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gross generalization!” I said, putting my hands on my hips.
    Michael laughed and put his palms up in the “I surrender” pose. “You’re right! Let me correct myself. Why are you always so bossy?”
    â€œWow, not much better,” I said, and he laughed. I had to smile. It was feeling like old times again.
    â€œAre you heading out?” he asked, and my stomach filled with butterflies. Maybe we’d get to spend some quality time together! That would certainly help take his mind off Ms. Bigley.
    â€œYes, actually I’m . . .” I was going to invite him to go walk around outside school with me to do some research for my article. Then maybethat would lead to other things, and we’d go get a Gatorade together or something. But the door swung open and it was Kate Bigley herself.
    â€œWhat’s up, Mickey L.?” she said cheerily in that accent of hers.
    Mickey L.?
    â€œHey,” said Michael sheepishly. “I’d actually just given up on your notes and was leaving.”
    â€œGiven up? Where I come from, we never give up! Just think of what Mr. Trigg’s chum Winston Churchill said. ‘Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up.’ ” Kate laughed.
    No wonder she and Trigg hit it off , I thought grimly.
    â€œRight,” said Michael.
    â€œSo let’s have a go at it, shall we?” she said, settling her things on the sofa.
    Michael looked at me, then back at Kate. “I guess so,” he said. “Sorry, Sam.”
    He never calls me Sam. This was not good. Not good at all. I cast around for a way to salvage our outing, but my brain wasn’t working fast enough.
    â€œOkay. Bye,” I said. But I purposely didn’t say “good luck,” because I didn’t wish them any. I hated Michael right then. I closed the door after myself and slouched toward my locker. As I drew near, I spied Hailey up ahead, loading her things into her backpack. Thank goodness! I nearly ran the final thirty yards.
    â€œHails!” I called. “Want to go interview subjects with me?”
    â€œHey! No, sorry. I can’t! Jenna and I have to go do our watercolor homework. We’re supposed to go out in nature and paint something alive. Cool, right?”
    â€œCan’t you do that any old time?” I asked, sighing loudly. I knew I was being spoiled and pouty, but I needed her right then.
    â€œNo, because we want to go together, and it’s the only day we both have free before the next class. By the way, the class was great. Thanks for asking.” She shut her locker and lifted her backpack onto one shoulder.
    â€œSorry,” I said, wincing at my forgetfulness. “How was it?”
    â€œGreat! And guess what? I’m really good at it!”
    I couldn’t help but be annoyed at Hailey for bragging after she’d harshed on me for it only days earlier. “Oh, who’s bragging now?” I asked, but I used a joking voice.
    Hailey grinned, taking it good-naturedly. “I know. I know. But the thing is, it feels so good to be good at something. I mean, besides soccer, but I’ve been playing that since I was a baby practically. This is something new. With school being so hard for me, I’m just not used to having something come so easily. I guess watercolors for me are like writing for you. We’re just naturally very talented at it!”
    I felt a little insulted. “Writing doesn’t come that easily for me, though. I mean, I do work really hard at it.”
    â€œI know you do, but you also enjoy that part of it. I work hard at soccer, too. And I work hard at painting, but it comes easily at the same time.”
    I knew I had to be happy for Hailey. I rose above my irritation for a minute and did the right thing. “That’s great,” I said. “Make a picture forme next. Something good, okay?”
    Hailey grinned