["Snow The\tfirst\tsnow\tof\twinter\thit\tright\tbefore\tThanksgiving\tbreak.\tSchool\twas\tclosed,\tso\twe\tgot\tan extra\t day\t of\t vacation.\t I\t was\t glad\t about\t that\t because\t I\t was\t so\t bummed\t about\t this\t whole August\t thing\t and\t I\t just\t wanted\t some\t time\t to\t chill\t without\t having\t to\t see\t him\t every\t day.\t Also, waking\tup\tto\ta\tsnow\tday\tis\tjust\tabout\tmy\tfavorite\tthing\tin\tthe\tworld.\tI\tlove\tthat\tfeeling\twhen you\t first\t open\t your\t eyes\t in\t the\t morning\t and\t you\t don\u2019t\t even\t know\t why\t everything\t seems different\t than\t usual.\t Then\t it\t hits\t you:\t Everything\t is\t quiet.\t No\t cars\t honking.\t No\t buses\t going down\tthe\tstreet.\tThen\tyou\trun\tover\tto\tthe\twindow,\tand\toutside\teverything\tis\tcovered\tin\twhite: the\tsidewalks,\tthe\ttrees,\tthe\tcars\ton\tthe\tstreet,\tyour\twindowpanes.\tAnd\twhen\tthat\thappens\ton a\tschool\tday\tand\tyou\tfind\tout\tyour\tschool\tis\tclosed,\twell,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tcare\thow\told\tI\tget:\tI\u2019m\talways going\tto\tthink\tthat\tthat\u2019s\tthe\tbest\tfeeling\tin\tthe\tworld.\tAnd\tI\u2019m\tnever\tgoing\tto\tbe\tone\tof\tthose grown-ups\tthat\tuse\tan\tumbrella\twhen\tit\u2019s\tsnowing\u2014ever. Dad\u2019s\t school\t was\t closed,\t too,\t so\t he\t took\t me\t and\t Jamie\t sledding\t down\t Skeleton\t Hill\t in\t the park.\tThey\tsay\ta\tlittle\tkid\tbroke\this\tneck\twhile\tsleddi\tng\tdown\tthat\thill\ta\tfew\tyears\tago,\tbut\tI don\u2019t\tknow\tif\tthis\tis\tactually\ttrue\tor\tjust\tone\tof\tthose\tlegends.\tOn\tthe\tway\thome,\tI\tspotted\tthis banged-up\twooden\tsled\tkind\tof\tpropped\tup\tagainst\tthe\tOld\tIndian\tRock\tmonument.\tDad\tsaid to\tleave\tit,\tit\twas\tjust\tgarbage,\tbut\tsomething\ttold\tme\tit\twould\tmake\tthe\tgreatest\tsled\tever.\tSo Dad\tlet\tme\tdrag\tit\thome,\tand\tI\tspent\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tday\tfixing\tit\tup.\tI\tsuper-glued\tthe\tbroken slats\ttogether\tand\twrapped\tsome\theavy-duty\twhite\tduct\ttape\taround\tthem\tfor\textra\tstrength. Then\t I\t spray\t painted\t the\t whole\t thing\t white\t with\t the\t paint\t I\t had\t gotten\t for\t the\t Alabaster Sphinx\tI\twas\tmaking\tfor\tthe\tEgyptian\tMuseum\tproject.\tWhen\tit\twas\tall\tdry,\tI\tpainted\tLIGHTNING in\tgold\tletters\ton\tthe\tmiddle\tpiece\tof\twood,\tand\tI\tmade\ta\tlittle\tlightning-bolt\tsymbol\tabove\tthe letters.\tIt\tlooked\tpretty\tprofessional,\tI\thave\tto\tsay.\tDad\twas\tlike,\t\u201cWow,\tJackie!\tYou\twere\tright about\tthe\tsled!\u201d The\tnext\tday,\twe\twent\tback\tto\tSkeleton\tHill\twith\tLightning.\tIt\twas\tthe\tfastest\tthing\tI\u2019ve\tever ridden\u2014so,\t so,\t so\t much\t faster\t than\t the\t plastic\t sleds\t we\u2019d\t been\t using.\t And\t because\t it\t had gotten\t warmer\t outside,\t the\t snow\t had\t become\t crunchier\t and\t wetter:\t good\t packing\t snow.\t Me and\t Jamie\t took\t turns\t on\t Lightning\t all\t afternoon.\t We\t were\t in\t the\t park\t until\t our\t fingers\t were frozen\tand\tour\tlips\thad\tturned\ta\tlittle\tblue.\tDad\tpractically\thad\tto\tdrag\tus\thome. By\t the\t end\t of\t the\t weekend,\t the\t snow\t had\t started\t turning\t gray\t and\t yellow,\t and\t then\t a rainstorm\t turned\t most\t of\t the\t snow\t to\t slush.\t When\t we\t got\t back\t to\t school\t on\t Monday,\t there was\tno\tsnow\tleft. It\twas\trainy\tand\tyucky\tthe\tfirst\tday\tback\tfrom\tvacation.\tA\tslushy\tday.\tThat\u2019s\thow\tI\twas\tfeeling inside,\ttoo. I\tnodded\t\u201chey\u201d\tto\tAugust\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tI\tsaw\thim.\tWe\twere\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tlockers.\tHe\tnodded \u201chey\u201d\tback. I\twanted\tto\ttell\thim\tabout\tLightning,\tbut\tI\tdidn\u2019t.","Fortune\tFavors\tthe\tBold Mr.\tBrowne\u2019s\tDecember\tprecept\twas:\tFortune\tfavors\tthe\tbold.\tWe\twere\tall\tsupposed\tto\twrite a\t paragraph\t about\t some\t time\t in\t our\t lives\t when\t we\t did\t something\t very\t brave\t and\t how, because\tof\tit,\tsomething\tgood\thappened\tto\tus. I\tthought\tabout\tthis\ta\tlot,\tto\tbe\ttruthful.\tI\thave\tto\tsay\tthat\tI\tthink\tthe\tbravest\tthing\tI\tever\tdid was\tbecome\tfriends\twith\tAugust.\tBut\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\twrite\tabout\tthat,\tof\tcourse.\tI\twas\tafraid\twe\u2019d have\t to\t read\t these\t out\t loud,\t or\t Mr.\t Browne\t would\t put\t th\t em\t up\t on\t the\t bulletin\t board\t like\t he does\t sometimes.\t So,\t instead,\t I\t wrote\t this\t lame\t thing\t about\t how\t I\t used\t to\t be\t afraid\t of\t the ocean\twhen\tI\twas\tlittle.\tIt\twas\tdumb\tbut\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tthink\tof\tanything\telse. I\twonder\twhat\tAugust\twrote\tabout.\tHe\tprobably\thad\ta\tlot\tof\tthings\tto\tchoose\tfrom.","Private\tSchool My\tparents\tare\tnot\trich.\tI\tsay\tthis\tbecause\tpeople\tsometimes\tthink\tthat\teveryone\twho\tgoes\tto private\tschool\tis\trich,\tbut\tthat\tisn\u2019t\ttrue\twith\tus.\tDad\u2019s\ta\tteacher\tand\tMom\u2019s\ta\tsocial\tworker, which\tmeans\tthey\tdon\u2019t\thave\tthose\tkinds\tof\tjobs\twhere\tpeople\tmake\tgazillions\tof\tdollars.\tWe used\tto\thave\ta\tcar,\tbut\twe\tsold\tit\twhen\tJamie\tstarted\tkindergarten\tat\tBeecher\tPrep.\tWe\tdon\u2019t live\t in\t a\t big\t townhouse\t or\t in\t one\t of\t those\t doorman\t buildings\t along\t the\t park.\t We\t live\t on\t the top\tfloor\tof\ta\tfive-story\twalk-up\twe\trent\tfrom\tan\told\tlady\tnamed\tDo\u00f1a\tPetra\tall\tthe\tway\ton\tthe \u201cother\u201d\t side\t of\t Broadway.\t That\u2019s\t \u201ccode\u201d\t for\t the\t section\t of\t North\t River\t Heights\t where\t people don\u2019t\t want\t to\t park\t their\t cars.\t Me\t and\t Jamie\t share\t a\t room.\t I\t overhear\t my\t parents\t talk\t about things\tlike\t\u201cCan\twe\tdo\twithout\tan\tair\tconditioner\tone\tmore\tyear?\u201d\tor\t\u201cMaybe\tI\tcan\twork\ttwo jobs\tthis\tsummer.\u201d So\t today\t at\t recess\t I\t was\t hanging\t out\t with\t Julian\t and\t Henry\t and\t Miles.\t Julian,\t who\t everyone knows\tis\trich,\twas\tlike,\t\u201cI\thate\tthat\tI\thave\tto\tgo\tback\tto\tParis\tthis\tChristmas.\tIt\u2019s\tso\tboring!\u201d \u201cDude,\tbut\tit\u2019s,\tlike,\tParis,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tlike\tan\tidiot. \u201cBelieve\t me,\t it\u2019s\t so\t boring,\u201d\t he\t said.\t \u201cMy\t grandmother\t lives\t in\t this\t house\t in\t the\t middle\t of nowhere.\t It\u2019s\t like\t an\t hour\t away\t from\t Paris\t in\t this\t tiny,\t tiny,\t tiny\t village.\t I\t swear\t to\t God, nothing\thappens\tthere!\tI\tmean,\tit\u2019s\tlike,\toh\twow,\tthere\u2019s\tanother\tfly\ton\tthe\twall!\tLook,\tthere\u2019s a\tnew\tdog\tsleeping\ton\tthe\tsidewalk.\tYippee.\u201d I\tlaughed.\tSometimes\tJulian\tcould\tbe\tvery\tfunny. \u201cThough\tmy\tparents\tare\ttalking\tabout\tthrowing\ta\tbig\tparty\tthis\tyear\tinstead\tof\tgoing\tto\tParis. I\thope\tso.\tWhat\tare\tyou\tdoing\tover\tbreak?\u201d\tsaid\tJulian. \u201cJust\thanging\tout,\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cYou\u2019re\tso\tlucky,\u201d\the\tsaid. \u201cI\t hope\t it\t snows\t again,\u201d\t I\t answered.\t \u201cI\t got\t this\t new\t sled\t that\t is\t so\t amazing.\u201d\t I\t was\t about\t to tell\tthem\tabout\tLightning\tbut\tMiles\tstarted\ttalking\tfirst. \u201cI\t got\t a\t new\t sled,\t too!\u201d\t he\t said.\t \u201cMy\t dad\t got\t it\t from\t Hammacher\t Schlemmer.\t It\u2019s\t so\t state\t of the\tart.\u201d \u201cHow\tcould\ta\tsled\tbe\tstate\tof\tthe\tart?\u201d\tsaid\tJulian. \u201cIt\twas\tlike\teight\thundred\tdollars\tor\tsomething.\u201d \u201cWhoa!\u201d \u201cWe\tshould\tall\tgo\tsledding\tand\thave\ta\trace\tdown\tSkeleton\tHill,\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cThat\thill\tis\tso\tlame,\u201d\tanswered\tJulian. \u201cAre\t you\t kidding?\u201d\t I\t said.\t \u201cSome\t kid\t broke\t his\t neck\t there.\t That\u2019s\t why\t it\u2019s\t called\t Skeleton Hill.\u201d Julian\t narrowed\t his\t eyes\t and\t looked\t at\t me\t like\t I\t was\t the\t biggest\t moron\t in\t the\t world.\t \u201cIt\u2019s called\tSkeleton\tHill\tbecause\tit\twas\tan\tancient\tIndian\tburial\tground,\tduh,\t\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cAnyway,\tit should\tbe\tcalled\tGarbage\tHill\tnow,\tit\u2019s\tso\tfreakin\u2019\tjunky.\tLast\ttime\tI\twas\tthere\tit\twas\tso\tgross, like\twith\tsoda\tcans\tand\tbroken\tbottles\tand\tstuff.\u201d\tHe\tshook\this\thead. \u201cI\tleft\tmy\told\tsled\tthere,\u201d\tsaid\tMiles.\t\u201cIt\twas\tthe\tcrappiest\tpiece\tof\tjunk\u2014and\tsomeone\ttook\tit, too!\u201d \u201cMaybe\ta\thobo\twanted\tto\tgo\tsledding!\u201d\tlaughed\tJulian. \u201cWhere\tdid\tyou\tleave\tit?\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cBy\t the\t big\t rock\t at\t the\t bottom\t of\t the\t hill.\t And\t I\t went\t back\t the\t next\t day\t and\t it\t was\t gone.\t I couldn\u2019t\tbelieve\tsomebody\tactually\ttook\tit!\u201d","\u201cHere\u2019s\twhat\twe\tcan\tdo,\u201d\tsaid\tJulian.\t\u201cNext\ttime\tit\tsnows,\tmy\tdad\tcould\tdrive\tus\tall\tup\tto\tthis golf\t course\t in\t Westchester\t that\t makes\t Skeleton\t Hill\t look\t like\t nothing.\t Hey,\t Jack,\t where\t are you\tgoing?\u201d I\thad\tstarted\tto\twalk\taway. \u201cI\u2019ve\tgot\tto\tget\ta\tbook\tout\tof\tmy\tlocker,\u201d\tI\tlied. I\tjust\twanted\tto\tget\taway\tfrom\tthem\tfast.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tanyone\tto\tknow\tthat\tI\twas\tthe\t\u201chobo\u201d who\thad\ttaken\tthe\tsled.","In\tScience I\u2019m\tnot\tthe\tgreatest\tstudent\tin\tthe\tworld.\tI\tknow\tsome\tkids\tactually\tlike\tschool,\tbut\tI\thonestly can\u2019t\tsay\tI\tdo.\tI\tlike\tsome\tparts\tof\tschool,\tlike\tPE\tand\tcomputer\tclass.\tAnd\tlunch\tand\trecess. But\t all\t in\t all,\t I\u2019d\t be\t fine\t without\t school.\t And\t the\t thing\t I\t hate\t the\t most\t about\t school\t is\t all\t the homework\twe\tget.\tIt\u2019s\tnot\tenough\tthat\twe\thave\tto\tsit\tthrough\tclass\tafter\tclass\tand\ttry\tto\tstay awake\t while\t they\t fill\t our\t heads\t with\t all\t this\t stuff\t we\t will\t probably\t never\t need\t to\t know,\t like how\t to\t figure\t out\t the\t surface\t area\t of\t a\t cube\t or\t what\t the\t difference\t is\t between\t kinetic\t and potential\tenergy.\tI\u2019m\tlike,\twho\tcares?\tI\u2019ve\tnever,\tever\theard\tmy\tparents\tsay\tthe\tword\t\u201ckinetic\u201d in\tmy\tentire\tlife! I\t hate\t science\t the\t most\t out\t of\t all\t my\t classes.\t We\t get\t so\t much\t work\t it\u2019s\t not\t even\t funny!\t And the\tteacher,\tMs.\tRubin,\tis\tso\tstrict\tabout\teverything\u2014even\tthe\tway\twe\twrite\tour\theadings\ton the\t top\t of\t our\t papers!\t I\t once\t got\t two\t points\t off\t a\t homework\t assignment\t because\t I\t didn\u2019t\t put the\tdate\ton\ttop.\tCrazy\tstuff. When\t me\t and\t August\t were\t still\t friends,\t I\t was\t doing\t okay\t in\t science\t because\t August\t sat\t next to\t me\t and\t always\t let\t me\t copy\t his\t notes.\t August\t has\t the\t neatest\t handwriting\t of\t anybody\t I\u2019ve ever\tseen\twho\u2019s\ta\tboy.\tEven\this\tscript\tis\tneat:\tup\tand\tdown\tperfectly,\twith\treally\tsmall\tround loopy\tletters.\tBut\tnow\tthat\twe\u2019re\tex-friends,\tit\u2019s\tbad\tbecause\tI\tcan\u2019t\task\thim\tto\tlet\tme\tcopy\this notes\tanymore. So\tI\twas\tkind\tof\tscrambling\ttoday,\ttrying\tto\ttake\tnotes\tabout\twhat\tMs.\tRubin\twas\tsaying\t(my handwriting\t is\t awful),\t when\t all\t of\t a\t sudden\t she\t started\t talking\t about\t the\t fifth-grade\t science- fair\tproject,\thow\twe\tall\thad\tto\tchoose\ta\tscience\tproject\tto\twork\ton. While\tshe\twas\tsaying\tthis,\tI\twas\tthinking,\tWe\tjust\tfinished\tthe\tfreakin\u2019\tEgypt\tproject,\tnow\twe have\tto\tstart\ta\twhole\tnew\tthing?\tAnd\tthen\tin\tmy\thead\tI\twas\tgoing,\tOh\tnoooooo!\tlike\tth\tat\tkid in\tHome\tAlone\t with\t his\t mouth\t hanging\t open\t and\t his\t hands\t on\t his\t face.\t That\t was\t the\t face\t I was\t making\t on\t the\t inside.\t And\t then\t I\t thought\t of\t those\t pictures\t of\t melting\t ghost\t faces\t I\u2019ve seen\t somewhere,\t where\t the\t mouths\t are\t open\t wide\t and\t they\u2019re\t screaming.\t And\t then\t all\t of\t a sudden\t this\t picture\t flew\t into\t my\t head,\t this\t memory,\t and\t I\t knew\t what\t Summer\t had\t meant\t by \u201cbleeding\t scream.\u201d\t It\u2019s\t so\t weird\t how\t it\t all\t just\t came\t to\t me\t in\t this\t flash.\t Someone\t in homeroom\t had\t dressed\t up\t in\t a\t Bleeding\t Scream\t costume\t on\t Halloween.\t I\t remember\t seeing him\ta\tfew\tdesks\taway\tfrom\tme.\tAnd\tthen\tI\tremember\tnot\tseeing\thim\tagain. Oh\tman.\tIt\twas\tAugust! All\tof\tthis\thit\tme\tin\tscience\tclass\twhile\tthe\tteacher\twas\ttalking. Oh\tman. I\u2019d\t been\t talking\t to\t Julian\t about\t August.\t Oh\t man.\t Now\t I\t understood!\t I\t was\t so\t mean.\t I\t don\u2019t even\tknow\twhy.\tI\u2019m\tnot\teven\t\tsure\twhat\tI\tsaid,\tbut\tit\twas\tbad.\tIt\twas\tonly\ta\tminute\tor\ttwo.\tIt\u2019s just\tthat\tI\tknew\tJulian\tand\teverybody\tthought\tI\twas\tso\tweird\tfor\thanging\tout\twith\tAugust\tall the\ttime,\tand\tI\tfelt\tstupid.\tAnd\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhy\tI\tsaid\tthat\tstuff.\tI\tjust\twas\tgoing\talong.\tI\twas stupid.\tI\tam\tstupid.\tOh\tGod.\tHe\twas\tsupposed\tto\tcome\tas\tBoba\tFett!\tI\twould\tnever\thave\tsaid that\t stuff\t in\t front\t of\t Boba\t Fett.\t But\t that\t was\t him,\t that\t Bleeding\t Scream\t sitting\t at\t the\t desk looking\tover\tat\tus.\tThe\tlong\twhite\tmask\twith\tthe\tfake\tsquirting\tblood.\tThe\tmouth\topen\twide. Like\tthe\tghoul\twas\tcrying.\tThat\twas\thim. I\tfelt\tlike\tI\twas\tgoing\tto\tpuke.","Partners I\t didn\u2019t\t hear\t a\t word\t of\t what\t Ms.\t Rubin\t was\t saying\t after\t that.\t Blah\t blah\t blah.\t Science-fair project.\t Blah\t blah\t blah.\t Partners.\t Blah\t blah.\t It\t was\t like\t the\t way\t grown-ups\t talk\t in\t Charlie Brown\tmovies.\tLike\tsomeone\ttalking\tunderwater.\tMwah-mwah-mwahhh,\tmwah\tmwahh. Then\t all\t of\t a\t sudden\t Ms.\t Rubin\t started\t pointing\t to\t kids\t around\t the\t class.\t \u201cReid\t and\t Tristan, Maya\t and\t Max,\t Charlotte\t and\t Ximena,\t August\t and\t Jack.\u201d\t She\t pointed\t to\t us\t when\t she\t said this.\t\u201cMiles\tand\tAmos,\tJulian\tand\tHenry,\tSavanna\tand\t\u2026\u201d\tI\tdidn\u2019t\thear\tthe\trest. \u201cHuh?\u201d\tI\tsaid. The\tbell\trang. \u201cSo\t don\u2019t\t forget\t to\t get\t together\t with\t your\t partners\t to\t choose\t a\t project\t from\t the\t list,\t guys!\u201d said\t Ms.\t Rubin\t as\t everyone\t started\t taking\t off.\t I\t looked\t up\t at\t August,\t but\t he\t had\t already\t put his\tbackpack\ton\tand\twas\tpractically\tout\tthe\tdoor. I\tmust\thave\thad\ta\tstupid\tlook\ton\tmy\tface\tbecause\tJulian\tcame\tover\tand\tsaid:\t\u201cLooks\tlike\tyou and\t your\t best\t bud\t are\t partners.\u201d\t He\t was\t smirking\t when\t he\t said\t this.\t I\t hated\t him\t so\t much right\tthen. \u201cHello,\tearth\tto\tJack\tWill?