I sighed as I put my chin in the palm of my hand, looking at the crumpled paper I had squished up in my other hand.

“What’s wrong Ruby?” Maddie asked as she sat next to me.

School had just finished for the day, and Maddie, Sara, and I had decided to sit at the picnic tables before going home.

I slumped in my seat, looking at her with sad eyes.

“I’m going to fail English,” I whined.

“Nonsense,” Maddie shook her head, though it sounded like she was trying to convince herself.

“I got a D on my English essay,” I grumbled, laying my essay out on the table....