Adelaide was on her way to her equestrian clubroom when she saw Ester David walking towards her.
"So, you’re the one I have to debate," said Ester, looking at Adelaide with open disdain.
"Yes, I am, but how are you still here?" said Adelaide, looking Ester up and down.
Ester, like Fr. Abel had ntioned, was not wearing a uniform.
Her hair was wrapped in a black silk headscarf with an obnoxious floral pattern.
A hint of her white sneakers peaked out from under the hem of her black caftan, that covered her entire body, with only her hands, and acne-ridden face being visible.
A large silver Star of David pendant hung from her neck, glittering against the black of her caftan.
Compared to Adelaide, who was in the St. Ignatius Academy uniform of a fitted black blazer over a white blouse and black tie, black pleated skirt, black pantyhose and her black leather pumps with their 4 cm high titanium-alloy kitten heels. Ester’s attire appeared like a shapeless blob of black fabric.
Ester’s lip curled into a hostile smirk.
"I’m still here, because this school administration knows I’m the future. Your prissy little ass is a dying species," she said.
"Hate to break it to you, but my species is seeing a revival, we’re the natural antibody to the likes of you," said Adelaide, turning to leave for the clubroom.
"Is that a threat?" demanded Ester.
"You’re the one who started it, but no. I’m just trying to get to my club activity," said Adelaide, not bothering to look back.
"Face when I’m talking to you!" shouted Ester, hurrying forward to block Adelaide’s path.
"I’m allergic to people who spend their money on activism instead of acne cream. Good day," said Adelaide, deftly buzzing herself through the clubroom door, and slamming it in Ester’s face.
Ester tried to follow, but was denied entry due to her ID blocking access.
With a frustrated growl, she banged the door, and left.
---
"Hey girls," said Adelaide, as she walked to the clubroom’s lockers to change into her equestrian dressage uniform.
"Hey Adelaide, what did Father Abel want?" asked Yasmin Pasha, adjusting her shapely ass into her tight riding pants.
"He told to prep for the referendum tomorrow. Apparently that imbecile Ester and her parents’ dia circus threats have forced the uniform code issue. My own petition was the gasoline on the fire," chuckled Adelaide, taking off her uniform blazer and skirt.
"Um, are you OK? That’s the first ti you’ve used Ester’s na without calling her a bitch or worse," asked Yue Yamamoto, as she adjusted her riding boots.
"Father Abel did say one thing that made think long and hard over the way I’ve been speaking," said Adelaide, blushing slightly.
"What? What did he say?" asked Yasmin excitedly.
"He told if I cannot articulate my displeasure without using vulgar sexual references, then St. Ignatius Academy has failed in its mission to educate the next generation of citizens," said Adelaide, theatrically imitating Fr. Abel’s speech pattern.
"He’s got a point," giggled Yue.
"The referendum needs an 80% vote, and it’s going to be six debate rounds and four polls spread over the course of the week. What say we brainstorm at my place?" asked Adelaide.
"Sure. I’d like to take a crack at forcing the Israeli out once and for all," said Yasmin.
"Count in as well. We’ll make the perfect debate team," said Yue.
Adelaide finished putting on her dressage uniform - which consisted of a black riding blazer that had a longer cut, and protective padding in the shoulders and elbows, but was otherwise identical to the regular school blazer, tight white riding pants with black leather reinforcents, and knee-high black leather riding boots with pointed toes and blocky heels.
A pair of white gloves, tal spurs on the ankles of the boots, and a hard safety helt completed the look.
After inspecting herself in the mirrors, Adelaide followed Yasmin and Yue out of the changing room and into the stables.
"Hey Adelaide, I hear you’re kicking up a total firestorm about the heels. Don’t you think it’s a bit much?" asked Valentina Gorbachev, a statuesque blonde Russian girl, waiting for a farrier to saddle her horse.
"You’re in the 11th grade, Valentina. We seventh graders have to endure another five grades with misguided fools such as Ester David. By the way, she’s the one who is forcing the issue by dragging her parents and their big bucks into this," said Adelaide.
"That’s true enough. Her so-called allies jumped ship the second the fines started hitting their bank accounts," chuckled Valentina.
"So I’m guessing we’re all on the sa page then? We like the uniform, but want freedom to pick higher heels than the four centiter baseline?" asked Adelaide, as they waited for their horses to be saddled and prepared.
"Yes, we are," chuckled Yasmin.
---
"Welco to my humble ho," said Adelaide, as Yasmin and Yue entered the apartnt.
"Place looks pretty nice for a Sirius Software employee housing complex," said Yue, taking off her school pumps and padding into the living room.
"Indeed," said Yasmin, removing the plain black headscarf she wore outdoors.
The three girls moved into Adelaide’s bedroom, and took up cross-legged positions on Adelaide’s bed.
"OK. I’ve got the health and safety argunts covered with the specs from The Feminine Professional. Yasmin, you have any ideas to counter religious or cultural argunts?" asked Adelaide.