\u201d\the\tsaid\twhen\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tanswer\thim. \u201cShut\t up,\t Julian.\u201d\t I\t was\t putting\t my\t loose-leaf\t binder\t away\t in\t my\t backpack\t and\t just\t wanted him\taway\tfrom\tme. \u201cYou\t must\t be\t so\t bummed\t you\t got\t stuck\t with\t him,\u201d\t he\t said.\t \u201cYou\t should\t tell\t Ms.\t Rubin\t you want\tto\tswitch\tpartners.\tI\tbet\tshe\u2019d\tlet\tyou.\u201d \u201cNo\tshe\twouldn\u2019t,\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cAsk\ther.\u201d \u201cNo,\tI\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto.\u201d \u201cMs.\tRubin?\u201d\tJulian\tsaid,\tturning\taround\tand\traising\this\thand\tat\tthe\tsame\ttime. Ms.\t Rubin\t was\t erasing\t the\t chalkboard\t at\t the\t front\t of\t the\t room.\t She\t turned\t when\t she\t heard her\tname. \u201cNo,\tJulian!\u201d\tI\twhisper-screamed. \u201cWhat\tis\tit,\tboys?\u201d\tshe\tsaid\timpatiently. \u201cCould\twe\tswitch\tpartners\tif\twe\twanted\tto?\u201d\tsaid\tJulian,\tlooking\tvery\tinnocent.\t\u201cMe\tand\tJack had\tthis\tscience-fair\tproject\tidea\twe\twanted\tto\twork\ton\ttogether.\u2026\u201d \u201cWell,\tI\tguess\twe\tcould\tarrange\tthat\t\u2026,\u201d\tshe\tstarted\tto\tsay. \u201cNo,\tit\u2019s\tokay,\tMs.\tRubin,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tquickly,\theading\tout\tthe\tdoor.\t\u201cBye!\u201d Julian\tran\tafter\tme. \u201cWhy\u2019d\tyou\tdo\tthat?\u201d\the\tsaid,\tcatching\tup\tto\tme\tat\tthe\tstairs.\t\u201cWe\tcould\thave\tbeen\tpartners. You\tdon\u2019t\thave\tto\tbe\tfriends\twith\tthat\tfreak\tif\tyou\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\tbe,\tyou\tknow.\u2026\u201d And\tthat\u2019s\twhen\tI\tpunched\thim.\tRight\tin\tthe\tmouth.","Detention Some\tthings\tyou\tjust\tcan\u2019t\texplain.\tYou\tdon\u2019t\teven\ttry.\tYou\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhere\tto\tstart.\tAll\tyour sentences\t would\t jumble\t up\t like\t a\t giant\t knot\t if\t you\t opened\t your\t mouth.\t Any\t words\t you\t used would\tcome\tout\twrong. \u201cJack,\tthis\tis\tvery,\tvery\tserious,\u201d\tMr.\tTushman\twas\tsaying.\tI\twas\tin\this\toffice,\tsitting\ton\ta\tchair across\t from\t his\t desk\t and\t looking\t at\t this\t picture\t of\t a\t pumpkin\t on\t the\t wall\t behind\t him.\t \u201cKids get\t expelled\t for\t this\t kind\t of\t thing,\t Jack!\t I\t know\t you\u2019re\t a\t good\t kid\t and\t I\t don\u2019t\t want\t that\t to happen,\tbut\tyou\thave\tto\texplain\tyourself.\u201d \u201cThis\tis\tso\tnot\tlike\tyou,\tJack,\u201d\tsaid\tMom.\tShe\thad\tcome\tfrom\twork\tas\tsoon\tas\tthey\thad\tcalled her.\tI\tcould\ttell\tshe\twas\t\tgoing\tback\tand\tforth\tbetween\tbeing\treally\tmad\tand\treally\tsurprised. \u201cI\tthought\tyou\tand\tJulian\twere\tfriends,\u201d\tsaid\tMr.\tTushman. \u201cWe\u2019re\tnot\tfriends,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\tMy\tarms\twere\tcrossed\tin\tfront\tof\tme. \u201cBut\tto\tpunch\tsomeone\tin\tthe\tmouth,\tJack?\u201d\tsaid\tMom,\traising\ther\tvoice.\t\u201cI\tmean,\twhat\twere you\tthinking?\u201d\tShe\tlooked\tat\tMr.\tTushman.\t\u201cHonestly,\the\u2019s\tnever\thit\tanyone\tbefore.\tHe\u2019s\tjust not\tlike\tthat.\u201d \u201cJulian\u2019s\t mouth\t was\t bleeding,\t Jack,\u201d\t said\t Mr.\t Tushman.\t \u201cYou\t knocked\t out\t a\t tooth,\t did\t you know\tthat?\u201d \u201cIt\twas\tjust\ta\tbaby\ttooth,\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cJack!\u201d\tsaid\tMom,\tshaking\ther\thead. \u201cThat\u2019s\twhat\tNurse\tMolly\tsaid!\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\tmissing\tthe\tpoint!\u201d\tMom\tyelled. \u201cI\tjust\twant\tto\tknow\twhy,\u201d\tsaid\tMr.\tTushman,\traising\this\tshoulders. \u201cIt\u2019ll\tjust\tmake\teverything\tworse,\u201d\tI\tsighed. \u201cJust\ttell\tme,\tJack.\u201d I\tshrugged\tbut\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\tanything.\tI\tjust\tcouldn\u2019t.\tIf\tI\ttold\thim\tthat\tJulian\thad\tcalled\tAugust a\tfreak,\tthen\the\u2019d\tgo\ttalk\tto\tJulian\tabout\tit,\tthen\tJulian\twould\ttell\thim\thow\tI\thad\tbadmouthed August,\ttoo,\tand\teverybody\twould\tfind\tout\tabout\tit. \u201cJack!\u201d\tsaid\tMom. I\tstarted\tto\tcry.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry\t\u2026\u201d Mr.\tTushman\traised\this\teyebrows\tand\tnodded,\tbut\the\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\tanything.\tInstead,\the\tkind\tof blew\t into\t his\t hands,\t like\t you\t do\t when\t your\t hands\t are\t cold.\t \u201cJack,\u201d\t he\t said,\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t really know\twhat\tto\tsay\there.\tI\tmean,\tyou\tpunched\ta\tkid.\tWe\thave\trules\tabout\tthat\tkind\tof\tthing,\tyou know?\tAutomatic\texpulsion.\tAnd\tyou\u2019re\tnot\teven\ttrying\tto\texplain\tyourself.\u201d I\twas\tcrying\ta\tlot\tby\tnow,\tand\tthe\tsecond\tMom\tput\ther\tarms\taround\tme,\tI\tstarted\tto\tbawl. \u201cLet\u2019s,\t um\t \u2026,\u201d\t said\t Mr.\t Tushman,\t taking\t his\t glasses\t off\t to\t clean\t them,\t \u201clet\u2019s\t do\t this,\t Jack. We\u2019re\t out\t for\t winter\t break\t as\t of\t next\t week\t anyway.\t How\t about\t you\t stay\t home\t for\t the\t rest\t of this\t week,\t and\t then\t after\t winter\t break\t you\u2019ll\t come\t back\t and\t everything\t will\t be\t fresh\t and brand\tnew.\tClean\tslate,\tso\tto\tspeak.\u201d \u201cAm\tI\tbeing\tsuspended?\u201d\tI\tsniffled. \u201cWell,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tshrugging,\t\u201ctechnically\tyes,\tbut\tit\u2019s\tonly\tfor\ta\tcouple\tof\tdays.\tAnd\tI\u2019ll\ttell\tyou what.\t While\t you\u2019re\t at\t home,\t you\t take\t the\t time\t to\t think\t about\t what\u2019s\t happened.\t And\t if\t you want\t to\t write\t me\t a\t letter\t explaining\t what\t happened,\t and\t a\t letter\t to\t Julian\t apologizing,\t then we\twon\u2019t\teven\tput\tany\tof\tthis\tin\tyour\tpermanent\trecord,\tokay?\tYou\tgo\thome\tand\ttalk\tabout\tit with\tyour\tmom\tand\tdad,\tand\tmaybe\tin\tthe\tmorning\tyou\u2019ll\tfigure\tit\tall\tout\ta\tbit\tmore.\u201d","\u201cThat\tsounds\tlike\ta\tgood\tplan,\tMr.\tTushman,\u201d\tsaid\tMom,\tnodding.\t\u201cThank\tyou.\u201d \u201cEverything\t is\t going\t to\t be\t okay,\u201d\t said\t Mr.\t Tushman,\t walking\t over\t to\t the\t door,\t which\t was closed.\t \u201cI\t know\t you\u2019re\t a\t nice\t kid,\t Jack.\t And\t I\t know\t that\t sometimes\t even\t nice\t kids\t do\t dumb things,\tright?\u201d\tHe\topened\tthe\tdoor. \u201cThank\tyou\tfor\tbeing\tso\tunderstanding,\u201d\tsaid\tMom,\tshaking\this\thand\tat\tthe\tdoor. \u201cNo\tproblem.\u201d\tHe\tleaned\tover\tand\ttold\ther\tsomething\tquietly\tthat\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\thear. \t \u201cI\tknow,\tthank\tyou,\u201d\tsaid\tMom,\tnodding. \u201cSo,\tkiddo,\u201d\the\tsaid\tto\tme,\tputting\this\thands\ton\tmy\tshoulders.\t\u201cThink\tabout\twhat\tyou\u2019ve\tdone, okay?\tAnd\thave\ta\tgreat\tholiday.\tHappy\tChanukah!\tMerry\tChristmas!\tHappy\tKwanzaa!\u201d I\twiped\tmy\tnose\twith\tmy\tsleeve\tand\tstarted\twalking\tout\tthe\tdoor. \u201cSay\tthank\tyou\tto\tMr.\tTushman,\u201d\tsaid\tMom,\ttapping\tmy\tshoulder. I\tstopped\tand\tturned\taround,\tbut\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tlook\tat\thim.\t\u201cThank\tyou,\tMr.\tTushman,\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cBye,\tJack,\u201d\the\tanswered. Then\tI\twalked\tout\tthe\tdoor.","Season\u2019s\tGreetings Weirdly\t enough,\t when\t we\t got\t back\t home\t and\t Mom\t brought\t in\t the\t mail,\t there\t were\t holiday cards\t from\t both\t Julian\u2019s\t family\t and\t August\u2019s\t family.\t Julian\u2019s\t holiday\t card\t was\t a\t picture\t of Julian\t wearing\t a\t tie,\t looking\t like\t he\t was\t about\t to\t go\t to\t the\t opera\t or\t something.\t August\u2019s holiday\t card\t was\t of\t a\t cute\t old\t dog\t wearing\t reindeer\t antlers,\t a\t red\t nose,\t and\t red\t booties. There\twas\ta\tcartoon\tbubble\tabove\tthe\tdog\u2019s\thead\tthat\tread:\t\u201cHo-Ho-Ho!\u201d\tOn\tthe\tinside\tof\tthe card\tit\tread: \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTo\tthe\tWill\tfamily, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPeace\ton\tEarth. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLove,\tNate,\tIsabel,\tOlivia,\tAugust\t(and\tDaisy) \u201cCute\tcard,\thuh?\u201d\tI\tsaid\tto\tMom,\twho\thad\thardly\tsaid\ta\tword\tto\tme\tall\tthe\tway\thome.\tI\tthink she\thonestly\tjust\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tto\tsay.\t\u201cThat\tmust\tbe\ttheir\tdog,\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cDo\tyou\twant\tto\ttell\tme\twhat\u2019s\tgoing\ton\tinside\tyour\thead,\tJack?\u201d\tshe\tanswered\tme\tseriously. \u201cI\tbet\tyou\tthey\tput\ta\tpicture\tof\ttheir\tdog\ton\tthe\tcard\tevery\tyear,\u201d\tI\tsaid. She\t took\t the\t card\t from\t my\t hands\t and\t looked\t at\t the\t picture\t carefully.\t Then\t she\t raised\t her eyebrows\t and\t her\t shoulders\t and\t gave\t me\t back\t the\t card.\t \u201cWe\u2019re\t very\t lucky,\t Jack.\t There\u2019s\t so much\twe\ttake\tfor\tgranted.\u2026\u201d \u201cI\tknow,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\tI\tknew\twhat\tshe\twas\ttalking\tabout\twithout\ther\thaving\tto\tsay\tit.\t\u201cI\theard\tthat Julian\u2019s\t mom\t actually\t Photoshopped\t August\u2019s\t face\t out\t of\t the\t class\t picture\t when\t she\t got\t it. She\tgave\ta\tcopy\tto\ta\tcouple\tof\tthe\tother\tmoms.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tjust\tawful,\u201d\tsaid\tMom.\t\u201cPeople\tare\tjust\t\u2026\tthey\u2019re\tnot\talways\tso\tgreat.\u201d \u201cI\tknow.\u201d \u201cIs\tthat\twhy\tyou\thit\tJulian?\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d And\t then\t I\t told\t her\t why\t I\t punched\t Julian.\t And\t I\t told\t her\t that\t August\t was\t my\t ex-friend\t now. And\tI\ttold\ther\tabout\tHalloween.","Letters,\tEmails,\tFacebook,\tTexts December\t18 Dear\tMr.\tTu\tshman, I\tam\tvery,\tvery\tsorry\tfor\tpunching\tJulian.\tIt\twas\tvery,\tvery\twrong\tfor\tme\tto\tdo\tthat.\tI am\twriting\ta\tletter\tto\thim\tto\ttell\thim\tthat,\ttoo.\tIf\tit\u2019s\tokay,\tI\twould\treally\trather\tnot tell\t you\t why\t I\t did\t what\t I\t did\t because\t it\t doesn\u2019t\t really\t make\t it\t right\t anyway.\t Also,\t I would\trather\tnot\tmake\tJulian\tget\tin\ttrouble\tfor\thaving\tsaid\tsomething\the\tshould\tnot have\tsaid. Very sincerely, Jack Will December\t18 Dear\tJulian, I\tam\tvery,\tvery,\tvery\tsorry\tfor\thitting\tyou.\tIt\twas\twrong\tof\tme.\tI\thope\tyou\tare\tokay.\tI hope\tyour\tgrown-up\ttooth\tgrows\tin\tfast.\tMine\talways\tdo. Sincerely, Jack Will December\t26 Dear\tJack, Thank\t you\t so\t much\t for\t your\t letter.\t One\t thing\t I\u2019ve\t learned\t after\t being\t a\t middle- school\t director\t for\t twenty\t years:\t there\t are\t almost\t always\t more\t than\t two\t sides\t to every\t story.\t Although\t I\t don\u2019t\t know\t the\t details,\t I\t have\t an\t inkling\t about\t what\t may have\tsparked\tthe\tconfrontation\twith\tJulian. While\tnothing\tjustifies\tstriking\tanother\tstudent\u2014ever\u2014I\talso\tknow\tgood\tfriends\tare sometimes\tworth\tdefending.\tThis\thas\tbeen\ta\ttough\tyear\tfor\ta\tlot\tof\tstudents,\tas\tthe first\tyear\tof\tmiddle\tschool\tusually\tis. Keep\tup\tthe\tgood\twork,\tand\tkeep\tbeing\tthe\tfine\tboy\twe\tall\tknow\tyou\tare. All the best, Lawrence Tushman Middle- School Director To:\[email protected] Cc:\tjohnw\u200bill@ph\u200b illi\u200bpsacad\u200b emy.\u200bedu;\tamanda\u200b will@\u200bcopper\u200b beech.o\u200b rg Fr:\[email protected] Subject:\tJack\tWill Dear\tMr.\tTushman,","I\t spoke\t with\t Amanda\t and\t John\t Will\t yesterday,\t and\t they\t expressed\t their\t regret\t at Jack\u2019s\t having\t punched\t our\t son,\t Julian,\t in\t the\t mouth.\t I\t am\t writing\t to\t let\t you\t know that\tmy\thusband\tand\tI\tsupport\tyour\tdecision\tto\tallow\tJack\tto\treturn\tto\tBeecher\tPrep after\t a\t two-day\t suspension.\t Although\t I\t think\t hitting\t a\t child\t would\t be\t valid\t grounds for\t expulsion\t in\t other\t schools,\t I\t agree\t such\t extreme\t measures\t aren\u2019t\t warranted here.\t We\t have\t known\t the\t Will\t family\t since\t our\t boys\t were\t in\t kindergarten,\t and\t are confident\t that\t every\t measure\t will\t be\t taken\t to\t ensure\t this\t doesn\u2019t\t happen\t again.\t To that\tend,\tI\twonder\tif\tJack\u2019s\tunexpectedly\tviolent\tbehavior\tmight\thave\tbeen\ta\tresult of\t too\t much\t pressure\t being\t placed\t on\t his\t young\t shoulders?\t I\t am\t speaking specifically\tof\tthe\tnew\tchild\twith\tspecial\tneeds\twho\tboth\tJack\tand\tJulian\twere\tasked to\t \u201cbefriend.\u201d\t In\t retrospect,\t and\t having\t now\t seen\t the\t child\t in\t question\t at\t various school\tfunctions\tand\tin\tthe\tclass\tpictures,\tI\tthink\tit\tmay\thave\tbeen\ttoo\tmuch\tto\task of\t our\t children\t to\t be\t able\t to\t process\t all\t that.\t Certainly,\t when\t Julian\t mentioned\t he was\t having\t a\t hard\t time\t befriending\t the\t boy,\t we\t told\t him\t he\t was\t \u201coff\t the\t hook\u201d\t in that\tregard.\tWe\tthink\tthe\ttransition\tto\tmiddle\tschool\tis\thard\tenough\twithout\thaving to\t place\t greater\t burdens\t or\t hardships\t on\t these\t young,\t impressionable\t minds.\t I should\t also\t mention\t that,\t as\t a\t member\t of\t the\t school\t board,\t I\t was\t a\t little\t disturbed that\tmore\tconsideration\twas\tnot\tgiven\tduring\tthis\tchild\u2019s\tapplication\tprocess\tto\tthe fact\t that\t Beecher\t Prep\t is\t not\t an\t inclusion\t school.\t There\t are\t many\t parents\u2014myself included\u2014who\t question\t the\t decision\t to\t let\t this\t child\t into\t our\t school\t at\t all.\t At\t the very\t least,\t I\t am\t somewhat\t troubled\t that\t this\t child\t was\t not\t held\t to\t the\t same stringent\tapplication\tstandards\t(i.e.\tinterview)\tthat\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tincoming\tmiddle- school\tstudents\twere. Best, Melissa Perper Albans To:\[email protected] Fr:\[email protected] Cc:\tjohnw\u200bill@\u200bphill\t\u200b ipsaca\u200bdemy.e\u200b du;\tamand\u200bawill@c\u200b oppe\u200brbeech.o\u200b rg Subject:\tJack\tWill Dear\tMrs.\tAlbans, Thanks\tfor\tyour\temail\toutlining\tyour\tconcerns.\tWere\tI\tnot\tconvinced\tthat\tJack\tWill\tis extremely\t sorry\t for\t his\t actions,\t and\t were\t I\t not\t confident\t that\t he\t would\t not\t repeat those\tactions,\trest\tassured\tthat\tI\twould\tnot\tbe\tallowing\thim\tback\tto\tBeecher\tPrep. As\t for\t your\t other\t concerns\t regarding\t our\t new\t student\t August,\t please\t note\t that\t he does\t not\t have\t special\t needs.\t He\t is\t neither\t disabled,\t handicapped,\t nor developmentally\t delayed\t in\t any\t way,\t so\t there\t was\t no\t reason\t to\t assume\t anyone would\t take\t issue\t with\t his\t admittance\t to\t Beecher\t Prep\u2014whether\t it\t is\t an\t inclusion school\tor\tnot.\tIn\tterms\tof\tthe\tapplication\tprocess,\tthe\tadmissions\tdirector\tand\tI\tboth felt\t it\t within\t our\t right\t to\t hold\t the\t interview\t off-site\t at\t August\u2019s\t home\t for\t reasons that\t are\t obvious.