Read All About It! by Rachel Wise

homeroom on Monday morning, there she was, sitting on Michael’s desk! They were
     chatting and laughing and didn’t see me come in until I was right next to them in
     my row.
    â€œHi, Sam,” said Hailey, spotting me first. She climbed down
     (good thing!) and went back to her seat in the next row.
    â€œHey, Pasty!” said Michael, smiling. He seemed happy to see
     me.
    â€œHey, Mikey!” I said. Two could play at this game.
    He laughed. “Oh, please! Don’t let that one follow me to
     school.”
    â€œHa! See that! How does it feel?” I laughed,pointing a finger at him. “Only if you promise no more
     Pasty!”
    â€œMikey?” asked Hailey, but I wasn’t going to clue her
     in. I decided to work it a little.
    â€œThe cinnamon bun was amazing. Thank you.”
    Michael laughed. “I can’t believe my mom basically chased
     you out the door with that thing!”
    â€œWhat thing?” asked Hailey, but I ignored her. I don’t
     think Michael actually heard her. So there! I decided to take it even further.
    â€œI’m so sorry I couldn’t stay. I had so much work this
     weekend, mostly for that article we’re doing together.” I sighed.
    â€œOh no, look . . . I totally understand. I had a lot too.
     We’ll do it another time. Hey! Did I tell you I got my dad to look into that whole
     state funding thing? It turns out . . .”
    Michael was really into it and telling me the whole story behind the
     curriculum change funding. Pfeiffer hadn’t done anything wrong (I was kind of
     relieved about that, actually), just that he was kind of bending the truth to make
     things sound better. But I wasn’t even really paying attention to whatMichael was saying. I had half an eye on Hailey and her reaction
     to our conversation.
    I nodded as Michael talked, trying to look interested but also pretty at
     the same time. I flipped my hair, only once, but smoothed it down in long waves over my
     shoulder (you can’t do that with a pixie cut, can ya, Hailey?). I kept my eyes on
     Michael and asked lots of questions. Two could play this game.
    Finally, the teacher called the class to order.
    â€œSo we’re meeting tomorrow, anyway, right?” I
     whispered loudly, so Hailey would hear.
    â€œYeah!” said Michael, smiling and seeming pumped about it.
     “It’s going to be a great article!” he said.
    I smiled and nodded, then I glanced at Hailey. She had a stony look on
     her face. I felt a tiny twinge bad, but hey. What could I do? She’s the one
     who’s after my established crush!
    In math, though, Hailey passed me a note. It said: “Are you mad at
     me?”
    Yet another note from Hailey that I didn’t know how to answer.
    At lunch I rushed to the Voice office. I
     didn’twant to deal with seating issues in the cafeteria
     (would I avoid Hailey?), and more importantly, I wanted to see if I’d received any
     new letters. I was desperate for something good that would save me from having to deal
     with Hailey’s letter. But at the same time I really didn’t want to run into
     Mr. Trigg. I knew the column should have been taking shape by now. It was due to him
     Tuesday so he could look it over before we went to press Thursday night. I wasn’t
     giving him a whole lot of time and I knew that was not a great way to start off the
     column. Professionals (especially editors in chief) are never late for their
     deadlines.
    I opened the door and peeked in. Phew! I didn’t see Trigger!
    â€œHello, Samantha!”
    Darn it! He was coming in right behind me!
    â€œHi, Mr. Trigg. Did you have a good weekend? How was the Churchill
     lecture? Was the guy interesting?” I had to keep him talking while I checked my
     mailbox.
    â€œOh, it was just wonderful! Wonderful! I
     learned some new facts I’d never known before. Time wellspent. But more importantly, how