together. She did not like this turn of events one bit. Grace Cooper read the hesitation on her face.
    â€œWe can continue our interview later,” she said to the principal, closing her notebook. With the flick of her wrist, she motioned to the cameraman to follow. “Right now I’d like to talk to Fabi, and maybe some of her teachers and friends.”
    Dr. Hudson spread his arms out wide. “Talk to whoever you like. Dos Rios High is honored to have you and your camera friend on our campus. Now, this show of yours, will it be televised nationally?”
    â€œCoast to coast,” Grace said as she led Fabi out of the office.
    â€œYou all come back anytime,” Dr. Hudson said with a grin.
    They walked down the hallway for a couple steps. The cameraman seemed to be having a hard