14- Danielle TRANSCRIPTION (Because of Mr. Terupt)

Transcript
I ended up talking and playing with Jessica at recess. My troubles with Lexie weren’t her fault. I told Jessica about Anna. Jessica thought Anna seemed nice, which was true. Anna was my science partner for the plant unit, and I liked working with her.

“You stay away from that girl, you hear me?” Grandma said when I first mentioned Anna at home.

“Your grandmother’s right, Danielle. That girl comes from a bad family,” Mom said. “She’ll be a bad influence.”

I wanted to know why, so Grandma filled me in on Anna’s family story. I just listened, but I couldn’t help thinking about the Anna I knew. She didn’t seem bad at all. In fact, I already liked her. I wanted her to be my friend.

I figured that as long as I wasn’t going over to her house, I could be friends with Anna in school.

Before long it was time to head inside. I walked alongside Jessica until I saw Lexie marching toward us. She had a mean scowl on her face. She looked mad. Real mad—like a mama cow determined to keep you away from her new calf. I rushed ahead. I didn’t want to fight. I felt bad for leaving Jessica behind, but I wanted to avoid Lexie. I hurried inside and hid in the bathroom, but Lexie found me.

The bathroom door flew open and she got right in my face. She told me all the mean things Jessica was saying about me.

“Like, you can even ask Katie or Emily. They’ll tell ya. Little Miss California’s a two-face. Nice to your face and mean behind it. You need to stay away from her.”

I started crying. Why would Jessica say those mean things? Lexie hugged me for a second, but it didn’t make me feel any better. Then she walked toward the sinks. She stood in front of the mirror fixing herself. I sat in one of the stalls, wiping my tears. “Like, ya know what else?” Lexie said. “Jessica’s the one who killed your plant. Like, she knocked it over on purpose. She told me.”

I’ve known Lexie since second grade, when she was all nice. She even came over to my house once that spring, but her feather boas weren’t a good match for my farm, so she hasn’t ever been back. And then in third grade, she started with her mean games, so I’ve never been to her house. We’re friends in school, when Lexie says so, and that’s it. Grandma says something’s going on with Lexie that we don’t know about, and that it’s best not to worry about being her friend.

But I did worry. What was the truth? Was there anyone I could be friends with?

Dear God,

It’s Danielle. I’m going to need your help sorting all this girl stuff out. I hope you don’t mind. I’d rather not get Grandma involved. She doesn’t always understand. Thanks. Amen.

Present

 * Danielle
 * Jessica Writeman
 * Danielle's Grandma
 * Danielle's Mom
 * Alexia

Mentioned

 * Anna Adams
 * Katie
 * Emily

Locations

 * Snow Hill School
 * Recess Area
 * Bathrooms
 * Danielle's Farm
 * Danielle's House

Related
Previous Chapter: 13- Alexia TRANSCRIPTION (Because of Mr. Terupt)

Next Chapter: 15- Luke TRANSCRIPTION (Because of Mr. Terupt)