\t We\t felt\t that\t this\t slight\t break\t in\t protocol\t was\t warranted\t but\t in\t no way\t prejudicial\u2014in\t one\t way\t or\t another\u2014to\t the\t application\t review.\t August\t is\t an extremely\t good\t student,\t and\t has\t secured\t the\t friendship\t of\t some\t truly\t exceptional young\tpeople,\tincluding\tJack\tWill. At\t the\t beginning\t of\t the\t school\t year,\t when\t I\t enlisted\t certain\t children\t to\t be\t a \u201cwelcoming\t committee\u201d\t to\t August,\t I\t did\t so\t as\t a\t way\t of\t easing\t his\t transition\t into\t a school\t environment.\t I\t did\t not\t think\t asking\t these\t children\t to\t be\t especially\t kind\t to\t a new\t student\t would\t place\t any\t extra\t \u201cburdens\t or\t hardships\u201d\t on\t them.\t In\t fact,\t I thought\t it\t would\t teach\t them\t a\t thing\t or\t two\t about\t empathy,\t and\t friendship,\t and loyalty. As\t it\t turns\t out,\t Jack\t Will\t didn\u2019t\t need\t to\t learn\t any\t of\t these\t virtues\u2014he\t already\t had them\tin\tabundance.","Thank\tyou\tagain\tfor\tbeing\tin\ttouch. Sincerely, Lawrence Tushman \t To:\[email protected] Fr:\[email protected] Cc:\tltushm\u200b an@b\u200b eeche\u200b rscho\u200b ol.e\u200b du;\tamand\u200bawill@\u200bcoppe\u200brbeech.o\u200b rg Subject:\tJack Hi\tMelissa, Thank\t you\t for\t being\t so\t understanding\t about\t this\t incident\t with\t Jack.\t He\t is,\t as\t you know,\textremely\tsorry\tfor\this\tactions.\tI\thope\tyou\tdo\taccept\tour\toffer\tto\tpay\tJulian\u2019s dental\tbills. We\t are\t very\t touched\t by\t your\t concern\t regarding\t Jack\u2019s\t friendship\t with\t August. Please\tknow\twe\thave\tasked\tJack\tif\the\tfelt\tany\tundue\tpressure\tabout\tany\tof\tthis,\tand the\t answer\t was\t a\t resolute\t \u201cno.\u201d\t He\t enjoys\t August\u2019s\t company\t and\t feels\t like\t he\t has made\ta\tgood\tfriend. Hope you have a Happy New Year! John and Amanda Will Hi\tAugust, Jacklope\tWill\twants\tto\tbe\tfriends\twith\tyou\ton\tFacebook. Jackalope Will 32 mutual friends Thanks, The Facebook Team To:\[email protected] Subject:\tSorry\t!\t!\t!\t!\t!\t! Message: Hey\t august.\t Its\t me\t Jack\t Will.\t I\t noticed\t im\t not\t on\t ur\t friends\t list\t anymore.\t Hope\t u","friend\t me\t agen\t cuz\t im\t really\t sorry.\t I\t jus\t wanted\t 2\t say\t that.\t Sorry.\t I\t know\t why\t ur mad\tat\tme\tnow\tIm\tsorry\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tmean\tthe\tstuff\tI\tsaid.\tI\twas\tso\tstupid.\tI\thope\tu\tcan 4give\tme Hope we can b friends agen. Jack 1\tNew\tText\tMessage From:\tAUGUST Dec\t31\t4:47PM got\tur\tmessage\tu\tknow\twhy\tim\tmad\tat\tu\tnow??\tdid\tSummer\ttell\tu? 1\tNew\tText\tMessage From:\tJACKWILL Dec\t31\t4:49PM She\ttold\tme\tbleeding\tscream\tas\thint\tbut\tdidn\u2019t\tget\tit\tat\tfirst\tthen\tI\tremember\tseeing bleeding\tscream\tin\thomeroom\ton\tHallween.\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tit\twas\tyou\tthought\tu\twere coming\tas\tBoba\tFett. 1\tNew\tText\tMessage From:\tAUGUST Dec\t31\t4:51PM I\tchanged\tmy\tmind\tat\tthe\tlast\tminute.\tDid\tu\treally\tpunch\tJulian? 1\tNew\tText\tMessage From:\tJACKWILL Dec\t31\t4:54PM Yeah\ti\tpunchd\thim\tknocked\tout\ta\ttooth\tin\tthe\tback.\tA\tbaby\ttooth. 1\tNew\tText\tMessage From:\tAUGUST Dec\t31\t4:55PM whyd\tu\tpunch\thim???????? 1\tNew\tText\tMessage From:\tJACKWILL Dec\t31\t4:56PM I\tdunno 1\tNew\tText\tMessage From:\tAUGUST Dec\t31\t4:58PM","liar.\tI\tbet\the\tsaid\tsomething\tabout\tme\tright? 1\tNew\tText\tMessage From:\tJACKWILL Dec\t31\t5:02PM he\u2019s\ta\tjerk.\tbut\tI\twas\ta\tjerk\ttoo.\treally\treally\treally\tsorry\tfor\twat\tI\tsaid\tdude,\tOk?\tcan we\tb\tfrenz\tagen? 1\tNew\tText\tMessage From:\tAUGUST Dec\t31\t5:03PM ok 1\tNew\tText\tMessage From:\tJACKWILL Dec\t31\t5:04PM awsum!!!! 1\tNew\tText\tMessage From:\tAUGUST Dec\t31\t5:06PM but\ttell\tme\tthe\ttruth,\tok? wud\tu\treally\twan\tto\tkill\turself\tif\tu\twer\tme??? 1\tNew\tText\tMessage From:\tJACKWILL Dec\t31\t5:08PM no!!!!! I\tswear\ton\tmy\tlife but\tdude- I\twould\twant\t2\tkill\tmyself\tif\tI\twere\tJulian\t;) 1\tNew\tText\tMessage From:\tAUGUST Dec\t31\t5:10PM lol yes\tdude\twe\u2019r\tfrenz\tagen.","Back\tfrom\tWinter\tBreak Despite\twhat\tTushman\tsaid,\tthere\twas\tno\t\u201cclean\tslate\u201d\twhen\tI\twent\tback\tto\tschool\tin\tJanuary. In\tfact,\tthings\twere\ttotally\tweird\tfrom\tthe\tsecond\tI\tgot\tto\tmy\tlocker\tin\tthe\tmorning.\tI\u2019m\tnext to\t Amos,\t who\u2019s\t always\t been\t a\t pretty\t straight-up\t kid,\t and\t I\t was\t like,\t \u201cYo,\t what\t up?\u201d\t and\t he basically\tjust\tnodded\ta\thalf\thello\tand\tclosed\this\tlocker\tdoor\tand\tleft.\tI\twas\tlike,\tokay,\tthat\twas bizarre.\t And\t then\t I\t said:\t \u201cHey,\t what\t up?\u201d\t to\t Henry,\t who\t didn\u2019t\t even\t bother\t half-smiling\t but just\tlooked\taway. Okay,\t so\t something\u2019s\t up.\t Dissed\t by\t two\t people\t in\t less\t than\t five\t minutes.\t Not\t that\t anyone\u2019s counting.\t I\t thought\t I\u2019d\t try\t one\t more\t time,\t with\t Tristan,\t and\t boom,\t same\t thing.\t He\t actually looked\tnervous,\tlike\the\twas\tafraid\tof\ttalking\tto\tme. I\u2019ve\tgot\ta\tform\tof\tthe\tPlague\tnow,\tis\twhat\tI\tthought.\tThis\tis\tJulian\u2019s\tpayback. And\tthat\u2019s\tpretty\tmuch\thow\tit\twent\tall\tmorning.\tNobody\ttalked\tto\tme.\tNot\ttrue:\tthe\tgirls\twere totally\t normal\t with\t me.\t And\t August\t talked\t to\t me,\t of\t course.\t And,\t actually,\t I\t have\t to\t say\t both Maxes\tsaid\thello,\twhich\tmade\tme\tfeel\tkind\tof\tbad\tfor\tnever,\tever\thanging\tout\twith\tthem\tin\tthe five\tyears\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\tin\ttheir\tclass. I\t hoped\t lunch\t would\t be\t better,\t but\t it\t wasn\u2019t.\t I\t sat\t down\t at\t my\t usual\t table\t with\t Luca\t and Isaiah.\t I\t guess\t I\t thought\t since\t they\t weren\u2019t\t in\t the\t super-popular\t group\t but\t were\t kind\t of middle-of-the-road\t jock\t kids\t that\t I\u2019d\t be\t safe\t with\t them.\t But\t they\t barely\t nodded\t when\t I\t said hello.\t Then,\t when\t our\t table\t was\t called,\t they\t got\t their\t lunches\t and\t never\t came\t back.\t I\t saw them\tfind\ta\ttable\tway\tover\tat\tthe\tother\tend\tof\tthe\tcafeteria.\tThey\tweren\u2019t\tat\tJulian\u2019s\ttable,\tbut they\twere\tnear\thim,\tlike\ton\tthe\tfringe\tof\tpopularity.\tSo\tanyway,\tI\u2019d\tbeen\tditched.\tI\tknew\ttable switching\t was\t something\t that\t happened\t in\t the\t fifth\t grade,\t but\t I\t never\t thought\t it\t would happen\tto\tme. It\t felt\t really\t awful\t being\t at\t the\t table\t by\t myself.\t I\t felt\t like\t everyone\t was\t watching\t me.\t It\t also made\tme\tfeel\tlike\tI\thad\tno\tfriends.\tI\tdecided\tto\tskip\tlunch\tand\tgo\tread\tin\tthe\tlibrary.","The\tWar It\t was\t Charlotte\t who\t had\t the\t inside\t scoop\t on\t why\t everyone\t was\t dissing\t me.\t I\t found\t a\t note inside\tmy\tlocker\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tday. Meet\t me\t in\t room\t 301\t right\t after\t school.\t Come\t by yourself!\tCharlotte. She\twas\talready\tinside\tthe\troom\twhen\tI\twalked\tin.\t\u201cSup,\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cHey,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\tShe\twent\tover\tto\tthe\tdoor,\tlooked\tleft\tand\tright,\tand\tthen\tclosed\tthe\tdoor\tand locked\tit\tfrom\tthe\tinside.\tThen\tshe\tturned\tto\tface\tme\tand\tstarted\tbiting\ther\tnail\tas\tshe\ttalked. \u201cLook,\tI\tfeel\tbad\tabout\twhat\u2019s\tgoing\ton\tand\tI\tjust\twanted\tto\ttell\tyou\twhat\tI\tknow.\tPromise\tyou won\u2019t\ttell\tanyone\tI\ttalked\tto\tyou?\u201d \u201cPromise.\u201d \u201cSo\tJulian\thad\tthis\thuge\tholiday\tparty\tover\twinter\tbreak,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\t\u201cI\tmean,\thuge.\tMy\tsister\u2019s friend\t had\t had\t her\t sweet\t sixteen\t at\t the\t same\t place\t last\t year.\t There\t were\t like\t two\t hundred people\tthere,\tso\tI\tmean\tit\u2019s\ta\thuge\tplace.\u201d \u201cYeah,\tand?\u201d \u201cYeah,\tand\t\u2026\twell,\tpretty\tmuch\teverybody\tin\tthe\twhole\tgrade\twas\tthere.\u201d \u201cNot\teverybody,\u201d\tI\tjoked. \u201cRight,\tnot\teverybody.\tDuh.\tBut\tlike\teven\tparents\twere\tthere,\tyou\tknow.\tLike\tmy\tparents\twere there.\tYou\tknow\tJulian\u2019s\tmom\tis\tthe\tvice\tpresident\tof\tthe\tschool\tboard,\tright?\tSo\tshe\tknows\ta lot\t of\t people.\t Anyway,\t so\t basically\t what\t happened\t at\t the\t party\t was\t that\t Julian\t went\t around telling\teveryone\tthat\tyou\tpunched\thim\tbecause\tyou\thad\temotional\tproblems.\u2026\u201d \u201cWhat?!\u201d \u201cAnd\t that\t you\t would\t have\t gotten\t expelled,\t but\t his\t parents\t begged\t the\t school\t not\t to\t expel you\t\u2026\u201d \u201cWhat?!\u201d \u201cAnd\tthat\tnone\tof\tit\twould\thave\thappened\tin\tthe\tfirst\tplace\tif\tTushman\thadn\u2019t\tforced\tyou\tto\tbe friends\t with\t Auggie.\t He\t said\t his\t mom\t thinks\t that\t you,\t quote\t unquote,\t snapped\t under\t the pressure.\u2026\u201d I\tcouldn\u2019t\tbelieve\twhat\tI\twas\thearing.\t\u201cNo\tone\tbought\tinto\tthat,\tright?\u201d\tI\tsaid. She\tshrugged.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\tnot\teven\tthe\tpoint.\tThe\tpoint\tis\the\u2019s\treally\tpopular.\tAnd,\tyou\tknow,\tmy mom\t heard\t that\t his\t mom\t is\t actually\t pushing\t the\t school\t to\t review\t Auggie\u2019s\t application\t to Beecher.\u201d \u201cCan\tshe\tdo\tthat?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\t about\t Beecher\t not\t being\t an\t inclusion\t school.\t That\u2019s\t a\t type\t of\t school\t that\t mixes\t normal kids\twith\tkids\twith\tspecial\tneeds.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tjust\tstupid.\tAuggie\tdoesn\u2019t\thave\tspecial\tneeds.\u201d \u201cYeah,\t but\t she\u2019s\t saying\t that\t if\t the\t school\t is\t changing\t the\t way\t they\t usually\t do\t things\t in\t some ways\t\u2026\u201d \u201cBut\tthey\u2019re\tnot\tchanging\tanything!\u201d \u201cYeah,\tthey\tdid.\tDidn\u2019t\tyou\tnotice\tthey\tchanged\tthe\ttheme\tof\tthe\tNew\tYear\tArt\tShow?\tIn\tpast years\t fifth\t graders\t painted\t self-portraits,\t but\t this\t year\t they\t made\t us\t do\t those\t ridiculous\t self- portraits\tas\tanimals,\tremember?\u201d","\u201cSo\tbig\tfreakin\u2019\tdeal.\u201d \u201cI\tknow!\tI\u2019m\tnot\tsaying\tI\tagree,\tI\u2019m\tjust\tsaying\tthat\u2019s\twhat\tshe\u2019s\tsaying.\u201d \u201cI\tknow,\tI\tknow.\tThis\tis\tjust\tso\tmessed\tup.\u2026\u201d \u201cI\t know.\t Anyway,\t Julian\t said\t that\t he\t thinks\t being\t friends\t with\t Auggie\t is\t bringing\t you\t down, and\t that\t for\t your\t own\t good\t you\t need\t to\t stop\t hanging\t out\t with\t him\t so\t much.\t And\t if\t you\t start losing\tall\tyour\told\tfriends,\tit\u2019ll\tbe\tlike\ta\tbig\twake-up\tcall.\tSo\tbasically,\tfor\tyour\town\tgood,\the\u2019s going\tto\tstop\tbeing\tyour\tfriend\tcompletely.\u201d \u201cNews\tflash:\tI\tstopped\tbeing\this\tfriend\tcompletely\tfirst!\u201d \u201cYeah,\t but\t he\u2019s\t convinced\t all\t the\t boys\t to\t stop\t being\t your\t friend\u2014for\t your\t own\t good.\t That\u2019s why\tnobody\u2019s\ttalking\tto\tyou.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\ttalking\tto\tme.\u201d \u201cYeah,\twell,\tthis\tis\tmore\tof\ta\tboy\tthing,\u201d\tshe\texplained.\t\u201cThe\tgirls\tare\tstaying\tneutral.\tExcept Savanna\u2019s\tgroup,\tbecause\tthey\u2019re\tgoing\tout\twith\tJulian\u2019s\tgroup.\tBut\tto\teverybody\telse\tthis\tis really\ta\tboy\twar.\u201d I\tnodded.\tShe\ttilted\ther\thead\tto\tone\tside\tand\tpouted\tlike\tshe\tfelt\tsorry\tfor\tme. \u201cIs\tit\tokay\tthat\tI\ttold\tyou\tall\tthis?\u201d\tshe\tsaid. \u201cYeah!\tOf\tcourse!\tI\tdon\u2019t\tcare\twho\ttalks\tto\tme\tor\tnot,\u201d\tI\tlied.\t\u201cThis\tis\tall\tjust\tso\tdumb.\u201d She\tnodded. \u201cHey,\tdoes\tAuggie\tknow\tany\tof\tthis?\u201d \u201cOf\tcourse\tnot.\tAt\tleast,\tnot\tfrom\tme.\u201d \u201cAnd\tSummer?\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t think\t so.\t Look,\t I\t better\t go.\t Just\t so\t you\t know,\t my\t mom\t thinks\t Julian\u2019s\t mom\t is\t a\t total idiot.\t She\t said\t she\t thinks\t people\t like\t her\t are\t more\t concerned\t about\t what\t their\t kids\u2019\t class pictures\tlook\tlike\tthan\tdoing\tthe\tright\tthing.\tYou\theard\tabout\tthe\tPhotoshopping,\tright?\u201d \u201cYeah,\tthat\twas\tjust\tsick.\u201d \u201cTotally,\u201d\tshe\tanswered,\tnodding.\t\u201cAnyway,\tI\tbetter\tgo.\tI\tjust\twanted\tyou\tto\tknow\twhat\twas\tup and\tstuff.\u201d \u201cThanks,\tCharlotte.\u201d \t \u201cI\u2019ll\t let\t you\t know\t if\t I\t hear\t anything\t else,\u201d\t she\t said.\t Before\t she\t went\t out,\t she\t looked\t left\t and right\t outside\t the\t door\t to\t make\t sure\t no\t one\t saw\t her\t leaving.\t I\t guess\t even\t though\t she\t was neutral,\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tbe\tseen\twith\tme.","Switching\tTables The\tnext\tday\tat\tlunch,\tstupid\tme,\tI\tsat\tdown\tat\ta\ttable\twith\tTristan,\tNino,\tand\tPablo.\tI\tthought maybe\t they\t were\t safe\t because\t they\t weren\u2019t\t really\t considered\t popular,\t but\t they\t weren\u2019t\t out there\tplaying\tD&D\tat\trecess,\teither.\tThey\twere\tsort\tof\tin-betweeners.\tAnd,\tat\tfirst,\tI\tthought\tI scored\t because\t they\t were\t basically\t too\t nice\t to\t not\t acknowledge\t my\t presence\t when\t I\t walked over\t to\t the\t table.\t They\t all\t said\t \u201cHey,\u201d\t though\t I\t could\t tell\t they\t looked\t at\t each\t other.\t But\t then the\tsame\tthing\thappened\tthat\thappened\tyesterday:\tour\tlunch\ttable\twas\tcalled,\tthey\tgot\ttheir food,\tand\tthen\theaded\ttoward\ta\tnew\ttable\ton\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\tcafeteria. Unfortunately,\t Mrs.\t G,\t who\t was\t the\t lunch\t teacher\t that\t day,\t saw\t what\t happened\t and\t chased after\tthem. \u201cThat\u2019s\t not\t allowed,\t boys!\u201d\t she\t scolded\t them\t loudly.\t \u201cThis\t is\t not\t that\t kind\t of\t school.\t You\t get right\tback\tto\tyour\ttable.\u201d Oh\t great,\t like\t that\t was\t going\t to\t help.\t Before\t they\t could\t be\t forced\t to\t sit\t back\t down\t at\t the table,\t I\t got\t up\t with\t my\t tray\t and\t walked\t away\t really\t fast.\t I\t could\t hear\t Mrs.\t G\t call\t my\t name, but\tI\tpretended\tnot\tto\thear\tand\tjust\tkept\twalking\tto\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\tcafeteria,\tbehind\tthe lunch\tcounter. \u201cSit\twith\tus,\tJack.\u201d It\t was\t Summer.\t She\t and\t August\t were\t sitting\t at\t their\t table,\t and\t they\t were\t both\t waving\t me over.","Why\tI\tDidn\u2019t\tSit\twith\tAugust the\tFirst\tDay\tof\tSchool Okay,\tI\u2019m\ta\ttotal\thypocrite.\tI\tknow.\tThat\tvery\tfirst\tday\tof\tschool\tI\tremember\tseeing\tAugust\tin the\t cafeteria.\t Everybody\t was\t looking\t at\t him.\t Talking\t about\t him.\t Back\t then,\t no\t one\t was\t used to\this\tface\tor\teven\tknew\tthat\the\twas\tcoming\tto\tBeecher,\tso\tit\twas\ta\ttotal\tshocker\tfo\tr\ta\tlot\tof people\tto\tsee\thim\tthere\ton\tthe\tfirst\tday\tof\tschool.