10 Detention

CHAPTER TEN Detention Scientific Paper (noun). This is a written report that explains the research a scientist has completed. A report usually consists of an introduction, an experimental section, a results and discussion section, and, most important, a conclusion. Just like with any good movie, you need to see how it ends! Scientists always want to read a good conclusion. ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, Birdie and I shuffled down the hallway toward the science lab. Today was tough, even though we had our drumming class. (Elijah was in heaven.) All I could think about was our detention. And now it was happening. We passed a giant banner that read: BUY YOUR FALL FESTIVAL WRISTBANDS IN ADVANCE! Right now, I didn't want to think about anything in advance, especially not what was coming next. Phoenix strode ahead. The back of her vintage rainbow shirt made the world seem happy, even though it wasn't right now. Normally, moving slowly is not my thing. But I wanted to avoid the inevitable.

My first and hopefully last detention. Just as we passed the central office, Phoenix disappeared around the corner. And at that very moment, none other than my mother, the principal of Rosalind Franklin Elementary, hurried out of the main office doorway, which says ALL VISITORS TO FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY MUST SIGN IN. My stomach dropped to the school's foundation. "Hi, girls," my mom said in her usual nonheadachy, cheerful voice. She clutched a lined yellow notepad in her arms. Even though it was after a full day, her brown suit looked as crisp as it had this morning. "I can see you're off to chemistry club," she said. "Just swing on by when you all are ready to go home." "Sure," I said in what I hoped was a peppy voice. I gave Birdie a please-don't-say-anything look. But Birdie didn't glance back. For some reason, she studied the floor like she might trip on her shoelaces. We speed-walked away from the office. "You didn't tell her?" whispered Birdie, still studying her sneakers.

"No," I admitted. "I guess you must be pretty upset not to tell your mom. You tell her everything." "Yeah." My voice caught. Birdie knows I always give my family a summary of my day at dinner. My dad jokingly calls it my scientific report. "Did you tell your parents?" I asked Birdie. "Yes. Kind of. And my mom immediately wanted to call up Jeremy's mom, and, well, your mom. But I talked her out of it." "That's good news." Birdie's mom is a lawyer, and when she gets worked up about something, you know it. When she goes to court, she has to convince people that her client is correct. She fights really hard for them by outlining all the evidence that supports her argument. Birdie and I once got to watch her practice what she was going to say. And wow. "It's odd that Ms. Daly didn't at least tell your mom what happened," said Birdie. "Yeah." I shrugged. "I have no clue why." We ducked into the science lab and went to the table, where Phoenix was already sitting down. Nearby on the materials table was a bag of iron oxide powder and a bottle of distilled water. Also, in the back of the lab sat stacks of cardboard boxes.

Normally, I'd be curious about what we might do with them. But not today. I just wanted to get this over with. I also wanted Birdie to tell me what was bothering her—if it was just science detention or something else. But I wasn't about to ask her about it in front of other people. What if I was the reason she looked so upset? I thought about how impatient I had been yesterday. Oh, gosh. It probably was because of me. Ms. Daly sat at her desk, reading over some papers. She didn't even glance up. She didn't even say hello. This wasn't a good start. Elijah moped at the table across from us and barely waved hello. Memito and Jeremy swung into the room and plopped down. Memito glanced at the clock on the wall as if he was willing it to say 4:00 p.m. I got that. But not Jeremy. He grinned so hard his dimples pressed into his cheeks. He folded his hands in his lap and sat up extra straight. "We're ready for our detention," he said in an enthusiastic voice.

Ms. Daly pressed her hands into the desk. "Detention? What gave you the idea that this is a detention?" "Because it's after school," said Jeremy almost giddily. "And you're really angry with us, right?" "Angry?" Ms. Daly shook her head so fast you could just see a blur of silver hair. "Ooooh, you kids would know if I was upset." She popped out of her chair and paced in front of her desk. "You messed up, but I believe in all sorts of proactive interventions and that's why you're here today. This isn't a detention." "Aw, man." Jeremy slumped back in his chair and huffed. I swiveled around, trying to understand how Jeremy could possibly be disappointed. "Jeremy, you're not even making a teensy weensy"—Memito held up his fingers like he was pinching them—"bit of sense." "My thoughts exactly," I said. "Dude, you actually want a detention?" Elijah shook his head. "Are you dehydrated or something?" Ms. Daly motioned for us all to stop talking. "Let's review some important rules that you didn't follow yesterday."

She grabbed a neon-yellow metric ruler and tapped the Science Lab Rules poster, which hung right above her desk. "Be responsible at all times. No horseplay, practical jokes, or pranks." "Horseplay sounds way dangerous," said Memito. "Like you're playing with a horse in school. Those things kick." "Or it's a theater show about a horse," said Elijah. And Memito neighed. "I don't think so," said Phoenix, rolling her eyes. "They're joking," said Jeremy with a cool shrug. "Can't you people take a joke?" "Not in a science lab," said Birdie, pointing up at the poster of rules. Phoenix raised her hand. "Exactly, because horseplay means you're goofing off." "That's a word my grandpa uses," said Jeremy. "It's weird." "Well, you can't horseplay here," said Ms. Daly. "Whether it's a weird word or not. And this rule is very important." She once again gestured up at the list of rules. "Handle all science materials and tools carefully. And put things back." I raised my hand. "I guess that means no tug-of-war."