A week later, everyone was done with their assignments and the teacher secretly gave back my paper before class started. The presentation would be today anyway. She put the students in order by ABC to read their papers. She might choose random. She said I can go first if I wanted to. I said yes. I was getting excited about it. The only thing I'm worried about how emotional I could be when I get to the part about Mary Jane's illness and death. I saved it to the end anyway. When the class started, the teacher announced my name and went up.
"I wrote about my best friend, Mary Jane, because I admired her. I'm there when she needs me and she would be there for me when I need her," I said before looking at the paper. "I grew up in California. Mary Jane and I have been best friends since first day of kindergarten. I remember how I met her. We both started it at the same time. Our kindergarten teacher sat us together. That was when we met and became great friends since day one. We started to do everything together. We would sit together at lunch every single day. We would call each other almost every other night. We'd have sleepovers. We never fight at all because if one of us would get mad at one another, we would just tell each other and work it out without a fight. We would share secrets. If a bully tries to bother us, we would stand up for each other like true friends would do. We would have pizza during every sleepover. We would watch movies and everything else. She and I like to spend a day on the beach on weekends. She was very special. She was adopted by her godparents, the Coonts. Her birth folks died when a plane crashed into an ocean and no one was found, including her late parents. I remembered when I saved her life. One year, she lost her cat after it got hit by a car. She got depressed and told me she was going to kill herself and didn't want anyone to know. Then, I realized I didn't want that to happen, so I told Dad who told me to tell her parents right away. Mary Jane got help and was glad on what I did. I told her that's what friends are for. When Grandma Patricia died when I was 12, Mary Jane was by my side the whole time and I was grateful. She knew how to comfort me. When Dad learned he was going to be promoted and transferred to Rhode Island, I was shocked. I didn't want to leave her behind along with my other best friends. So, she did something special for me: we had a sleepover on the last day of school the day before I left and she gave me a scrapbook so I can remember all the good times we had. But we didn't lost contract when I moved here. We would email or text each other. When I got pregnant, I told her about my adoption plans and she was very supportive. One day, I found out she got cancer all of sudden. My friend and I surprised Mary Jane by spending the weekend in California. She was very happy. I had just celebrated my 15th birthday with my cousin, boyfriend, and other best friend when I found something I wasn't prepared for: she had died two days before. I was so upset that I didn't attend the funeral services that were held in California. I remained here with my mom, whom I recently reconnected with. I would never forget her. But I'm glad she made a memory book. That way I'll always keep her alive. There's not one day when I don't think about her. I do miss her a lot. Mary Jane, if you're listening, this story is just for you. You'll always be missed by family and friends."
When I finished, the teacher said, "That was a very nice story you did. Good job."
"Thanks," I said with a smile.
I realized I wasn't emotional at the end. I guess it was a good thing. I actually felt great about it. Everyone else applauded. Everyone had their turn until the bell rang. There was only one more person, so the teacher said she'll finish it off tomorrow before grading the writing assignments. The rest of us gave the paper to her including mine on the way out.
At lunch, I told Samuel, Eliza, and Stephanie about the assignment and they were amazed.
"Mary Jane would've enjoyed that," said Stephanie.
"I know. There's not one day when I don't think about her. I miss her. But the memory book cheers up when I'm like that," I said.
"That's good," said Eliza.
"At first, I was nervous because I was afraid I'd be upset especially when I get to the part about her illness and death. Somehow, I made out fine," I said. "I would've been embarrassed if I got upset during the reading part."
"I know that would've made me miss Mary Jane even more," said Stephanie. "You'd be better than me. I choose my grandfather for my report for my class period."
"That's very nice," I said. "He would've liked that very much."
"I know," said Stephanie.
Stephanie lost her grandfather, her father's father, after he suffered brain cancer just a year after my grandmother's death. When she got depressed, she would talk to me about it and felt better. I told her on how she felt. She was glad that I was there for her. He was very nice. He lived in Seattle, Washington where her father grew up. Her grandmother is still there.
"How did you made out reading it?" I asked.
"I did fine by my surprise," said Stephanie. "I was the third one to read it today. I have English before lunch."
"For my report, I picked my mother," said Eliza.
"And, I did my uncle," said Samuel.
Lily Anne, who was back, joined us.
"Did you pick anyone for your report?" asked Stephanie.
"Yes. I did my mom," said Lily Anne. "I wrote good memories I had with her. I added on how she died at the end."
"I did the same thing for Mary Jane," I said. "You did a great job reading."
"So did you," said Lily Anne.
"I find that report is so easy to do," I said.
"Me, too," said Stephanie.
The others agreed with me, too.
"At this rate, I bet everyone will get an A," said Stephanie.
"I would think so," I said.
"Yeah," said Samuel.