\tMost\tkids\twere\teven\tafraid\tto\tget\tnear\thim. So\twhen\tI\tsaw\thim\tgoing\tinto\tthe\tcafeteria\tahead\tof\tme,\tI\tknew\the\u2019d\thave\tno\tone\tto\tsit\twith, but\t I\t just\t couldn\u2019t\t bring\t myself\t to\t sit\t with\t him.\t I\t had\t been\t hanging\t out\t with\t him\t all\t morning long\tbecause\twe\thad\tso\tmany\tclasses\ttogether,\tand\tI\tguess\tI\twas\tjust\tkind\tof\twanting\ta\tlittle normal\t time\t to\t chill\t with\t other\t kids.\t So\t when\t I\t saw\t him\t move\t to\t a\t table\t on\t the\t other\t side\t of the\tlunch\tcounter,\tI\tpurposely\tfound\ta\ttable\tas\tfar\taway\tfrom\tthere\tas\tI\tcould\tfind.\tI\tsat\tdown with\t Isaiah\t and\t Luca\t even\t though\t I\u2019d\t never\t met\t them\t before,\t and\t we\t talked\t about\t baseball the\t whole\t time,\t and\t I\t played\t basketball\t with\t them\t at\t recess.\t They\t became\t my\t lunch\t table from\tthen\ton. I\theard\tSummer\thad\tsat\tdown\twith\tAugust,\twhich\tsurprised\tme\tbecause\tI\tknew\tfor\ta\tfact\tshe wasn\u2019t\tone\tof\tthe\tkids\tthat\tTushman\thad\ttalked\tto\tabout\tbeing\tfriends\twith\tAuggie.\tSo\tI\tknew she\twas\tdoing\tit\tjust\tto\tbe\tnice,\tand\tthat\twas\tpretty\tbrave,\tI\tthought. So\tnow\there\tI\twas\tsitting\twith\tSummer\tand\tAugust,\tand\tthey\twere\tbeing\ttotally\tnice\tto\tme\tas always.\tI\tfilled\tthem\tin\tabout\teverything\tCharlotte\thad\ttold\tme,\texcept\tfor\tthe\twhole\tbig\tpart about\t my\t having\t \u201csnapped\u201d\t under\t the\t pressure\t of\t being\t Auggie\u2019s\t friend,\t or\t the\t part\t about Julian\u2019s\tmom\tsaying\tthat\tAuggie\thad\tspecial\tneeds,\tor\tthe\tpart\tabout\tthe\tschool\tboard.\tI\tguess all\t I\t really\t told\t them\t about\t was\t how\t Julian\t had\t had\t a\t holiday\t party\t and\t managed\t to\t turn\t the whole\tgrade\tagainst\tme. \u201cIt\t just\t feels\t so\t weird,\u201d\t I\t said,\t \u201cto\t not\t have\t people\t talking\t to\t you,\t pretending\t you\t don\u2019t\t even exist.\u201d Auggie\tstarted\tsmiling. \u201cYa\tthink?\u201d\the\tsaid\tsarcastically.\t\u201cWelcome\tto\tmy\tworld!\u201d","Sides \u201cSo\t here\t are\t the\t official\t sides,\u201d\t said\t Summer\t at\t lunch\t the\t next\t day.\t She\t pulled\t out\t a\t folded piece\tof\tloose-leaf\tpaper\tand\topened\tit.\tIt\thad\tthree\tcolumns\tof\tnames. Jack\u2019s\tside Julian\u2019s\tside Neutrals Jack Miles Malik August Henry Remo Reid Amos Jose Max\tG Simon Leif Max\tW Tristan Ram \t Pablo Ivan \t Nino Russell \t Isaiah \t \t Luca \t \t Jake \t \t Toland \t \t Roman \t \t Ben \t \t Emmanuel \t \t Zeke \t \t Tomaso \t \u201cWhere\tdid\tyou\tget\tthis?\u201d\tsaid\tAuggie,\tlooking\tover\tmy\tshoulder\tas\tI\tread\tthe\tlist. \u201cCharlotte\t made\t it,\u201d\t Summer\t answered\t quickly.\t \u201cShe\t gave\t it\t to\t me\t last\t period.\t She\t said\t she thought\tyou\tshould\tknow\twho\twas\ton\tyour\tside,\tJack.\u201d \u201cYeah,\tnot\tmany\tpeople,\tthat\u2019s\tfor\tsure,\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cReid\tis,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\t\u201cAnd\tthe\ttwo\tMaxes.\u201d \u201cGreat.\tThe\tnerds\tare\ton\tmy\tside.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tbe\tmean,\u201d\tsaid\tSummer.\t\u201cI\tthink\tCharlotte\tlikes\tyou,\tby\tthe\tway.\u201d \u201cYeah,\tI\tknow.\u201d \u201cAre\tyou\tgoing\tto\task\ther\tout?\u201d \u201cAre\tyou\tkidding?\tI\tcan\u2019t,\tnow\tthat\teverybody\u2019s\tacting\tlike\tI\thave\tthe\tPlague.\u201d The\t second\t I\t said\t it,\t I\t realized\t I\t shouldn\u2019t\t have\t said\t it.\t There\t was\t this\t awkward\t moment\t of silence.\tI\tlooked\tat\tAuggie. \u201cIt\u2019s\tokay,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cI\tknew\tabout\tthat.\u201d \u201cSorry,\tdude,\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cI\t didn\u2019t\t know\t they\t called\t it\t the\t Plague,\t though,\u201d\t he\t said.\t \u201cI\t figured\t it\t was\t more\t like\t the Cheese\tTouch\tor\tsomething.\u201d \u201cOh,\tyeah,\tlike\tin\tDiary\tof\ta\tWimpy\tKid.\u201d\tI\tnodded. \u201cThe\tPlague\tactually\tsounds\tcooler,\u201d\the\tjoked.\t\u201cLike\tsomeone\tcould\tcatch\tthe\t\u2018black\tdeath\tof ugliness.\u2019\t\u201d\tAs\the\tsaid\tthis,\the\tmade\tair\tquotes. \u201cI\t think\t it\u2019s\t awful,\u201d\t said\t Summer,\t but\t Auggie\t shrugged\t while\t taking\t a\t big\t sip\t from\t his\t juice box.","\u201cAnyway,\tI\u2019m\tnot\tasking\tCharlotte\tout,\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cMy\tmom\tthinks\twe\u2019re\tall\ttoo\tyoung\tto\tbe\tdating\tanyway,\u201d\tshe\tanswered. \u201cWhat\tif\tReid\tasked\tyou\tout?\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cWould\tyou\tgo?\u201d I\tcould\ttell\tshe\twas\tsurprised.\t\u201cNo!\u201d\tshe\tsaid. \u201cI\u2019m\tjust\tasking,\u201d\tI\tlaughed. She\tshook\ther\t\thead\tand\tsmiled.\t\u201cWhy?\tWhat\tdo\tyou\tknow?\u201d \u201cNothing!\tI\u2019m\tjust\tasking!\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cI\tactually\tagree\twith\tmy\tmom,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\t\u201cI\tdo\tthink\twe\u2019re\ttoo\tyoung\tto\tbe\tdating.\tI\tmean,\tI just\tdon\u2019t\tsee\twhat\tthe\trush\tis.\u201d \u201cYeah,\tI\tagree,\u201d\tsaid\tAugust.\t\u201cWhich\tis\tkind\tof\ta\tshame,\tyou\tknow,\twhat\twith\tall\tthose\tbabes who\tkeep\tthrowing\tthemselves\tat\tme\tand\tstuff?\u201d He\t said\t this\t in\t such\t a\t funny\t way\t that\t the\t milk\t I\t was\t drinking\t came\t out\t my\t nose\t when\t I laughed,\twhich\tmade\tus\tall\ttotally\tcrack\tup.","August\u2019s\tHouse It\twas\talready\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tJanuary,\tand\twe\tstill\thadn\u2019t\teven\tchosen\twhat\tscience-fair\tproject we\t were\t going\t to\t work\t on.\t I\t guess\t I\t kept\t putting\t it\t off\t because\t I\t just\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t do\t it. Finally,\tAugust\twas\tlike,\t\u201cDude,\twe\thave\tto\tdo\tthis.\u201d\tSo\twe\twent\tto\this\thouse\tafter\tschool. I\twas\treally\tnervous\tbecause\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tif\tAugust\thad\tever\ttold\this\tparents\tabout\twhat\twe now\tcalled\tthe\tHalloween\tIncident.\tTurns\tout\tthe\tdad\twasn\u2019t\teven\thome\tand\tthe\tmom\twas\tout running\terrands.\tI\u2019m\tpretty\tsure\tfrom\tthe\ttwo\tseconds\tI\u2019d\tspent\ttalking\tto\ther\tthat\tAuggie\thad never\tmentioned\ta\tthing\tabout\tit.\tShe\twas\tsuper\tcool\tand\tfriendly\ttoward\tme. When\tI\tfirst\twalked\tinto\tAuggie\u2019s\troom,\tI\twas\tlike,\t\u201cWhoa,\tAuggie,\tyou\thave\tgot\ta\tserious\tStar Wars\taddiction.\u201d \t He\thad\tledges\tfull\tof\tStar\tWars\tminiatures,\tand\ta\thuge\tThe\tEmpire\tStrikes\tBack\tposter\ton\this wall. \u201cI\tknow,\tright?\u201d\the\tlaughed. He\tsat\tdown\ton\ta\trolling\tchair\tnext\tto\this\tdesk\tand\tI\tplopped\tdown\ton\ta\tbeanbag\tchair\tin\tthe corner.\tThat\u2019s\twhen\this\tdog\twaddled\tinto\tthe\troom\tright\tup\tto\tme. \u201cHe\twas\ton\tyour\tholiday\tcard!\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tletting\tthe\tdog\tsniff\tmy\thand. \u201cShe,\u201d\the\tcorrected\tme.\t\u201cDaisy.\tYou\tcan\tpet\ther.\tShe\tdoesn\u2019t\tbite.\u201d When\tI\tstarted\tpetting\ther,\tshe\tbasically\tjust\trolled\tover\tonto\ther\tback. \u201cShe\twants\tyou\tto\trub\ther\ttummy,\u201d\tsaid\tAugust. \u201cOkay,\tthis\tis\tthe\tcutest\tdog\tI\u2019ve\tever\tseen,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\trubbing\ther\tstomach. \u201cI\tknow,\tright?\tShe\u2019s\tthe\tbest\tdog\tin\tthe\tworld.\tAren\u2019t\tyou,\tgirlie?\u201d As\tsoon\tas\tshe\theard\tAuggie\u2019s\tvoice\tsay\tthat,\tthe\tdog\tstarted\twagging\ther\ttail\tand\twent\tover to\thim. \u201cWho\u2019s\t my\t little\t girlie?\t Who\u2019s\t my\t little\t girlie?\u201d\t Auggie\t was\t saying\t as\t she\t licked\t him\t all\t over the\tface. \u201cI\t wish\t I\t had\t a\t dog,\u201d\t I\t said.\t \u201cMy\t parents\t think\t our\t apartment\u2019s\t too\t small.\u201d\t I\t started\t looking around\t at\t the\t stuff\t in\t his\t room\t while\t he\t turned\t on\t the\t computer.\t \u201cHey,\t you\u2019ve\t got\t an\t Xbox 360?\tCan\twe\tplay?\u201d \u201cDude,\twe\u2019re\there\tto\twork\ton\tthe\tscience-fair\tproject.\u201d \u201cDo\tyou\thave\tHalo?\u201d \u201cOf\tcourse\tI\thave\tHalo.\u201d \u201cPlease\tcan\twe\tplay?\u201d He\t had\t logged\t on\t to\t the\t Beecher\t website\t and\t was\t now\t scrolling\t down\t Ms.\t Rubin\u2019s\t teacher page\tthrough\tthe\tlist\tof\tscience-fair\tprojects.\t\u201cCan\tyou\tsee\tfrom\tthere?\u201d\the\tsaid. I\tsighed\tand\twent\tto\tsit\ton\ta\tlittle\tstool\tthat\twas\tright\tnext\tto\thim. \u201cCool\tiMac,\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cWhat\tkind\tof\tcomputer\tdo\tyou\thave?\u201d \u201c\tDude,\t I\t don\u2019t\t even\t have\t my\t own\t room,\t much\t less\t my\t own\t computer.\t My\t parents\t have\t this ancient\tDell\tthat\u2019s\tpractically\tdead.\u201d","\u201cOkay,\t how\t about\t this\t one?\u201d\t he\t said,\t turning\t the\t screen\t in\t my\t direction\t so\t I\t would\t look.\t I made\ta\tquick\tscan\tof\tthe\tscreen\tand\tmy\teyes\tliterally\tstarted\tblurring. \u201cMaking\ta\tsun\tclock,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cThat\tsounds\tkind\tof\tcool.\u201d I\tleaned\tback.\t\u201cCan\u2019t\twe\tjust\tmake\ta\tvolcano?\u201d \u201cEveryone\tmakes\tvolcanoes.\u201d \u201cDuh,\tbecause\tit\u2019s\teasy,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tpetting\tDaisy\tagain. \u201cWhat\tabout:\tHow\tto\tmake\tcrystal\tspikes\tout\tof\tEpsom\tsalt?\u201d \u201cSounds\tboring,\u201d\tI\tanswered.\t\u201cSo\twhy\u2019d\tyou\tcall\ther\tDaisy?\u201d He\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tup\tfrom\tthe\tscreen.\t\u201cMy\tsister\tnamed\ther.\tI\twanted\tto\tcall\ther\tDarth.\tActually, technically\tspeaking,\ther\tfull\tname\tis\tDarth\tDaisy,\tbut\twe\tnever\treally\tcalled\ther\tthat.\u201d \u201cDarth\tDaisy!\tThat\u2019s\tfunny!\tHi,\tDarth\tDaisy!\u201d\tI\tsaid\tto\tthe\tdog,\twho\trolled\tonto\ther\tback\tagain for\tme\tto\trub\ther\ttummy. \u201cOkay,\t this\t one\t is\t the\t one,\u201d\t said\t August,\t pointing\t to\t a\t picture\t on\t the\t screen\t of\t a\t bunch\t of potatoes\twith\twires\t poking\tout\t of\tthem.\t\u201cHow\t to\tbuild\t an\torganic\tbattery\t made\tof\t potatoes. Now,\tthat\u2019s\tcool.\tIt\tsays\there\tyou\tcould\tpower\ta\tlamp\twith\tit.\tWe\tcould\tcall\tit\tthe\tSpud\tLamp or\tsomething.\tWhat\tdo\tyou\tthink?\u201d \u201cDude,\tthat\tsounds\tway\ttoo\thard.\tYou\tknow\tI\tsuck\tat\tscience.\u201d \u201cShut\tup,\tyou\tdo\tnot.\u201d \u201cYeah\tI\tdo!\tI\tgot\ta\tfifty-four\ton\tmy\tlast\ttest.\tI\tsuck\tat\tscience!\u201d \u201cNo\t you\t don\u2019t!\t And\t that\t was\t only\t because\t we\t were\t still\t fighting\t and\t I\t wasn\u2019t\t helping\t you.\t I can\thelp\tyou\tnow.\tThis\tis\ta\tgood\tproject,\tJack.\tWe\u2019ve\tgot\tto\tdo\tit.\u201d \u201cFine,\twhatever.\u201d\tI\tshrugged. Just\tthen\t there\twas\t a\tknock\t on\tthe\t door.\tA\t teenage\t girl\twith\t long\tdark\t wavy\thair\t poked\ther head\tinside\tthe\tdoor.\tShe\twasn\u2019t\texpecting\tto\tsee\tme. \u201cOh,\they,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tto\tboth\tof\tus. \u201cHey,\t Via,\u201d\t said\t August,\t looking\t back\t at\t the\t computer\t screen.\t \u201cVia,\t this\t is\t Jack.\t Jack,\t that\u2019s Via.\u201d \u201cHey,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tnodding\thello. \u201cHey,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tlooking\tat\tme\tcarefully.\tI\tknew\tthe\tsecond\tAuggie\tsaid\tmy\tname\tthat\the\thad told\t her\t about\t the\t stuff\t I\t had\t said\t about\t him.\t I\t could\t tell\t from\t the\t way\t she\t looked\t at\t me.\t In fact,\tthe\tway\tshe\tlooked\tat\tme\tmade\tme\tthink\tshe\tremembered\tme\tfrom\tthat\tday\tat\tCarvel\ton Amesfort\tAvenue\tall\tthose\tyears\tago. \u201cAuggie,\t I\t have\t a\t friend\t I\t want\t you\t to\t meet,\t okay?\u201d\t she\t said.\t \u201cHe\u2019s\t coming\t over\t in\t a\t few minutes.\u201d \u201cIs\the\tyour\tnew\tboyfriend?\u201d\tAugust\tteased. Via\tkicked\tthe\tbottom\tof\this\tchair.\t\u201cJust\tbe\tnice,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tand\tleft\tthe\troom. \u201cDude,\tyour\tsister\u2019s\thot,\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cI\tknow.\u201d \u201cShe\thates\tme,\tright?\tYou\ttold\ther\tabout\tthe\tHalloween\tIncident?\u201d \u201cYeah.\u201d \u201cYeah,\tshe\thates\tme\tor\tyeah,\tyou\ttold\ther\tabout\tHalloween?\u201d","\u201cBoth.\u201d","The\tBoyfriend Two\tminutes\tlater\tthe\tsister\tcame\tback\twith\tthis\tguy\tnamed\tJustin.\tSeemed\tlike\ta\tcool\tenough dude.\t Longish\t hair.\t Little\t round\t glasses.\t He\t was\t carrying\t a\t big\t long\t shiny\t silver\t case\t that ended\tin\ta\tsharp\tpoint\ton\tone\tend. \u201cJustin,\tthis\tis\tmy\tlittle\tbrother,\tAugust,\u201d\tsaid\tVia.\t\u201cAnd\tthat\u2019s\tJack.\u201d \u201cHey,\tguys,\u201d\tsaid\tJustin,\tshaking\tour\thands.\tHe\tseemed\ta\tlittle\tnervous.\tI\tguess\tmaybe\tit\twas because\t he\t was\t meeting\t August\t for\t the\t first\t time.\t Sometimes\t I\t forget\t what\t a\t shock\t it\t is\t the first\ttime\tyou\tmeet\thim.\t\u201cCool\troom.\u201d \u201cAre\tyou\tVia\u2019s\tboyfriend?\u201d\tAuggie\tasked\tmischievously,\tand\this\tsister\tpulled\this\tcap\tdown\tover his\tface. \u201cWhat\u2019s\tin\tyour\tcase?\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cA\tmachine\tgun?\u201d \u201cHa!\u201d\tanswered\tthe\tboyfriend.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\tfunny.\tNo,\tit\u2019s\ta,\tuh\t\u2026\tfiddle.\u201d \u201cJustin\u2019s\ta\tfiddler,\u201d\tsaid\tVia.\t\u201cHe\u2019s\tin\ta\tzydeco\tband.\u201d \u201cWhat\tthe\theck\tis\ta\tzydeco\tband?\u201d\tsaid\tAuggie,\tlooking\tat\tme. \u201cIt\u2019s\ta\ttype\tof\tmusic,\u201d\tsaid\tJustin.\t\u201cLike\tCreole\tmusic.\u201d \u201cWhat\u2019s\tCreole?\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cYou\t should\t tell\t people\t that\u2019s\t a\t machine\t gun,\u201d\t said\t Auggie.\t \u201cNobody\t would\t ever\t mess\t with you.\u201d \u201c\tHa,\tI\tguess\tyou\u2019re\tright,\u201d\tJustin\tsaid,\tnodding\tand\ttucking\this\thair\tbehind\this\tears.\t\u201cCreole\u2019s the\tkind\tof\tmusic\tthey\tplay\tin\tLouisiana,\u201d\the\tsaid\tto\tme. \u201cAre\tyou\tfrom\tLouisiana?\u201d\tI\tasked. \u201cNo,\tum,\u201d\the\tanswered,\tpushing\tup\this\tglasses.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tfrom\tBrooklyn.\u201d I\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhy\tthis\tmade\tme\twant\tto\tlaugh. \u201cCome\ton,\tJustin,\u201d\tsaid\tVia,\tpulling\thim\tby\tthe\thand.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tgo\thang\tout\tin\tmy\troom.\u201d \u201cOkay,\tsee\tyou\tguys\tlater.\tBye,\u201d\the\tsaid. \u201cBye!\u201d \u201cBye!\u201d As\tsoon\tas\tthey\tleft\tthe\troom,\tAuggie\tlooked\tat\tme,\tsmiling. \u201cI\u2019m\tfrom\tBrooklyn,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tand\twe\tboth\tstarted\tlaughing\thysterically.","Sometimes\tI\tthink\tmy\thead\tis\tso\tbig because\tit\tis\tso\tfull\tof\tdreams. \u2014John\tMerrick\tin\tBernard\tPomerance\u2019s The\tElephant\tMan","Olivia\u2019s\tBrother the\tfirst\ttime\ti\tmeet\tOlivia\u2019s\tlittle\tbrother,\ti\thave\tto\tadmit\ti\u2019m\ttotally\ttaken\tby\tsurprise. i\tshouldn\u2019t\tbe,\t of\tcourse.