22 The Responsible Party

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO The Responsible Party Scientific responsibility (noun). The duty of scientists to think about their social responsibilities as well as stick to professional standards. It's like understanding that you can't copy a friend's test but you can help her with her homework. THE SABOTEUR WAS JEREMY. It all started to make a little bit of sense. Well, I guess it did. On the soccer field he had doubted my goal. I thought that was just because he was being ultra competitive. But I realized something. He wanted to beat me on the field and at the STEM science fair. It didn't take Ms. Daly too long to find Jeremy, since he was in front of his poster setting up his empty can of Red Bull. "Jeremy," said Ms. Daly. "I need to speak with you." He set down his can. "Okay," he said. We both followed Ms. Daly into the hallway. After pulling us into the science lab, she calmly explained how we knew that Jeremy was the culprit. Through science, of course.

Jeremy stared at a poster of the periodic table. Then his eyes cut to mine. "Everyone knows you're going to win. It's not fair. Your mom's principal." Ms. Daly nodded as Jeremy was speaking. "Yes, it's true. Kate's mom is the principal. But she has to do her own work just like everyone else." "I work really hard," I blurted out. "Yeah, and your mom probably makes sure that everyone knows it." Jeremy gestured toward the hall like my mom was standing out there telling teachers I was special. "Everything you're saying is not true." I shook my head, blinking back some tears. "I can vouch for that, Jeremy," said Ms. Daly. "I get it. I'm not the principal's kid, so I'm not a VIP." Jeremy sounded hurt. "I'm sorry you feel overlooked for some reason," said Ms. Daly more gently. "I don't." He shrugged. But his face looked almost as pale as his hair. "It's not about me. It's about her." His voice warbled. "Actually, Jeremy," stated Ms. Daly, "this is all about you right now. And your behavior. I think you know that not only is an apology needed, but also, we're going to have to speak to your parents. And there will be consequences. What you

did was not acceptable in any way." Jeremy met my gaze. "I'm sorry, Kate. Really sorry." "This was all about a silly calculator?" I bit my lip, and then, turning to Ms. Daly, said, "Not that your calculator is silly, Ms. Daly. It's awesome and amazing." "Well, you went around acting like you were going to win," Jeremy said. "And you don't even know what you're going to do with the prize money." I felt like he had sucker-punched me. Because it was true. Even though it was STEM Night, I still didn't know what I would do with the money if I won. I was just confused. There were so many options and all of them were amazing. "That doesn't mean I won't figure it out," I said. If I won. Now, with all of this drama, I wasn't so sure I would. I felt wobbly. "I really am sorry," said Jeremy. "I was just mad, I guess." "Oh," I said. And for a minute, I understood just a little bit. There were things I wanted to do when I was mad, too, that I knew weren't the right thing to do. But I wanted to do them anyway. "No matter what, it wasn't okay to take my stuff. Or write on my poster." My voice grew shaky.

"You're not bad at science," said Jeremy. "You're the opposite." "Thanks," I breathed. "Jeremy, I'm afraid your project is disqualified," said Ms. Daly. "STEM Night is a privilege, not a right. I'm going to speak with your parents and you're going to watch but not participate in any activities." Jeremy's face turned as pink as his strawberry milk. "Okay," he whispered. For a moment, I felt really sorry for him. He wouldn't be able to enjoy any of the hands-on activities. Outside in the parking lot there was even a telescope for stargazing. It seemed like Jeremy really did care about his science project a whole lot. He sure had a funny way of showing it, though. After he handed me the calculator and packed away his poster, I looked away so he wouldn't feel bad. Even though I was still upset at him, I knew what it was like to feel that way. That nothing would work out.

Afterward, I caught up with Birdie in the multipurpose room. Birdie asked, "How did it go?" "Fine," I said. She crossed her fingers. "I hope that nothing else goes wrong." "Thanks, but right now I don't need luck or superstition. I just need to remember the most important thing—that I love science!"