فصل 40

CHAPTER 40

Tears of Different Kinds

Keisha and Albert call me Madam President every chance they get. At the end of the day, we head out the front of the school and I am just. So. Happy. Like I could fly happy.

A loud, sharp voice interrupts my happiness. What do you mean, you lost? You lost?

Shay is standing with her mother.

After all that time we spent writing that speech? she says. Did you look at the audience? Did you speak up? And smile?

I did. I did all of that. The other girl just got more votes.

Shay sounds like someone completely different. The Shay I know, always so quick to pick a fight, now has a voice that sounds like a kindergartener. Sorry, Mama. She brushes a tear from her cheek.

Man, Keisha says. That woman is fierce.

Geez, I can’t believe it, but I feel sorry for Shay, I say.

Uh-uh. No way, Keisha says. Don’t be feeling sorry for her. It’s not an excuse to go around doing terrible things to other people.

Yeah. I guess you’re right.

Have you learned nothing? she asks. Of course I’m right! We laugh and she gets on her bus.

All of a sudden, I’m in a rush to get to A. C. Petersen’s.

• • •

Running through the glass doors of Petersen’s, I forget that I was going to be cool about telling my mom that I’m class president. I forget about telling her like it’s any other thing. Instead, I jump up and down and say it loud enough that some of the regulars congratulate me before she does.

Her face says she’s trying to figure out if she heard me right.

Yes! I say, nodding furiously. Mom! They voted me class president. The kids in my class! Not the teacher. The kids did!

She holds her arms out and I run into them. I’m so proud of you, she says in a shaky voice.

I know why she’s crying. I can’t believe it, either.