\t olivia\u2019s\ttold\tme\t about\this\t \u201csyndrome.\u201d\thas\teven\t described\twhat\the looks\t like.\t but\t she\u2019s\t also\t talked\t about\t all\t his\t surgeries\t over\t the\t years,\t so\t i\t guess\t i\t assumed he\u2019d\tbe\tmore\tnormal-looking\tby\tnow.\tlike\twhen\ta\tkid\tis\tborn\twith\ta\tcleft\tpalate\tand\thas\tplastic surgery\tto\tfix\tit\tsometimes\tyou\tcan\u2019t\teven\ttell\texcept\tfor\tthe\tlittle\tscar\tabove\tthe\tlip.\ti\tguess\ti thought\t her\t brother\t would\t have\t some\t scars\t here\t and\t there.\t but\t not\t this.\t i\t definitely\t wasn\u2019t expecting\tto\tsee\tthis\tlittle\tkid\tin\ta\tbaseball\tcap\twho\u2019s\tsitting\tin\tfront\tof\tme\tright\tnow. actually\t there\t are\t two\t kids\t sitting\t in\t front\t me:\t one\t is\t a\t totally\t normal-looking\t kid\t with\t curly blond\thair\tnamed\tjack;\tthe\tother\tis\tauggie. i\tlike\tto\tthink\ti\u2019m\table\tto\thide\tmy\tsurprise.\ti\thope\ti\tdo.\tsurprise\tis\tone\tof\tthose\temotions\tthat can\tbe\thard\tto\tfake,\tthough,\twhether\tyou\u2019re\ttrying\tto\tlook\tsurprised\twhen\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tor\ttrying to\tnot\tlook\tsurprised\twhen\tyou\tare. i\tshake\this\thand.\ti\tshake\tthe\tother\tkid\u2019s\thand.\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\tfocus\ton\this\tface.\tcool\troom,\tI\tsay. are\tyou\tvia\u2019s\tboyfriend?\the\tsays.\ti\tthink\the\u2019s\tsmiling. olivia\tpushes\tdown\this\tbaseball\tcap. is\t that\t a\t machine\t gun?\t the\t blond\t kid\t asks,\t like\t i\t haven\u2019t\t heard\t that\t one\t before.\t and\t we\t talk about\tzydeco\tfor\ta\tbit.\tand\tthen\tvia\u2019s\ttaking\tmy\thand\tand\tleading\tme\tout\tof\tthe\troom.\tas\tsoon as\twe\tclose\tthe\tdoor\tbehind\tus,\twe\thear\tthem\tlaughing. i\u2019m\tfrom\tbrooklyn!\tone\tof\tthem\tsings. olivia\trolls\ther\teyes\tas\tshe\tsmiles.\tlet\u2019s\tgo\thang\tout\tin\tmy\troom,\tshe\tsays. we\u2019ve\tbeen\tdating\tfor\ttwo\tmonths\tnow.\ti\tknew\tfrom\tthe\tmoment\ti\tsaw\ther,\tthe\tminute\tshe\tsat down\t at\t our\t table\t in\t the\t cafeteria,\t that\t i\t liked\t her.\t i\t couldn\u2019t\t keep\t my\t eyes\t off\t of\t her.\t really beautiful.\t with\t olive\t skin\t and\t the\t bluest\t eyes\t i\u2019ve\t ever\t seen\t in\t my\t life.\t at\t first\t she\t acted\t like she\tonly\twanted\tto\tbe\tfriends.\ti\tthink\tshe\tkind\tof\tgives\toff\tthat\tvibe\twithout\teven\tmeaning\tto. stay\t back.\t don\u2019t\t even\t bother.\t she\t doesn\u2019t\t flirt\t like\t some\t other\t girls\t do.\t she\t looks\t you\t right\t in the\teye\twhen\tshe\ttalks\tto\tyou,\tlike\tshe\u2019s\tdaring\tyou.\tso\ti\tjust\tkept\tlooking\ther\tright\tin\tthe\teye, too,\tlike\ti\twas\tdaring\ther\tright\tback.\tand\tthen\ti\tasked\ther\tout\tand\tshe\tsaid\tyes,\twhich\trocked. she\u2019s\tan\tawesome\tgirl\tand\ti\tlove\thanging\tout\twith\ther. she\tdidn\u2019t\ttell\tme\tabout\taugust\tuntil\tour\tthird\tdate.\ti\tthink\tshe\tused\tthe\tphrase\t\u201ca\tcraniofacial abnormality\u201d\t to\t describe\t his\t face.\t or\t maybe\t it\t was\t \u201ccraniofacial\t anomaly.\u201d\t i\t know\t the\t one word\t she\t didn\u2019t\t use\t was\t \u201cdeformed,\u201d\t though,\t because\t that\t word\t would\t have\t registered\t with me. so,\t what\t did\t you\t think?\t she\t asks\t me\t nervously\t the\t second\t we\u2019re\t inside\t her\t room.\t are\t you shocked? no,\ti\tlie. she\tsmiles\tand\tlooks\taway.\tyou\u2019re\tshocked. i\u2019m\tnot,\ti\tassure\ther.\the\u2019s\tjust\tlike\twhat\tyou\tsaid\the\u2019d\tbe. she\tnods\tand\tplops\tdown\ton\ther\tbed.\tkind\tof\tcute\thow\tshe\tstill\thas\ta\tlot\tof\tstuffed\tanimals\ton her\tbed.\tshe\ttakes\tone\tof\tthem,\ta\tpolar\tbear,\twithout\tthinking\tand\tputs\tit\tin\ther\tlap. i\tsit\tdown\ton\tthe\trolling\tchair\tby\ther\tdesk.\ther\troom\tis\timmaculate. when\ti\twas\tlittle,\tshe\tsays,\tthere\twere\tlots\tof\tkids\twho\tnever\tcame\tback\tfor\ta\tsecond\tplaydate. i\tmean,\tlots\tof\tkids.\ti\teven\thad\tfriends\twho\twouldn\u2019t\tcome\tto\tmy\tbirthdays\tbecause\the\twould be\tthere.\tthey\tnever\tactually\ttold\tme\tthis,\tbut\tit\twould\tget\tback\tto\tme.\tsome\tpeople\tjust\tdon\u2019t know\thow\tto\tdeal\twith\tauggie,\tyou\tknow?","i\tnod. it\u2019s\tnot\teven\tlike\tthey\tknow\tthey\u2019re\tbeing\tmean,\tshe\tadds.\tthey\twere\tjust\tscared.\ti\tmean,\tlet\u2019s face\tit,\this\tface\tis\ta\tlittle\tscary,\tright? i\tguess,\ti\tanswer. but\tyou\u2019re\tokay\twith\tit?\tshe\tasks\tme\tsweetly.\tyou\u2019re\tnot\ttoo\tfreaked\tout?\tor\tscared? i\u2019m\tnot\tfreaked\tout\tor\tscared.\ti\tsmile. she\tnods\tand\tlooks\tdown\tat\tthe\tpolar\tbear\ton\ther\tlap.\ti\tcan\u2019t\ttell\twhether\tshe\tbelieves\tme\tor not,\tbut\tthen\tshe\tgives\tthe\tpolar\tbear\ta\tkiss\ton\tthe\tnose\tand\ttosses\tit\tto\tme\twith\ta\tlittle\tsmile. i\tthink\tthat\tmeans\tshe\tbelieves\tme.\tor\tat\tleast\tthat\tshe\twants\tto.","Valentine\u2019s\tDay i\t give\t olivia\t a\t heart\t necklace\t for\t valentine\u2019s\t day,\t and\t she\t gives\t me\t a\t messenger\t bag\t she\u2019s made\tout\tof\told\tfloppy\tdisks.\tvery\tcool\thow\tshe\tmakes\tthings\tlike\tthat.\tearrings\tout\tof\tpieces of\tcircuit\tboards.\tdresses\tout\tof\tt-shirts.\tbags\tout\tof\told\tjeans.\tshe\u2019s\tso\tcreative.\ti\ttell\ther\tshe should\t be\t an\t artist\t someday,\t but\t she\t wants\t to\t be\t a\t scientist.\t a\t geneticist,\t of\t all\t things.\t she wants\tto\tfind\tcures\tfor\tpeople\tlike\ther\tbrother,\ti\tguess. we\t make\t plans\t for\t me\t to\t finally\t meet\t her\t parents.\t a\t mexican\t restaurant\t on\t amesfort\t avenue near\ther\thouse\ton\tsaturday\tnight. all\tday\tlong\ti\u2019m\tnervous\tabout\tit.\tand\twhen\ti\tget\tnervous\tmy\ttics\tcome\tout.\ti\tmean,\tmy\ttics\tare always\t there,\t but\t they\u2019re\t not\t like\t they\t used\t to\t be\t when\t i\t was\t little:\t nothing\t but\t a\t few\t hard blinks\tnow,\tthe\toccasional\thead\tpull.\tbut\twhen\ti\u2019m\tstressed\tthey\tget\t\tworse\u2014and\ti\u2019m\tdefinitely stressing\tabout\tmeeting\ther\tfolks. they\u2019re\twaiting\tinside\twhen\ti\tget\tto\tthe\trestaurant.\tthe\tdad\tgets\tup\tand\tshakes\tmy\thand,\tand the\tmom\tgives\tme\ta\thug.\ti\tgive\tauggie\ta\thello\tfist-punch\tand\tkiss\tolivia\ton\tthe\tcheek\tbefore\ti sit\tdown. it\u2019s\tso\tnice\tto\tmeet\tyou,\tjustin!\twe\u2019ve\theard\tso\tmuch\tabout\tyou! her\tparents\tcouldn\u2019t\tbe\tnicer.\tput\tme\tat\tease\tright\taway.\tthe\twaiter\tbrings\tover\tthe\tmenus\tand i\tnotice\this\texpression\tthe\tmoment\the\tlays\teyes\ton\taugust.\tbut\ti\tpretend\tnot\tto\tnotice.\ti\tguess we\u2019re\t all\t pretending\t not\t to\t notice\t things\t tonight.\t the\t waiter.\t my\t tics.\t the\t way\t august\t crushes the\t tortilla\t chips\t on\t the\t table\t and\t spoons\t the\t crumbs\t into\t his\t mouth.\t i\t look\t at\t olivia\t and\t she smiles\tat\tme.\tshe\tknows.\tshe\tsees\tthe\twaiter\u2019s\tface.\tshe\tsees\tmy\ttics.\tolivia\tis\ta\tgirl\twho\tsees everything. we\tspend\tthe\tentire\tdinner\ttalking\tand\tlaughing.\tolivia\u2019s\tparents\task\tme\tabout\tmy\tmusic,\thow i\tgot\tinto\tthe\tfiddle\tand\tstuff\tlike\tthat.\tand\ti\ttell\tthem\tabout\thow\ti\tused\tto\tplay\tclassical\tviolin but\tI\tgot\tinto\tappalachian\tfolk\tmusic\tand\tthen\tzydeco.\tand\tthey\u2019re\tlistening\tto\tevery\tword\tlike they\u2019re\treally\tinterested.\tthey\ttell\tme\tto\tlet\tthem\tknow\tthe\tnext\ttime\tmy\tband\u2019s\tplaying\ta\tgig so\tthey\tcan\tcome\tlisten. i\u2019m\t not\t used\t to\t all\t the\t attention,\t to\t be\t truthful.\t my\t parents\t don\u2019t\t have\t a\t clue\t about\t what\t I want\tto\tdo\twith\tmy\tlife.\tthey\tnever\task.\twe\tnever\ttalk\tlike\tthis.\ti\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tthey\teven\tknow\ti traded\tmy\tbaroque\tviolin\tfor\tan\teight-string\thardanger\tfiddle\ttwo\tyears\tago. after\tdinner\twe\tgo\tback\tto\tolivia\u2019s\tfor\tsome\tice\tcream.\ttheir\tdog\tgreets\tus\tat\tthe\tdoor.\tan\told dog.\t super\t sweet.\t she\u2019d\t thrown\t up\t all\t over\t the\t hallway,\t though.\t olivia\u2019s\t mom\t rushes\t to\t get paper\ttowels\twhile\tthe\tdad\tpicks\tthe\tdog\tup\tlike\tshe\u2019s\ta\tbaby. what\u2019s\tup,\tol\u2019\tgirlie?\the\tsays,\tand\tthe\tdog\u2019s\tin\theaven,\ttongue\thanging\tout,\ttail\twagging,\tlegs in\tthe\tair\tat\tawkward\tangles. dad,\ttell\tjustin\thow\tyou\tgot\tdaisy,\tsays\tolivia. yeah!\tsays\tauggie. the\tdad\tsmiles\tand\tsits\tdown\tin\ta\tchair\twith\tthe\tdog\tstill\tcradled\tin\this\tarms.\tit\u2019s\tobvious\the\u2019s told\tthis\tstory\tlots\tof\ttimes\tand\tthey\tall\tlove\tto\thear\tit. so\ti\u2019m\tcoming\thome\tfrom\tthe\tsubway\tone\tday,\the\tsays,\tand\ta\thomeless\tguy\ti\u2019ve\tnever\tseen\tin this\tneighborhood\tbefore\tis\tpushing\tthis\tfloppy\tmutt\tin\ta\tstroller,\tand\the\tcomes\tup\tto\tme\tand says,\t hey,\t mister,\t wanna\t buy\t my\t dog?\t and\t without\t even\t th\t inking\t about\t it,\t i\t say\t sure,\t how much\t you\t want?\t and\t he\t says\t ten\t bucks,\t so\t i\t give\t him\t the\t twenty\t dollars\t i\t have\t in\t my\t wallet and\the\thands\tme\tthe\tdog.\tjustin,\ti\u2019m\ttelling\tyou,\tyou\u2019ve\tnever\tsmelled\tanything\tso\tbad\tin\tyour life!\tshe\tstank\tso\tmuch\ti\tcan\u2019t\teven\ttell\tyou!\tso\ti\ttook\ther\tright\tfrom\tthere\tto\tthe\tvet\tdown\tthe street\tand\tthen\ti\tbrought\ther\thome. didn\u2019t\teven\tcall\tme\tfirst,\tby\tthe\tway!\tthe\tm\tom\tinterjects\tas\tshe\tcleans\tthe\tfloor,\tto\tsee\tif\ti\u2019m okay\twith\this\tbringing\thome\tsome\thomeless\tguy\u2019s\tdog. the\t dog\t actually\t looks\t over\t at\t the\t mom\t when\t she\t says\t this,\t like\t she\t understands\t everything","everyone\t is\t saying\t about\t her.\t she\u2019s\t a\t happy\t dog,\t like\t she\t knows\t she\t lucked\t out\t that\t day finding\tthis\tfamily. i\tkind\tof\tknow\thow\tshe\tfeels.\ti\tlike\tolivia\u2019s\tfamily.\tthey\tlaugh\ta\tlot. my\tfamily\u2019s\tnot\tlike\tthis\tat\tall.\tmy\tmom\tand\tdad\tgot\tdivorced\twhen\ti\twas\tfour\tand\tthey\tpretty much\thate\teach\tother.\ti\tgrew\tup\tspending\thalf\tof\tevery\tweek\tin\tmy\tdad\u2019s\tapartment\tin\tchelsea and\t the\t other\t half\t in\t my\t mom\u2019s\t place\t in\t brooklyn\t heights.\t i\t have\t a\t half\t brother\t who\u2019s\t five years\tolder\tthan\tme\tand\tbarely\tknows\ti\texist.\tfor\tas\tlong\tas\ti\tcan\tremember,\ti\u2019ve\tfelt\tlike\tmy parents\t could\t hardly\t wait\t for\t me\t to\t be\t old\t enough\t to\t take\t care\t of\t myself.\t \u201cyou\t can\t go\t to\t the store\t by\t yourself.\u201d\t \u201chere\u2019s\t the\t key\t to\t the\t apartment.\u201d\t it\u2019s\t funny\t how\t there\u2019s\t a\t word\t like overprotective\tto\tdescribe\tsome\tparents,\tbut\tno\tword\tthat\tmeans\tthe\topposite.\twhat\tword\tdo you\t use\t to\t describe\t parents\t who\t don\u2019t\t protect\t enough?\t underprotective?\t neglectful?\t self- involved?\tlame?\tall\tof\tthe\tabove. olivia\u2019s\tfamily\ttell\teach\tother\t\u201ci\tlove\tyou\u201d\tall\tthe\ttime. i\tcan\u2019t\tremember\tthe\tlast\ttime\tanyone\tin\tmy\tfamily\tsaid\tthat\tto\tme. by\tthe\ttime\ti\tgo\thome,\tmy\ttics\thave\tall\tstopped.","OUR\tTOWN we\u2019re\tdoing\tthe\tplay\tour\ttown\tfor\tthe\tspring\tshow\tthis\tyear.\tolivia\tdares\tme\tto\ttry\tout\tfor\tthe lead\t role,\t the\t stage\t manager,\t and\t somehow\t i\t get\t it.\t total\t fluke.\t never\t got\t any\t lead\t roles\t in anything\t before.\t i\t tell\t olivia\t she\t brings\t me\t good\t luck.\t unfortunately,\t she\t doesn\u2019t\t get\t the female\tlead,\temily\tgibbs.\tthe\tpink-haired\tgirl\tnamed\tmiranda\tgets\tit.\tolivia\tgets\ta\tbit\tpart\tand is\t also\t the\t emily\t understudy.\t i\u2019m\t actually\t more\t disappointed\t than\t olivia\t is.\t she\t almost\t seems relieved.\ti\tdon\u2019t\tlove\tpeople\tstaring\tat\tme,\tshe\tsays,\twhich\tis\tsort\tof\tstrange\tcoming\tfrom\tsuch a\tpretty\tgirl.\ta\tpart\tof\tme\tthinks\tmaybe\tshe\tblew\ther\taudition\ton\tpurpose. the\t spring\t show\t is\t at\t the\t end\t of\t april.\t it\u2019s\t mid-march\t now,\t so\t that\u2019s\t less\t than\t six\t weeks\t to memorize\t my\t part.\t plus\t rehearsal\t time.\t plus\t practicing\t with\t my\t band.\t plus\t finals.\t plus spending\t time\t with\t olivia.\t it\u2019s\t going\t to\t be\t a\t rough\t six\t weeks,\t that\u2019s\t for\t sure.\t mr.\t davenport, the\tdrama\tteacher,\tis\talready\tmanic\tabout\tthe\twhole\tthing.\twill\tdrive\tus\tcrazy\tby\tthe\ttime\tit\u2019s over,\t no\t doubt.\t i\t heard\t through\t the\t grapevine\t that\t he\u2019d\t been\t planning\t on\t doing\t the\t elephant man\t but\t changed\t it\t to\t our\t town\t at\t the\t last\t minute,\t and\t that\t change\t took\t a\t week\t off\t of\t our rehearsal\tschedule. not\tlooking\tforward\tto\tthe\tcraziness\tof\tthe\tnext\tmonth\tand\ta\thalf.","Ladybug olivia\t and\t i\t are\t sitting\t on\t her\t front\t stoop.\t she\u2019s\t helping\t me\t with\t my\t lines.\t it\u2019s\t a\t warm\t march evening,\talmost\tlike\tsummer.\tthe\tsky\tis\tstill\tbright\tcyan\tbut\tthe\tsun\tis\tlow\tand\tthe\tsidewalks are\tstreaked\twith\tlong\tshadows. i\u2019m\t reciting:\t yes,\t the\t sun\u2019s\t come\t up\t over\t a\t thousand\t times.\t summers\t and\t winters\t have cracked\t the\t mountains\t a\t little\t bit\t more\t and\t the\t rains\t have\t brought\t down\t some\t of\t the\t dirt. some\tbabies\tthat\tweren\u2019t\teven\tborn\tbefore\thave\tbegun\ttalking\tregular\tsentences\talready;\tand a\tnumber\tof\tpeople\twho\tthought\tthey\twere\tright\tyoung\tand\tspry\thave\tnoticed\tthat\tthey\tcan\u2019t bound\tup\ta\tflight\tof\tstairs\tlike\tthey\tused\tto,\twithout\ttheir\theart\tfluttering\ta\tlittle.\u2026 i\tshake\tmy\thead.\tcan\u2019t\tremember\tthe\trest. all\tthat\tcan\thappen\tin\ta\tthousand\tdays,\tolivia\tprompts\tme,\treading\tfrom\tthe\tscript. right,\tright,\tright,\ti\tsay,\tshaking\tmy\thead.\ti\tsigh.\ti\u2019m\twiped,\tolivia.\thow\tthe\theck\tam\ti\tgoing\tto remember\tall\tthese\tlines? you\t will,\t she\t answers\t confidently.\t she\t reaches\t out\t and\t cups\t her\t hands\t over\t a\t ladybug\t that appears\tout\tof\tnowhere.\tsee?\ta\tgood\tluck\tsign,\tshe\tsays,\tslowly\tlifting\ther\ttop\thand\tto\treveal the\tladybug\twalking\ton\tthe\tpalm\tof\ther\tother\thand. good\tluck\tor\tjust\tthe\thot\tweather,\ti\tjoke. of\tcourse\tgood\tluck,\tshe\tanswers,\twatching\tthe\tladybug\tcrawl\tup\ther\twrist.\tthere\tshould\tbe\ta thing\t about\t making\t a\t wish\t on\t a\t ladybug.\t auggie\t and\t I\t used\t to\t do\t that\t with\t fireflies\t when\t we were\tlittle.\tshe\tcups\ther\thand\tover\tthe\tladybug\tagain.\tcome\ton,\tmake\ta\twish.\tclose\tyour\teyes. i\tdutifully\tclose\tmy\teyes.\ta\tlong\tsecond\tpasses,\tthen\tI\topen\tthem. did\tyou\tmake\ta\twish?\tshe\tasks. yep. \t she\tsmiles,\tuncups\ther\thands,\tand\tthe\tladybug,\tas\tif\ton\tcue,\tspreads\tits\twings\tand\tflits\taway. don\u2019t\tyou\twant\tto\tknow\twhat\tI\twished\tfor?