“But you can’t do that. That’s against the school rules”

Mimi caps her pen, closes the booklet of questions, and gives a satisfying, luxurious stretch. Done, and she has a feeling she hasn’t done too badly this time, either.

If she can just be honest with herself, she knows that it’s thanks to Kayla.

Kayla’s notes. Kayla’s clarity, Kayla’s dogged persistence questioning her over and over until she remembered the right answers to each question.

She’s grateful, okay, but it hurts as well.

It hurts to be indebted to her sister — her younger sister — for this.

Whatever. Mimi hesitates a moment — is she supposed to wait for Mrs. Stern? — and then figures she can just leave it on the mechaneches’s desk and go take a break. She definitely deserves one.

The small corner near the vending machine boasts two battered couches — generally the domain of the 12th grade, but now everyone’s in class. Mimi sinks into the cushions and unwraps a Milk Munch.

“Mimi?”

She nearly jumps off the couch.

“Wha — Shoshana?”

Mimi’s friend slinks round the corner. “Yeah. I cut class, too much going on. Figured you’d show up around the vending machine when you were done.”