And that’s when I know this past year had changed me. Because I didn’t hesitate at all

Ninth grade is three-quarters over and I’m feeling like a pro. No more freshie mistakes, no getting lost trying to find the lab, or wearing regular shoes on gym days. That’s why when Rebbetzin Liebstein calls me into her office, I’m pretty much shaking in my cute black booties. I mentally run through my guilty conscience, and nothing raises a red flag. Okay, I was super late for tefillah twice this week, and Mrs. Warren did not appreciate my comment about trigonometry being useless, but would she tell the limudei kodesh principal? Probably not.

Okay then. I flip my thick ponytail over one shoulder, shrug, and follow the 12th grader who’d called me away from lunch, down the hallway.

“Uh, I was just supposed to call you, not actually bring you in.”

Oh, that’s awkward.

“’Kay, thanks,” I say, flashing my most confident smile.

I stop outside the Rebbetzin’s office door and take a deep breath before knocking.

“Come in.”

Well, here goes nothing. Although, with my luck, I’m probably about to be expelled. Ohmygosh, what if something happened to Babby or Zeidy? My palms start to sweat, and I need to swallow twice before pushing open the door.

The Rebbetzin’s blue eyes are twinkling as she offers me a seat, so I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that nobody died.

“Bella Rena,” she says warmly, “how are you doing? How has ninth grade been treating you?”

Oh, ninth grade has been fabulous. Classes have been great, almost broke my tendon forever, had to quit my life’s passion. “Fine,” I say. “It’s been fine. Uh, baruch Hashem.”

The blue eyes pierce mine and I can’t help feeling that she’s reading my mind.

But all she says is, “I’m so glad to hear that.”

“Is everything okay?” I ask, trying to keep my voice from shaking.

“Of course, Bella Rena, you’re a wonderful student and respectful as well.”

I blush at this praise, but I appreciate it nonetheless.

“I just wanted to discuss color war jobs with you.”

Huh? Seriously? What a waste of nerves.