The Canary in the Willow

Math Project- Jess

Wow, today was shaping to be an interesting day, Matthew who didn't do anything wrong got taken to the principal's office, Jamie and I started our math project, and a new kid named John came in today, he was supposed to be partnered with Matthew. Our project was about positive and negative numbers, we started a poster that explained the process of adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing the numbers. I am so excited, I love math and Jamie is very fun to work with, but I feel awful for Matthew, and I was going to make it up to him.
"Mrs. Willis, can I talk to you, alone?"
"Of course dear, step into the hallway with me."
"Well Matthew, he didn't punch Drake, he was shooting spitballs at Matthew and faked that he pushed him in the stomach."
"Oh dear, I wish you had told me earlier, do you mind telling the principal that?"
"No ma'am, I would be happy to."
I walked down the empty hallways until I reached the principal's office. I knocked, when the secretary opened the door I told her the story about drake and Matthew, she looked concerned, she stepped into the office and seemed to have a quick discussion with the principal, he glanced at me and said, "come in."
Matthew looked at me, confused until I told Mr. Bradley the story, and Matthew looked relieved. Mr. Bradley excused us so Matthew and I left in silence, until he said "uh, thanks for standing up for me like that."
"Hey, that's what friends are for right?"
And right then I realized who Matthew really was, on the inside. Matthew was a person athletic but kind, and much deeper than anyone could have realized, Matthew was different than he seemed, and I knew why. Drake had been shaping his structure, like pottery, fragile enough to crack under to much pressure. I realized that under all that bulk and muscle, there was a person I could really get to know, to get to enjoy, I ask myself, do I like Matthew?