Caroline sat at the back of the class. She was tired and didn't feel well this morning. Her brother had made her late for school because he couldn't find his homework. He was so disorganized!

She was mostly mad. Her best friend, Rachel, had invited that poor girl who had moved next door to her to church last night. Mrs. Warren had even let them pass out the crafts and the snack! Rachel had smiled and said hello, but her attention definitely had been spent on Sarah.

Caroline and Rachel had been friends since they were four. Rachel had been new to the neighborhood then. Living right across the street from each other, they were bound to meet and play together nearly every day since. They told each other secrets and promised to be friends for life.

Mrs. Chavez was calling the roll, but Caroline was lost in thought. Several students were staring at her, so she automatically said, "Here." Everyone started to laugh.

"Students!" Mrs. Chavez scolded. There was an immediate hush across the room.

Mrs. Chavez had always been Caroline's favorite teacher. She was so smart and knew nearly everything about the world. Today, however, she was just staring at Caroline and looking rather impatient.

"Caroline, where is your report on India?"

Caroline could feel the blood drain from her face. She felt as if she could hardly breathe. She thought for a moment. Everyone was waiting, especially Mrs. Chavez. Her mind raced through the events of the morning. She was sure she had brought it with her to the car. She remembered putting it in the blue folder.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Chavez. I'm not quite sure where my report is," choked Caroline. "I finished it several days ago. I . . . I," Caroline stuttered. "I don't have it."

"That will be a zero, Caroline," Mrs. Chavez was saying. "This report was announced a month ago."

Caroline felt her face turn red as a beet. Her mind was wandering again. If Rachel had not made her so angry last night . . . . If only her brother had not upset her this morning by making her late . . . .

Time seemed to stand still for the next hour. Caroline barely heard a word her teacher said. When the bell finally rang, she felt so numb she could hardly get out of her desk.

She walked down the crowded hall, wishing it were time for lunch. Maybe she would feel better if she ate something. Suddenly, far ahead, she saw a sight that made her feel even worse. Rachel and Sarah were walking side by side, laughing at a funny joke, it seemed. Maybe she was the joke! That's what she felt like . . . a big joke.

She slipped into art class, her favorite class. She tried to put aside the early part of her day. She wanted to concentrate. Today, Mrs. Stewart would announce the guidelines for the annual art contest.

"Students, as you remember, the art contest is for grades 4, 5, and 6. Any medium is permitted--paint, ink, chalk, charcoal pencil--whatever you enjoy using. The prize for first place is $25. All entries must be turned in by April 15^th. Any questions?"

The classroom was abuzz with questions, and with whispers about what each student would do for his or her project. Though her morning had gone badly, Caroline felt better just thinking about this new adventure. She couldn't decide between sunsets, her new kitten, her friends . . . Oh, yeah, what friends would they be?

The bell rang, and Caroline picked up her backpack and turned to leave the classroom. As she walked slowly toward the door, her mind full of thoughts, someone spoke.

"Caroline, you dropped something." It was Sam. She stopped in her tracks. The cutest guy in the entire school was standing right in front of her. She barely breathed out a quiet, "Oh, thanks."

by Linda Arnold

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