After school, I stopped by at Melissa's house to see how she's doing. I rang the doorbell and she came to answer.
"I'm going to a new high school tomorrow. It's a private school. A friend of mine came by earlier to bring me a school uniform," said Melissa.
"That's good," I said. "Which one is that?"
"La Salle Academy, it's for grades 7 to 12," said Melissa. "My friend's been there since 7th grade. She loves it there. She would get bullied back in 6th grade, which made her choice not to go back to middle school when school started."
"I don't blame her for doing that," I said.
"I know," said Melissa.
"I bet you'll do well there. You needed to change," I said.
"Me, too," said Melissa. "I'm glad I did the right choice."
"I believe that," I said.
We had a long talk about it.
"I'm glad we can still talk and see each other whenever we want," said Melissa.
"So am I," I said. "You can tell me on how you did at your new school."
"Deal," said Melissa with a grin.
At home, I went to Dad.
"Hi, honey," said Dad.
"Melissa dropped out of school and going to a new school tomorrow," I said.
"That's a good thing. Eliza should never start a lie about Melissa," said Dad.
"That's what I said, too. She's going to a private school: La Salle Academy. It goes from 7th to 12th grade," I said. "She's glad she made that choice. I just went to see her and that was when she told me about that. I didn't blame her. She didn't need that. Her grades went down even more from all that."
"That's a shame," said Dad.
"I know," I said.
"Have you told her that her father is dating your mother?" asked Dad.
"I figured it's not the time to mention yet. I plan to wait for a bit," I replied.
"I don't blame you for that," said Dad.
"I know. Stephanie agreed with me to wait until the time is right," I said. "Mom wouldn't blame me for that either. I'd be worried her grades would go down even more."
"Albert is probably waiting to tell her at some time once she gets settled at her new school," said Dad.
"I would say so, too," I said. "She probably wouldn't mind since I've been supporting her and defended Eliza for being mean to Melissa."
The next day, at school, Eliza was looking for Melissa to 'beat' her up.
"Are you crazy to beat someone up? You can get in trouble for that," I said.
"Where is she?" asked Eliza.
"None of your business," I replied.
"That's right," said Stephanie.
I went to the office and told the principal on what Eliza was going to do to Melissa.
"I didn't want to tell Eliza because I know she'd find Melissa and beat her up," I said.
"I'm glad you came to tell me. It's good you didn't want to tell her," said the principal.
"After all, she was the one to cause Melissa to drop out to begin with," I said.
"I agree with you," said the principal.
After school, when I came home, Melissa texted me saying she did the best decision she ever made. She felt better with the change. She thinks she'd have better grades now. I was glad for her, too. I even told her about what happened and she was glad that I handled Eliza. She was also glad that I reported that to the principal as well. She also said what I told her was the smart move.
Good thing she didn't know about her father dating my mother although she's starting to adjust her parents' divorce. I'm thinking about studying to be a therapist when I apply for college because I'd make my friends feel better when they needed a friend to talk to when they need help through tough times. Dad tells me I'd be good at it.
I have plans to attend college in California. I'm not sure which one at this time. I'll think of that when it's time to look into colleges. Although I like living in Rhode Island now, I'm still a California girl at heart. My friends and I plan to attend together. I'd live with Sarah or Janet when I go to college unless I get a scholarship to help pay the dorm rooms since they're very expensive. I'd also get a job in the meantime to save money for college, car, and anything else.
I told Dad about Eliza. He was glad that I reported her.
"When she asked me where Melissa is, I told her it's none of her business," I said.
"Good," said Dad.
"Because Melissa doesn't deserve to be beaten up," I said.
"I agree," said my father.
That night, I did my homework. I was studying for a test tomorrow for math. It was on fractions on addition. I use examples to study. It makes that easier for me to study that way. I get As that way. Stephanie came by and said, "It's time for dinner."
"Okay," I said. "I need a break from studying anyway."
I shut the notebook as I got up and went out there to have supper.
"Did you hear our school is having a spelling bee soon?" asked Stephanie.
"No. I remember doing that during middle school," I said.
"Oh, yeah, I remember that, too. You were one of the best spellers," said Stephanie.
I remembered that I won a few times. I took second place in Washington, D.C. That was for grade and middle school students anyway. Dad was proud of me when I get that. I'm happy with second place. It's better than last place.
"The winner wins a prize," said Stephanie. "We can sign up for it. I heard they do it there every year. The ones who sign up would get a list of words to study for."
"Okay," I said. "You and I could study together."
"Sounds good. If Samuel signs up, he can study with us," said Stephanie.
"Even better," I said.
After dinner, I went back to studying for the math test for a bit longer.
The next day, Stephanie and I went to sign up for the spelling bee.
"I wonder what prize we'd get if we win," I said.
"I know," said Stephanie.
The principal gave us the list of words to study for that.
"You'll have two weeks to study for the bee," said the principal.
"Okay, sounds great," I said. "I've been doing that before. I won a few times and win second place in Washington, D.C. when I was living in California."
"That's very good," said the principal.
I noticed Samuel hasn't signed up for it. He probably never did that before. We asked Samuel and he said he's not a good speller.
"I thought you get As in English with our help," said Stephanie.
"Plus, Stephanie and I plan to study the words together," I added.
"I'm sure once we study real hard, you'd be a good speller by then," said Stephanie.
"That's true. I could give it a shot," said Samuel.