After school, the English teacher wanted to see me alone. I wasn't sure why she wanted to see me. It turned out that when I went to her; she gave me back my report early even before the last person would read tomorrow. Then, I realized why she wanted to do that in a secret way: I noticed I had an A+ on it. She wrote great comment on it saying, 'I like all of the memories that you did in to keep your late friend alive. I bet she was looking down on you while listening to you. She was very lucky to have a best friend like you. Great job.'
I felt great on that. I wonder what grades she would give others after the final person has his turn. I put it in my backpack so no one would know that I had it back early. When I got home, I was in a great mood.
"I see you're in a good mood today," said Dad.
"Yes. I read the paper in class about Mary Jane. No one knew that the teacher gave it back to me after school and when I looked at it, I had an A+ on it. I didn't have any errors. She was very impressed on what I did to honor my best friend. We all had our turns except for one when the bell rang, so the last person will have his turn tomorrow before she grades them. I was shocked when she wanted to give it back to me early. At least she did that secretly," I said.
"That's great," said Dad.
I went to email Janet and Sarah who knew about the report. I told them my grade and they were both happy for me. I told them no one knew about it. I didn't want anyone to get jealous. They understood. The only one who knew was Lily Anne, whom I texted about that part. I told her not to tell anyone because I didn't want to create the jealously. She agreed with me. She said she's great at keeping secrets. I also told Samuel and Stephanie by text and I told them to keep that as a secret. They understood why and agreed not to say anything. Like I said before, I don't dare to tell Eliza because she could repeat that and create trouble. That's why I don't share my secrets with her anymore to avoid all that. They already knew why I don't tell Eliza any of my secrets. They didn't blame me for that.
The next day, at school, after the last person did his story, I suspected some of them knew about it because they asked me while their grades were in process. I didn't know what to say. I made up a story that I didn't get graded yet. How did they know that? That's a mystery. I didn't mention anything to Eliza. I don't think the teacher would tell them that. She knows I didn't want to hurt anyone. She tells me that it's okay to tell a lie if they asked me, which I did. I didn't tell anyone I left my paper at home. I didn't want to show anyone until after they're graded, which was the smart thing to do.
At lunch, I heard some of the students passed the writing assignment in my class period. No one failed it. A few had As and some of them had Bs. I'll wait to bring my paper tomorrow. They wanted to know about my grade. I kept mine as a secret. I just wanted to surprise them. I think they'd be happy about mine.
"I like doing reports," I said.
"Me, too," said Stephanie.
"They're fun to do," said Samuel.
"What grade did you get?" asked Eliza.
"Can't tell you," I said.
"Why?" asked Eliza.
"Because I said so," I replied.
"That's right. It's a secret. Secrets are to be kept, not to be told," added Stephanie. "You should know that by now."
We didn't want to tell Eliza about it because she'd spill it. None of us wanted to tell her I had my grade before everyone else.
"You'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out," I said.
"I would like to know now," said Eliza.
"Try this one: If you keep telling me that, you won't see it at all," I warned her.
At least that finally made her listen. I can't stand it when people wanted anyone to spill secrets. They should know secrets are secrets. We should never spill unless if someone is in danger, that's the only time we can tell it to adult to keep anyone safe.
After school, when I got home, I put the paper in my backpack so I can show it to the others tomorrow. We have a test tomorrow in math. That's the only class I'd have the test. I did homework before I did some studying. Dad told me he plans to order Chinese for dinner. That sounded like a good plan.
"I'll call it in an hour," said Dad.
"Okay," I said.
An hour later, he ordered it and it came nearly 20 minutes later. So, I took a break and had dinner.
"Eliza wanted to know about my grade, but I didn't dare to tell her because she spills the beans. I didn't want to tell her I had it early. I don't trust her. If she mentioned anything to anyone, she could create the trouble and I didn't want to take a risk," I said.
"I don't blame you," said Dad.
"I only trust Stephanie, Samuel, and Lily Anne because they keep my secrets," I said. "They understood why I don't say anything to Eliza. Lily Anne told me she's good at keeping them. I told Eliza she would have to wait until tomorrow to see it. I also trust both Janet and Sarah."
"Good," said Dad.
"I know," I agreed. "Eliza should take lessons from them. Don't me wrong, I love her, but I don't like it when she spills my secrets. When she wanted to know at the time, I told her if she keeps telling me, I won't show it to her."
"That's right," said Dad.
"That finally made her listen. She doesn't get it that I wanted to surprise them. When some of them asked me about my grade, I made up a story saying I didn't get my grade yet to avoid trouble because none of them knew I had it back early," I continued. "The teacher said it's okay for me to tell a little lie white so they don't find out. I'm glad I kept mine home until tomorrow. I wanted to wait until everyone's reports get graded, which was the right thing to do."
"That's true," said Dad.
The next day, when I got to school, it was a good time to show my classmates about my grade when they get their reports back. Once everyone got it back, they were glad they all passed. I sneaked into my backpack to get my report while each student went up to the teacher when she called her names. That was her plan. I pretended I already went for it. When they all sat back down, I was prepared to tell them my grade. Last night, I told Lily Anne to play along without spilling the secret. She agreed with me on that part.
