“Great,” Rikki’s hands shot up into the air. “Just great! Now I’m the nebach who needs help from everybody!”

Rikki’s fingers curled into angry balls. “Ruchie, you’re lying!”

“I wish I were making it up,” Ruchie said. “I didn’t think it was right not to tell you. It just seemed like something you should know.”

Rikki’s voice rose. “Why would she do that? Who asked her?”

“I don’t know. Maybe she thought it would make things easier for you.”

“Easier! I can’t believe it.” Rikki began to pace the small area outside the computer room. “I just can’t believe it!”

“I’m really, really sorry.”

Rikki blinked several times. She didn’t want to cry in school. “Tell me exactly what she said and what happened afterward.” She stopped pacing. “Don’t leave out any details.”

“Okay,” Ruchie pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “So, basically, I thought something was strange right away. I saw you leave the lunchroom, and I saw Mrs. Berman come in a second later. She waited by the door watching you. It was weird! I didn’t know where you were going, but now that I know where you went, I guess she was making sure you were really going to Mrs. Horowitz’s office.”

“I can’t believe it! It was like a whole setup. They actually planned this. I feel like an idiot!”

Ruchie gave her a sympathetic look. “Mrs. Berman told us that she had an important message from Mrs. Horowitz. In a second, everyone stopped talking. I mean, it’s so not typical for a teacher to do that. Anyway, she said that you have an older sister who isn’t well, and that she moved back home recently, and that it must be difficult for you and your family.”

Rikki winced.

“She said we shouldn’t bombard you with questions, and you’ll talk about it when you’re ready. You know, we shouldn’t pressure you, just be there for you.”

“Great,” Rikki’s hands shot up into the air. “Just great! Now I’m the nebach who needs help from everybody!”

“I think they meant well.”

“That doesn’t mean anything. You can mean well, and it’s still a bad idea.”

“I know.” Ruchie twisted her fingers. “Now I feel bad that I told you.”

“Of course you should have told me! Can you imagine if I didn’t know? It would be way worse.”

“I thought so, and I also meant well, but you know, like you said, it doesn’t mean anything.”

Rikki placed her hand on Ruchie’s arm. “No, really, thanks for telling me.”

“Come on, Rikki Dee, we’d better go. The bell is going to ring soon.”

Rikki sniffled. “No, I’m staying here, you go. I’m too mortified to face anyone.”