\ti\task,\tkissing\ther. no,\tshe\tanswers\tshyly,\tlooking\tup\tat\tthe\tsky,\twhich,\tat\tthis\tvery\tmoment,\tis\tthe\texact\tcolor\tof her\teyes. i\t made\t a\t wish,\t too,\t she\t says\t mysteriously,\t but\t she\t has\t so\t many\t things\t she\t could\t wish\t for\t I have\tno\tidea\twhat\tshe\u2019s\tthinking.","The\tBus\tStop olivia\u2019s\tmom,\tauggie,\tjack,\tand\tdaisy\tcome\tdown\tthe\tstoop\tjust\tas\ti\u2019m\tsaying\tgoodbye\tto\tolivia. slightly\tawkward\tsince\twe\tare\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\ta\tnice\tlong\tkiss. hey,\tguys,\tsays\tthe\tmom,\tpretending\tnot\tto\tsee\tanything,\tbut\tthe\ttwo\tboys\tare\tgiggling. hi,\tmrs.\tpullman. please\t call\t me\t isabel,\t justin,\t she\t says\t again.\t it\u2019s\t like\t the\t third\t time\t she\u2019s\t told\t me\t this,\t so\t i really\tneed\tto\tstart\tcalling\ther\tthat. i\u2019m\theading\thome,\ti\tsay,\tas\tif\tto\texplain. oh,\t are\t you\t heading\t to\t the\t subway?\t she\t says,\t following\t the\t dog\t with\t a\t newspaper.\t can\t you walk\tjack\tto\tthe\tbus\tstop? no\tproblem. that\t okay\t with\t you,\t jack?\t the\t mom\t asks\t him,\t and\t he\t shrugs.\t justin,\t can\t you\t stay\t with\t him\t till the\tbus\tcomes? of\tcourse! we\tall\tsay\tour\tgoodbyes.\tolivia\twinks\tat\tme. you\t don\u2019t\t have\t to\t stay\t with\t me,\t says\t jack\t as\t we\u2019re\t walking\t up\t the\t block.\t i\t take\t the\t bus\t by myself\tall\tthe\ttime.\tauggie\u2019s\tmom\tis\tway\ttoo\toverprotective. he\u2019s\t got\t a\t low\t gravelly\t voice,\t like\t a\t little\t tough\t guy.\t he\t kind\t of\t looks\t like\t one\t of\t those\t little- rascal\t kids\t in\t old\t black-and-white\t movies,\t like\t he\t should\t be\t wearing\t a\t newsboy\t cap\t and knickers. we\t get\t to\t the\t bus\t stop\t and\t the\t schedule\t says\t the\t bus\t will\t be\t there\t in\t eight\t minutes.\t i\u2019ll\t wait with\tyou,\ti\ttell\thim. up\tto\tyou.\the\tshrugs.\tcan\ti\tborrow\ta\tdollar?\ti\twant\tsome\tgum. i\t fish\t a\t dollar\t out\t of\t my\t pocket\t and\t watch\t him\t cross\t the\t street\t to\t the\t grocery\t store\t on\t the corner.\the\tseems\ttoo\tsmall\tto\tbe\twalking\taround\tby\thimself,\tsomehow.\tthen\ti\tthink\thow\ti\twas that\t young\t when\t i\t was\t taking\t the\t subway\t by\t myself.\t way\t too\t young.\t i\u2019m\t going\t to\t be\t an overprotective\tdad\tsomeday,\ti\tknow\tit.\tmy\tkids\tare\tgoing\tto\tknow\ti\tcare. i\u2019m\t waiting\t there\t a\t minute\t or\t two\t when\t i\t notice\t three\t kids\t walking\t up\t the\t block\t from\t the other\t direction.\t they\t walk\t right\t past\t the\t grocery\t store,\t but\t one\t of\t them\t looks\t inside\t and nudges\tthe\tother\ttwo,\tand\tthey\tall\tback\tup\tand\tlook\tinside.\ti\tcan\ttell\tthey\u2019re\tup\tto\tno\tgood,\tall elbowing\t each\t other,\t laughing.\t one\t of\t them\t is\t jack\u2019s\t height\t but\t the\t other\t two\t look\t much bigger,\t more\t like\t teens.\t they\t hide\t behind\t the\t fruit\t stand\t in\t front\t of\t the\t store,\t and\t when\t jack walks\t out,\t they\t trail\t behind\t him,\t making\t loud\t throw-up\t noises.\t jack\t casually\t turns\t around\t at the\t corner\t to\t see\t who\t they\t are\t and\t they\t run\t away,\t high-fiving\t each\t other\t and\t laughing.\t little jerks. jack\tcrosses\tthe\tstreet\tlike\tnothing\thappened\tand\tstands\tnext\tto\tme\tat\tthe\tbus\tstop,\tblowing\ta bubble. friends\tof\tyours?\ti\tfinally\tsay. ha,\the\tsays.\the\u2019s\ttrying\tto\tsmile\tbut\ti\tcan\tsee\the\u2019s\tupset. just\t some\t jerks\t from\t my\t school,\t he\t says.\t a\t kid\t named\t julian\t and\t his\t two\t gorillas,\t henry\t and miles. do\tthey\tbother\tyou\tlike\tthat\ta\tlot? no,\t they\u2019ve\t never\t done\t that\t before.\t they\u2019d\t never\t do\t that\t in\t school\t or\t they\u2019d\t get\t kicked\t out. julian\tlives\ttwo\tblocks\tfrom\there,\tso\tI\tguess\tit\twas\tjust\tbad\tluck\trunning\tinto\thim.","oh,\tokay.\ti\tnod. it\u2019s\tnot\ta\tbig\tdeal,\the\tassures\tme. we\tboth\tautomatically\tlook\tdown\tamesfort\tavenue\tto\tsee\tif\tthe\tbus\tis\tcoming. we\u2019re\tsort\tof\tin\ta\twar,\the\tsays\tafter\ta\tminute,\tas\tif\tthat\texplains\teverything.\tthen\the\tpulls\tout this\tcrumpled\tpiece\tof\tloose-leaf\tpaper\tfrom\this\tjean\tpocket\tand\tgives\tit\tto\tme.\ti\tunfold\tit,\tand it\u2019s\ta\tlist\tof\tnames\tin\tthree\tcolumns.\the\u2019s\tturned\tthe\twhole\tgrade\tagainst\tme,\tsays\tjack. not\tthe\twhole\tgrade,\ti\tpoint\tout,\tlooking\tdown\tat\tthe\tlist. he\tleaves\tme\tnotes\tin\tmy\tlocker\tthat\tsay\tstuff\tlike\teverybody\thates\tyou. you\tshould\ttell\tyour\tteacher\tabout\tthat. jack\tlooks\tat\tme\tlike\ti\u2019m\tan\tidiot\tand\tshakes\this\thead. anyway,\t you\t have\t all\t these\t neutrals,\t i\t say,\t pointing\t to\t the\t list.\t if\t you\t get\t them\t on\t your\t side, things\twill\teven\tup\ta\tbit. yeah,\twell,\tthat\u2019s\treally\tgoing\tto\thappen,\the\tsays\tsarcastically. why\tnot? he\t shoots\t me\t another\t look\t like\t i\t am\t absolutely\t the\t stupidest\t guy\t he\u2019s\t ever\t talked\t to\t in\t the world. what?\ti\tsay. he\t shake\t s\t his\t head\t like\t i\u2019m\t hopeless.\t let\u2019s\t just\t say,\t he\t says,\t i\u2019m\t friends\t with\t someone\t who isn\u2019t\texactly\tthe\tmost\tpopular\tkid\tin\tthe\tschool. then\t it\t hits\t me,\t what\u2019s\t he\u2019s\t not\t coming\t out\t and\t saying:\t august.\t this\t is\t all\t about\t his\t being friends\twith\taugust.\tand\the\tdoesn\u2019t\twant\tto\ttell\tme\tbecause\ti\u2019m\tthe\tsister\u2019s\tboyfriend.\tyeah,\tof course,\tmakes\tsense. we\tsee\tthe\tbus\tcoming\tdown\tamesfort\tavenue. well,\tjust\thang\tin\tthere,\ti\ttell\thim,\thanding\tback\tthe\tpaper.\tmiddle\tschool\tis\tabout\tas\tbad\tas\tit gets,\tand\tthen\tit\tgets\tbetter.\teverything\u2019ll\twork\tout. he\tshrugs\tand\tshoves\tthe\tlist\tback\tinto\this\tpocket. we\twave\tbye\twhen\the\tgets\ton\tthe\tbus,\tand\ti\twatch\tit\tpull\taway. when\t i\t get\t to\t the\t subway\t station\t two\t blocks\t away,\t i\t see\t the\t same\t three\t kids\t hanging\t out\t in front\t of\t the\t bagel\t place\t next\t door.\t they\u2019re\t still\t laughing\t and\t yuck-yucking\t each\t other\t like they\u2019re\tsome\tkind\tof\tgangbangers,\tlittle\trich\tboys\tin\texpensive\tskinny\tjeans\tacting\ttough. don\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tpossesses\tme,\tbut\ti\ttake\tmy\tglasses\toff,\tput\tthem\tin\tmy\tpocket,\tand\ttuck\tmy fiddle\t case\t under\t my\t arm\t so\t the\t pointy\t side\t is\t facing\t up.\t i\t walk\t over\t to\t them,\t my\t face scrunched\tup,\tmean-looking.\tthey\tlook\tat\tme,\tlaughs\tdying\ton\ttheir\tlips\twhen\tthey\tsee\tme,\tice cream\tcones\tat\todd\tangles.\t yo,\t listen\t up.\t don\u2019t\t mess\t with\t jack,\t i\t say\t really\t slowly,\t gritting\t my\t teeth,\t my\t voice\t all\t clint eastwood\t tough-guy.\t mess\t with\t him\t again\t and\t you\t will\t be\t very,\t very\t sorry.\t and\t then\t i\t tap\t my fiddle\tcase\tfor\teffect. got\tit? they\tnod\tin\tunison,\tice\tcream\tdripping\tonto\ttheir\thands. good.\ti\tnod\tmysteriously,\tthen\tsprint\tdown\tthe\tsubway\ttwo\tsteps\tat\ta\ttime.","Rehearsal the\t play\t is\t taking\t up\t most\t of\t my\t time\t as\t we\t get\t closer\t to\t opening\t night.\t lots\t of\t lines\t to remember.\tlong\tmonologues\twhere\tit\u2019s\tjust\tme\ttalking.\tolivia\thad\tthis\tgreat\tidea,\tthough,\tand it\u2019s\t helping.\t i\t have\t my\t fiddle\t with\t me\t onstage\t and\t play\t it\t a\t bit\t while\t i\u2019m\t talking.\t It\u2019s\t not written\t that\t way,\t but\t mr.\t davenport\t thinks\t it\t adds\t an\t extra-folksy\t element\t to\t have\t the\t stage manager\t plucking\t on\t a\t fiddle.\t and\t for\t me\t it\u2019s\t so\t great\t because\t whenever\t i\t need\t a\t second\t to remember\tmy\tnext\tline,\ti\tjust\tstart\tplaying\ta\tlittle\t\u201csoldier\u2019s\tjoy\u201d\ton\tmy\tfiddle\tand\tit\tbuys\tme some\ttime. i\u2019ve\tgotten\tto\tknow\tthe\tkids\tin\tthe\tshow\ta\tlot\tbetter,\tespecially\tthe\tpink-haired\tgirl\twho\tplays emily.\tturns\tout\tshe\u2019s\tnot\tnearly\tas\tstuck-up\tas\ti\tthought\tshe\twas,\tgiven\tthe\tcrowd\tshe\thangs out\twith.\ther\tboyfriend\u2019s\tthis\tbuilt\tjock\twho\u2019s\ta\tbig\tdeal\ton\tthe\tvarsity\tsports\tcircuit\tat\tschool. it\u2019s\ta\twhole\tworld\tthat\ti\thave\tnothing\tto\tdo\twith,\tso\ti\u2019m\tkind\tof\tsurprised\tthat\tthis\tmiranda\tgirl turns\tout\tto\tbe\tkind\tof\tnice. one\tday\twe\u2019re\tsitting\ton\tthe\tfloor\tbackstage\twaiting\tfor\tthe\ttech\tguys\tto\tfix\tthe\tmain\tspotlight. so\thow\tlong\thave\tyou\tand\tolivia\tbeen\tdating?\tshe\tasks\tout\tof\tthe\tblue. about\tfour\tmonths\tnow,\ti\tsay. have\tyou\tmet\ther\tbrother?\tshe\tsays\tcasually. it\u2019s\tso\tunexpected\tthat\ti\tcan\u2019t\thide\tmy\tsurprise. you\tknow\tolivia\u2019s\tbrother?\ti\task. via\tdidn\u2019t\ttell\tyou?\twe\tused\tto\tbe\tgood\tfriends.\ti\u2019ve\tknown\tauggie\tsince\the\twas\ta\tbaby. oh,\tyeah,\ti\tthink\ti\tknew\tthat,\ti\tanswer.\ti\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\tlet\ton\tthat\tolivia\thad\tnot\ttold\tme\tany\tof this.\t i\t don\u2019t\t want\t to\t let\t on\t how\t surprised\t i\t am\t that\t she\t called\t her\t via.\t nobody\t but\t olivia\u2019s family\tcalls\ther\tvia,\tand\there\tthis\tpink-haired\tgirl,\twho\ti\tthought\twas\ta\tstran\tger,\tis\tcalling\ther via. miranda\tlaughs\tand\tshakes\ther\thead\tbut\tshe\tdoesn\u2019t\tsay\tanything.\tthere\u2019s\tan\tawkward\tsilence and\t then\t she\t starts\t fishing\t through\t her\t bag\t and\t pulls\t out\t her\t wallet.\t she\t rifles\t through\t a couple\tof\tpictures\tand\tthen\thands\tone\tto\tme.\tit\u2019s\tof\ta\tlittle\tboy\tin\ta\tpark\ton\ta\tsunny\tday.\the\u2019s wearing\tshorts\tand\ta\tt-shirt\u2014and\tan\tastronaut\thelmet\tthat\tcovers\this\tentire\thead. it\t was\t like\t a\t hundred\t degrees\t that\t day,\t she\t says,\t smiling\t at\t the\t picture.\t but\t he\t wouldn\u2019t\t take that\t helmet\t off\t for\t anything.\t he\t wore\t it\t for\t like\t two\t years\t straight,\t in\t the\t winter,\t in\t the summer,\tat\tthe\tbeach.\tit\twas\tcrazy. yeah,\ti\u2019ve\tseen\tpictures\tin\tolivia\u2019s\thouse. i\u2019m\t the\t one\t who\t gave\t him\t that\t helmet,\t she\t says.\t she\t sounds\t a\t little\t proud\t of\t that.\t she\t takes the\tpicture\tand\tcarefully\tinserts\tit\tback\tinto\ther\twallet. cool,\ti\tanswer. so\tyou\u2019re\tokay\twith\tit?\tshe\tsays,\tlooking\tat\tme. i\tlook\tat\ther\tblankly.\tokay\twith\twhat? she\t raises\t her\t eyebrows\t like\t she\t doesn\u2019t\t believe\t me.\t you\t know\t what\t i\u2019m\t talking\t about,\t she says,\t and\t takes\t a\t long\t drink\t from\t her\t water\t bottle.\t let\u2019s\t face\t it,\t she\t continues,\t the\t universe was\tnot\tkind\tto\tauggie\tpullman.","Bird why\tdidn\u2019t\tyou\ttell\tme\tthat\tyou\tand\tmiranda\tnavas\tused\tto\tbe\tfriends?\ti\tsay\tto\tolivia\tthe\tnext day.\ti\u2019m\treally\tannoyed\tat\ther\tfor\tnot\ttelling\tme\tthis. it\u2019s\tnot\ta\tbig\tdeal,\tshe\tanswers\tdefensively,\tlooking\tat\tme\tlike\ti\u2019m\tweird. it\tis\ta\tbig\tdeal,\ti\tsay.\ti\tlooked\tlike\tan\tidiot.\thow\tcould\tyou\tnot\ttell\tme?\tyou\u2019ve\talways\tacted\tlike you\tdon\u2019t\teven\tknow\ther. i\t don\u2019t\t know\t her,\t she\t answers\t quickly.\t i\t don\u2019t\t know\t who\t that\t pink-haired\t cheerleader\t is.\t the girl\ti\tknew\twas\ta\ttotal\tdork\twho\tcollected\tamerican\tgirl\tdolls. oh\tcome\ton,\tolivia. you\tcome\ton! you\t could\t have\t mentioned\t it\t to\t me\t at\t some\t point,\t i\t say\t quietly,\t pretending\t not\t to\t notice\t the big\tfat\ttear\tthat\u2019s\tsuddenly\trolling\tdown\ther\tcheek. she\tshrugs,\tfighting\tback\tbigger\ttears. it\u2019s\tokay,\ti\u2019m\tnot\tmad,\ti\tsay,\tthinking\tthe\ttears\tare\tabout\tme. i\thonestly\tdon\u2019t\tcare\tif\tyou\u2019re\tmad,\tshe\tsays\tspitefully. oh,\tthat\u2019s\treal\tnice,\ti\tfire\tback. she\tdoesn\u2019t\tsay\tanything.\tthe\ttears\tare\tabout\tto\tcome. olivia,\twhat\u2019s\tthe\tmatter?\ti\tsay. she\tshakes\ther\thead\tlike\tshe\tdoesn\u2019t\twant\tto\ttalk\tabout\tit,\tbut\tall\tof\ta\tsudden\tthe\ttears\tstart rolling\ta\tmile\ta\tminute. i\u2019m\tsorry,\tit\u2019s\tnot\tyou,\tjustin.\ti\u2019m\tnot\tcrying\tbecause\tof\tyou,\tshe\tfinally\tsays\tthrough\ther\ttears. then\twhy\tare\tyou\tcrying? because\ti\u2019m\tan\tawful\tperson. what\tare\tyou\ttalking\tabout? she\u2019s\tnot\tlooking\tat\tme,\twiping\ther\ttears\twith\tthe\tpalm\tof\ther\thand. i\thaven\u2019t\ttold\tmy\tparents\tabout\tthe\tshow,\tshe\tsays\tquickly. i\tshake\tmy\thead\tbecause\ti\tdon\u2019t\tquite\tget\twhat\tshe\u2019s\ttelling\tme.\tthat\u2019s\tokay,\ti\tsay.\tit\u2019s\tnot\ttoo late,\tthere\tare\tstill\ttickets\tavailable\u2014 i\t don\u2019t\t want\t them\t to\t come\t to\t the\t show,\t justin,\t she\t interrupts\t impatiently.\t don\u2019t\t you\t see\t what i\u2019m\tsaying?\ti\tdon\u2019t\twant\tthem\tto\tcome!\tif\tthey\tcome,\tthey\u2019ll\tbring\tauggie\twith\tthem,\tand\ti\tjust don\u2019t\tfeel\tlike\t\u2026 here\t she\u2019s\t hit\t by\t another\t round\t of\t crying\t that\t doesn\u2019t\t let\t her\t finish\t talking.\t i\t put\t my\t arm around\ther. i\u2019m\tan\tawful\tperson!\tshe\tsays\tthrough\ther\ttears. you\u2019re\tnot\tan\tawful\tperson,\ti\tsay\tsoftly. yes\t i\t am!\t she\t sobs.\t it\u2019s\t just\t been\t so\t nice\t being\t in\t a\t new\t school\t where\t nobody\t knows\t about him,\tyou\tknow?\tnobody\u2019s\twhispering\tabout\tit\tbehind\tmy\tback.\tit\u2019s\tjust\tbeen\tso\tnice,\tjustin.\tbut if\t he\t comes\t to\t the\t play,\t then\t everyone\t will\t talk\t about\t it,\t everyone\t will\t know.\u2026\t i\t don\u2019t\t know why\ti\u2019m\tfeeling\tlike\tthis.\u2026\ti\tswear\ti\u2019ve\tnever\tbeen\tembarrassed\tby\thim\tbefore.","i\t know,\t i\t know,\t i\t say,\t soothing\t her.\t you\u2019re\t entitled,\t olivia.\t you\u2019ve\t dealt\t with\t a\t lot\t your\t whole life. olivia\t reminds\t me\t of\t a\t bird\t sometimes,\t how\t her\t feathers\t get\t all\t ruffled\t when\t she\u2019s\t mad.\t and when\tshe\u2019s\tfragile\tlike\tthis,\tshe\u2019s\ta\tlittle\tlost\tbird\tlooking\tfor\tits\tnest. so\ti\tgive\ther\tmy\twing\tto\thide\tunder.","The\tUniverse i\t can\u2019t\t sleep\t tonight.\t my\t head\t is\t full\t of\t thoughts\t that\t won\u2019t\t turn\t off.\t lines\t from\t my monologues.\telements\tof\tthe\tperiodic\ttable\tthat\ti\u2019m\tsupposed\tto\tbe\tmemorizing.\ttheorems\ti\u2019m supposed\tto\tbe\tunderstanding.\tolivia.\tauggie. miranda\u2019s\twords\tkeep\tcoming\tback:\tthe\tuniverse\twas\tnot\tkind\tto\tauggie\tpullman. i\u2019m\tthinking\tabout\tthat\ta\tlot\tand\teverything\tit\tmeans.\tshe\u2019s\tright\tabout\tthat.\tthe\tuniverse\twas not\tkind\tto\tauggie\tpullman.\twhat\tdid\tthat\tlittle\tkid\tever\tdo\tto\tdeserve\this\tsentence?\twhat\tdid the\tparents\tdo?\tor\tolivia?\tshe\tonce\tmentioned\tthat\tsome\tdoctor\ttold\ther\tparents\tthat\tthe\todds of\tsomeone\tgetting\tthe\tsame\tcombination\tof\tsyndromes\tthat\tcame\ttogether\tto\tmake\tauggie\u2019s face\twere\tlike\tone\tin\tfour\tmillion.