"What was your surprise?" asked a girl, Melody.
"Well… I had an A+ on it," I replied leaving I had it early out.
"Wow. Mary Jane would've been glad for you," said Lily Anne.
"I know," I said.
Everyone else was glad for me. I realized I had the highest grade in that class.
"I had an A- about my mom," said Lily Anne. "I'm happy about my grade."
"They all were glad about it, too," I said.
"We are," said a boy, Patrick.
At lunch, Lily Anne read her report to us and told us the grade.
"Very nice," said Samantha.
"I heard Eliza was skipping school today to go to the mall to get some autograph from a famous person. I already told the principal on what I learned what she was doing. The principal was glad and was going to call her mom," said Samuel. "In fact, Eliza lied to her mother saying she was sick."
"Wow," said Stephanie.
"Lying isn't the smart thing to do," added Lily Anne.
"How did you find that out?" I asked.
"Her friend and classmate, Michael. He wasn't sure on how to handle that, so I told him I'll bring it up for him. He was afraid Eliza might get mad at him for getting her in trouble," said Samuel.
"Good thing you brought it up to the principal," said Lily Anne.
"I bet she made him not to say anything," said Stephanie.
"You got it," said Samuel. "Eliza didn't know I told the principal. Michael told me this morning when he saw me going to our class. I told him that he was right to tell me."
"I saved Eliza when she dated a guy who is an adult online. She didn't want me to say anything, but I realized that wasn't the smart thing. Aunt Betty was glad when I told her about it. Eliza got grounded from using the computer for a month. She got mad at first, but she didn't realize I did it to protect her. If it wasn't for me, something bad would happen to her. She should know that's the only way to tell an adult like I mentioned before," I told Samuel.
"You did the right thing," said Samuel.
"I told her the same thing. She was smart to keep her cousin safe," said Stephanie.
"The principal told me he's going to suspend Eliza for two days starting today," said Samuel. "But he won't tell her who told him."
"I'm sure she'll find out anyway," I said. "I'll cover for you and tell her I learned about it from another classmate without mentioning you or Michael. I'll add that I had to tell the principal. I'll just make up a story saying the teacher asked me where she was."
"Good idea," agreed Samuel.
"I'll text Aunt Betty after school to tell her," I said. "She'll probably agree with me so Eliza won't mad at either of you."
"Did you even knew she was doing it?" asked Samuel.
"To be honest with you, no," I replied. "If she did tell me, I'd speak up either way."
"That's true," said Stephanie.
"Michael would've been a good friend to tell the principal," I said.
"I know, but he didn't want to take a risk by making her angry," said Samuel.
"Just like Frank," I said.
"Yes. If Michael told you, you'd tell him that story on how you saved Eliza," said Samuel. "That would make him feel comfortable doing it. He might not know that."
"And, you'd give him advice on how to tell the principal," said Stephanie.
"That's true I would," I agreed. "How long they were friends?"
"For a long time since preschool," said Samuel.
"Wow," said Lily Anne.
"I met them when I started middle school and we all became friends ever since. They were in my sixth grade class like Eliza mentioned when you first moved here," said Samuel.
"I don't think she introduced me to Michael yet," I said.
"I thought she did," said Samuel.
"I don't have him in my classes," I said.
After school, I texted Aunt Betty and told her my plan so I can cover for Samuel and Michael. She didn't mind at all. She already told Eliza I was the one who brought it up when she asked her mom who mentioned it earlier before I told her the plan. I replied her saying tell Eliza a teacher asked me where she was and wanted me to report it to the principal. She told me that was a good idea to do. She punished Eliza for a week for skipping school. That would teach her a lesson not to do it again.
When I got home, I told Dad what had happen and he said Samuel did the right thing by telling the principal.
"Michael, who told Samuel, didn't know how to handle it, which is why Samuel offered to do so," I said.
"I told him I would cover for them so Eliza won't get mad. When I told Aunt Betty that, she had already told Eliza it was me when she asked her mom who told the principal. I replied saying just say a teacher asked me where she was and that was when I mentioned it to the principal," I said. "When I saw the principal after school, I mentioned I'd cover for the boys and he didn't blame me."
"Michael was worried Eliza would get upset with him," I said. "I understood."
Later, Eliza, who wasn't supposed to use her cellphone, found out it was Michael.
"How did you figured that? It was me. The teacher wanted to know why you weren't in school, which is why the principal was mentioned about you skipping school," I said.
Eliza realized I was correct on that.
"I suppose you're right on that," said Eliza.
Two days later, when she asked Michael about it, he said no. Samuel pitched in saying Michael was telling the truth and did say it was me, so she knew I was telling her truth. Michael didn't tell want to tell her he told Samuel who told the principal. That was a good idea to avoid trouble.