"The uniform code already allows cultural and religious expression. My headscarf, along with Sikh turbans and Jewish caps and scarves are allowed when paired with the uniform. As are piercings on the earlobes and nostrils. They draw the line at septum rings, and other so-called alt styles. Plus, tattoos cannot be visible, which is normally not a problem since the uniform covers pretty much everything but the neck, face and hands," said Yasmin.
"OK, so the school already allows that sort of stuff, so how do we draw the line on caftans and other robes?" asked Adelaide, taking notes.
"We can argue that it is a compromise. Ignatius is a school and not a place of worship where you can go whole hog. The uniform is ant to signal that regardless of religion or culture, you’re a student at St. Ignatius," said Yue.
"Cool, we can use that," said Adelaide.
"We can also point out that tailoring exists. Just because you’re a fat slob, doesn’t an you need to wear loose stuff to hide your body. The uniform can be tailored to fit and flatter any body shape," said Yasmin.
"That’s a good point, but we do have a representation problem on that front. None of us are fat slobs," chuckled Adelaide.
"Hmm, I suppose I could get my boyfriend on board. He’s not fat, but he is a bit on the short and broad side compared to the rest of the boys in our class," said Yasmin.
"Well, I prefer that this be an all-girls team, since the boys don’t actually give much of a shit about the uniform, but we can compromise with him," said Adelaide.
"Don’t underestimate boys, they can be as big of a prima donna as the best of us. Besides, Sadiq is actually a pretty good orator," said Yasmin.
"And while Ester might not have natural allies, she’s not above playing the persecuted girl card to get a bunch of simps on her side," warned Yue.
"OK, boys are allowed. Make sure they’re fully on board and not in it for a hot date. OK?" said Adelaide.
"Yup, we’ll make it clear," chuckled Yue.
"The debate teams are usually three or five. That ans we just need one more boy. Any recomndations besides Sadiq?" asked Yasmin.
"How about William Thompson? He may be a foppish nerd, but he’s pretty knowledgeable about the tailoring stuff. He made his own cosplay for Halloween," suggested Yue.
"Hmm, OK. You can talk to him tomorrow and see if he’ll join us," said Adelaide.
"Adelaide, I’m ho," called out Alexandria’s voice.
"In the bedroom with guests, Mom," called back Adelaide.
"Guests?" asked Alexandria, coming to the bedroom.
Adelaide hopped down from the bed and opened the door, to reveal Alexandria, standing in the doorway.
"Yes, we have an assembly presentation and a debate round tomorrow," said Adelaide.
"Hello, Yasmin and Yue. I suppose this is about that Ester character?" asked Alexandria.
"Yup," said Adelaide.
"OK, would you three like a sleepover?" asked Alexandria.
"Yes, please, ma’am," said Yasmin.
"Figured. I’ll get started on dinner," chuckled Alexandria, as the three girls buzzed excitedly over the prospect of a sleepover.
---
"Adelaide, is your cousin single?" asked Yue, blushing at the sight of Axel leaning against his Stormkreuzer.
"I don’t know, but he’s way too old for you," chuckled Adelaide.
"Ready to go ladies?" asked Axel, as they approached.
"Yes, Mr. ALbrecht," said Yue, batting her eyelashes at him.
Axel chuckled, and opened the doors for them.
"Seriously, Yue. He’s over 21," said Adelaide, a little worried at Yue’s adoring expression.
"I know, but a girl can dream," sighed Yue, before she shook her head and composed herself.
Axel drove the Stormkreuzer towards St. Ignatius Academy, while a Libyan embassy and a Japanese embassy escort closed in on either side of him.
"What’s with the escort?" asked Adelaide.
"Backup in case the circus gets out of hand," said Axel.
"Backup?" asked Adelaide.
"When pushy activist parents with boatloads of money get involved, you need to have so kind of backup. This referendum is supposed to gauge student consensus, not show how many zeros on a check is required to strong-arm a school administration," chuckled Axel.
"In other words, our fathers have gotten involved," sighed Yasmin, eyeing the Libyan escort.
"No, they’re there in the gallery to observe. They’ll only step in if the situation escalates, otherwise they’re happy to let you girls do the debates," said Axel.
"What if we lose?" asked Adelaide, now suddenly nervous.
"You won’t lose. St Ignatius isn’t an institution of weaklings who can’t think for themselves. If neither side wins that 80%, the current status quo remains, while Ms. David gets expelled with no recourse for re-applying," said Axel.
The gates opened, and Axel drove into the campus parking lot.
Sadiq and William were waiting for them, as Adelaide, Yasmin and Yue disembarked.
"We’re ready Yasmin," said Sadiq, his smooth and deep voice sending shivers down Yasmin’s spine.
William inclined his head. "Sadiq has explained the situation. My expertise is at your disposal, Ms. Albrecht," he said.
"OK, then let’s go," said Adelaide, and the five of them walked towards their classroom block
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