The Last Scoop

Chapter Two

It was decided that we would move to Montana on Saturday, which was only a day away. Mom and Dad insisted that I say goodbye to my friends, so I had to go to school.

I wasn't exactly thrilled about this. Why? Most kids would say that there is too much homework or too many tests, but that's not my reason. What it is it? The answer shoves me against my locker, knocking my binders onto the floor.

"Oops, sorry," Michelle said, her tone showing no sign of sincerity. I hate her (major understatement). Michelle would be someone you would call "popular". But she wasn't just popular. Michelle was a mean bully, criticizing all but her friends. At least there was one good reason to move to Montana.

I picked up my binders, leaving hastily so that she wouldn't have a chance to criticize my shirt or whatever.

I sighed as I entered my Algebra 1 class, smiling as I realized that this would be another horrible thing I could leave behind. I sat down next to Violet, my best friend.

"You're late," she said. I rolled my eyes.

"I'm late," I said, mocking her tone. I took my math homework out of my binder and slid it toward Violet.

"You didn't finish," she said nonchalantly.

"Would you please stop stating the obvious? I need help on the conjugates."

"Okay, fine, but you owe me," Violet said, handing me her math homework. "Buy me a milkshake at the cafe tomorrow."

"Sure, wait, no, I can't," I said. Violet gave me a quizzical look.

"Why? Are you grounded?" she asked.

I shook my head, realizing that I should probably get to the point. I opened my mouth to tell her I was going to Montana, but Mr. Shirk interrupted.

"Please get out your homework, and I'll check it in. We have a lovely pop quiz today and I'm sure that those who are copying their friend's homework will FAIL. Ahem, Ms. Hailey." I looked up from Violet's homework, my cheeks turning slightly warmer. "Er... yeah. Fail," I mumbled. His left eye twitched eerily, and he smiled evilly. "Good luck, Hailey." I groaned.

"I'll tell you about it at lunch, Vi. Especially since Shirk the Jerk chose to interrupt," I mumbled. Violet sighed.

"Kay, but...." she trailed off. "Never mind. Good luck."

This was going to be a long hour.

***

"So what were you saying in math?" Vi asked as she took a bite of her sandwich.

"About how I failed? Yeah, I wasn't kidding. I got a C+! A stupid, frickin' C+! My parents are going to kill me!" I huffed.

"No, no. I mean about why you can't come on Saturday. Sorry about your grade, by the way," she said. I mentally slapped myself. How could I have possibly forgotten?

"Well, ahem, I uh..."

Violet raised her eyebrows.

"I'm moving to Montana!" I finally blurted. Violet choked on her sandwich and I immediately patted her back. "Are you alright?" I asked.

"N-no! I mean, yeah, but... why didn't you tell me earlier?" Violet said. I looked at the ground.

"My dad told me yesterday," I mumbled.

"Wha-what the heck? He can't just drop you into a new school in the middle of the second semester!"

"I know! I won't be able to survive with all those strangers!" I said.