\tso\tdoesn\u2019t\tthat\tmake\tthe\tuniverse\ta\tgiant\tlottery,\tthen?\tyou purchase\ta\tticket\twhen\tyou\u2019re\tborn.\tand\tit\u2019s\tall\tjust\trandom\twhether\tyou\tget\ta\tgood\tticket\tor a\tbad\tticket.\tit\u2019s\tall\tjust\tluck. my\thead\tswirls\ton\tthis,\tbut\tthen\tsofter\tthoughts\tsoothe,\tlike\ta\tflatted\tthird\ton\ta\tmajor\tchord. no,\t no,\t it\u2019s\t not\t all\t random,\t if\t it\t really\t was\t all\t random,\t the\t universe\t would\t abandon\t us completely.\t and\t the\t universe\t doesn\u2019t.\t it\t takes\t care\t of\t its\t most\t fragile\t creations\t in\t ways\t we can\u2019t\t see.\t like\t with\t parents\t who\t adore\t you\t blindly.\t and\t a\t big\t sister\t who\t feels\t guilty\t for\t being human\t over\t you.\t and\t a\t little\t gravelly-voiced\t kid\t whose\t friends\t have\t left\t him\t over\t you.\t and even\t a\t pink-haired\t girl\t who\t carries\t your\t picture\t in\t her\t wallet.\t maybe\t it\t is\t a\t lottery,\t but\t the universe\tmakes\tit\tall\teven\tout\tin\tthe\tend.\tthe\tuniverse\ttakes\tcare\tof\tall\tits\tbirds.","What\ta\tpiece\tof\twork\tis\ta\tman!\thow\tnoble\tin\treason!\thow infinite\tin\tfaculty!\tin\tform\tand\tmoving\thow\texp\tress\tand admirable!\tin\taction\thow\tlike\tan\tangel!\tin\tapprehension how\tlike\ta\tgod!\tthe\tbeauty\tof\tthe\tworld!\t\u2026 \u2014Shakespeare,\tHamlet","North\tPole The\t Spud\t Lamp\t was\t a\t big\t hit\t at\t the\t science\t fair.\t Jack\t and\t I\t got\t an\t A\t for\t it.\t It\t was\t the\t first\t A Jack\tgot\tin\tany\tclass\tall\tyear\tlong,\tso\the\twas\tpsyched. All\t the\t science-fair\t projects\t were\t set\t up\t on\t tables\t in\t the\t gym.\t It\t was\t the\t same\t setup\t as\t the Egyptian\t Museum\t back\t in\t December,\t except\t this\t time\t there\t were\t volcanoes\t and\t molecule dioramas\t on\t the\t tables\t instead\t of\t pyramids\t and\t pharaohs.\t And\t instead\t of\t the\t kids\t taking\t our parents\taround\tto\tlook\tat\teverybody\telse\u2019s\tartifact,\twe\thad\tto\tstand\tby\tour\ttables\twhile\tall\tthe parents\twandered\taround\tthe\troom\tand\tcame\tover\tto\tus\tone\tby\tone. Here\u2019s\tthe\tmath\ton\tthat\tone:\tSixty\tkids\tin\tthe\tgrade\tequals\tsixty\tsets\tof\tparents\u2014and\tdoesn\u2019t even\tinclude\tgrandparents.\tSo\tthat\u2019s\ta\tminimum\tof\tone\thundred\tand\ttwenty\tpairs\tof\teyes\tthat find\t their\t way\t over\t to\t me.\t Eyes\t that\t aren\u2019t\t as\t used\t to\t me\t as\t their\t kids\u2019\t eyes\t are\t by\t now.\t It\u2019s like\t how\t compass\t needles\t always\t point\t north,\t no\t matter\t which\t way\t you\u2019re\t facing.\t All\t those eyes\tare\tcompasses,\tand\tI\u2019m\tlike\tthe\tNorth\tPole\tto\tthem. That\u2019s\twhy\tI\tstill\tdon\u2019t\tlike\tschool\tevents\tthat\tinclude\tparents.\tI\tdon\u2019t\thate\tthem\tas\tmuch\tas\tI did\t at\t the\t beginning\t of\t the\t school\t year.\t Like\t the\t Thanksgiving\t Sharing\t Festival:\t that\t was\t the worst\tone,\tI\tthink.\tThat\twas\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tI\thad\tto\tface\tthe\tparents\tall\tat\tonce.\tThe\tEgyptian Museum\t came\t after\t that,\t but\t that\t one\t was\t okay\t because\t I\t got\t to\t dress\t up\t as\t a\t mummy\t and nobody\tnoticed\tme.\tThen\tcame\tthe\twinter\tconcert,\twhich\tI\ttotally\thated\tbecause\tI\thad\tto\tsing in\tthe\tchorus.\tNot\tonly\tcan\tI\tnot\tsing\tat\tall,\tbut\tit\tfelt\tlike\tI\twas\ton\tdisplay.\tThe\tNew\tYear\tArt Show\t wasn\u2019t\t quite\t as\t bad,\t but\t it\t was\t still\t annoying.\t They\t put\t up\t our\t artwork\t in\t the\t hallways all\t over\t the\t school\t and\t had\t the\t parents\t come\t and\t check\t it\t out.\t It\t was\t like\t starting\t school\t all over\tagain,\thaving\tunsuspecting\tadults\tpass\tme\ton\tthe\tstairway. Anyway,\tit\u2019s\tnot\tthat\tI\tcare\tthat\tpeople\treact\tto\tme.\tLike\tI\u2019ve\tsaid\ta\tgazillion\ttimes:\tI\u2019m\tused\tto that\tby\tnow.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tlet\tit\tbother\tme.\tIt\u2019s\tlike\twhen\tyou\tgo\toutside\tand\tit\u2019s\tdrizzling\ta\tlittle.\tYou don\u2019t\t put\t on\t boots\t for\t a\t drizzle.\t You\t don\u2019t\t even\t open\t your\t umbrella.\t You\t walk\t through\t it\t and barely\tnotice\tyour\thair\tgetting\twet. But\t when\t it\u2019s\t a\t huge\t gym\t full\t of\t parents,\t the\t drizzle\t becomes\t like\t this\t total\t hurricane. Everyone\u2019s\teyes\thit\tyou\tlike\ta\twall\tof\twater. Mom\t and\t Dad\t hang\t around\t my\t table\t a\t lot,\t along\t with\t Jack\u2019s\t parents.\t It\u2019s\t kind\t of\t funny\t how parents\tactually\tend\t up\tforming\t the\tsame\tlittle\t groups\ttheir\t kids\tform.\tLike\t my\tparents\tand Jack\u2019s\t and\t Summer\u2019s\t mom\t all\t like\t and\t get\t along\t with\t each\t other.\t And\t I\t see\t Julian\u2019s\t parents hang\t out\t with\t Henry\u2019s\t parents\t and\t Miles\u2019s\t parents.\t And\t even\t the\t two\t Maxes\u2019\t parents\t hang out\ttogether.\tIt\u2019s\tso\tfunny. I\t told\t Mom\t and\t Dad\t about\t it\t later\t when\t we\t were\t walking\t home,\t and\t they\t thought\t it\t was\t a funny\tobservation. I\tguess\tit\u2019s\ttrue\tthat\tlike\tseeks\tlike,\tsaid\tMom.","The\tAuggie\tDoll For\ta\twhile,\tthe\t\u201cw\tar\u201d\twas\tall\twe\ttalked\tabout.\tFebruary\twas\twhen\tit\twas\treally\tat\tits\tworst. That\u2019s\t when\t practically\t nobody\t was\t talking\t to\t us,\t and\t Julian\t had\t started\t leaving\t notes\t in\t our lockers.\t The\t notes\t to\t Jack\t were\t stupid,\t like:\t You\t stink,\t big\t cheese!\t and\t Nobody\t likes\t you anymore! I\tgot\tnotes\tlike:\tFreak!\tAnd\tanother\tthat\tsaid:\tGet\tout\tof\tour\tschool,\torc! Summer\t thought\t we\t should\t report\t the\t notes\t to\t Ms.\t Rubin,\t who\t was\t the\t middle-school\t dean, or\t even\t Mr.\t Tushman,\t but\t we\t thought\t that\t would\t be\t like\t snitching.\t Anyway,\t it\u2019s\t not\t like\t we didn\u2019t\t leave\t notes,\t too,\t though\t ours\t weren\u2019t\t really\t mean.\t They\t were\t kind\t of\t funny\t and sarcastic. One\twas:\tYou\u2019re\tso\tpretty,\tJulian!\tI\tlove\tyou.\tWill\tyou\tmarry\tme?\tLove,\tBeulah Another\twas:\tLove\tyour\thair!\tXOX\tBeulah Another\twas:\tYou\u2019re\ta\tbabe.\tTickle\tmy\tfeet.\tXO\tBeulah Beulah\t was\t a\t made-up\t person\t that\t me\t and\t Jack\t came\t up\t with.\t She\t had\t really\t gross\t habits, like\t eating\t the\t green\t stuff\t in\t between\t her\t toes\t and\t sucking\t on\t her\t knuckles.\t And\t we\t figured someone\tlike\tthat\twould\thave\ta\treal\tcrush\ton\tJulian,\twho\tlooked\tand\tacted\tlike\tsomeone\tin\ta KidzBop\tcommercial. There\twere\talso\ta\tcouple\tof\ttimes\tin\tFebruary\twhen\tJulian,\tMiles,\tand\tHenry\tplayed\ttricks\ton Jack.\t They\t didn\u2019t\t play\t tricks\t on\t me,\t I\t think,\t because\t they\t knew\t that\t if\t they\t got\t caught \u201cbullying\u201d\tme,\tit\twould\tbe\tbig-time\ttrouble\tfor\tthem.\tJack,\tthey\tfigured,\twas\tan\teasier\ttarget. So\t one\t time\t they\t stole\t his\t gym\t shorts\t and\t played\t Monkey\t in\t the\t Middle\t with\t them\t in\t the locker\troom.\tAnother\ttime\tMiles,\twho\tsat\tnext\tto\tJack\tin\thomeroom,\tswiped\tJack\u2019s\tworksheet off\this\tdesk,\tcrumpled\tit\tin\ta\tball,\tand\ttossed\tit\tto\tJulian\tacross\tthe\troom.\tThis\twouldn\u2019t\thave happened\tif\tMs.\tPetosa\thad\tbeen\tthere,\tof\tcourse,\tbut\tthere\twas\ta\tsubstitute\tteacher\tthat\tday, and\tsubs\tnever\treally\tknow\twhat\u2019s\tgoing\ton.\tJack\twas\tgood\tabout\tthis\tstuff.\tHe\tnever\tlet\tthem see\the\twas\tupset,\tthough\tI\tthink\tsometimes\the\twas. The\t other\t kids\t in\t the\t grade\t knew\t about\t the\t war.\t Except\t for\t Savanna\u2019s\t group,\t the\t girls\t were neutral\tat\tfirst.\tBut\tby\tMarch\tthey\twere\tgetting\tsick\tof\tit.\tAnd\tso\twere\tsome\tof\tthe\tboys.\tLike another\ttime\twhen\tJulian\twas\tdumping\tsome\tpencil-sharpener\tshavings\tinto\tJack\u2019s\tbackpack, Amos,\t who\t was\t usually\t tight\t with\t them,\t grabbed\t the\t backpack\t out\t of\t Julian\u2019s\t hands\t and returned\t it\t to\t Jack.\t It\t was\t starting\t to\t feel\t like\t the\t majority\t of\t boys\t weren\u2019t\t buying\t into\t Julian anymore. Then\ta\tfew\tweeks\tago,\tJulian\tstarted\tspreading\tthis\tridiculous\trumor\tthat\tJack\thad\thired\tsome \u201chit\tman\u201d\tto\t\u201cget\u201d\thim\tand\tMiles\tand\tHenry.\tThis\tlie\twas\tso\tpathetic\tthat\tpeople\twere\tactually laughing\tabout\thim\tbehind\this\tback.\tAt\tthat\tpoint,\tany\tboys\twho\thad\tstill\tbeen\ton\this\tside\tnow jumped\tship\tand\twere\tclearly\tneutral.\tSo\tby\tthe\tend\tof\tMarch,\tonly\tMiles\tand\tHenry\twere\ton Julian\u2019s\tside\u2014and\tI\tthink\teven\tthey\twere\tgetting\ttired\tof\tthe\twar\tby\tthen. I\u2019m\t pretty\t sure\t everyone\u2019s\t stopped\t playing\t the\t Plague\t game\t behind\t my\t back,\t too.\t No\t one really\tcringes\tif\tI\tbump\tinto\tthem\tanymore,\tand\tpeople\tborrow\tmy\tpencils\twithout\tacting\tlike the\tpencil\thas\tcooties. People\t even\t joke\t around\t with\t me\t now\t sometimes.\t Like\t the\t other\t day\t I\t saw\t Maya\t writing\t a note\t to\t Ellie\t on\t a\t piece\t of\t Uglydoll\t stationery,\t and\t I\t don\u2019t\t know\t why,\t but\t I\t just\t kind\t of randomly\tsaid:\t\u201cDid\tyou\tknow\tthe\tguy\twho\tcreated\tthe\tUglydolls\tbased\tthem\ton\tme?\u201d Maya\t looked\t at\t me\t with\t her\t eyes\t wide\t open\t like\t she\t totally\t believed\t me.\t Then,\t when\t she realized\tI\twas\tonly\tkidding,\tshe\tthought\tit\twas\tthe\tfunniest\tthing\tin\tthe\tworld. \u201cYou\tare\tso\tfunny,\tAugust!\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tand\tthen\tsh\te\ttold\tEllie\tand\tsome\tof\tthe\tother\tgirls\twhat I\thad\tjust\tsaid,\tand\tthey\tall\tthought\tit\twas\tfunny,\ttoo.\tLike\tat\tfirst\tthey\twere\tshocked,\tbut\tthen when\tthey\tsaw\tI\twas\tlaughing\tabout\tit,\tthey\tknew\tit\twas\tokay\tto\tlaugh\tabout\tit,\ttoo.\tAnd\tthe next\t day\t I\t found\t a\t little\t Uglydoll\t key\t chain\t sitting\t on\t my\t chair\t with\t a\t nice\t little\t note\t from Maya\tthat\tsaid:\tFor\tthe\tnicest\tAuggie\tDoll\tin\tthe\tworld!\tXO\tMaya.","Six\t months\t ago\t stuff\t like\t that\t would\t never\t have\t happened,\t but\t now\t it\t happens\t more\t and more. Also,\tpeople\thave\tbeen\treally\tnice\tabout\tthe\thearing\taids\tI\tstarted\twearing.","Lobot Ever\tsince\tI\twas\tlittle,\tthe\tdoctors\ttold\tmy\tparents\tthat\tsomeday\tI\u2019d\tneed\thearing\taids.\tI\tdon\u2019t know\t why\t this\t always\t freaked\t me\t out\t a\t bit:\t maybe\t because\t anything\t to\t do\t with\t my\t ears bothers\tme\ta\tlot. My\t hearing\t was\t getting\t worse,\t but\t I\t hadn\u2019t\t told\t anyone\t about\t it.\t The\t ocean\t sound\t that\t was always\t in\t my\t head\t had\t been\t getting\t louder.\t It\t was\t drowning\t out\t people\u2019s\t voices,\t like\t I\t was underwater.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\thear\tteachers\tif\tI\tsat\tin\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\tclass.\tBut\tI\tknew\tif\tI\ttold\tMom or\t Dad\t about\t it,\t I\u2019d\t end\t up\t with\t hearing\t aids\u2014and\t I\t was\t hoping\t I\t could\t make\t it\t through\t the fifth\tgrade\twithout\thaving\tthat\thappen. But\t then\t in\t my\t annual\t checkup\t in\t October\t I\t flunked\t the\t audiology\t test\t and\t the\t doctor\t was like,\t \u201cDude,\t it\u2019s\t time.\u201d\t And\t he\t sent\t me\t to\t a\t special\t ear\t doctor\t who\t took\t impressions\t of\t my ears. Out\t of\t all\t my\t features,\t my\t ears\t are\t the\t ones\t I\t hate\t the\t most.\t They\u2019re\t like\t tiny\t closed\t fists\t on the\tsides\tof\tmy\tface.\tTh\tey\u2019re\ttoo\tlow\ton\tmy\thead,\ttoo.\tThey\tlook\tlike\tsquashed\tpieces\tof\tpizza dough\tsticking\tout\tof\tthe\ttop\tof\tmy\tneck\tor\tsomething.\tOkay,\tmaybe\tI\u2019m\texaggerating\ta\tlittle. But\tI\treally\thate\tthem. When\tthe\tear\tdoctor\tfirst\tpulled\tthe\thearing\taids\tout\tfor\tme\tand\tMom\tto\tlook\tat,\tI\tgroaned. \u201cI\tam\tnot\twearing\tthat\tthing,\u201d\tI\tannounced,\tfolding\tmy\tarms\tin\tfront\tof\tme. \u201cI\tknow\tthey\tprobably\tlook\tkind\tof\tbig,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tear\tdoctor,\t\u201cbut\twe\thad\tto\tattach\tthem\tto\tthe headband\tbeca\tuse\twe\thad\tno\tother\tway\tof\tmaking\tthem\tso\tthey\u2019d\tstay\tin\tyour\tears.\u201d See,\tnormal\thearing\taids\tusually\thave\ta\tpart\tthat\twraps\taround\tthe\touter\tear\tto\thold\tthe\tinner bud\tin\tplace.\tBut\tin\tmy\tcase,\tsince\tI\tdon\u2019t\thave\touter\tears,\tthey\thad\tto\tput\tthe\tearbuds\ton\tthis heavy-duty\theadband\tthat\twas\tsupposed\tto\twrap\taround\tthe\tback\tof\tmy\thead. \u201cI\tcan\u2019t\twear\tthat,\tMom,\u201d\tI\twhined. \u201cYou\u2019ll\thardly\tnotice\tthem,\u201d\tsaid\tMom,\ttrying\tto\tbe\tcheerful.\t\u201cThey\tlook\tlike\theadphones.\u201d \u201cHeadphones?\tLook\tat\tthem,\tMom!\u201d\tI\tsaid\tangrily.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tlook\tlike\tLobot!\u201d \u201cWhich\tone\tis\tLobot?\u201d\tsaid\tMom\tcalmly. \u201cLobot?\u201d\tThe\tear\tdoctor\tsmiled\tas\the\tlooked\tat\tthe\theadphones\tand\tmade\tsome\tadjustments. \u201cThe\t Empire\t Strikes\t Back?\t The\t bald\t guy\t with\t the\t cool\t bionic\t radio-transmitter\t thing\t that wraps\taround\tthe\tback\tof\this\tskull?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tdrawing\ta\tblank,\u201d\tsaid\tMom. \u201cYou\tknow\tStar\tWars\tstuff?\u201d\tI\tasked\tthe\tear\tdoctor. \u201cKnow\tStar\tWars\tstuff?\u201d\the\tanswered,\tslipping\tthe\tthing\tover\tmy\thead.\t\u201cI\tpractically\tinvented Star\tWars\tstuff!\u201d\tHe\tleaned\tback\tin\this\tchair\tto\tsee\thow\tthe\theadband\tfit\tand\tthen\ttook\tit\toff again. \u201cNow,\tAuggie,\tI\twant\tto\texplain\twhat\tall\tthis\tis,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tpointing\tto\tthe\tdifferent\tparts\tof\tone of\tthe\thearing\taids.\t\u201cThis\tcurved\tpiece\tof\tplastic\tover\there\tconnects\tto\tthe\ttubing\ton\tthe\tear mold.\t That\u2019s\t why\t we\t took\t those\t impressions\t back\t in\t December,\t so\t that\t this\t part\t that\t goes inside\tyour\tear\tfits\tnice\tand\tsnug.\tThis\tpart\there\tis\tcalled\tthe\ttone\thook,\tokay?\tAnd\tthis\tthing is\tthe\tspecial\tpart\twe\u2019ve\tattached\tto\tthis\tcradle\there.\u201d \u201cThe\tLobot\tpart,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tmiserably. \u201cHey,\t Lobot\t is\t cool,\u201d\t said\t the\t ear\t doctor.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t not\t like\t we\u2019re\t saying\t you\u2019re\t going\t to\t look\t like Jar\t Jar,\t you\t know?\t That\t would\t be\t bad.\u201d\t He\t slid\t the\t earphones\t on\t my\t head\t again\t carefully. \u201cThere\tyou\tgo,\tAugust.\tSo\thow\u2019s\tthat?\u201d \u201cTotally\tuncomfortable!\u201d\tI\tsaid.","\u201cYou\u2019ll\tget\tused\tto\tthem\tvery\tquickly,\u201d\the\tsaid. I\tlooked\tin\tthe\tmirror.\tMy\teyes\tstarted\ttearing\tup.\tAll\tI\tsaw\twere\tthese\ttubes\tjutting\tout\tfrom either\tside\tof\tmy\thead\u2014like\tantennas. \u201cDo\tI\treally\thave\tto\twear\tthis,\tMom?