As Evie marched away, sticky-note in hand, I couldn't help but smirk. I knew she was just trying to do her job, but her overzealousness was comical. I watched her stop at the next desk, her eyes scanning the homework like a hawk searching for prey. The room was filled with the sound of shuffling papers and hushed whispers as the other kids hoped they wouldn't be the next to face her wrath. I, on the other hand, had better things to do than sit around worrying about what Evie thought of me.
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The bell for recess rang, and the classroom erupted into a flurry of movement. Kids rushing to line up, eager to escape the confines of the classroom. I took my time, knowing that I had nothing to be excited about. I still had to make up my homework. Then, Gwen came skipping over.
"Can you *stop* skipping like Minnie Mouse?" I asked.
"Nope!" Gwen responded. "Are you excited to decorate masks?"
"No." I replied
"What about bracelets?" Gwen asked?"
"They'll probably break in ten seconds."
"Well, it's the thought that counts!" Gwen says cheerfully."Plus, they're FIRST GRADERS!"
Gwen has been my "friend" since third grade. Well, everyone has, but i've known her most. She's the only one who understands. You, see in second grade, everyone made fun of Asians and African-Americans. I used to have a friend named Bella, who was Japanese. Before I knew how to stand up for myself, the bullies would always call out, "Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese" over and over surrounding me, Bella, and any other Asian not in the girls' bathroom, hiding and wasting their recess either way. Until, the very next year, a new girl from Ohio, named Gwen Chen, transferred here when Bella switched to a private school. And since then, lots of Asians and African-Americans came to the school.
But, the past is in the past. This is what's happening two years later:
Gwen linked her arm in mine as we walked out into the hallway. "You're going to do it, right?" she whispered.
"Do what?" I played dumb.
"The homework! You know, for the party with the little buddies!"
"Why would I do that?" I shot back. "It's just homework. It's not like it's going to make me smarter or anything."
Gwen rolled her eyes. "It's not just homework, Poppy. It's for the class party! You don't want to miss out on the fun, do you?"
I sighed. Maybe she was right. Maybe it was worth doing the homework just to avoid another lecture from Mrs. Hope and the sad puppy eyes from the other kids. Plus, the idea of making a mask and getting a friendship bracelet wasn't totally horrendous.
"Fine," I said. "But only because I don't want to be the only one without a mask."
***
After recess ended, and I have made up my homework, Mrs. Hope asked, "Chance, can you poke your head out the door and see if the little buddies are here?"
And for some reason, the group of girls, including Mika Stone, laughed at "poke your head out." They laugh at anything, even if it's not funny.
"Yep, they're here!" Chance responded.
"Everyone, listen!" Mrs. Hope said, but everyone kept chattering no matter how many times they're warned. "When you find your little buddy, make sure to NOT go inside the classroom!"
Everyone nodded and finally drew their attention to Mrs Hope.
"Everyone, where do you go?" Mrs. Hope asked, waiting for a response.
"TO THE LUNCH BENCHES!" Everyone yelled, while me, along with Darwin Preston, yelled, "INTO THE CLASSROOM!"
"Okay, very good!" Mrs. Hope said, giving a thumbs up. Teachers nowdays are so dumb.
55Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwcs6XcAz3
As we filed out of the classroom and into the hallway like military soldiers, we found our little buddies that we were assigned with last month. Sadly, I have two little buddies named Diana and Marco. Teachers say that if you have one little buddy then they're enough trouble, but both Diana and Marco, specifically Diana, give me a headache.
Suddenly, I found Diana.
"Hi, Poppy!"
"Hi Diana!" I pretended to be excited. "Where's Marco?"
Diana shrugged. "I don't know, that's not my problem."
Suddenly, I found Marco next to the first grade teacher, Miss Grant. Just as I was about to get him, Miss Grant called, "Where is Marco's-"
"POLO!" Mika called out.
"Who is Marco's-"
"POLO!" Mika called out again.
"Who has a little buddy named Marco-"
"POLO!"
Miss Grant gave up at this point.
"POLO!" Mika called out, "It's me!"
"Who is this kid's little buddy?" Miss Grant motioned to Marco.
I raised my hand.
"You?"
I nodded my head as Miss Grant threw Marco to me.
Gwen had her buddy, a tiny girl named Ella. But, the bracelet Ella made was too big. Gwen looked at me and I shrugged.
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and then Add to home screen.