That was when he signed up and got the list of words.
"I've been doing it before," I said.
"Really?" asked Samuel.
"Yes, when I was in California, I would make it to Washington, D.C. during those school years. I'd win first or second place every time," I said.
"She was the best top speller," said Stephanie. "I remember that. Even when I didn't make it though, I would cheer her on along with the other girls."
"That's neat," said Samuel.
"I know," I said.
"One year, she caught one of the spellers cheating. She mentioned it to a judge and they were glad she noticed that," said Stephanie.
"What did the speller do to cheat?" asked Samuel.
"I saw the speller took a piece of paper out of his pocket and that was when she used that with to cheat. You're not supposed to do that. You're supposed to know it by heart," I said.
"The judges didn't notice that until Rebecca did. That speller got kicked off the stage for cheating," said Stephanie.
"That would teach any cheaters a lesson not to do that again," said Samuel.
"I know," I agreed.
I had just done the math test earlier. That was before I signed up. I got the test back with an A+ on it the following day. Mary Ellen signed up, too. She canceled the couple because she had a miscarriage. I think she was relieved about that part. The couple was disappointed that they couldn't meet Mary Ellen yesterday. She apologized that it happened suddenly and they forgave her. They hope they'd get chosen again someday.
We have been studying for the spelling bee for the two weeks together. We were ready by the time the spelling bee came around. They were doing it after school. Dad and Miranda were able to come to see me and Stephanie. Samuel's father and sister were there, too. Then, at the end, Samuel, Stephanie, and I were the top three.
"If they spell the rest of the words correct, it would be a three way tie as winners," said the judge.
I went up to the microphone.
"Spell mononucleosis," said the judge.
"Mononucleosis. M-o-n-o-n-u-c-l-e-o-s-i-s. Mononucleosis," I spelled.
"That's correct," said the judge.
I knew how to spell tough words. The next thing I knew it, I was the last one standing on stage. Samuel and Stephanie misspelled a word.
"If you spell this final word, you'll be the winner. Spell combustible," said the judge.
"Combustible. C-o-m-b-u-s-t-i-b-l-e. Combustible," I spelled.
"Congratulations. You're the winner," said the judge. "The prize we're sending you and your family to visit Washington, D.C. for a three day stay including the national spelling bee next month."
I couldn't believe it that I'm going there again. They said they do it for high school students as well. They do younger grades first before they do high school students.
When I got out of the auditorium, Stephanie and Samuel rushed to hug me.
"Way to go," said Stephanie.
"Thanks," I said.
"Those words are tough to spell," said Samuel.
"I feel great about that way," I smiled. "Who wants to help me to prepare for that spelling bee?"
"I would," said Stephanie.
"Count me in, too," said Samuel.
"Great. The more helpers, the better," I said.
I had great helpers for the past six weeks. The best part was that the trip was paid for by the school. My family, including Stephanie, was going. Dad said that I can invite Mom if I wanted to. I liked that idea and she accepted the invitation right away. Miranda didn't seem to mind about that. I heard Melissa's grades have been improved ever since she switched schools. I was glad to hear that. She told me that herself. She already knew I was going to National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. and she wished me luck on it.
When we got to Washington, D.C., we went to tour the White House. I've been there a lot. I loved it. The auditorium is there in. The tour guides showed where the high school students would go the day after tomorrow.
Two days later, it was a big day for the spellers. I got my number and went to the stage with everyone else. They almost discouraged me not to go on stage because of my pregnancy, but I told them I'd be fine. I was right. At the end, I was up against another speller. We were the final two. When she spelled that word wrong, I had a shot to spell that and I won. I added the letters that she missed.
"Congratulations on winning the national spelling bee," said the judge while the audience clapped.
The judge came on the stage to give me the trophy. I felt good about it. I couldn't believe that I won the contest. The rest of my family met me on the stage to have our pictures taken.
The next day, we flew back home. I still felt great about yesterday.
"That was a cool prize," I said.
"I heard they do that every year," said Stephanie. "I bet you might go for it again."
"Me, too," I said with a grin.
Mom said I can tell Melissa that she and her father are dating since she's settled.
"Are you sure that it's the right time to tell her? What if she found out you and her father lied all this time?" I asked.
"She would understand she and her father wanted to wait until it was time," said Mom.
Stephanie and I looked at each other.
"I'll tell her when I get a chance. Only one more thing: Would it better off that her father tells her that?" I asked.
"She's right about that," said Stephanie.
"If it was my child, I'd tell them," I said.
When we got in Providence, we grabbed our suitcases and went to get our car to get home.
At home, Stephanie and I talked about on how to tell Melissa.
"Albert should be the one to tell his daughter," I said.
"I know. I could imagine her on being angry at him for not telling her anything," said Stephanie.
"I worry about that, too," I said.
Later, I texted Melissa that I won the spelling bee and she was glad for me. Then, I managed to tell her about my mom dating her father. And, Stephanie was right: Melissa got very mad that her own father didn't tell her that himself. I added that Mom wanted me to tell her and said that he should've told her that, not us.
On the other hand, she did like the idea of her father dating Mom because we could be sisters if they decided to get married when they're ready. I added my mom and her father wanted to wait for a while before telling her since she had a rough time. That was when she realized she was glad her father didn't tell her right away when her grades were dropped.
"I can't believe only few weeks left of school until summer vacation arrives," I said.
"I know," said Stephanie.