\u201d\tI\tsaid,\ttrying\tnot\tto\tcry.\t\u201cI\thate\tthem.\tThey\tdon\u2019t\tmake any\tdifference!\u201d \u201cGive\t it\t a\t second,\t buddy,\u201d\t said\t the\t doctor.\t \u201cI\t haven\u2019t\t even\t turned\t them\t on\t yet.\t Wait\t until\t you hear\tthe\tdifference:\tyou\u2019ll\twant\tto\twear\tthem.\u201d \u201cNo\tI\twon\u2019t!\u201d And\tthen\the\tturned\tthem\ton.","Hearing\tBrightly How\t can\t I\t describe\t what\t I\t heard\t when\t the\t doctor\t turned\t on\t my\t hearing\t aids?\t Or\t what\t I d\t idn\u2019t\t hear?\t It\u2019s\t too\t hard\t to\t think\t of\t words.\t The\t ocean\t just\t wasn\u2019t\t living\t inside\t my\t head anymore.\t It\t was\t gone.\t I\t could\t hear\t sounds\t like\t shiny\t lights\t in\t my\t brain.\t It\t was\t like\t when you\u2019re\tin\ta\troom\twhere\tone\tof\tthe\tlightbulbs\ton\tthe\tceiling\tisn\u2019t\tworking,\tbut\tyou\tdon\u2019t\trealize how\tdark\tit\tis\tuntil\tsomeone\tchanges\tthe\tlightbulb\tand\tthen\tyou\u2019re\tlike,\twhoa,\tit\u2019s\tso\tbright\tin here!\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tif\tthere\u2019s\ta\tword\tthat\tmeans\tthe\tsame\tas\t\u201cbright\u201d\tin\tterms\tof\thearing,\tbut\tI wish\tI\tknew\tone,\tbecause\tmy\tears\twere\thearing\tbrightly\tnow. \u201cHow\tdoes\tit\tsound,\tAuggie?\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tear\tdoctor.\t\u201cCan\tyou\thear\tme\tokay,\tbuddy?\u201d I\tlooked\tat\thim\tand\tsmiled\tbut\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tanswer. \u201cSweetie,\tdo\tyou\thear\tanything\tdifferent?\u201d\tsaid\tMom. \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\thave\tto\tshout,\tMom.\u201d\tI\tnodded\thappily. \u201cAre\tyou\thearing\tbetter?\u201d\tasked\tthe\tear\tdoctor. \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\thear\tthat\tnoise\tanymore,\u201d\tI\tanswered.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tso\tquiet\tin\tmy\tears.\u201d \u201cThe\t white\t noise\t is\t gone,\u201d\t he\t said,\t nodding.\t He\t looked\t at\t me\t and\t winked.\t \u201cI\t told\t you\t you\u2019d like\twhat\tyou\theard,\tAugust.\u201d\tHe\tmade\tmore\tadjustments\ton\tthe\tleft\thearing\taid. \u201cDoes\tit\tsound\tvery\tdifferent,\tlove?\u201d\tMom\tasked. \u201cYeah.\u201d\tI\tnodded.\t\u201cIt\tsounds\t\u2026\tlighter.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tbecause\tyou\thave\tbionic\thearing\tnow,\tbuddy,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tear\tdoctor,\tadjusting\tthe\tright side.\t\u201cNow\ttouch\there.\u201d\tHe\tput\tmy\thand\tbehind\tthe\thearing\taid.\t\u201cDo\tyou\tfeel\tthat?\tThat\u2019s\tthe volume.\t You\t have\t to\t find\t the\t volume\t that\t works\t for\t you.\t We\u2019re\t going\t to\t do\t that\t next.\t Well, what\tdo\tyou\tthink?\u201d\tHe\tpicked\tup\ta\tsmall\tmirror\tand\thad\tme\tlook\tin\tthe\tbig\tmirror\tat\thow\tthe hearing\t aids\t looked\t in\t the\t back.\t My\t hair\t covered\t most\t of\t the\t headband.\t The\t only\t part\t that peeked\tout\twas\tthe\ttubing. \u201cAre\tyou\tokay\twith\tyour\tnew\tbionic\tLobot\thearing\taids?\u201d\tthe\tear\tdoctor\tasked,\tlooking\tin\tthe mirror\tat\tme. \u201cYeah,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cThank\tyou.\u201d \u201cThank\tyou\tso\tmuch,\tDr.\tJames,\u201d\tsaid\tMom. The\t first\t day\t I\t showed\t up\t at\t school\t with\t the\t hearing\t aids,\t I\t thought\t kids\t would\t make\t a\t big deal\tabout\tit.\tBut\tno\tone\tdid.\tSummer\twas\tglad\tI\tcould\thear\tbetter,\tand\tJack\tsaid\tit\tmade\tme look\tlike\tan\tFBI\tagent\tor\tsomething.\tBut\tthat\twas\tit.\tMr.\tBrowne\tasked\tme\tabout\tit\tin\tEnglish class,\t but\t it\t wasn\u2019t\t like,\t what\t the\t heck\t is\t that\t thing\t on\t your\t head?!\t It\t was\t more\t like,\t \u201cIf\t you ever\tneed\tme\tto\trepeat\tsomething,\tAuggie,\tmake\tsure\tyou\ttell\tme,\tokay?\u201d Now\t that\t I\t look\t back,\t I\t don\u2019t\t know\t why\t I\t was\t so\t stressed\t about\t it\t all\t this\t time.\t Funny\t how sometimes\tyou\tworry\ta\tlot\tabout\tsomething\tand\tit\tturns\tout\tto\tbe\tnothing.","Via\u2019s\tSecret A\t couple\t of\t days\t after\t spring\t break\t ended,\t Mom\t found\t out\t that\t Via\t hadn\u2019t\t told\t her\t about\t a school\t play\t that\t was\t happening\t at\t her\t high\t school\t the\t next\t week.\t And\t Mom\t was\t mad.\t Mom doesn\u2019t\t really\t get\t mad\t that\t much\t (though\t Dad\t would\t disagree\t with\t that),\t but\t she\t was\t really mad\tat\tVia\tfor\tthat.\tShe\tand\tVia\tgot\tinto\ta\thuge\tfight.\tI\tcould\thear\tthem\tyelling\tat\teach\tother in\tVia\u2019s\troom.\tMy\tbionic\tLobot\tears\tcould\thear\tMom\tsaying:\t\u201cBut\twhat\tis\twith\tyou\tlately,\tVia? You\u2019re\tmoody\tand\ttaciturn\tand\tsecretive.\u2026\u201d \u201cWhat\t is\t so\t wrong\t with\t my\t not\t telling\t you\t about\t a\t stupid\t play?\u201d\t Via\t practically\t screamed.\t \u201cI don\u2019t\teven\thave\ta\tspeaking\tpart\tin\tit!\u201d \u201cYour\tboyfriend\tdoes!\tDon\u2019t\tyou\twant\tus\tto\tsee\thim\tin\tit?\u201d \u201cNo!\tActually,\tI\tdon\u2019t!\u201d \u201cStop\tscreaming!\u201d \u201cYou\t screamed\t first!\t Just\t leave\t me\t alone,\t okay?\t You\u2019ve\t been\t really\t good\t about\t leaving\t me alone\tmy\twhole\tlife,\tso\twhy\tyou\tchoose\thigh\tschool\tto\tsuddenly\tbe\tinterested\tI\thave\tno\tidea. \u2026\u201d Then\t I\t don\u2019t\t know\t what\t Mom\t answered\t because\t it\t all\t got\t very\t quiet,\t and\t even\t my\t bionic Lobot\tears\tcouldn\u2019t\tpick\tup\ta\tsignal.","My\tCave By\t dinner\t they\t seemed\t to\t have\t made\t up.\t Dad\t was\t working\t late.\t Daisy\t was\t sleeping.\t She\u2019d thrown\t up\t a\t lot\t earlier\t in\t the\t day,\t and\t Mom\t made\t an\t appointment\t to\t take\t her\t to\t the\t vet\t the next\tmorning. The\tthree\tof\tus\twere\tsitting\tdown\tand\tno\tone\twas\ttalking. \t Finally,\tI\tsaid:\t\u201cSo,\tare\twe\tgoing\tto\tsee\tJustin\tin\ta\tplay?\u201d Via\tdidn\u2019t\tanswer\tbut\tlooked\tdown\tat\ther\tplate. \u201cYou\t know,\t Auggie,\u201d\t said\t Mom\t quietly.\t \u201cI\t hadn\u2019t\t realized\t what\t play\t it\t was,\t and\t it\t really\t isn\u2019t something\tthat\twould\tbe\tinteresting\tto\tkids\tyour\tage.\u201d \u201cSo\tI\u2019m\tnot\tinvited?\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tlooking\tat\tVia. \u201cI\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\tthat,\u201d\tsaid\tMom.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tjust\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tit\u2019s\tsomething\tyou\u2019d\tenjoy.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019d\tget\ttotally\tbored,\u201d\tsaid\tVia,\tlike\tshe\twas\taccusing\tme\tof\tsomething. \u201cAre\tyou\tand\tDad\tgoing?\u201d\tI\tasked. \u201cDad\u2019ll\tgo,\u201d\tsaid\tMom.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tstay\thome\twith\tyou.\u201d \u201cWhat?\u201d\t Via\t yelled\t at\t Mom.\t \u201cOh\t great,\t so\t you\u2019re\t going\t to\t punish\t me\t for\t being\t honest\t by\t not going?\u201d \u201cYou\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tus\tto\tgo\tin\tthe\tfirst\tplace,\tremember?\u201d\tanswered\tMom. \u201cBut\tnow\tthat\tyou\tknow\tabout\tit,\tof\tcourse\tI\twant\tyou\tto\tgo!\u201d\tsaid\tVia. \u201cWell,\tI\u2019ve\tgot\tto\tweigh\teveryone\u2019s\tfeelings\there,\tVia,\u201d\tsaid\tMom. \u201cWhat\tare\tyou\ttwo\ttalking\tabout?\u201d\tI\tshouted. \u201cNothing!\u201d\tthey\tboth\tsnapped\tat\tthe\tsame\ttime. \u201cJust\tsomething\tabout\tVia\u2019s\tschool\tthat\thas\tnothing\tto\tdo\twith\tyou,\u201d\tsaid\tMom. \u201cYou\u2019re\tlying,\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cExcuse\tme?\u201d\tsaid\tMom,\tkind\tof\tshocked.\tEven\tVia\tlooked\tsurprised. \u201cI\t said\t you\u2019re\t lying!\u201d\t I\t shouted.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t lying!\u201d\t I\t screamed\t at\t Via,\t getting\t up.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t both liars!\tYou\u2019re\tboth\tlying\tto\tmy\tface\tlike\tI\u2019m\tan\tidiot!\u201d \u201cSit\tdown,\tAuggie!\u201d\tsaid\tMom,\tgrabbing\tmy\tarm. I\tpulled\tmy\tarm\taway\tand\tpointed\tat\tVia. \u201cYou\tthink\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\u2019s\tgoing\ton?\u201d\tI\tyelled.\t\u201cYou\tjust\tdon\u2019t\twant\tyour\tbrand-new\tfancy high\tschool\tfriends\tto\tknow\tyour\tbrother\u2019s\ta\tfreak!\u201d \u201cAuggie!\u201d\tMom\tyelled.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\tnot\ttrue!\u201d \u201cStop\tlying\tto\tme,\tMom!\u201d\tI\tshrieked.\t\u201cStop\ttreating\tme\tlike\ta\tbaby!\tI\u2019m\tnot\tretarded!\tI\tknow what\u2019s\tgoing\ton!\u201d I\t ran\t down\t the\t hallway\t to\t my\t room\t and\t slammed\t the\t door\t behind\t me\t so\t hard\t that\t I\t actually heard\tlittle\tpieces\tof\tthe\twall\tcrumble\tinside\tthe\tdoor\tframe.\tThen\tI\tplopped\tonto\tmy\tbed\tand pulled\tthe\tcovers\tup\ton\ttop\tof\tme.\tI\tthrew\tmy\tpillows\tover\tmy\tdisgusting\tface\tand\tthen\tpiled all\t my\t stuffed\t animals\t on\t top\t of\t the\t pillows,\t like\t I\t was\t inside\t a\t little\t cave.\t If\t I\t could\t walk around\twith\ta\tpillow\tover\tmy\tface\tall\tthe\ttime,\tI\twould.","I\t don\u2019t\t even\t know\t how\t I\t got\t so\t mad.\t I\t wasn\u2019t\t really\t mad\t at\t the\t beginning\t of\t dinner.\t I\t wasn\u2019t even\tsad.\tBut\tthen\tall\tof\ta\tsudden\tit\tall\tkind\tof\tjust\texploded\tout\tof\tme.\tI\tknew\tVia\tdidn\u2019t\twant me\tto\tgo\tto\ther\tstupid\tplay.\tAnd\tI\tknew\twhy. I\tfigured\tMom\twould\tfollow\tme\tinto\tmy\troom\tright\taway,\tbut\tshe\tdidn\u2019t.\tI\twanted\ther\tto\tfind me\tinside\tmy\tcave\tof\tstuffed\tanimals,\tso\tI\twaited\ta\tlittle\tmore,\tbut\teven\tafter\tten\tminutes\tshe still\tdidn\u2019t\tcome\tin\tafter\tme.\tI\twas\tpretty\tsurprised.\tShe\talways\tchecks\ton\tme\twhen\tI\u2019m\tin\tmy room,\tupset\tabout\tstuff. I\tpictured\tMom\tand\tVia\ttalking\tabout\tme\tin\tthe\tkitchen.\tI\tfigured\tVia\twas\tfeeling\treally,\treally, really\tbad.\tI\tpictured\tMom\ttotally\tlaying\ton\tthe\tguilt.\tAnd\tDad\twould\tbe\tmad\tat\ther\twhen\the came\thome,\ttoo. I\tmade\ta\tlittle\thole\tthrough\tthe\tpile\tof\tpillows\tand\tstuffed\tanimals\tand\tpeeked\tat\tthe\tclock\ton my\twall.\tHalf\tan\thour\thad\tpassed\tand\tMom\tstill\thadn\u2019t\tcome\tinto\tmy\troom.\tI\ttried\tto\tlisten\tfor the\tsounds\tin\tthe\tother\trooms.\tWere\tthey\tstill\thaving\tdinner?\tWhat\twas\tgoing\ton? Finally,\t the\t door\t opened.\t It\t was\t Via.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t even\t bother\t coming\t over\t to\t my\t bed,\t and\t she didn\u2019t\tcome\tin\tsoftly\tlike\tI\tthought\tshe\twould.\tShe\tcame\tin\tquickly.","Goodbye \u201cAuggie,\u201d\tsaid\tVia.\t\u201cCome\tquick.\tMom\tneeds\tto\ttalk\tto\tyou.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tapologizing!\u201d \u201cThis\t isn\u2019t\t about\t you!\u201d\t she\t yelled.\t \u201cNot\t everything\t in\t the\t world\t is\t about\t you,\t Auggie!\t Now hurry\tup.\tDaisy\u2019s\tsick.\tMom\u2019s\ttaking\ther\tto\tthe\temergency\tvet.\tCome\tsay\tgoodbye.\u201d I\t pushed\t the\t pillows\t off\t my\t face\t \t and\t looked\t up\t at\t her.\t That\u2019s\t when\t I\t saw\t she\t was\t crying. \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tmean\t\u2018goodbye\u2019?\u201d \u201cCome\ton!\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tholding\tout\ther\thand. I\ttook\ther\thand\tand\tfollowed\ther\tdown\tthe\thall\tto\tthe\tkitchen.\tDaisy\twas\tlying\tdown\tsideways on\t the\t floor\t with\t her\t legs\t straight\t out\t in\t front\t of\t her.\t She\t was\t panting\t a\t lot,\t like\t she\u2019d\t been running\tin\tthe\tpark.\tMom\twas\tkneeling\tbeside\ther,\tstroking\tthe\ttop\tof\ther\thead. \u201cWhat\thappened?\u201d\tI\tasked. \u201cShe\tjust\tstarted\twhimpering\tall\tof\ta\tsudden,\u201d\tsaid\tVia,\tkneeling\tdown\tnext\tto\tMom. I\tlooked\tdown\tat\tMom,\twho\twas\tcrying,\ttoo. \u201cI\u2019m\ttaking\ther\tto\tthe\tanimal\thospital\tdowntown,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\t\u201cThe\ttaxi\u2019s\tcoming\tto\tpick\tme\tup.\u201d \u201cThe\tvet\u2019ll\tmake\ther\tbetter,\tright?\u201d\tI\tsaid. Mom\tlooked\tat\tme.\t\u201cI\thope\tso,\thoney,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tquietly.\t\u201cBut\tI\thonestly\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\u201d \u201cOf\tcourse\the\twill!\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cDaisy\u2019s\tbeen\tsick\ta\tlot\tlately,\tAuggie.\tAnd\tshe\u2019s\told\t\u2026\u201d \u201cBut\tthey\tcan\tfix\ther,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tlooking\tat\tVia\tto\tagree\twith\tme,\tbut\tVia\twouldn\u2019t\tlook\tup\tat\tme. Mom\u2019s\t lips\t were\t trembling.\t \u201cI\t think\t it\t might\t be\t time\t we\t say\t goodbye\t to\t Daisy,\t Auggie.\t I\u2019m sorry.\u201d \u201cNo!\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cWe\tdon\u2019t\twant\ther\tto\tsuffer,\tAuggie,\u201d\tshe\tsaid. The\tphone\trang.\tVia\tpicked\tit\tup,\tsaid,\t\u201cOkay,\tthanks,\u201d\tand\tthen\thung\tup. \u201cThe\ttaxi\u2019s\toutside,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\twiping\ther\ttears\twith\tthe\tbacks\tof\ther\thands. \u201cOkay,\t Auggie,\t open\t the\t door\t for\t me,\t sweetie?\u201d\t said\t Mom,\t picking\t Daisy\t up\t very\t gently\t like she\twas\ta\thuge\tdroopy\tbaby. \u201cPlease,\tno,\tMommy?\u201d\tI\tcried,\tputting\tmyself\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tdoor. \u201cHoney,\tplease,\u201d\tsaid\tMom.\t\u201cShe\u2019s\tvery\theavy.\u201d \u201cWhat\tabout\tDaddy?\u201d\tI\tcried. \u201cHe\u2019s\tmeeting\tme\tat\tthe\thospital,\u201d\tMom\tsaid.\t\u201cHe\tdoesn\u2019t\twant\tDaisy\tto\tsuffer,\tAuggie.\u201d Via\tmoved\tme\taway\tfrom\tthe\tdoor\tand\theld\tit\topen\tit\tfor\tMom. \u201cMy\t cell\t phone\u2019s\t on\t if\t you\t need\t anything,\u201d\t Mom\t said\t to\t Via.\t \u201cCan\t you\t cover\t her\t with\t the blanket?\u201d Via\tnodded,\tbut\tshe\twas\tcrying\thysterically\tnow. \u201cSay\tgoodbye\tto\tDaisy,\tkids,\u201d\tMom\tsaid,\ttears\tstreaming\tdown\ther\tface.","\u201cI\tlove\tyou,\tDaisy,\u201d\tVia\tsaid,\tkissing\tDaisy\ton\tthe\tnose.\t\u201cI\tlove\tyou\tso\tmuch.\u201d \u201cBye,\tlittle\tgirlie\t\u2026,\u201d\tI\twhispered\tinto\tDaisy\u2019s\tear.\t\u201cI\tlove\tyou.\u2026\u201d Mom\tcarried\tDaisy\tdown\tthe\tstoop.\tThe\ttaxi\tdriver\thad\topened\tthe\tback\tdoor\tand\twe\twatched her\tget\tin.\tJust\tbefore\tshe\tclosed\tthe\tdoor,\t\tMom\tlooked\tup\tat\tus\tstanding\tby\tthe\tentrance\tto the\tbuilding\tand\tshe\tgave\tus\ta\tlittle\twave.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tI\u2019ve\tever\tseen\ther\tlook\tsadder. \u201cI\tlove\tyou,\tMommy!\u201d\tsaid\tVia. \u201cI\tlove\tyou,\tMommy!\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry,\tMommy!\u201d Mom\tblew\ta\tkiss\tto\tus\tand\tclosed\tthe\tdoor.\tWe\twatched\tthe\tcar\tleave\tand\tthen\tVia\tclosed\tthe door.\tShe\tlooked\tat\tme\ta\tsecond,\tand\tthen\tshe\thugged\tme\tvery,\tvery\ttight\twhile\twe\tboth\tcried a\tmillion\ttears."]
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