I climbed into my bed, tugging the fuschia covers over my shoulders. I started to lean forward to flick off the reading lamp when loud thumping entered my room. I looked up to see my mom with her hands on her hips. A frown was etched on her face and her eyes glared at me.

"I want to know why you don't talk anymore," she said, "This week and last week, you have refused to speak at dinner or at anytime. I talked with Avani's and Isabelle's mothers and their daughters say the same thing. I even received an email from Ms. Isola. What's wrong?"

I shrugged. I wanted to say "Avani", but I knew my mom would side with the devil. My encounter with Izet and Aziza had taught me that.

"Speak to me."

"Ballet's just been really stressful with Mr. Brink. He's having us do all these new moves and they're super hard," I lied. The moves were true, but I enjoyed learning them.

My mom sighed and walked out of the room. Loud thumps sounded through the house as she stomped down the stairs.

I finished turning off the lamp and curled in bed. I felt empty, like a huge chunk of me was missing. I twisted to the other side. Maybe I could shake off the feeling. Maybe it would go away. After a while of twisting around with no luck, I turned the light on and began to read my newest tragedy. I didn't experience the normal floating feeling I had when I read. The emptiness continued even as I put the book down and turned the light off. Why was this happening to me?

I laid face first on my pillow. A tear fell with a tiny splash. As more joined it, I found it easier to close my eyes. Maybe it's better to cry. I always fall asleep soon after.

~~~

The walk to school with Avani was quiet and the day started as usual. We said the Pledge of Allegiance, reviewed our math, and had snack recess. Half way through munching on my bag of chips, Ms. Isola called our attention to the front of the room.

"So, class," Ms. Isola began, "We have organized a collection box for Northeast Buchtton Shelter's pantry. I'll be giving a list of the foods needed, so please remember to take the sheets home."

The class looked at each other in excitement. I had forgotten we had a shelter in Buchtton. The last time I heard about it was in third grade. We took a quick field trip to deliver some old clothes.

The only person who seemed uncomfortable was Horst. He scratched his muscular arm, brushing back his short brown hair with his other hand. His eyes flitted around the classroom until it rested on Lincoln. Lincoln flashed a Cheshire Cat grin at the boy.

"That's a great idea, Ms. Isola," Lincoln said. Silence erupted in the room. "That way, Horst can show us all his homeless friends."

Half the class burst into laughter. Mia looked like she would fling out of her pants.

Ms. Isola glared at Lincoln. "That was completely inappropriate. We do not share personal information like that in this class."

Lincoln feigned a guilty expression. "You're right. Horst should be the one to tell the class he's homeless."

No one laughed this time. They probably didn't realize what Lincoln was trying to get at before. Horst tugged a deep feeling of sympathy out of my stomach. The poor boy stared at the ground much like I often did. His friends Hinrik and Heimo were whispering to him, but he didn't seem to hear.

"Lincoln, Horst, hallway now," Ms. Isola said, her cheeks red from embarrassment, anger, or both. She strolled out of the room without waiting for the other two boys.

"See ya later, folks." Lincoln followed my teacher with Horst on his heels. The door thudded behind them leaving silence in their wake.

Summer broke it. "I feel sorry for Horst. Here I was complaining about my own home situation and look at his."

"Yeah," Kaya said. She rubbed her friend's elbow. "We all have our privileges."

For the first time in a while, my problem with Avani seemed small. Ignoring people just because I was angry with a friend was so foolish. I turned to the closest person next to me, Leila.

"That was terrible of Lincoln," I said.

Leila nodded in agreement. Her brown eyes were distant. Was she comparing her moving to Heimo's homelessness?

"Okay, guys," Ms. Raven said from her desk. "Sit down and we'll start Maniac Magee."

I drifted over to my table and sat down, unsure of how to react after such an event.

Reading and science floated by like a dream and soon I sat down besides Isabelle for lunch. Avani sat across from me. Her yellow headband's strands swung back and forth as she stared at her lunchbox. I did something I hadn't thought of doing in a while. An action I claimed I would never do again. I said, "Hello, Avani."