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MonicaTheCrybaby received a strike for not turning in Bill II.

Entry 1:

The Score

Silence falls across the stage. None of us performers make a sound as the judge crosses the stage to meet the conductor, preparing to give us our score.

I can't help but feel on edge - completely on edge. The judge and conductor are both standing in my vicinity. I'm in perfect range of their whispers, but I don't feel like I should be tuning in. It isn't respectful.

The songs we perform play in my mind on repeat, I look around at the other performers, hold back laughter as one of them starts humming loudly... I do anything to keep myself from listening to the judge.

Eventually, I can't help it. There is a complete silence - one convenient enough to hear the words "good", "strings", and "work". Work... Work? I thought we did good. What else could we have improved on?

I look down at my viola, and remember the hard work I put into this performance. Hours of practicing, just to get the highest score.

"All right," the conductor replies, turning away. The judge walks towards the podium, looking stern.

"Hello, everyone... You have done a good job - overall. But I think you're going to need more work."

That's exactly what I thought I heard.

I don't even tune in to the critique. I'm too disappointed, after realizing that we got the lowest score of them all.

Entry 2:

School Fight

"So, did you hear about the boy who got into a fight?"

Okay, I'm not saying that. The one who said that is one of the popular kids, Liam. I'm Diane. Liam is gossiping about a fight last night. Shhh! I'm trying to listen!

"Okay, well so this kid, seventh grader, I think, got into a fight with the school bully, David." said Liam to her two friends, Clara and Darcy. "And the seventh grader was losing badly. So he took out a switchblade and gave David a few stabs. When we found the seventh grader, he was half-conscious on the ground."

I know I'm not supposed to be doing this, it's like a habit. Sometimes these gossip things are really interesting.

Clara just rolled her eyes. "Boys do nothing but fight!" She complained. "If girls were in charge, we would be at peace. But no, they made boys the kings and rulers."

Liam glared at Clara. "Shut up. I'm not done yet" she growled. "So, this seventh grader, he's in the hospital now getting surgery. They don't know if he'll make it."

Darcy had been silent until now. "The bell's about to ring," She warned. "We'll be trampled. Let's go." And they all sashay out the doors as the last bell rings.

I meet up with my friend, Renee, in the lobby. "Ready?" She asked. I nodded. Renee and I were having a sleepover tonight.

"I don't have my phone," I say. "I left it at home so we wouldn't be bothered by it."

So I leave with Renee to her house. I would not be hearing from my mom until the next day, but the whole time, I was thinking about that seventh grader. Was he alright? Is he going to live?

The next day at school, I got a text from my mom.

Call me when you can.

Uh-oh. I quickly run into the bathroom and attempt to call my mom. It went straight to voicemail. Strange. Oh well, I need to get to class. Mrs. Stone will have my head off if I'm late.

In Mrs. Stone's History class, we learn about . . . Well, I'm not sure. I never pay attention anyway. Something about wars and government. Boring!

She's giving a lecture when it happens. Bling! Bling! Bling!

God, no... Not now. But it was happening. My phone was going off in class! Mrs. Stone stopped her lecture and glared at me. "Diane, is that your phone?" She practically hisses at me.

I try not to shake. "Yes, Mrs. Stone."

"Who's calling?"

I took out my phone and looked at the screen. "My mom." I say.

"Answer it." Mrs. Stone said.

I put my phone to my ear and say. "Hello?"

"Diane, dear. I have some terrible news." She said over the phone. "Your brother, Nick, he got into a fight a few nights ago. He was in the hospital for two days."

She stopped and dread filled my stomach.

"Diane, your brother . . . he's dead."