Grace looked at Courtney and shook her head She doesn’t like it when Courtney is mean I don’t either Why should something as little as pigtails cause someone to be so mean anyway Why don’t you sit here said Mrs Case I looked up Mrs Case was standing right next to me There was an open desk right next to her No one ever sat in that chair I just used it to keep my backpack off the floor I uh I stood up and picked up my backpack Now someone could sit in the chair Thanks said Vanessa She sat down Courtney and her followers had their heads together I couldn’t hear what they were saying Lexi pointed at Vanessa and they all started laughing Now now said Mrs Case Where is that extra math book She walked over to the
shelves at the back of the class She turned her back to the class as she crouched down to look at the books I looked over at Vanessa She was looking down at her desk Everyone was talking about her and she knew it Courtney reached up and pulled her long hair into pretend pigtails Then she made a grunting sound Everyone laughed even the boys Mrs Case stood up What she asked the class Courtney had her hands on her desk now She looked innocent The teachers never knew how mean she was to everyone else Mrs Case turned back to the shelf I know it has to be here somewhere She knelt down next to the shelf I looked over at Vanessa She was taking
out her pigtails first one and then the other She put the hair bands on her wrist Then she opened her backpack and took out her brush Psst said Grace She pointed at Courtney Courtney was pretending to brush her hair But the look on her face was just awful She held her chin up and closed her eyes She was acting like she was a beauty queen This made the class laugh even louder Settle down said Mrs Case She stood up and brushed her hands together I just can’t find it She walked over to Vanessa You can share books with Sara for now said Mrs Case Who me I looked up at Mrs Case Okay I muttered You’re such a nice girl Sara said Mrs Case Then she walked to the front of the room Okay class open your math books to
