Demerits: 6
Conversations with Steffi: 10
Game suspensions: 1
Public service hours: 19
Number of Steffi kisses: 2
Boys who like me: Steffi, Bluey Salazar,
and Freedom Hazal
Bluey, Freedom, Mazza (clean- clothes fairy), and Chook (surfer fairy) almost came to blows over who was going to sit next to me in PR. Ms. Johnson resolved the fight by issuing them each with a demerit and ordering Sienna Bray (never- being- cold fairy) into the seat.
“What’s going on, Charlie?” Sienna whispered. Sienna was probably the only student ever to come to NA Sports from an Arts middle school. She was a very promising snowboarder, trampoliner, and freestyle skier. No one knew how she’d managed to discover that she was an athlete while studying finger painting, poems, and finding- the- inner- you. There was a book being run on how long before she’d drop out, but so far she’d surprised everyone.
“New fairy,” I said.
Sienna’s eyes widened and three notes landed on my desk. “What kind of—”
“Silence!” Ms. Johnson boomed at us. “The next person to say a word without being called on by me, or to throw a note at Charlotte Adele Donna Seto Steele will receive a demerit and be sent to the principal’s office. Am I clear?”
“Yes, Ms. Johnson,” we all chorused.
“Proper protocol on being introduced to a head of state. Freedom?”
“Ah, um, doesn’t it depend on which head of state, Ms. Johnson?”
“So you are awake.” She started scribbling on her tablet. “I’ve just transmitted a list of forty countries. Sienna? Correct protocol for the first two.” Around the room people started scratching with their styluses.
“Your screens are frozen,” Ms. Johnson said. Several people groaned. No way to search for the answers . . .
Sienna reeled them off. She had a vastly sharp memory for someone who’d never had to memorize anything before getting to high school.
I wished I had even half her memory. Miraculously Johnson called on me for thirty-nine and forty, which were the only countries I knew. “Bow deeply and don’t speak until they speak to you.”
“And the last one, Charlotte?”
“Slight nod of head and shake their hand when offered.”
“Excellent. I’ve just transmitted your assignments. They are due Monday.” Johnson ignored the groans. “And the word limit is a hard one. I will not mark any that go over or under it. Understood?”
“Yes, Ms. Johnson.”
“Dismissed,” she said as the bell for end of class sounded.
Bluey, Mazza, Chook, and Freedom followed me out into the hallway, where Stuart, Richo, and Luca joined us. I couldn’t help grinning. Why had Fiorenze hated her fairy? What was there to hate?
“Carry your bag for you?” Chook asked.
“Sure,” I said, quickening my pace. I was not going to be late for tennis. I was not going to get another demerit.
Then I realized it didn’t matter. Not like it had. To night I’d get to public service on time because I was useless to Danders Anders. I would work off my six demerits in no time. I’d never have to do another game suspension!
The boys trailed after me, more joining as we passed by. Things were definitely looking up. I spun my lucky cricket ball high, squeezing it between my thumb and fingers in the hope of getting some flipper action going. Some of the girls shot me looks that were less than friendly. Tee hee.
“Are you free for first recess?” Richo asked. “I know this great spot that—”
“Oh, no,” Bluey said. “She’s recessing with me. We’re old friends, aren’t we, Charlie?”
“Please!” Freedom broke in. “Charlie and me were in the same preschool together.”
“Well, I’ve only known Charlie for a little while and I know she likes me best,” Steffi said, planting a kiss on my mouth. It felt so tingly doos that I knew everything was going to be fine.
Bluey, Freedom, and the other boys all gasped.
Steffi smelled delicious.
“She’ll be recessing with me. Won’t you, Charlie?”
I nodded. “I have to go,” I said. “Tennis.”
Steffi gave me one more tingling kiss—smack on the lips—and while the boys all gasped and tut-tutted, I slipped into the change rooms.