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could easily raise a few more thousand. The ice costs around a hundred and fifty an hour, and maybe we can get a deal from the rink since it’s for charity, so with only a hundred kids participating you can see here that we can make …”
    “It seems like you’re being rather optimistic,” A.J. interrupted. “Maybe we should shelve this one.”
    “I also don’t think you can get that many kids to show up,” Melissa said. “Look around. So far we’ve had three people, other than you, come up with any ideas. As usual, the student council is going to have to do all the work.”
    “But we have it figured out,” A.J. said.
    “I know, but still, it’s irritating that we have to do it ourselves,” Melissa said. “And as if we’ll be appreciated.”
    “I hear ya,” A.J. said.
    “If I may interject,” Dalton broke in gently. “This is a unique idea. I agree that your ideas are going to be very successful. Everyone loves chocolate, and certainly the bake sale and pancake breakfast should bring in some funds.But perhaps we could let Julia and Charlie see if they can organize a movie night and a skate-a-thon, and report back to us in a week or so. Then we can judge.”
    A.J. looked even less impressed than before. “They’re in grade ten. It’s a lot of work.”
    “We can do it,” Julia said. “We can raise some good money; and chocolates are …”
    “Great,” Charlie cut in. He could tell Julia was mad; and he could also tell Melissa and A.J. would freak if she criticized their ideas. “We just want to help out. Give us a chance. Our friends are totally stoked about the skate-a-thon, and we’ve already found a great movie.”
    Melissa took a deep breath. “I guess it’s good to get the younger grades involved.” She leaned forward. “Let us know by next week how things are going.”
    “I think we should focus on the other ideas,” A.J. said. “This is a waste of energy.”
    “Maybe you’re right, but it can’t hurt,” Melissa said. “Just don’t expect this committee to have any time to help you guys out,” she added, looking at Charlie and Julia.
    “I’ll be happy to lend my assistance,” Dalton said. “I’m only organizing a ball hockey tournament.”
    “Thanks, Dalton. That would be awesome,” Julia said.
    Melissa shrugged and picked up a pen. “Okay. Thanks … what are your names again?”
    “Julia Chow and Charlie Joyce,” Dalton responded for them.
    “Thanks, Julia … Charles,” Melissa said. “We have another meeting in a week. You can report your progressthen.”
    A few other kids had come in. Melissa waved them over. “You can present next,” she said.
    Julia stared hard at the committee members. Charlie had never seen this side of her. He pulled her gently away.
    “They said we could go ahead. No sense hanging around. They seem pretty busy,” he said.
    Her expression remained dark. “Why did I bother wasting my time last night? I mean, do they really think chocolates will raise a hundred and fifty thousand dollars?”
    “We can share a box,” he said.
    “I’ll get my own.” She took hold of his elbow. “Don’t tell anyone, but I’m kind of a chocoholic.”
    “I gotta admit I’ve snarfed a few bars in my time.” He paused. “But it’s still a lame fundraising idea.”
    “Without question.”
    Another student was beginning to present her idea to the committee. “… so we thought we could print up some T-shirts with the school crest, and on the back it will say, ‘I Saved My School From Drowning.’ I have a list of companies that can do them for us, and here are the colours.”
    “I love the silver,” A.J. said.
    “Let me see those,” Melissa said. “I’m in love with that blue.”
    As they left, doubts began to crowd Charlie’s thoughts. Chocolate, pancake breakfasts and T-shirts were not going to cut it. The committee had better come up with some better ideas — or grade ten at Terrence Falls High School was as good as over.
    As