After recess, I walk to English with Annette. 

"Paula has a point, though," Annette murmurs after a moment as though we were continuing the conversation from before. "Popular kids are jerks sometimes..."

I smile sympathetically, unsure what to say. "Well... I'm really sorry what happened." I pause. "Sometimes, you just have to ignore them and not fall for their bait." 

We stop walking and enter the classroom, which is decorated with posters showing proper grammar use and how to distinguish their from there from they're with examples. We take seats in the front of the right side of the classroom as the teacher comes in. 

Mrs. Sanders, a tall, blonde woman, walks into the classroom. 

"Good afternoon, class. I'm Mrs. Sanders, and welcome to English class! This year I hope to advance your class in proper grammar usage, essay writing techniques-" She continues on and on, and I find my self drifting off. The sun is hot and warm, and I'm anxious to get out out of class and head to Paula's. Maybe Eddie will come. I'm filled with the warm, excited feeling I get around my friends-

"Ellie Shwinder, can you tell me what types of essays we'll be writing this year?" Why me? Why always me? I glance around frantically, looking for clues. A poster catches my eye.

"Um... informative, argumentative, and... narrative?" I hold my breath, waiting to see how embarrassed I'll get.

"That's correct." She smiles. "No need to look so nervous, Ellie, it's natural to be nervous the first day." I feel my face reddening. 

An hour and a half later, I'm walking out to the buses. I find Eddie and Paula and we catch the bus.

"How was class?" Eddie asks. 

I sighed. "She's busy working on her teacher's pet status from last year," Annette says. 

"I wasn't teacher's pet," I say halfheartedly.

"Sure, Ms. Brown just loved giving you candy and telling the class how fabulous you are." Annette smiles. "We're kidding, Ellie."

"See you at the pool in 15 minutes?" Paula asks as Eddie and I get off the bus.

"Can't wait," I say.