Struck by Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal by Chris Colfer

school believe me? I’m not exactly Miss Congeniality.
    I could start off by releasing one person’s info, to see if it spread. Would people be more eager to participate if they saw one of their friends’ lives ruined? Who would I use as the pawn? Was I capable of ruining someone’s life? If I did that, was I any better than them?
    My work was cut out for me. I had to persuade everyone I had an influence over the student body while also convincing them I was heartless enough togo public with their secrets—a very hard thing to do when you’re the only editor of a failed school newspaper.
    All day at school I had horrible pains in my stomach and chest. I was so nervous that I was afraid of getting the runs for real.
    My eyes were glued to the clock all day. Finally the last bell rang and school was out. It was time.
    I went into the journalism classroom and tidied it up a bit while I waited. I was so excited to be having guests in my classroom. It had never had more than seven people in it before. I even considered running out to the store to get some hors d’oeuvres but reminded myself this wasn’t a party.
    I made Malerie come to support me. She seemed more nervous than I was. She found a stool and perched in the corner of the room, watching everything through the side-screen of her camcorder.
    It was starting to get late and the weekend was getting closer. It had been nearly an hour since school had ended, and not a single Clovergate victim had come.
    Was no one taking me seriously? Was I even remotely threatening to them and their reputations?Were they all together somewhere just laughing at my yellow flyers?
    A few more minutes of worrying later, I realized I was giving my peers way too much credit. One by one, they all started moseying into the journalism classroom.
    Vicki and Dwayne were the first to arrive.
    “Well, well, well,” I said. “It’s about time.” I was reserved and played it cool; I don’t know where my calmness came from.
    “Relax. We had detention,” Vicki said.
    Detention! All the victims had after-school activities; that’s why they were who they were. I’d forgotten.
    Claire was the next to arrive. She took one look at Dwayne and Vicki and said, “Oh no.” The princess didn’t like being in the company of peasants.
    Nicholas and Scott showed up next. Really, Nick and Scott? You show up together to a meeting where you’re being blackmailed for being together? But then again, I realized they’re always with each other. How has no one put A and B together before? Worst closet-couple ever!
    Remy was next to show up and was petrified to seethe rest of the school council. The council members all gave each other cordial nods, but it was still awkward, like when you see people you go to church with at Hooters.
    Coach Colin came next. He and Claire didn’t even make eye contact. Smart . (Take note, Nick and Scott! Now that’s how you shamefully hide a spoon-buddy!) Colin was the only one to notice the Clovergate board. I’d forgotten to take it down.
    Everyone was quiet. They gave each other looks like, You too? I could tell the question What are they here for? was eating at them.
    Emilio … I mean Henry … whoever he is … was last. Everyone looked at him and then back at me. Even him?
    I locked the door behind him and stood at the front of the classroom. My heart was practically jumping rope in my chest.
    “Hello, everyone, and welcome to the journalism classroom,” I said.
    “You fascist!” Remy said.
    “ ¡Inodoro! ” Emilio said.
    “Enough with the names!” I said. “Look, I’ll makethis short and sweet. You’re all here because I’ve got dirt on you.”
    They all groaned and huffed like a pack of bloated coyotes.
    “I know why I’m here, and I’m pretty sure we all know why Dwayne’s here,” Vicki said. “But why are the rest of you here?” She eyed Claire creepily.
    “That’s for me to know, and the rest of you to never know, if all goes as planned,” I