In class, I got a note from Bridget. It said: Like I said, don't talk 2 Joe, or else... I was mad. I could talk to anyone I want. Bridget had no right to stop me. Not even if she was a bully. So I wrote: I can talk 2 n e 1 I want. Shirley watched Bridget's face turn from satisfying to anger. She looked at her, and mouth four easy words. You better watch out.
She was not gonna watch out for Bridget. She was not scared of her. She was gonna be with Joe. Bridget was not gonna stop her. This is what Shirley thought on the way home from school. She had had the best day ever, ever since Joe was sitting at her table, they were talking more and more...