Saint Joseph School

Billi snickered to herself, waiting for the quad to clear out. She sat overlooking the Wingra Tree.

She shifted a little, making sure that the sign was hidden. She was used to feeling left out when Homecoming came around, and this year she was going to do something about it. She was tired of the Brent and Brittany types who always made Homecoming King and Queen, so she made a plan.

Finally she was alone. Moving quickly but not running, she strode to the tree and firmly pushed the sign into the ground under the branches. She kissed her fingers and touched the tree in memory of fallen heroes, and then strode away.

The sign stayed up. It read, "Vote Tree for Homecoming Queen. Tree's the stand-up candidate."

Over the next few days, signs begin to appear around the tree, and posters go up on bulletin boards around the school.

"Vote Tree: The Solid Candidate."

"Vote Tree: Tree never lies down on the job."

"Vote Tree: Tree provides life-giving oxygen and is a good listener. Can the other candidates say that?" (Billi wasn't sure about that one; it was kind of wordy, but she figured the funny factor would cover it).

Billi was glad to see that she wasn't the only person putting up fliers. She'd almost been caught a couple of times, but so far the Tree campaign was anonymous.

Anonymous, that was, right up until she was putting up a "Vote Tree: The Natural Choice" poster and someone behind her back cleared their throat.

Peter walked by and saw the sign on the tree. He contemplated it for a few seconds.

"Hey Tree, whatcha think 'bout bein' elected homecomin' queen?"

He stuck his chin forward, listening to the answer.

"Aw, really?"

"Ok, I won't tell noone."