Starring Role: Chapter 4

Of course, by the time my face looks semi-normal again, and even Baylee wouldn’t be able to tell I’ve been crying, class is in full swing. I’m halfway to my locker to grab something to eat when I hear quick footsteps behind me, and a voice saying, “Rena? What are you doing out here now?”

Busted, I think, then turn to face the assistant principal, Mrs. Kirsch. Well, I guess I’m lucky — if Rabbi Fein had caught me, there’d be trouble.

Mrs. Kirsch is one of the favorite people in my school. Not like Miss Weller, who every ninth grader is obsessed with and half my grade hangs around through lunch period to talk to; Mrs. Kirsch is just someone I admire, in a more serious, dignified way. She’s warm and nonthreatening even when she catches you out of class, and she has this motherly air about her as if she’s about to offer you cookies and milk. If I had to choose one teacher to confide in about something, it would be her. Theoretically, of course — I’ve never been the type for that sort of thing.

But maybe I’m becoming the type, because as soon as I see Mrs. Kirsch, my eyes start to water again, and when she puts a hand on my shoulder and asks, “Is something wrong?” the tears start to spill. I have to summon all my willpower to force the rising emotion back down.