Set the Record Straight! by Rachel Wise Page B

Mr. Pfeiffer got the new curriculum approved. You’ve got to give that guy credit. He does try.
    And speaking of trying, the day after the latest issue of the Cherry Valley Voice came out, Hailey grabbed me in the hall and dragged me into the ladies’ room. She checked under every stall and under the sinks (which I thought was a little extreme) to make sure no one was in there. I flashed back to my Dear Know-It-All spy games and I gave a little shudder. Finally,feeling secure, Hailey began to whisper.
    â€œSo I went to chess club yesterday, and guess who I got paired up against?”
    â€œOh, Hailey, that’s great! How did it go? Was he—”
    â€œShh! Stop talking!” said Hailey.
    I clammed up.
    â€œHe told me an unbelievable story. So get this. There was this really aggressive girl in his Spanish class. I didn’t know who she was, and now I can’t remember her name. Miranda something. I think I blocked it out. Anyway, she was always following him around, and then she started leaving notes in his locker, and then little creepy pink teddy bears and candy and stuff. He didn’t like her to start with, but after a while, he started to kind of hate her. It was a little scary. . . .”
    Oh my gosh. I think I knew where this was going, but I couldn’t say anything yet.
    â€œSo after a while, it’s like she became sort of a bully. Like a love bully. All his friends would kind of laugh at her, but Scott was scared because when he finally told her he didn’t like her at all, she justgot more relentless. Then one day she asked him out on a date, and it really freaked him. He told all his friends, and they laughed it off, but she was angry, and then she felt like everyone knew. So she started to kind of stalk him and be mean to him, like on Buddybook and stuff like that. And that’s why his cousin Amanda would meet him to walk him home every day. Because he was scared, but he didn’t want to tell his friends.”
    I thought I was going to faint. I sank down against the wall and put my head on my knees. Oh my gosh.
    â€œHey, Sam. Are you okay? Hey!” Hailey squatted next to me and patted my arm. “What’s the matter?”
    â€œOh, it’s just . . .”
    I had to tell her! She was my best friend! She could keep a secret. No one would ever find out. I just couldn’t do this alone anymore!
    But the door to the bathroom banged open, and a group of sixth graders came in to check themselves in the mirror, and the moment passed.
    â€œI know it’s a scary story, but, come on, get up off the floor at least,” said Hailey.
    I stood weakly, and she brought me a wet paper towel and began patting my face and the back of my neck with it.
    The sixth graders were oblivious, so Hailey kept talking in a quiet voice. “Anyway, when the Dear Know-It-All came out the other day, Scott read it and it changed his life, he said. It gave him courage, and he decided he’d better at least try to do something about this bully. So he went to Mr. Pfeiffer’s office with Amanda and his best friend, Joe Proctor, and they told him the whole story. And now the girl is being suspended indefinitely, but she has to come to school to talk with a counselor once a week.”
    Oh no. Suspended indefinitely? I started to feel worse, but then I remembered that my mom did say Tired—or Miranda, rather—clearly needed help. I guess it was for the best. I really hoped she would get help. Boys could really make you crazy.
    â€œWow. Poor Scott,” I said,
    Hailey nodded, serious. “I know. I feel so bad for him.”
    â€œSo I guess that’s why he’s so cautious with girls,” I said.
    Hailey nodded again. “Uh-huh. He’s really sweet. Do you think it means he likes me, if he told me that story?”
    I thought for a minute. This poor guy had enough on his plate without some new girl crushing on him hard.