Cory’s father and Justin walked the two children back to school. At first, Andi was worried Justin might scold her in front of her new friends. He didn’t. He just stayed quiet most of the way to the schoolhouse.

      “Wait in the cloak room,” Justin told Andi.

 He and Mr. Blake walked into the classroom.

      When they were gone, Andi and Cory stared at each other.

      “What do you suppose they’re telling Miss Hall?” Cory whispered.

       “The truth,” Andi whispered back. “I was scared and angry. I ran away. Your pa will tell her that you were just trying to find me to bring me back. If Miss Hall’s as kind as you say, she won’t punish us. Right?”

        Cory gave Andi a wide smile. “Right!”

        A few minutes later, Justin and Mr. Blake returned.

        “Go on in, son,” his father said.

        Cory disappeared into the classroom.

        When Mr. Blake left the schoolhouse, Justin knelt down beside Andi. “I’ve talked with Miss Hall. She understands. I’m not happy about what you did, but it’s over. I won’t scold you, but please! Next time you get a crazy idea to run off like that, talk to me first.”

        “That’s what I was doing,” Andi explained. “I was on my way to talk to you, but I got lost.”  

        Justin stood up. “What did you want to talk to me about?”

        Andi shook her head. “I don’t need to talk to you now. I figured it out myself—with a little help from Cory.”

        “Good for you,” Justin said with a smile. “Now, go back to class. And stay there.”

        Andi gave her brother a quick hug. “I will.”

        When she returned to her desk, she was surprised to see a little girl sitting in the seat next to hers. I have a seatmate!

        “Andrea,” Miss Hall said with a smile, “a new pupil joined us while you were away. Her name is Rachel, and she’s never been to school. I seated her by you.”

        Andi nodded and slid into her seat. “Hi,” she whispered to the new girl.

   Rachel looked at Andi. Her face was red from crying. Her eyes were puffy and full of tears. She didn’t say anything.

    She didn’t have to. Andi already knew why Rachel was crying.

    “You should have been here yesterday,” Andi said.

    Rachel looked surprised. “Why?” She wiped her eyes.

    “Because I was just as scared as you.”

    “You were?”

    Andi nodded. “Yep. All the strange kids. A new teacher.”

    Rachel was nodding. Her eyes grew wide. “You don’t look scared now.”

    “I’m not.” Andi leaned closer to Rachel and whispered into her ear. “I want to tell you something about Miss Hall…”   

   Miss Hall didn’t seem to notice. She was listening to the Second Reader class.

       “Another thing,” Andi said a few minutes later. “There are some girls who know how to jump over a rope while it’s turning. It’s harder than it looks. Before I ask to jump with them again, I want to learn how to do it. If we can get a rope, do you want to learn to do it, too?”

   Rachel smiled. Her tears disappeared. “Yes. I’d like that.”

   Andi smiled back. It was only the second day of school, but it looked like it might be a good year, after all.  

[THE END]