Black and White and Gray All Over by Rachel Wise

I said, embarrassed.
    â€œDo you think it is?” he asked.
    I shook my head. “Not so much. I just . . . I wanted to do something splashy. But a splashy letter never came along, so I had to make the most of what I had.”
    â€œAnd why would you , of all people, need to be splashy?”
    I didn’t really know what to say, so I told the truth. “To stay on top.” I shrugged.
    Mr. Trigg sighed and dropped the whisper. “I’ve been chatting with Mr. Lawrence, and I can see I’ve made a dreadful mistake with thisissue, Ms. Martone. Now, I don’t want to get into specifics or criticize anyone’s hard work. All our hearts are in the right place. But I am certain that I made an error when I allowed my sentimentality to overrule my intellect. I was spontaneous, when I should have been more measured and deliberate. Do you follow?”
    â€œUm . . . ,” I said.
    â€œMs. Martone, I do apologize for giving away your year-round-school article so abruptly to Ms. Bigley. Her accent played on my heartstrings, and I do know how it feels to be so far from home and without friends. I have walked in those shoes, and I hate to see someone else taking their first steps in them as I once did. That’s why I did it. I do apologize and hope you will forgive me.”
    â€œOh, Mr. Trigg, it wasn’t my story anyway. And I do understand. It’s fine now.”
    â€œWell, yes. I suppose it is. It certainly clarifies things for me. I understand from Mr. Lawrence that you’ve got a marvelous article for us for this issue anyway?”
    I grinned. “I hope so!”
    â€œWell, if it’s anything like what he describes, I might have to assign you a regular fashion column!” He winked at me.
    â€œYeah, right!” I said. “Not for me, thanks. But I do have someone in mind who would be just perfect for the job . . . .”
    â€œGreat. We can discuss it after we put this issue to bed. Now, hurry out of here and pare down this overwrought column, please! You need to lighten up and lighten it up!”
    I laughed. “Thanks, Mr. Trigg.”
    â€œNo, thank you, Ms. Martone.”

    Well, the issue finally did come out, and you’ll never guess what happened. My story—the school uniform story—was the front-page lead. And the year-round-school story wound up buried on page three! It was really well written but kind of boring. I thought about it, and it made sense: Michael was really good at the facts, but I was good at the quotes and about making it “relatable.” I wasn’t happyexactly, but just vindicated. It was good to know I wasn’t so easily replaced and that I had been missed—by Michael and by Mr. Trigg.
    Mr. Trigg comforted Michael by telling him it was a learning experience all around and that he was free to revisit the topic in a future issue, with or without a new cowriter.
    My article got me lots of compliments. At lunch the day they published the online edition, tons of kids came up to me and congratulated me. I was sitting with Hailey, and she started to laugh after the third person came over.
    â€œWhat?” I said.
    â€œI’m starting to think maybe you are the best writer in the school.”
    â€œOh, please. That was just pure egomania talking. I know better now.”
    â€œWell, I’m still the best soccer player, just so you know. And on my way to being the best watercolorist.”
    â€œOf that I have no doubt!” I laughed.
    Just then Kate Bigley arrived. “Mind if I join you girls?” she asked.
    â€œNot at all. Slide in!”
    â€œGreat article,” said Kate, and Hailey and I burst out laughing.
    â€œWhat?” said Kate, truly confused. “Was it something I said?”
    â€œNo, just don’t fuel the egomaniac’s fire,” I said.
    â€œOh, Hailey, you’re not an egomaniac,” said Kate. “Now, Michael Lawrence,