"Katy!" Katy sat up, rubbing her eyes. She hoped the voice was a dream. She checked her bedside clock. Eight o' clock in the morning! She had overslept. She quickly tossed on a pink robe, the fluffy material tickling at her sides, then went downstairs to see what the commotion was about. Mrs. Patterson was standing at the foot of the stairs, holding an odd carton.

"This came for you in the mail today," Mrs. Patterson said, holding it up. "Who's it from?" asked Katy. "There's no return address." Katy tentatively opened the package.

Inside was a cotton-lined jewelry box holding a necklace. The silver chain sparkled brilliantly in the fluorescent lights. A puppy paw print with blue sparkles on it was the pendant. "It's gorgeous!" Katy whispered softly. Anita, who had been watching from the hallway, said, "Oh, put it on!"

Katy slowly unclasped the chain and put it around her neck, letting her black hair fall loosely around it in waves. The cold necklace sent a shock through her system, and she shivered involuntarily. "You gotta wear it to school, Katy!" Anita cried. "Okay, I will!" she replied.

That day at school, Katy showed her new necklace to her two friends, Beth and Anna, and clued them in on the mysterious sender. "Cool!" said Beth. Anna said, "If I were you, I'd just forget about the sender and admire the necklace." Katy laughed.

Just then, Brianna Perkins walked by, deliberately shoved Katy's books onto the floor, and walked on with her nose in the air. Brianna was Katy's rival. She was jealous of Katy's success both in cross-country and singing. Katy was well-liked among the students of her school, but, however, Brianna had very few friends.

Beth and Anna helped Katy pick up her textbooks, then walked with her to class. That day nothing but good luck blessed Katy since the book incident.

First, an English quiz that she had forgotten to study for was canceled. Next, they performed hands-on experiments in science, and went outside to draw in art. Katy did love the outdoors and hands-on experiments were the only fun thing about science. The lunchroom was one of the big spectacles that day.

A careless 7th grader spilled a cup of gloppy chocolate pudding off of her tray....and right onto Brianna's dress! Katy and her friends couldn't stop laughing at the sight of Brianna's dress stained by chocolate that was slowly sliding off of her dress and onto her sandals.

Katy also won at her track meet. She had a delicious family meal of pulled pork for supper, and fell asleep listening to Love Me Like You Mean It again.